TRAVOIS LLC: A COMPANY OVERVIEW
Travois is much more than a coined business name; the origin of the word and the mission of the company are closely related. A French-Canadian word, travois (pronounced tra-voy’) was, to the Plains Indians, a transport device consisting of two poles joined by a frame and drawn by an animal. Literally translated, travois is a “vehicle to carry burden.” Travois LLC has established itself in the marketplace as a service business designed to carry individuals from a burdened lifestyle to one which is more enriching.
Travois was incorporated in 1985. Our current State of Oregon Corporation Division registry number is 076289-85. Travois became a limited liability company (IRS Tax Code #713900) in 2005.
TRAVOIS FOUNDER: DAVID M GRAHAM
David Graham Travois LLC Founder
“I am passionate about many things. I am a husband and father of two grown children. I have over 30 years of sobriety and am passionate about serving others who are encumbered by substance abuse. I am described as a gifted and respected leader who uses consistent positive communication, who is patient yet demanding and who leads others with enthusiasm and encouragement. I am a humble man who serves the Lord and who looks for opportunities to put others first. I am proud to be considered one of the pioneers of the development of outdoor adventure/therapy programs for special constituencies; the mentally and emotionally disabled, at-risk teens and adults with intellectual disabilities.”
- Has over 30 years of professional experience as a supervising Therapeutic Recreation Specialist.
- Served the Chemawa community (Indian Health Service and Bureau of Indian Affairs) for 21 years.
- Has been certified by the Native American Rehabilitation Association as a chemical Dependency Specialist II.
- Has held Low and High Element Challenge Course certification by Project Adventure and Synergo, a provider of team building programs.
- Maintains a BLM special recreation use permit for the Deschutes River and is an Oregon Licensed Guide (State of Oregon Marine Board)
- Possesses Red Cross Standard First Aid and CPR/AED certifications.
- Has completed an Ironman Triathlon.
- 13 years of service as the VP - Operations and General Manager for Courthouse Fitness Center.
APPLYING LESSONS FROM THE PLAYING FIELD
After a storied High School Football and Basketball career in Puyallup Washington, David was tabbed as "too small, too slow" to play at the next level. Bud Riley (former Oregon State University Assistant coach and father of former Oregon State Head Coach, Nebraska Head Coach, and current OSU Associate Head Football Coach Mike Riley) saw something more in David and offered him a scholarship to play Division I collegiate football. Graham is still listed in the OSU Football record book; his seven interceptions in a season ties him for third place all time and his three interceptions in a game is good for a second place tie on the all-time list. Graham’s list of quarterback victims included Sonny Sixkiller (UW) (three interceptions), Ty Paine (WSU) (two) and Dan Fouts (Oregon) and Roy Bash (Iowa), one each.
David has a lifetime of making strong decisions and maximizing his personal gifts to bring out the best in himself and in others. Click or touch here to learn more about David's successful athletic background.
TRAVOIS TESTIMONIALS
Our men's ministry has been blessed by an annual "wisdom in the wilderness" rafting and camping trip on the Lower Deschutes River with Travois LLC. Our men enjoy 3 days on the river with David Graham, an experienced guide and team builder. His positive attitude and experience on the river makes this trip memorable every time. I enthusiastically recommend Travois rafting and team building experiences with David Graham!
Pastor John Werst
DaySpring Fellowship
Lewis and Clark
If you are contemplating using Travois, LLC, I would encourage you to give it a try for the benefit of your staff and clients!
Since 2002, David Graham has been a regular presenter for team building exercises to our staff. We have incorporated his teachings into our in-service days to see our staff learn through playing to open the lines of communication with each other. Our staff is in the helping profession and constantly gives of themselves. This opportunity gets them out of the day to day, allows them to laugh together as they go out of their comfort zones, and learn from each other.
David has a passion to empower people. He explains each activity clearly and starts with the least uncomfortable exercise to ease people into the process and gain trust from each person attending. At the end of an activity he will check in with the group to see where they are at and tie the activity to taking risks and trusting each other. His style is supportive and encouraging. Although he encourages people to commit to each activity, he allows for people to choose the amount of participation they want to give. With that kind of freedom, I have seen people put more energy into the exercises by the end of the session.
In the several years of working with David, I hear only positive comments after he has presented. Our favorite activities so far have been “People to People,” “Helium Stick” and “Walk of Life.”
I would highly recommend David Graham and Travois, LLC, to strengthen your team!
Jayne Holmes
Human Resources Manager
Rockwest Training Company, Inc.
"I'm a better leader, a better communicator, a better human being because of the life lessons I've learned from David Graham. David and I have worked together for nearly 15 years and he truly LIVES the Talk - Trust - Feel approach every single day. As members of an executive team that oversaw more than 400 employees spread over six facilities, we built a company that exuded people first and met an unprecedented level of success because of it. I hold David and his methodology in the highest regard."
Shad Barnes
Senior Digital Marketing Manager
Oregon Lottery
Formerly VP - IT & Marketing Communications - Courthouse Fitness
“David Graham has a knack for communicating with people and a special way of helping them to grow and develop. His ability to draw upon his own personal experiences in life makes him a true leader who inspires and relates to all. David is a champion who has helped me grow and develop as an educator, coach and father.”
Randy Nyquist
Head Football Coach
Stayton High School
Former Head Coach - West Albany High School (2013 Oregon 5A state champions)
Former Head Coach - Oregon City High School
“Groups that David works with leave a closer unit and a more unified team. He is a special man with a special program and he is an extremely positive and effective team builder. David and his program played a large role in the winning of a HS state football championship in 2013.”
A.J. Robinson
Former NCAA Division II quarterback at Western Oregon University
Former Assistant Football coach at West Albany HS (2013 Oregon 5A state champions)
Current Head Football coach at Churchill HS
“I have been a teacher and coach for over 40 years. During that time, I have not found anything more valuable for team building and leadership than the program David Graham provides. (His approach) works in my classroom, my school and for my teams.”
Dan Gordon
Middle School Educator, Abiqua Academy, Salem, Oregon
Assistant Baseball Coach, North Salem High School, Salem, Oregon
“David Graham has the rare ability to teach team building skills of developing trust in one’s self and others, while encouraging people to step outside their comfort zones in order to develop confidence in their abilities.”
David R. Goethals
Bonney Lake, Washington
“David has a passion to empower people. He explains each activity clearly and starts with the least uncomfortable exercise to ease people into the process and gain trust from each person attending. At the end of an activity he will check in with the group to see where they are at and tie the activity to taking risks and trusting each other. His style is supportive and encouraging.”
Jayne Freshour Holmes
Human Resources Manager
Rockwest Training Company, Inc., Salem, Oregon
“David walks the walk by taking the message of teamwork, communication and connectedness from the meeting room out into the world. I had the privilege of going through many team building activities with David on retreats that started out a bit uncomfortable but by the end of the day you felt a real bond with the people around you. This bond is hard to describe but it’s a feeling of being on the same page and a willingness to be open with one another.”
Tyson Cox
Program Director, Courthouse Fitness, Salem, Oregon
“I have worked with David on the Elder Body of Dayspring Fellowship, worship team weekends and whitewater rafting experiences. He has shown leadership qualities that are to be commended. He leads by example, setting high standards for himself and others.”
Gregory Ego
Owner, Rasmussen Spray Service, Oregon
“David is well liked by the clients he serves and he tends to develop a good rapport and trust with them almost immediately. Further, he is respected and liked by co-workers and is regarded as a leader in his professional field. David’s commitment to his own fitness is an example to all and he personally has inspired me in this regard.”
James E. Edge
Former Director: Indian Health Service, Chemawa Campus
“David possesses a very impressive personality in obtaining maximum results. He treats everyone with dignity and respect – even under stressful circumstances. He never loses his cool and is very clear about the goals and objectives.”
Jerry Hay
Former Director, Men's Ministry, Dayspring Fellowship, Keizer, Oregon
“Dave does the best job I’ve seen presenting ways to deal with your ‘Personal Dragons’ that can prevent you from being successful. Then, he weaves that into powerful team-building concepts. Excellent.”
Gene Olson
Assistant Football Coach
Oregon City High School, Oregon City, Oregon