What We Do
Gerten Outdoors adds value by recognizing consistent on-site presence is the best route to bridge retailer needs and manufacturer resources.
GO Reps support our retail partners through educating staff with in-store demos and product clinics, and guided outdoor weekend adventures. We cover the Western Great Lakes including; Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, the UP of Michigan, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota. We build strong, lasting relationships with both independent outdoor stores and big box retailers. With many years of combined experience, we are experts in the outdoor demographics of the Midwest.
GO Reps support our retail partners through educating staff with in-store demos and product clinics, and guided outdoor weekend adventures. We cover the Western Great Lakes including; Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, the UP of Michigan, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota. We build strong, lasting relationships with both independent outdoor stores and big box retailers. With many years of combined experience, we are experts in the outdoor demographics of the Midwest.
Outreach
Cultivating a passion for the outdoors is essential to continued success and growth in the outdoor market. ...And, we just plain love sharing the joy of being outside and seeing how youth develop trust and confidence and an appreciation of nature.
We have a close relationship with Face to Face Academy in St. Paul, MN, where Paul shares his love and knowledge of the outdoors with urban youth as the Wilderness Program Facilitator. Please watch the video! We support other grass roots and regional initiatives like the Ozark Trail Association Mega Trailbuilding weekend, West Yellowstone Fall Camp, Sandstone Ice Fest, and the American Alpine Club. |
|
Who We Are

Paul Gerten, founder of Gerten Outdoors, has been a product representative in the Midwest for nearly twenty years in the areas of Ski, Camp, Footwear and Clothing/Soft Goods. Prior to his time in the outdoor industry, Paul was a High School Social Studies Teacher in an Alternative Program with an Experiential Wilderness Focus. Paul averaged over 35 days a year on trail with students exploring the geography and history of the wild places in the Midwest. He continues to explore the lakes and rivers of the Midwest and Canada camping, canoeing and backpacking. He lives in Minnetonka, MN with two awesome dogs and an even awesome-r wife.

Greg Martin has worked with GO for over five years as a brand ambassador. Greg is an avid year-round outdoorsman who skis both alpine and nordic styles, climbs rock and ice, and camps whenever and wherever he can. Greg lives the adage, 'there is no bad weather, only inappropriate clothing choices.' He brings many years of experience of just plain being hard on his gear in all conditions. Greg is a retired Minneapolis Firefighter who lives in Minneapolis with his partner, Kari.

Alek Van Valkenburg has worked with GO for over 4 years. He is the webmaster and provides other logistic support. In addition to attaining Eagle Scout, he was part of several high adventure trips with the Boy Scouts including kayaking in the Apostle Islands and sailing in the Florida Keys. He has done many backpacking and canoe trips in Northern Minnesota including the Steel River in Canada and countless BWCA trips. He is a graduate of Gustavus Adolphus College.