Dave Durant
Executive Director
Dave first came to Pok-O-MacCready in 1990 as a camper in the Pioneer Section. After seven summers as a camper, he worked as a counselor, section head, Assistant Director, and Director of Outdoor Education. Outside of Pok-O, Dave honed his skills as an educator, mentor, and wilderness trip leader by facilitating St. Lawrence University’s Adirondack Semester, teaching 150 courses for the National Outdoor Leadership School, and leading multi-week whitewater canoeing and backcountry skiing trips for Kroka Expeditions. Dave is happy to be back in the Adirondacks year round. He and his partner Tess fill their sparse free time reconnecting with this magical place by hiking winter 46ers and exploring local rivers in their packrafts.
Brian DeGroat
Director of Marketing and Admissions
Trained as a history teacher, Brian was first lured to the Adirondacks in 2008. His initial 3-month contract turned into almost two decades committed to this Adirondack camp and its broader community. In addition to filling the multiple roles at Pok-O, Brian has also served on the board of directors for the Lakeside School in Essex, as well as the New York State Outdoor Education Association, and currently serves as an advisor to the New Jersey School of Conservation. Passions outside of camp include trail running, choral singing, and anything involving a frisbee.
Jen Fierman
Summer Camp Director
Jen first attended Pok-O in 1985 as a camper in the Lodge. After many years as a camper, Jen continued as a counselor and outdoor education instructor. Her desire to share Pok-O with her children and her love of the Adirondacks led her to return to camp in 2018 as the Assistant Director and then Director of MacCready. When not at Pok-O, Jen has worked as a teacher in middle and high schools and as a coordinator supporting foreign service families overseas. She currently teaches English at a community college in Virginia.