About Higher Ground

AT HIGHER GROUND, WE BELIEVE THE BEST DESIGNED PRODUCTS ARE THOSE THAT PLAY A KEY PART IN YOUR EVERYDAY LIFE WHILE NEVER GETTING IN THE WAY OF IT.

Tried. Tested. Trusted. Since 2002. Higher Ground was founded in 2002 by award-winning industrial designer, Mark Zadvinskis and his former professor Shaun Jackson. After graduating the University of Michigan, Mark became a teaching assistant to Shaun and soon became business partners consulting for clients including L.L. Bean, Harley Davidson, Nike, Herman Miller, and more. Being on a college campus, the two recognized that soon all students would be learning from and using technology in education. With their passion for problem solving and design, the team set out to create a line of protective gear which not only safely transports your laptop, but makes it more functional, accessible and easier to use. See Higher Ground's Company Timeline

	Born Out Of Necessity. Built On Innovation. In 1998, out of necessity for a better way to carry and use their laptop, Mark and Shaun designed a carrying case that transforms into a portable office. This new product, called the Lapdog, quickly found its way into countless magazines, catalogs and even the MoMa collection in NYC. Countless brands have been heavily influenced by many of Higher Ground's most successful designs, and while we're thrilled and humbled at the response we've received, our goal remains the same today as it was nearly 20 years ago: to continue to invent, develop, test, and manufacture elevated products that combine beautiful design with long-lasting functionality. To thoughtfully craft products that are designed to be used every day. Products that are designed to last. Designed to perform. Designed for life.

Digging Deeper & Aiming Higher Digging Deeper & Aiming Higher Towards Sustainability At the heart of Higher Ground is the desire to do better and we aim to source our materials responsibly to minimize our environmental impact as the next step in doing better. We’ve always taken pride in the fact that we design products to last, built from high quality materials, replaceable parts, and easily repairable designs. Using recycled woven fabrics and eco-friendly coatings keep excess plastics and waste out of landfill (and oceans) and ensure our products are both good for our customers and planet. Ultimately, we strive to reduce our environmental impact, and add value where we can - for our customers, partners, and planet - and maintaining that value for the lifetime of the product itself.

	Giving Back With A Helping Hand Giving Back With A Helping Hand Giving Back With A Helping Hand Since day one it’s always been about more than just our products and we believe delivering on our mission requires that we expand beyond the scope of our day-to-day business. This is why we started the Helping Hands program where we partner with local and national giving partners to provide protective gear for their communities to enable them to reach higher ground.

How You Reach Higher Ground Matters.

Our Design Philosophy Is Built on Five Overarching Principles.


Customer-Obsessed We consider serving our customers and partners a privilege, and are dedicated to the highest standards of service that makes them say “WOW.”	Build The Best We’re committed to quality and believe our products should be built to last. It's important for us to take pride in the craftsmanship of everything we make.

Go The Extra Mile We commit ourselves every day to our work, customers, and each other. This means always approach each task, challenge, and encounter with curiosity and fearlessness and embracing possibilities.	For The Long Haul Just like our products are built to last, we’re committed to meeting the needs of our team, customers and partners today, tomorrow, and every day after that.

Do What's Right, Always

Seeking to build trust through every interaction, we always strive to do what’s right and never what’s easy - whether anyone is watching or not.

We’re a team built on honesty, hard work, and trust.

It’s no secret that people are the most important asset of any organization. Meet the team that makes it their mission to get you to higher ground.


Mark Zadvinskis President Mark is an award-winning industrial designer and entrepreneur with a passion for science, art, music and his family. He holds degrees from the University of Michigan in both industrial design (BFA) and mechanical engineering (BSE).	Matt Rogers Director of Operations With over 20 years of Marketing and Sales experience, Matt is focused on building long-term relationships with partners and clients with the goal of providing a high level of service and a superior customer experience.	Adam Ostroff Senior Product Manager Adam brings over 15 years of Industrial design, engineering and production experience. He has worked internationally, developing a wide range of consumer products including soft goods and electronics. Adam enjoys tinkering, 3D printing and inventing new ideas for products.

Alex Stevens Senior Territory Account Director - East A Long Island native, Alex has been helping school districts all along the east coast protect their students' devices since 2016. With a passion for providing our customers with the best service and a knowledge of all things K12 Technology, Alex is eager to answer any questions you may have regarding Higher Ground products.	Gavin Raitt Territory Account Director - Central Gavin’s number one priority is you! Experienced K-12 background as a regional reseller for over 8 years. He has seen it all! From start to finish, he is here to help you meet your goals and provide top-level sales support.	Justin Otterson Territory Account Director - West With over 20 years of sales experience in a variety of business platforms, including B2B, distribution, college bookstores, and retail, Justin has developed a deep understanding of how to build successful long-term relationships with reseller partners and K12 educators. Justin's expertise lies in his ability to work hand in hand with customers, ensuring that their needs are met and that they receive the best possible device protection and overall customer experience.

Lynn Gorecki Customer Success Manager Lynn has spent over 20 years in sales and marketing serving the education channel. She has a passion for providing the best solutions and customer service to her customers. Her career in the education channel actually started out as a student employee in her campus bookstore during college. Originally from Wisconsin her favorite hobby is watching the Greenbay Packers!	Nicole Houk Office Manager/Accounting With over 20 years of client support experience, Nikki believes in delivering excellence "every client, every time, no exceptions, no excuses". Organized, detail-oriented, and driven by a passion for customer service, Nikki ensures that every client interaction is nothing short of exceptional.

See Territory Map

“We made the right choice by going with Higher Ground…Built to last beyond any other brand out there. Our low repair costs have proven these cases/bags have exceeded our expectations. Customer service is A+. I will never go with another brand.”

- Christopher Uridil
Technology Coordinator; Blue Hill Community School

Explore Higher Ground

Clean, straight-forward protective gear thoughtfully designed to go wherever you go.

Shuttle 3.0

The Shuttle not only safely transports your laptop, it makes it easier and more accessible to use. You'll be ready for work or play anytime, anywhere.

Your Chromebook never leaves the case, providing ruggedized, full-time protection while allowing you to work comfortably on your desk or lap.

Learn More >

Flak Jacket Plus 3.0

Combining highly shock-absorbing foam with corrugated plastic stiffeners, the Flak Jacket Plus delivers complete protection in a slim, lightweight design.

The outside pocket provides just enough room for essential accessories while the ID window allows for quick identification.

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Vert 3.1

A simple and elegant top-loading convertible shoulder bag designed to safely transport your Chromebook® and iPad® or other tablets and laptops in style.

The main compartment protects your laptop while having enough space for notebooks or papers, while the internal padded sleeve secures your secondary tablet device.

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We're Here to Lighten Your Load

We go above and beyond to deliver a seamless experience and customer service that inspires "WOW," so you can take a load off to focus on what matters most.