Kelly Jackson Named Co-Owner & Managing Partner
Phil Yost Named Owner of the Downtown St. Pete Building
St. Petersburg, Florida – (August 30, 2021) – Vertical Ventures has announced that long-time employee Kelly Jackson has been named a co-owner and Managing Partner effective immediately. Kelly is a familiar face to the hundreds of customers who have enjoyed the indoor rock climbing destination based in downtown St. Petersburg. For the past 14 years, she worked at Vertical Ventures in a part-time or full time capacity before being named General Manager. As the new Managing Partner effective immediately, she is also a co-owner along with Hal Thureson and Christian Tartaglia. “We are looking forward to breaking barriers and making rock climbing more accessible to visitors of all ages, especially those who reside in our community as we announce new collaborative projects in the future.”
Well-known local entrepreneur and Compass Land & Title President Phil Yost has been named co-owner of the Vertical Ventures building, located at 116 18th Street South. He is the original founder of Vertical Ventures and thrilled to have witnessed the tremendous success of a business that he started years ago. “With Brian Dieterich as General Manager for over six years, Kelly Travison Dieterich as Programs Director for over five years and Jiarra Chiang as the second female Head Routesetter, this team is nothing but first class.”
Vertical Ventures has been open at the St. Petersburg location since May, 2016. Managing Partner Kelly Jackson emphasizes the joy of climbing is not restricted and “we are open to all ages. Our past customers will be happy to see that many of our head coaches have returned and we are back to pre-Covid levels of operations.” Customers are asked to wear masks and hand sanitizing stations are placed around the facility for safety.
New customers will enjoy this unique “bucket list adventure “ offering indoor rock climbing. All new visitors will be given a facility tour by a staff member. Beginning climbers can come in solo, harness up and use auto belays or come in with a partner and take a belay class (learn how to handle the ropes) and belay each other. This class includes a 2 week membership w/rental gear. They also have a section dedicated to bouldering (climbing without use of safety ropes) that are shorter, but steeper walls. Experienced climbers will enjoy the 40’ tall walls in the “Pit” area with lead and top-rope climbing. All members enjoy free group yoga and fitness classes provided by The Body Electric Yoga Company.
VERTICAL VENTURES HOURS:
• Open 7 days a week
• Monday: 4-10pm
• Tuesday: 10am – 10pm
• Wednesday: 10am -10pm
• Thursday: 10am -10pm
• Friday: 10am – 12am
• Saturday: 10am -10pm
• Sunday: 10am – 6pm
Vertical Ventures:
Address: 116 18th St S, St. Petersburg, FL 33712
Hours: Opens 4PM
Phone: (727) 304-6290
Appointments: verticalventures.com