Staff Bios

Staff Bios | History of North American Canoe Tours    
Ivey House History | Why We Are GREEN    

David Harraden, Owner, came to Everglades City for the first time in 1978 to explore the area with some friends. At that time there were very few services for paddlers and he began North American Canoe Tours in 1979. He built his business around paddlers needs including trip planning, providing necessary equipment, and guided adventures. He began renting canoes and taking guests on overnight guided canoe trips with each year expanding services he was providing. His dream has expanded to what the Ivey House is today. He enjoys sharing his vast knowledge about the area, Indian history and unique plants and animals of the Everglades with others.

Sandee Harraden, Managing Director, Originally from California and a graduate from San Diego State University with a bachelor's degree in Recreation Therapy and a Masters degree in Counseling Education. Sandee rented a canoe from David Harraden in 1990 to paddle the wilderness Waterway and fell in love with him and the area. She enjoys paddling, marketing, photography, gardening and spending time with her four grandchildren. She also enjoys the gypsy lifestyle she and David have created.

Heather Wren, General Manager, wandered here from St. Francisville, Louisiana via Maine in 2008. Her last few years have been spent with springtime in Europe and summers in the wild. She has fallen in love with the Everglades and plans to stay for a while!

Brady Fergusson, Assistant Manager, originally from Rochester, New York, recently spent two years serving in the Peace Corps in the Republic of Kiribati. He worked with community groups in the village of Ewena to start health improvement projects. He met his wife there and they returned to the U.S. together in 2008. After receiving the suggestion from his older sister, a former Ivey House employee, Brady came down to work in Everglades City. When he's not at work, Brady enjoys playing basketball, watching movies, playing tennis, and eating.

Brandon, Naturalist Guide, is a traveler and wandering adventurer who boats, in one form or another, all year long. He splits his time between kayaking the Everglades and raft guiding on The Arkansas River in Colorado, and uses the time in between seasons to travel and explore. Loves the life he lives

Corey, Naturalist Guide, just finished college in Southern Ohio. He went to Hocking College for 3 years, where he received an associate's degree in Ecotourism and Adventure Travel. He is a Wilderness First Responder and is thrilled with the wildlife of the Everglades.

John, Naturalist Guide, is a Michigan native and graduate of Michigan State University with a degree in Wildlife Biology and Forestry. After owning and operating Backcountry Outfitters, a backpacking specialty store for 23 years he now is semi retired. John enjoys traveling and volunteering for different National Parks throughout the United States. He has been teaching canoeing and kayaking for over 30 years. This will be his 7th season leading trips and guiding travelers into the Everglades. He is looking forward to spending more time exploring the biological diverse ecology of the Everglades and sharing it with the Ivey House guests.

Vaughn, Naturalist Guide, is from Cape Town, South Africa. He began guiding in the Kalahari Desert twelve years ago, in Africa, taking guests down the Orange River and on safari in the Kgalagadi National Park. He first worked at the Ivey House six years ago, before leaving to travel through America doing seasonal work. After a brief sojourn back in Africa, he contacted the Ivey House and here he is. Who knows where he will go next, but it will definitely be wild and beautiful!

Denny, Maintenance and Rental Agent, is originally from Indiana and thankful to be employed in the Everglades where is it is warm. For the past two years, he has worked for private RV resorts and as a seasonal employee for the National Park Service. He has enjoyed the remote desert areas of the country such as Glen Canyon National Recreational area in Utah and the deserts of southern California. After working a season in the southern area of Everglades National Park he is looking forward to experiencing the western side of the Everglades by canoeing, camping, and kayaking.

Ann, Back Office Clerk, is from Michigan, graduated from Michigan State University with a teaching degree. She enjoys traveling, camping, hiking, sewing and her grandson, Cooper. This is her 8th winter here in Everglades City.

Debbie, Front Desk Clerk, is from Michigan and excited about not seeing snow this winter! After experiencing lake Powell and Lake Havasu which working seasonally out west, she is looking forward to experiencing the Everglades by camping, kayaking, and canoeing. Debbie loves to travel and enjoys hearing from guests about their adventures, here and abroad.

Karen, Front Desk Clerk, originally hails from Massachusetts. After a long career in public service, she began a new chapter in life by obtaining her Hospitality Management Degree from Johnson & Wales University. A travel-holic by nature, she arrived here via Teton, Yellowstone, Grand Canyon National Parks, and is now basking in the environment of the Everglades area.

Linda, Front Desk Clerk, could never understood why her parents lived in the cold, dreary Chicago, IL area so the first chance she had, she and her two wonderful children moved to Naples, FL There she met her terrific husband, who was a Park Ranger for Everglades National Park. She quickly became an avid lover of fishing, boating, and camping in the backcountry of the 10,000 Islands. After a short move to North Carolina, in the Great Smokey Mountains, she and her family are back in Everglades City to enjoy her new grandson and the pleasure of working at the Ivey House.

Mary, Front Desk Clerk and Merchandising, was born and raised in Northern New Jersey. She earned her B.A. in Elementary Education with a Minor in Psychology. She received her K-8 teaching certification, and decided to go back to college and receive her Master's Degree in Guidance/Counseling. She became a middle school counselor and loved that age group. She earned an additional 30 credits beyond her Master's, and then journeyed west to California. She's new to Florida, and enjoying the variety of its seasons and ecosystem.

Patrick, Front Desk Clerk, was born and raised in the frigid confines of Rochester, NY. He was summoned to Everglades City by the allure of mosquito bites, daily rain storms, and fried seafood. Patrick finds great satisfaction in meeting and helping the guests of the Ivey House experience enjoyable vacations. Patrick offers a thorough recommendation of the Ivey House to anyone looking for sincere accommodations in the truly unique habitat of the Florida Everglades!

Tod, Front Desk Clerk, was born in Ft. Myers Florida just 60 miles from Everglades City. He grew up camping, hiking and fishing in the subtropical wilderness of south Florida. By the time Todd was 8 he had developed knack for spotting and catching reptiles. Boys will be boys and he drove him crazy by bringing home snakes, turtles and even alligators! Todd's enthusiasm for nature ultimately exposed him to the history of Florida's native Indians, the Calusa's. He has visited several of their ancient mound sites and is quick to tell you stories about their life here in the Everglades. The history of Florida's early settlers is also one of Todd's interests.

Bobure, Housekeeper, was born on the island of Abaiang in the Republic of Kiribati, a nation made up of small coral atolls located in the Central Pacific Ocean. She moved to the U.S. in 2008 with her husband, who also works at the Ivey House. Her work includes housekeeping and kitchen duties.