MEET OUR TEAM

Gina Nida

Gina moved to Bentonville from Northern Michigan in October of 2015 to be near family. She loves all the natural beauty that this area has to offer. She is out walking every day with her 2 dogs. She is passionate about biking and hasn’t missed a day on two wheels since late 2018. She loves exploring new places on her bike. Gina has a Bachelor of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Art in Elementary Education. She has over 20 years of business management and administrative experience that she brings to our organization.

Gabriela Ruiz

Gabriela Ruíz grew up in Houston, TX, where her journey as a classically trained flutist and bike commuter began. While pursuing her studies at the University of Texas at Austin, she discovered a passion for cycling, venturing beyond the music practice rooms to immerse herself in Austin's vibrant social and competitive cycling community.
Driven by a commitment to making cycling accessible to all, Gabriela has empowered hundreds of children and adults to learn to ride through initiatives like the Trailblazers Bike Club and Community Classes. As a League Certified Instructor with the League of American Bicyclists, a BICP Level 1 Certified Instructor, and a U of Q Certified Bicycle Service Technician, she combines expertise with a deep dedication to breaking down barriers in the cycling world.
Gabriela holds a Master of Music degree from Boston University and enjoys mentoring budding flutists in her spare time.

David Criswell, PE

After growing up in Oklahoma and living as a transplant in Fort Collins, Colorado, David moved to Northwest Arkansas to live closer to family and to be a part of the bike culture that has been accelerating in the region. A resident of several college towns, David loves bikes and is passionate that active transportation is accessible, safe, and useful for the public at large. After working as a water resources engineer in the Western U.S., David brings his GIS and engineering experience to the team to help people explore the ever-changing trail systems in our area. He believes life is full when friends meet for breakfast by bike and he loves witnessing his kids’ pure joy when they go on a bike ride. So, if you want to talk mapping or want to bike off some biscuits and gravy, he’s your man!

Shelby Frank

Shelby found her passion for riding through Collegiate racing at her alma mater, University of North Texas. From that moment, she was hooked on all cycling disciplines, with a particular fondness for mountain and road riding (even racing for a USA crits team at one point!). With a degree in Public Health and Emergency Management, she discovered GIS, through an elective, as a newfound way to make a difference in the community. In 2020, after completing her undergraduate degree, Shelby simultaneously worked at a family bike shop and pursued a Master's certification in GIS, followed by a Master's Degree in geography and Public Administration. Her research on existing cycling infrastructure and cycling collisions is still used by local government councils to identify and bridge gaps in Denton County, ultimately enhancing cycling networks for the entire community's benefit. Coming to Trailblazers has provided an unbeatable opportunity to continue that type of work and help make NWA the nation's benchmark for cycling infrastructure!

Daniel Marley

A Fort Smith, Arkansas native, Marley moved to Northwest Arkansas in 2011 to pursue his career in trail design. Graduated from John Brown University, obtaining a degree in construction management and minoring in business administration, Marley has worked on the NWA Trailblazer team since 2016 and is the hard surface project manager. Daniel Marley is an avid bike rider and has a deep passion for trails of all types. During his downtime, you can find him spending time outdoors with his family or riding his bike around town. Some of his most notable projects to date include Coler Mountain Bike Preserve and Osage Park.

Uriah Nazario

Uriah Nazario is a designer and project director for soft surface trail projects in the OZ Trails network. Having been born and raised in Northwest Arkansas, Uriah has seen the entirety of impact and benefits that these trails have provided. With years of volunteer and professional trail-building and an education in architecture and design, Uriah now sits on the Friends of Arkansas Singletrack Trails board and volunteers for the OZ Mountain Bike Patrol and Arkansas Enduro Series. Uriah has now played various successful roles in hundreds of projects with the NWA Trailblazers and strives to be an important role in building a capital of innovative and all-embracing trails.

Seamus Brown

Thomas Houlihan

Born and raised in Pennsylvania, Tommy cut his teeth in building on some of the most renowned BMX trails in the world. He has been building trails since 2000. Transitioning to NWA in 2013, he was stoked to learn what the area had to offer in regards to the bike scene. "My mother always laughed when I said I was going to be a professional trail builder. I joined Trailblazers/Ethic in 2021 and this has been a career change for the ages. I am honored to be part of this organization. I couldn’t have asked for a better team to work with...hands down! “ When Tommy isn’t slinging dirt, you can find him spending time with his family, shredding the local trails, playing some hoops in the gym, or shooting a round of golf with the guys.

Jake Ingram

Dustin Fairbanks

I was born in northwest Arkansas and grew up in Bella Vista. Spent much of that time exploring creeks fishing, hiking, and hunting the area. I have a wife and 2 kids and we still reside in Bella Vista. I was working at Compton Gardens in Bentonville when I heard about an opportunity to work on the trails I got to watch begin built around me and couldn't wait to be a part of it. Have been building trails for two years with a longer history operating heavy equipment and working in the outdoors.

Caleb Schoeppe

Caleb was born and raised in Rogers, AR spending most his life in the outdoors. Riding, climbing, kayaking, fishing...if it is outdoors, he is in. He takes this love and experience of the outdoors and utilizes these while on the trails working with Trailblazers. He currently lives in Lowell with his wife Sydney and his two kids, Monroe and Oxford, where they operate a wildflower farm. When he is not on the trails you can find him at his farm spending more time outside.

Phillip Friese

David Greer

Greer lives in War Eagle with his wife Andrea and two daughters, Piper (2) and Quinn (6). He studied geology/geoscience and graduated from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. Greer has worked in geology, business management, and construction and is an avid outdoorsman and native Arkansan. Greer enjoys camping and outdoor sports and photography in his spare time and can be spotted riding around town on his beloved Santa Cruz mountain bike, riding rock tech, and single track.

Jacob Smith

Jacob has lived in NWA for 5 years now. He recently graduated from the University of Arkansas with a Bachelors of Science in Environmental Soil, and Water Science where he gained experience in wetland studies and soil identification. Jacob loves spending time outdoors hiking, riding bikes and adventuring with his dog.

Brenna Bulin