Staff Biographies
Scott Brady Publisher and Chairman
Scott is an adventure driver, working on special vehicle projects for Jeep and others, along with driving in technical off-road races; he is the only American to win the rugged Outback Challenge. Scott is a Tread Lightly Master Trainer and Master Trainer for Overland Training. Scott also has a passion for photography and writing, and his articles can be found in Interlink publications and 4wd Toyota Owner. Scott is the co-founder of the Overland Society. Once at the end of the road for his Jeep, Land Rover or KTM, Scott enjoys canyoneering, climbing and mountain biking. He lives in Prescott, Arizona with his wife Stephanie and their Alaskan Malamute, Yukon.
Chris Collard Editor-in-Chief
Chris Collard comes to Overland Journal with more than a decade of experience as an independent photojournalist. His images and writings have appeared in National Geographic ADVENTURE, Cigar Aficionado, Overland Journal, and dozens of other U.S. print magazines, from Hot Rod to AutoWeek. He is also the international correspondent to magazines on six continents and in a dozen languages. Corporate clients have included ARB, Warn, Jeep, Mile Marker and Mopar.
From his formative years riding motorcycles with his father in Baja, Mexico, his thirst for travel has lead him from the Cape of Good Hope, South Africa, to the arctic archipelago of Svalbard Island, Norway, and from Bolivia to Morocco. With an affinity for Australia, he is in the process of circumnavigating the continent in one-month increments. Other overlanding endeavors include a two-month, 8,000-mile solo trek through Southern Africa, and a recent all-dirt transect of the Western U.S. from Mexico to Canada. His favorite quote, "We are never lost… just exploring a bit."
Stephanie Brady President and Director of Design
Stephanie is a professional designer and Certified Interior Designer with a BA in Leadership from Grand Canyon University. Stephanie's passion for design and photography, combined with her love for the outdoors allows her a unique capacity for visual adventure storytelling. Stephanie is also an accomplished driver, having piloted Jeeps across the Rubicon and Toyotas in Baja. She is as comfortable behind the wheel as she is in front of her Mac design station.
Brian McVickers Director of Business Development
A Chicago native, Brian has lived throughout the United States and Caribbean while traveling as much as possible. An accomplished racing and ocean sailor Brian is equally comfortable traversing large expanses of remote land in search of adventure. He has spent the last ten years involved in the outdoor industry with magazines, newspapers, Web, television and ad agencies. Brian is based in Phoenix, Arizona with a fantastic wife Amy, two toddlers Charlie & Max, a dog named Oliver, one Land Rover and a dual-sport.
Kelsey McLaren Executive Assistant
Kelsey grew up exploring northern Arizona on horseback. While still a fan of horses, she now does most of her exploring in a Nissan Xterra. With a background in construction, contracting, and interior design, Kelsey is no stranger to hard work, or creative problem solving. Her passion for outdoor exploration and Overland travel made her seek us out, pursuing a role with the tenacity she brings to every project. Since joining the team in late 2011, Kelsey has become a vital part of it, handling all customer service, day to day operations, and subscriber logistics. Besides working at the Journal, this year she has been able to travel on two continents through seven countries and she plans to increase that every year.
Ray Hyland Chief Operating Officer
After a 15-year grind as a senior executive for the world’s top communications companies, and doing extended overland treks on holiday, Ray realized he had the whole work-life-balance-thing backwards. He decided to leave the New York City rat race and focus on his passions: international travel, photography, and unusual vehicles. He describes his role as Chief Operating Officer for Overland Journal as “Challenging, constantly changing, and the most fun I have ever had.”
Andre Racine Adventure Accountant
Andre is affectionately known as the “Adventure Accountant” due to his work with Overland Journal, Expeditions West and Adventure Trailers. He holds a B.A. in Business Management and since 1992 has operated his own business consulting firm. Since joining the Overland Journal team in June 2008, he has learned to embrace the adventure spirit by taking on off-roading, motorcycle riding and participating in the Overland Expo.
In his free time, Andre enjoys gardening, mountain biking and restoring his 1968 VW squareback. A Canada native, he now lives in Chino Valley with his wife Cathy, their two daughters Adriana and Maranda, two dogs Bandit and Ginger, cat Sophie and rockstar canary Ozzy.
Bo Rounsavall Fulfillment
Bo is originally a native Texan. Her background as a dancer did not prepare her for a life of adventure, but life threw her a series of curves and she went with it. After marrying her high school sweetheart, they embarked on a lifetime of journeys around the country and the globe and never looked back. She and her husband, Clint, left the hectic pace of Southern California in 2006, and last year landed in Prescott, AZ. Her original working experience was in the field of shipping and inventory control. Her focus then shifted for a number of years to the animal industry, where she focused on training, breeding and foaling horses, along with becoming an accomplished equestrienne.
Bo and Clint reside in Prescott, AZ, along with their daughter, Shanna, son-in-law, Dave, and grandson, Race; along with their dogs Beannie, Peanut and Woody, and horse, Tink. Bo divides her time between Overland Journal and Adventure Trailers where Clint and Dave also work, which truly makes them a family of adventure.
Chazz Layne Graphic Designer
Chazz grew up traveling. Early days spent exploring the Appalachian Mountains, swimming in the Gulf of Mexico, or just wandering through the cities of the West set the tone for his life. When he eventually bought a 4x4 and discovered the isolation and beauty of the Southwest Deserts, he realized the need to combine his passions of design and Overland Travel. That free spirit has carried him through 13 years as a professional designer, first as team-lead for an IT firm, and eventually starting his own agency.
Chazz and his wife Dani are based in Prescott, Arizona, where they enjoy the ample opportunities for exploration the region has to offer. In addition to his work with Overland Journal, Chazz is a regular contributor to Expedition Portal.
Åsa Björklund Staff Editor
Swedish born and educated, Åsa has roamed the globe working as a waitress, a factory employee, and a dozen other odd jobs “that made life more interesting.” As a human rights lawyer, she worked with development aid in Central America, reporting on sensitive issues of the region. When Åsa could escape the office, she explored remote areas of Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador and Honduras in a Land Rover. With a desire to write fulltime, she switched careers to journalism. Her work includes articles for a variety of Swedish and English language magazines and websites, covering topics such as overland traveling, wildlife, current affairs and social issues. Åsa has a passion for animals and has a particularly soft spot for horses. Whenever she can, she hikes the backcountry in her new home state, Arizona. She says, “I keep falling in love with this place over and over again.”
Where is Overland Journal?
Members of the Overland Journal team frequently travel the world. Find out where they currently are.