NORTH TEXAS CHAPTER
Connect:
Email: northtexaschapter@americanalpineclub.org
Stay updated with our events on Facebook!
Meet Your Chapter Leaders
Ernie Lock -
Chapter Chair
Ernie joined the leadership team as President in 2020. His responsibility is to steward this community’s culture of rock climbing and enable its goals:
Foster a culture centered on outdoor rock climbing and conservation.
Continuously improve member’s skills in climbing, safety, and fitness.
Implement service projects to provide access and protection for wild places.
Ernie is supported in his responsibilities by an excellent and energetic leadership team who are committed to achieving our community’s goals. The spirit of NTXAAC lives in these leaders.
Ernie is proud of the diversity and growth of the NTXAAC community. The active membership base ranges in age from early twenty-somethings to mid sixty-somethings with women and men supporting all levels of responsibility for our community’s success.
Ernie encourages everyone in the North Texas region with an interest in outdoor rock climbing to join us for one of the many events we sponsor. We look forward to meeting you on your journey to discover climbing. We are certain you will find among us the community where you belong.
Ted Wilson - Director of Climbing and Trips
The outdoors is “where it’s at” for Ted, Trad Dad to all. Ted has been organizing climbing trips and introducing new members to Trad Climbing since joining NTXAAC in 2018.
Ted’s passion is encouraging everyone with an interest in traditional climbing to start the adventure. He generously shares his time to educate and mentor climbers through the NTXAAC Gym to Crag clinics where we take inexperienced climbers and teach them “the way of the rock” and Road to the Alpine where we teach “the way of the snow”.
Ted is eager to provide every new climber with a safe, fulfilling, and memorable experience. His happiness is not only in teaching but experiencing that first trad lead and first summit with NTXAAC members.
Ted’s goal is to have a club of competent climbers that can climb anywhere in the world and eager to pay it forward through teaching and mentoring.
“Looking forward to seeing you on the SHARP END!” T.W.
Brandon Gibbons, Director of Communications
Brandon leads the effort for digital engagement with NTXAAC members. He brings experience in social media and email marketing from the entertainment company he co-owns and operates with his wife to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of communication between the chapter’s leadership team and its members.
Brandon set up and manages a shared online calendar giving members access to details and information on upcoming trips and events making opportunities more accessible. His knowledge and energy with social media have grown the number of members and newsletter subscribers by more than 50% since taking the reins as Director of Communications.
In 2021 Brandon completed the AMGA Single Pitch Instructor course and exam. He is trained in Wilderness First Aid through SOLO and holds his First Aid/CPR/AED Instructor Certification through the ARC. He currently works for several Guide Services in both Texas and Maine and loves sharing his passion for climbing and technical knowledge with his fellow club members.
Hunter Harrison, Deputy Director of Climbing and Trips
Hunter joined the NTXAAC in the spring of 2019 and immediately fell in love with the community, access and knowledge sharing that the club provided. He quickly found his passion in sharing climbing with others and has been serving as a trip leader since the summer of 2019.
During this time, Hunter has led many climbing trips, gym to crag clinics and the Road to the Alpine. He enjoys all facets of climbing and outdoor adventure from sport climbing at Horseshoe Canyon Ranch, to embracing his inner trad dad in the Wichita’s, and backpacking trips to summiting peaks. If it is outside and there is an opportunity to suffer, then Hunter is there for it.
Jonda Chenoweth, Deputy Director of Communications
Jonda joined the NTXAAC leadership team as the Deputy Director of Communications in January 2023 and currently manages the Facebook page for the NTXAAC. You can find her active in other various roles that contribute to the vitality of NTXAAC. Jonda is a hairstylist with a devoted clientele which gives her flexibility to do the other things she loves. When she's not climbing or working out, she is an inspiring mother of two wonderful girls, Natalia, 13 and Naya, 4. Jonda also coaches Naya's soccer team and brings that teaching and mentoring spirit to NTXAAC. Jonda brings a helpful and cheerful attitude to everyone she meets. She is passionate about climbing outdoors and committed to NTXAAC’s vision for community.
Terry Wint Jr., Director of Events
Terry is responsible for assuring that if NTXAAC is not climbing at our local crags and gyms, then we are strengthening the bonds of our community through frequent social gatherings.Terry joined the NTXAAC in search of climbing partners and as a result he gained lifelong friendships with like-minded peers and mentors. He has a love for the outdoors, stays active with many hobbies and is always encouraging friends and new members to join in on the adventures!Terry is always looking to expand his knowledge and enjoys teaching others the skills that he learned because he was once in their climbing shoes. His position in the military and his civilian work in the IT field contribute to his patience that is needed when leading/teaching/training. Terry is approachable and welcoming and hopes to see more faces enjoying the events and trips the NTXAAC has to offer to our great community that we hope will continue to grow.
Georgia Oswald, Deputy Director of Communications
A lifetime of appreciation for and devotion to the outdoors and protecting our wild places brought Georgia to rock climbing and this community. She brings her passion for outdoor climbing, love of writing and professional experience from several years of managing social media for a restaurant and hospitality group to the NTXAAC.
Immediately upon joining the NTXAAC she knew she had found her people. The heights, views and skills she has attained have been life changing in many ways. Contributing to the club via the newsletter and social media is a small way for her to give back and help grow and share this amazing community with a larger audience. Outreach, words and actions are powerful and important, and Georgia is committed to using these tools to be a steward to our lands and people.