The Vertical Vision
Formed in 2011, Vertical Consult is an emerging vertical access company that specializes in work at height with the ability to safely work in areas where access is difficult by traditional means. Two major areas of services are provided by Vertical Consult. Access Services and Rescue Standby Services. Our Access services team is focused on construction and maintenance projects and has the ability to perform inspection services on bridges, towers, and other vital infrastructures. These projects are completed safely, efficiently and economically while focused on minimizing downtime of the asset. The access team includes certified ironworkers and electricians, bridge inspectors and a network of engineers. We also provide Rescue Standby Services for work being performed in confined spaces or at height with a unmatched team of experienced rescuers who are qualified in confined space, tower, scaffold and difficult access rescue. All of which are active responders with public safety departments. Vertical Consults can operate worldwide and our members have worked on projects throughout the United States, Canada, Dubai, and Turkey.
Meet the Team
Shannon Stephenson, CPA, MBA brings more than 12 years experience in accounting, financial reporting, and business forecasting as a manager and business owner in construction, telecommunications and rope access industry. She brings the strategic focus, vision, and mature judgment gained during a successful career leveraging diverse business and financial advisory expertise with a variety of entrepreneurial, and market-making businesses. In addition to the private sector, Shannon holds certifications in Confined Space, Competent Rescuer, Advanced Extrication, Firefighter I and II, SPRAT Rope Access and with her dog Aspen, Certified Disaster USAR Canine. Shannon holds a Master's of Business Administration in Finance and Accounting from Lincoln Memorial University and is a licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in the State of Tennessee.
Doug Stephenson joined the fire service in 1991 and currently serves full-time as a Lieutenant with a Metro-Atlanta (GA) Fire Department. He has an extensive background in specialized rescue training and program development. His passion for rope work and training lead to his involvement in the start up and success of AxcessRescue. He has extensive experience in working with engineering firms for the installation, maintenance and inspection of various assets in the power generation, fall protection and telecommunications industries. Doug serves as an instructor for the State of Georgia Technical Rescue Program where he has made significant contributions to the development and implementation of the Technical Rescuer series of classes. He holds Pro Board certifications in over 10 disciplines including Fire Instructor III and confined space. He was selected as a Task Force Leader in 1998 in response to the Florida wildfire disaster and again in 2005 as a search manager for the Katrina Hurricane response in New Orleans. In addition, he is an instructor for the National Cave Rescue Commissions Cave Rigging Specialist program. Doug continues to work directly with manufactures of rope rescue equipment in research and development. In 2004, he was selected as a principal member of the National Fire Protection Associations committee on Special Operations Protective Clothing and Equipment where he took part in revamping standards on rope rescue equipment, swiftwater and technical rescue protective ensembles. Since 1997, Doug has been selected to teach annually at the Fire Department Instructors Conference (FDIC), delivering a variety of programs in technical rescue and fireground operations. He holds national certification as a Paramedic and taught EMT courses for over 10 years. Doug is a SPRAT Level III Supervisor.