John Dockendorf is the founder of Dockendorf Consulting and an expert in the field of adventure and outdoor recreational activities. With over 30 years of experience, he has successfully developed and led small businesses in various industries, including service, hospitality, outdoor recreation, and travel.
John graduated first in his class from the Cornell School of Hotel Administration in 1992 and holds a master’s degree in management with a focus on marketing and entrepreneurship. His academic achievements include winning the prestigious John E. H. Sheiry Scholarship.
In 1993, John founded Adventure Treks, a renowned adventure travel program for teenagers. Over the course of 27 years, he led the organization and maintained the highest participant and staff repeat rate in the outdoor industry. In 2019, he successfully sold Adventure Treks.
In 2011, John and his wife Jane undertook the task of reopening Camp Pinnacle, a legacy summer camp in western North Carolina that was closed, bankrupt, and in disrepair. Through their efforts and a $5 million renovation financed through cash flow, they brought the camp back to life. Under their leadership, Camp Pinnacle went from zero enrollment to having a waiting list that forms as early as November. The couple sold Camp Pinnacle in 2021.
John’s expertise extends to the skiing, outdoor, summer camp, and travel industries. He published his master’s thesis on options for differential pricing in the ski business, a topic that has gained significant relevance over the past 30 years.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, John has been actively involved in his community. He served as an elected member of the Flat Rock, NC, Town Council and was involved in various committees and boards, including the French Broad River Metropolitan Planning Board, the Henderson County Transportation Advisory Committee, and the marketing and public relations chair for Apple Country Greenways. He has also been a board member of Conserving Carolina, president of the Mountain Community School Board, and founding board chairman of the French Broad River Academy. John contributed to the development of Flat Rock Park, which transformed a 62-acre golf course into a community park with a modern playground.
Currently residing in Hood River, Oregon, where he enjoys retirement filled with skiing and mountain biking, John remains passionate about sharing his expertise with the next generation of entrepreneurs in the outdoor, adventure, travel, and hospitality industries.
For more information about John Dockendorf and his consulting services, you can visit his website at johndockendorf.com. Additionally, you can connect with him on LinkedIn and Twitter for updates and insights into his work.
