Hampton found a love of wild places after a raft trip down the Grand Canyon as a teenager and has been inspired by the western landscape ever since. His passion for the outdoors continued with a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail and long backcountry trips in Alaska, Mexico, the desert Southwest, and the Northern Rockies. Hampton has a Bachelor of Science degree in geology from the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee, and a master’s degree in landscape architecture from the University of Arizona. He practiced landscape architecture in Arizona and Montana for nearly 20 years, designing neighborhoods, schools, and parks, before joining the GVLT team in 2026. Outside of work, Hampton enjoys playing guitar and spending time with his family camping, skiing, and climbing.