Moonshadow Learning Services, Inc. began as Moonshadow Services in 1990 and was incorporated in 1995 when the business bought 6 acres for the construction of an outdoor learning center complete with classroom. Construction was completed in 1996. The name "Moonshadow" was given to the business because the property was called by that name. The property actually got it's name because of the intense shadows during full moon visits to the property before it was purchased. A great outdoor leader, Paul Petzoldt, was visiting with Earl and Kathy Davis, the owners, when he remarked on the "Moon Shadows" shortly thereafter, someone began humming the Cat Stevens song "I'm Being Followed By A Moon Shadow" and the name stuck. So when we officially started the learning services company, Moonshadow seemed a natural choice since a lot of our work centers on the outdoor learning environment and the philosophy that learning has to touch our whole selves, the mental, physical, and emotional. That philosophy colors all the work done by our trainers whether it is a coaching session, a workshop on communication, a challenge course program, or a strategic planning session.

Meet the Owners!

Earl Davis was trained in clinical psychology at Western Carolina University and is licensed as a Psychological Associate in the state of North Carolina. Earl's passion is the use of experiential training techniques to create effective teams and high performing individuals. He uses this approach with school systems in Western North Carolina, the Indian Health Service, and businesses, including Chevron Oil company, BMW, Shell Oil, Harrah's Cherokee Casino, Shaw Industries, Eli Lilly, the National Fish & Wildlife Service and others. Earl provided training services for Project Adventure for many years, is a Certification Instructor for the Wilderness Education Association, and is an adjunct faculty member at Western Carolina University. Earl founded Moonshadow Learning Services, Inc. in 1995.

With over 20 years experience in the medical field as a microbiologist, Kathy Payne Davis has a vested interest in working with health care professionals as a trainer. With a master's degree in Health Sciences Administration, Kathy is one of those rare combinations of front line experience and administrative vision. She is on the adjunct faculty of Western Carolina University and Southwestern Community College. Whether in the office, leading wilderness leadership courses, or teaching college level courses, Kathy brings a dedication and commitment to making each training or workshop engaging and at the same time practical.

We have a staff of facilitators with over a hundred years experience working with groups and organizations. We take great pride in matching facilitators with groups  to achieve the best fit.

(photos of the rest of the team coming soon - as soon as they stand still long enough for a picture)

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