A Message From Nayadin Persaud, President of Wheel Fun
Hello, I’m Nayadin Persaud, President of Wheel Fun and Principal of Gladden Farms Elementary. My journey with Wheel Fun began in 2018 when I was serving as Principal at Oak Creek School in Cornville, Arizona. At the time, I struggled to find coaches for our students, and Kevin, Marty, and Brad – the founding members of Wheel Fun who stepped in to volunteer weekly. Their dedication didn’t just support our students; it inspired me to join the board in 2019.
Since then, I’ve been amazed and grateful for everything our organization has accomplished. Being part of a growing nonprofit that genuinely impacts students and communities has been deeply rewarding. I’m especially thankful for Kevin, Marty, and Brad, whose service on the board and in the community continues to make a lasting difference in the lives of students and everyone around them.
It has also been a priority for us to have a board member representing each county where we operate. Ensuring broad representation helps us strengthen partnerships and continue growing Wheel Fun across Arizona. We welcomed board members Eric Urfer (Yuma County), Danny Dorr (Graham County), and Michael Powers (Cochise County) this year.
Closing Out 2025 With Gratitude and Joy
As we wrap up 2025, Wheel Fun wishes you a holiday season filled with love, joy, and peace. This year has been full of growth, connection, and meaningful impact and we are deeply grateful to every rider, volunteer, family, and partner who made it possible.
Our organization has expanded across all Arizona counties, giving more students than ever access to safe, supportive cycling experiences. Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, we’ve also grown our operating budget, enabling us to reach even more young riders.
While we celebrated big milestones this year, like opening a new bike park in Payson, AZ, awarding our first Logan’s Hero Dirt Scholarship, hosting our first annual Southeastern regional camp, and adding 16 new clubs across the state, it’s the small, everyday moments that truly lift our hearts. The laughter on a trail ride, the determination of a student learning a new skill, and the joy of a child discovering confidence on two wheels… these are the moments that remind us why we do what we do.
Behind every one of these moments are our incredible volunteers and coaches. Their commitment shows up in late afternoon practices, patient instruction, encouraging words, and countless hours spent riding alongside our students. Their dedication builds community, strengthens confidence, and inspires our young riders to keep pushing forward – both on the trail and in life.
I also want to recognize the amazing work of our staff. Evan Puglia, Executive Director, brings vision, experience, and expertise that are essential to growing and supporting our initiatives. Our Development Director, Jennifer Gote Matarese, joined us this year and has been instrumental in increasing sponsorships, grants, and fundraising efforts. And our two regional managers, Ashley Campbell and Emilio Perez, have done an outstanding job supporting our programs and teams across the state. Their hard work ensures that our mission reaches students in every corner of Arizona.
As we look forward to 2026, we do so with excitement and gratitude. Thank you for being part of the Wheel Fun family and for believing in the power of cycling to transform young lives. We can’t wait to ride into the new year with you.
Wishing you peace, joy, and happy trails this holiday season.
