Zipline Standards Expert Witnesses

Rochester Hills, Michigan

Athletics & Recreation, Risk Management - zip line, zipline accident, zipline braking, zipline brake system, zipline construction, zipline death, zipline safety, residential/backyard zipline, zipline standards, ANSI/ACCT Standards, aerial adventure course, aerial adventure course standards, ropes course, challenge course, climbing, ACCT, ASTM, NAARSO, ASTM F2959, zipline expert

Michael R. Smith is an industry-recognized expert in zip lines, challenge-course, and aerial-adventure-park design, operations, and risk management, with more than three decades of experience in the field. He is regularly retained by plaintiff and defense counsel to provide expert-witness services, accident investigations, and standards-compliance opinions under ASTM F2959, ANSI/ACCT, PRCA. and related industry standards. Mr. Smith is the principal of AdventureSmith, Inc., a consulting firm specializing in risk management, technical inspections, operational audits, staff training, and business development for adventure-tour operators. From 2009 to 2023, he also served as founder and managing partner of an award-winning zip line canopy tour and aerial adventure park operations in Vermont and Tennessee. He holds a B.A. in Wilderness Leadership from Prescott College (1998) and a Master’s in Training and Development from Oakland University (2004). Mr. Smith currently serves on the ...

Columbus, Ohio

Athletics & Recreation, Risk Management - zip line, zipline accident, zipline collision, zipline braking, zipline safety, backyard zipline, aerial adventure course, adventure park, ropes course, challenge course, aerial treking, adventure course, zipline standards, ACCT, zipline expert

I am a distinguished graduate of the University of Illinois, holding a Bachelor of Science in Leisure Studies. My journey spans over three decades, currently culminating in my role as owner of both ZipZone Outdoor Adventures, LLC—a dynamic Columbus-based enterprise celebrated for its innovative zip line canopy tour and adventure park, and Skybound Consulting — a consulting and expert witness company. Throughout my career, I have consistently embodied excellence in various leadership capacities demonstrating not only versatility but an unwavering commitment to industry standards. As a seasoned entrepreneur, I adeptly helmed two companies who were both Accredited Vendors of ACCT International, as well as ZipZone Outdoor Adventures which is an ACCT Accredited Operation. Get a Grip Adventures, LLC was founded in 2004, and as an owner, I not only designed intricate training programs but coordinated seamless operations across all facets of the business. Here, I orchestrated the design a...