For the past seven years at RecWest Outdoor Products, Nate has helped municipalities, schools, landscape architects, and developers create dynamic and inclusive play spaces for communities across Central and Southern California. In addition to assisting with current projects, Nate aims to spread valuable information to his clients on topics such as inclusive play, playground safety, and the latest and greatest design trends in parks and playgrounds.

Prior to joining RecWest, Nate was an owner, director and curriculum developer for outdoor leadership, recreation and camp programs. He’s also completed a Master’s in Business Administration from Loyola Marymount University, and is a proud National Outdoor Leadership School Educator graduate.

Outside of helping his clients create their dream parks and playgrounds, Nate is an avid rock climber, outdoor adventurer, and photographer. The mountains and wilderness are his own personal playground, and an inspiration for his work!

Please contact Nate for all projects located Northern Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo or Kern Counties.

Derrick (AKA “DuMor Derrick”) specifically assists with the Dumor Site Furnishing product line for RecWest Outdoor Products across the five counties of San Luis Obispo, Kern, Santa Barbra, Ventura, and Los Angeles. With over 10 years of sales experience, he brings enthusiasm to his customer service, product knowledge, and is committed to hard work and honesty.

Derrick first met his wife working at McDonald’s at the age of 15 and is now blessed with two beautiful children. He is a CSUCI alumni that is family and community oriented, believing that the best time spent is with the people you love. Enjoys everything from ju-jitsu, softball, to bowling every week with his family. Always up for a challenge and is excited for what life brings next!

Mike Bennett founded and operated RecWest Outdoor Products beginning in 1993, after being selected by Steve and Barb King to exclusively represent Landscape Structures in South Central California. Over the next three decades, Mike grew RecWest into a leading representative firm, later adding DuMor site furnishings, Classic Recreation Shelters, SkyWays Fabric Shade Systems, and Aquatix Splash Pads to the portfolio.

Before launching RecWest, Mike spent ten years as a commercial real estate broker with Coldwell Banker Commercial in downtown Los Angeles. He moved to Los Angeles in 1977 to coach the UCLA rowing team, a position he held for five seasons and described as one of the most enjoyable experiences of his life.

Mike was born and raised in Berkeley and attended the University of California, Berkeley (Cal), where he was a three-year varsity letterman on the heavyweight crew team. His time at Cal and the lifelong friendships forged through rowing had a lasting impact on him.

Reflecting on his career, Mike described the RecWest journey as both transformative and deeply rewarding:

“We developed an exceptional staff and had a positive, committed group of sales consultants who loved their work. We built long-standing relationships with the best recreational contractors in Southern California and were privileged to work with leading Landscape Architects and government agencies to deliver over 2,000 playgrounds. We provided world-class products — the safest and highest quality on the market — serving two generations of children. I felt very fortunate to be involved in this enterprise.”

Mike was inspired and supported throughout by his wife, Sharon Bennett, who encouraged his decision to start RecWest in 1993. Sharon, a naturalized U.S. citizen, was born in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe (formerly Rhodesia). Before arriving in the United States in 1978, she lived in Rhodesia, Cape Town, the Seychelles, and London. Sharon became a published nature photographer and was involved in the early evolution of computer graphic design.

Mike was a passionate, if irrationally optimistic, mid-handicap golfer. He also enjoyed riding his vintage steel road bikes, hiking in the Santa Monica Mountains, and practicing catch-and-release fly fishing.

Mike and Sharon have lived in Thousand Oaks, California, since 1997. They remain partners in life and in spirit, having shared a remarkable journey together.