Jennifer Whipple, Executive Director

Jennifer began finding her interest in child development early on in life, working in the childcare field sculpting young minds. She continued on into the nursing field working with the mentally and physically challenged and elderly care for just over four years. Jennifer then decided to expand her horizons into other areas and found Wilderness Quest. From the first day being hired as the secretary and loving every part of Wilderness Quest, her devotion for the families and students watching the changes happening in the family structure made her grow and learn all the aspects of Wilderness Quest. She was especially drawn to the family aspect of the company and appreciated how important it was and is to keep that culture. With that love and concern the students were more eager to learn how to be responsible, love, grow as people and number one become sober. Since the days of being the secretary Jennifer has worked her way up through the company, and has become the Executive Director, as well as an Interventionist. She is currently continuing her education with Wilderness Quest and hopes to achieve her LSAC in the near future.

Jennifer has three children and a loving Husband. She enjoys the simple things in life such as camping outdoors, hiking, horseback riding and riding motor cycles. Jennifer’s youngest daughter likes to help out in the office and be apart of Wilderness Quest and way she can, she will tell you that she is the boss. Jennifer and her family all work together for the livelihood of Wilderness Quest and its mission of bringing families back together.

Derrick Cook, LPC-Clinical Director

Derrick Cook received his undergraduate degree from Southern Utah University with a Major in Spanish and Physical Education, and a certificate in Secondary Education. He received his Masters of Education from the University of Phoenix, with an emphasis in Educational Counseling. Derrick has been licensed in the state of Utah as a Licensed Professional Counselor since October of 2004. For the past 15 years, Derrick has worked in a variety of treatment settings that address mental health issues and addiction, including owning and operating his own treatment program from 2001-2006.

During that time, he has also helped to design and develop a multitude of programs for adjudicated youth and private pay He became employed with Wilderness Quest in June of 2007. Derrick and his wife have four children and live in Moab, Utah.

Tyler Palmer, LSAC, NCAC-Counselor

Tyler Palmer joined the Wilderness Quest family as an intern in the summer of 2003. Through his experience working at Wilderness Quest he has acquired over 600 field days of experience working with young people in the therapeutic setting. Also in that time he has become a Licensed Substance Abuse Counselor (LSAC), as well as a National Certified Addiction Counselor (NCAC). Using the outdoors as a medium for facilitating change has been a huge part of his path in the treatment industry.

Being a recovered alcoholic/addict himself, he shares his experience, strength, and hope with the students who come into the Wilderness Quest program on a daily basis. Tyler insists to each student that the best and most exciting times of their lives lay ahead of them if they commit themselves to sobriety.

Philip Fried, BA-Field Director

Philip grew up in and around Cleveland, OH. From an early age his interests centered around nature and art. He received his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the Savannah College of Art and Design in 2005. While receiving this formal degree he also pursued his passion for the outdoors in a multitude of back country experiences.

Philip has traveled across the North American Continent engaging in such varied activities as backpacking, canoeing, cycling, rock climbing, canyoneering, hunting, and trapping. He continues to view himself as a 'student of nature' in regards to all aspects of his life. In 2007 Phil came to Wilderness Quest to share his experience, strength, and hope with other 'students of nature'. He immediately fell in love with the program and has since worked in several roles, including Chief Instructor, Field Logistical Supervisor, and now Field Director. His favorite aspect of the program is that the staff work through it themselves, right along with the students.

Keith Hooker, MD.

Dr. Hooker began teaching an Outdoor Survival course at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. In 1972, he instigated rural health programs, after seeing a need in small rural areas and then set up, and made regular calls to the clinics up and down the state; he was also among the first to train and utilize Nurse Practitioners. He co-founded Youth Rehab Wilderness Programs and serves still as Physician backup for several in a three-state area.

Voted Utah’s Emergency Physician of the Year in 1989 and 1997, Keith is a popular lecturer and speaker, as well as an Advisor for many EMT units and paramedic departments throughout the State. At present, Keith remains a longtime ER Doctor at Utah Valley Regional Medical Center in Provo, Utah. Keith enjoys life, living in Mapleton, Utah, with his wife of five years, Juanita Weber-Hooker. Between them, the couple has 11 children and 36 grandchildren; they both enjoy traveling in their Cessna 182. Keith is an avid mountain climber and has scaled Mount Everest and Mt. McKinley, among others. He is a supporter of the Boy Scout program, is an accomplished snow-skier, and mediocre golfer.