Shopping Cart

Our Team

Meghan Archer

Store Manager
I have been part of the team at Great Outdoor Store for 15 years. My sunny disposition makes me an expert at customer service and teamwork. In my spare time you’ll find me walking my dog Juniper and starting 6 backyard projects at once.

Skylar DeJong

Marketing & Website Manager
I've been at GOS since 2017 and am the store hype man, staff moral booster and aspiring-backup-instagram model. My expertise is hiking, running, camping and backpacking. When I was 12, I was the Iowa State Fair mechanical bull riding record holder. I cracked my skull open while achieving this feat, which tells you the distance I will go to in the pursuit of having fun.

Anna Gette

Events Coordinator & Staff Culture Lead
I started at GOS in 2017 and after a 2 year hiatus to the East Coast I returned in 2023. My passion for working with people and establishing a sense of community led me back to GOS as the new events coordinator and staff culture lead. When I'm not at the shop, I enjoy doing anything and everything I can with my dog, Rue; including camping, fishing, skiing, and hiking. I'm also commonly referred to as the shop dog whisperer (so please bring your dogs to the shop <3)!

Mikaela

Senior Sales Staff
I have been a member of the GOS crew since 2015. I am Passionate about running, camping, and summers. I have a weakness for fleeces and will put Fleetwood Mac on the store playlist any chance I get.

Avery Laursen

Senior Sales Staff
I have been a part of the GOS crew since 2021. If you need help recognizing me, I’m the one who will most likely be wearing overalls. I’m a biology major with an ecology emphasis at Augustana University (Go Vikes!). As an ecology major I am very passionate about nature conservation. When I’m not at school or at work, you can find me enjoying some fresh air, roller skating, hiking, hammocking, or reading. I’ve been on a few amazing adventures, but I’m looking forward to accomplishing my goal of going to all of America’s National Parks!

Cristina

Part-Time Sales Staff
Along with Meghan, I've spent over a decade of my life as a member of the GOS family. The amazing people I work with, customers included, make it hard to leave. When I'm not working on the weekends, I'm busy with my two boys, Bodhi and Nash. I love anything on or near the water. I'm an expert on coats because I've accumulated so many over the years! Also, I'm the store mom who makes sure everyone has snacks!

Grant Pederson

Part-Time Sales Staff
I have been a part of the GOS crew since 2021. I like to help anyone who comes in find what they need for their next adventure. Fearless is how I roll, as I have had to use bear spray before. I am a plane-flying, guitar-shredding, mountain-climbing, laid-back guy. Either I am on a backpacking trip or I’m planning my next. And to answer your question, My hair is not a wig, all-natural.

Abigail VandePlanck

Part-Time Sales Staff
I joined the GOS crew at the beginning of 2022 and I love helping customers find an outfit for any occasion whether it be for hiking or even a wedding! A fun fact about me is that my education and career is in aviation. When I am not at the store, I am spending the rest of my time with my toddlers outside exploring!

Andrew Olsen

Part-Time Sales Staff
I started at GOS in 2011 and have been hanging around on and off ever since (this is my third stint). I'm also a geography teacher, so I spend a little time every day adding places around the world to my endless "I want to go there" list. I've spent many nights under the stars in all kinds of places; uncomfortably close to hippos and crocs in the Gambia, on train benches in England, and on the floor of the Grand Canyon. My favorite place to be is with my wife and two kids, preferably bouncing around the Southwest.

Ashley Gustafson

Part-Time Sales Staff
I started here at GOS in August of 2022. I like meeting new people and helping them in whatever way I can. I also have a full-time job working in the world of substance use prevention in the underage population. In my free time I enjoy hanging out with friends and family, doing yoga, and playing sports!

Liz Fossum

Part-Time Sales Staff
I joined the GOS crew back in August of 2022. I've been fortunate to travel to 17 countries (and counting) in my life so I am your go-to person for all things travel! My favorite trip so far was to Rome, and I have a 3-page document of recommendations ready to share with anyone who is interested. ;) When I'm not at my day job helping international students study in the United States, you can find me planning out my next adventure!