Our Team.
We are highly qualified and experienced industry professionals that are passionate about creating high ropes adventures in a more eco-friendly way than ever before.
Our team of over 40+ experts includes world-renown naturalists, ISA certified arborists, aerial canopy engineers, champion Olympic extreme sport athletes, corporate business strategists, architects and brand designers, among other disciplines. Together we design and build once-in-a-lifetime adventure experiences that feature native wildlife.
We strive to preserve the natural ecosystem and help boost local economies. But most of all, we aim to give our partners and their guests a legendary experience filled with adrenaline, breathtaking views of flora and fauna, and authentic immersion into local culture.
Charles Farrell.
Founder & CEO
With a long history in commercial development globally, Charles leads the Umgawa Adventures team and remains personally involved in every project.
For over 12 years, Charles has spearheaded design and development of high ropes attractions throughout South East Asia. He’s received distinctions for his commercial projects in Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Malaysia. Most recently, he completed the award winning Umgawa Adventures course in Langkawi.
Prior to Umgawa, Charles had a long career in commercial and residential mortgage banking and real estate development. He has been recognized for his many contributions to the industry, including accolades from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the US Federal Housing Administration (FHA). He has assembled, permitted and negotiated debt and equity vehicles to build several large luxury condominium projects throughout the USA. He holds a BS in English and Economics from University of Massachusetts.
Alex Schuchter.
Chief Engineering & Safety Officer
With over 30 years of experience in the adventure tourism industry, Alex leads all of our course design, engineering, and construction. He also heads the Sky Ranger training program and oversees safety and certifications.
Prior to Umgawa, Alex has designed and built high ropes attractions in Thailand, Cambodia, Nepal and Malaysia. He has also worked extensively in Indonesia, Bhutan, Switzerland, Spain, Dominican Republic, Greece, Slovenia, Italy and Austria.
Alex holds many applicable licenses and certifications including International High Ropes Trainer, Austrian Canyoning Guide, Austrian Rafting Guide, Alpine Ski Instructor and Paramedic Assistant. He has a BS in Electrical Engineering from the Tyrolean Vocational School for Electrical Engineering, Communication and Electronics and is fluent in over four languages.
Gunasilan “Guna” Ramasamy
.
Director of Tree Maintenance
An internationally distinguished arborist and tree expert, Guna is responsible for assessing and maintaining tree health for all projects. His in-depth knowledge of the natural ecosystem is critical not only for design and direction of construction and maintenance, but also in developing operational policies and procedures.
Guna has over 40 years of experience working with and teaching about trees. Prior to Umgawa, he spent 25 years as a Horticulturist at the University of Science Malaysia, where he also lectured at the School of Housing, Building and Planning. He has held the role of General Manager for Bukit Merah Laketown Resort and Consultant for Botanica.CT in Balik Pulau. Additionally, he has provided private Horticulturist and Arborist consultation services to Government Departments, Housing Developers and Environmental Planners & Landscape Architects throughout South East Asia.
Guna is a certified International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Arborist. He holds a BSc. in Applied Horticulture from the University of Southwestern Louisiana and a MS in Project Management from the University of Science Malaysia.
Jillian Farrell.
Chief Operating Officer
With a background in human-centered design and innovation, Jillian leads our client relationships as well as internal operations and marketing.
Prior to Umgawa, Jillian was the Director of Business Development at EPAM Continuum, a global innovation design consultancy. There she led client engagements with major hospitality chains, as well as federal, state and municipal governments.
Jillian has also previously held the roles of Business Development Lead and Experience Lead at IDEO. She earned her BS graduating Valedictorian with a degree in Business Administration and Accounting from the University of Tampa.
“The Umgawa team are professional and knowledgeable experts who are well versed in designing and building great adventures and, most importantly, safe experiences.””
— Aamir Khan, The Danna Langkawi Resort General Manager