MEET OUR TEAM

Victor Gurel

  • Victor Gurel is the founder of Custom Electronics Inc., NWA's largest electronics sales and installation company with a staff of 80+, where he served as CEO there until he retired in 2023. Before starting Custom Electronics, he was the Field Supervisor for DirecTV overseeing Washington, Benton, and Madison Counties and was responsible for managing all installation services for 3 years. Prior to that, he was a construction foreman for Davis Construction Company in Anchorage, Alaska, managing a commercial framing crew. In 2013, as the stress of starting a small business was taking a toll on his health, he bought the first bike he owned in 15 years and began riding the Razorback Greenway at night to relieve stress and improve his health. Those late-night rides down the Greenway were the beginning of his passion for all things cycling-related. Since that time, he has worn a half dozen State Championship jerseys, become a regular sponsor of local cycling events, a women’s cycling team and two junior development teams as well as being one of the founding sponsors to get NICA started in Arkansas. He remains very active in the cycling community and is always down for a ride.

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.

Becky Miller

  • Becky moved to Bella Vista from St. Louis, MO, in 2019 with her husband, bringing with her a wealth of experience and a passion for adventure. She holds a Bachelor of Business from Murray State University and a Master of Business from Webster University. With 20 years of expertise in accounting, project management, and financial planning, Becky has made a significant impact in her professional field. Joining Trailblazers was a natural fit for Becky, as it perfectly aligns her professional experience with her passion for supporting an organization that benefits the community.

    Outside of work, Becky enjoys biking, hiking, and immersing herself in nature, always seeking the next adventure. She loves spending quality time with her family and taking long walks with her dog (Jax), and in her downtime, you can find her traveling, exploring new places, or enjoying a good book.

Kelsey Bourdon

  • Kelsey is a dedicated advocate for movement, wellness, and the great outdoors. Raised in sunny Florida, Kelsey grew up with a deep love for the ocean. She moved to Boca Raton, earning her bachelor’s degree in Business Management and Marketing. Later, her passion for helping others live a healthy, active life led her to return to school to study Physical Therapy.

    With a deep belief that movement is medicine and that nature is our body’s perfect partner, Kelsey finds joy in helping others return to their hobbies and reconnect with nature.

    After the birth of her second daughter, Kelsey found a natural fit with Trailblazers and immediately aligned with their mission. In her spare time, Kelsey loves to spend time with her family, travel, practice yoga, hike, go horseback riding, and of course, riding bikes!

    Kelsey’s mission is clear: to help people lead vibrant, healthy lives through movement, community, and a connection to nature.

Summer Reighn

  • Summer Reighn was born in Arkansas and spent many years traveling across the country. In 2020, she returned to Northwest Arkansas to raise her daughter, finding a deep connection to the community. In 2021, Summer discovered her love for racing bikes through the Arkansas Enduro Series, which sparked a pathway into endurance sports and a passion for adventure racing. Now an avid adventure racer, she enjoys living in Bella Vista, where she frequently takes advantage of the local trail systems for both cycling and running. Summer is incredibly passionate about promoting a healthy, active outdoor lifestyle, filled with adventure, challenges, and a sense of community that thrives in Northwest Arkansas.

Dani Shamburger

  • Dani moved to Bentonville in 2012, where she served the community in various ways. In 2017, she was introduced to mountain biking, which sparked a lifelong passion. She is now the Manager of Mobility Programs at Walmart Move Hub. 

    Over the years, she's watched NWA grow and become something extraordinary. Through biking, she's met incredible humans, traveled all over and photographed gorgeous views. She describes mountain biking as more than just two wheels in the dirt—it's freeing, challenging, and healing. 

    When she's not outdoors seeking adrenaline, Dani can be found chasing EDM lasers and crunchy metalcore breakdowns. "Live music is life," she says. "There's just something about getting lost in the energy of the crowd and being present in the moment."

    Dani and her wife are helping raise their two nieces to appreciate the outdoors, teaching them to be good trail stewards, follow Leave No Trace principles, and respect the environment. "It takes a village to raise good humans, and we’re all in."

Lucas Cramer

  • My name is Lucas Cramer and I manage the equipment operations at the Walmart Move Hub. I grew up not far from NWA in Galena Kansas, and made my way into the bicycle industry by taking on a part time job as a mechanic at a local bike shop in Joplin Missouri while earning my Bachelors Degree at MSSU. I then followed that path to Northwest Arkansas when my wife started her Graduate Program at the University of Arkansas in 2018. We currently live in Rogers with two lazy miniature poodles and have 5 chickens that chase them around our backyard.

In-House Construction & Maintenance

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.

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