WHO WE ARE
East River Rigging was formed to meet the need for an Industrial Rope Access company that could comply with the New York City Department of Buildings’ strict codes for work-at-height, and in so doing, offer high quality Industrial Rope Access services to the city’s endless vertical surfaces.
Principal members Nat Russell and Jason Parmer bring over forty-five years of combined experience working at height, from the film industry to the petrochemical industry, from the East Village to the Middle East. East River Rigging brings a unique capability to any work-at-height solution.
Nat Russell, Chief Executive Officer
- SPRAT Level 3 (3/070537)
- IRATA Level 2 (2/25985)
- ETCP Arena Rigger (00138)
- Mixed Gas and Stage Diving license
- Licensed sailing instructor
- Emergency Medical Technician
- BA in Communication
Originally from Maine, Nat Russell has always had a passion for the outdoors! Sailing, diving, mountaineering, woodworking and the preservation of traditional rigging arts are just a few of the many activities in which Nat excels. On the career front Nat has always kept his passions close at hand, gaining immeasurable experience in various construction-related fields. Nat is an experienced sailing instructor, climbing instructor and master diver. His favorite place to dive is Little Cayman Island.
Nat graduated from University of Maine with a Bachelor's degree in Communications, with emphasis in Corporate and Educational Media. His three decades of rigging and construction work have taken him around the world, and gained him immeasurable experience in the film industry, eventually landing him right here in New York City. Nat was instantly drawn to Industrial Rope Access and felt the need to start a new company that could handle the challenges of New York City.
Nat is a fixture in New York’s work-at-height community, and a trusted authority on all things rigging-related!
Jason Parmer, Chief Operations Officer
- SPRAT Level 3 (3/080125)
- IRATA Level 3 (3/12622)
- Certified MIG/TIG/Stick Welder
Jason Parmer grew up in Texas, which he fondly remembers aloud on frigid NYC mornings! He has always been drawn to the outdoors and to the challenges of working at height.
Jason began working at height in 1995 doing turnkey site construction, and structural modification of countless broadcast and communications towers up to 2000 feet tall.
After 8 years working towers Jason found out about Industrial Rope Access, and believed in it immediately. He spent the next 6 years working for a rope access company doing mostly offshore and onshore work in the petrochemical industry. He spent 3 summers leading a team doing restoration on Toronto’s CN tower, the world’s tallest structure at the time.
Since the founding of East River Rigging, Jason has been working in New York City. Today Jason is one of the nation’s most experienced and respected work-at-height veterans, and an invaluable asset to East River Rigging.
George Cole, Director of Rigging Operations
East River Rigging is both fortunate and proud to have convinced George Cole to join our team. George is New York City's premier steeplejack and the only steeplejack to also be a Master Rigger, and vice versa. For 30 years the Cole family company, Universal Steeplejack has responded to many of the City's most urgent needs at height. The spires of the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building are only two of the many perches from which george has viewed the city.
The East River Rigging team
We employ a full staff of Industrial Rope Access technicians, all trained and assessed to the stringent standards of the Industrial Rope Access Trade Association (IRATA) and/or the Society of Professional Rope Access Technicians (SPRAT). We are serious about safety and quality, and are very selective in the hiring process. Our technicians take pride in a quality job done safely!
