Rich founded FUN in May 2017 by asking the question – how can we get more kids on bikes? Rich and his wife Debbie moved to AZ from Ohio. Rich has been riding bikes for 30+ years and moved to the Verde Valley for the countless days of sunshine and warm weather riding. He also enjoys hiking and traveling with his wife, Debbie. Rich recently retired from running his own recruiting business.

Naya is the Principal at Gladden Farm School in Marana, AZ, where she has been leading since 2022. Before her current role, she served as the Principal at Oak Creek School in Cornville. Naya’s journey in education brought her to Arizona in 2014 after gaining experience teaching in Atlanta and Australia. Born in Guyana to parents who were both teachers, she immigrated to Georgia at the age of six. Naya’s expertise spans Expeditionary Learning, STEM, 21st CCLC after-school programs, and International Baccalaureate programs.  Naya has served on the Wheel FUN board of directors since 2019.

Born and raised in California. Been married for 40 years and raised two wonderful children who gave us four incredible grandchildren. Worked 35 years and retired from Verizon as a Senior Analyst. I had the honor of being part of Riverside County Fire Department for 25 years and perhaps the greatest enjoyment besides my family, I coached for 17 years at the high school. During this time, we discovered the joy of mountain biking which led us to Sedona for retirement. One thing led to another and here we are again with coaching kids. Life is good.

Marty and his wife Lisa moved to Sedona over 10 years ago from Long Island, NY where he owned a pet food business. Marty’s been an avid mountain biker since 1992 where he began tackling the trails and getting involved in bicycle advocacy in Nashville, TN. Since moving to the Verde Valley, Marty established the Red Rock Mountain Bike Patrol and grew this organization to over 50 members. When he’s not outside riding his bike, Marty serves as the President of the Verde Valley Cyclists Coalition.

40 years after first learning what a snow bird was when stationed as a young Marine in Yuma, Kevin turned into a permanent Verde Valley snowbird. Kevin served two decades as a Marine and another two decades in the private sector ultimately retiring as a Fortune 500 executive. When not riding his bike, Kevin serves as the President of the Sedona Red Rock Trail Fund, Treasurer of the Verde Valley Cyclists Coalition and as a member of the Yavapai County Resource Advisory Committee.

Christy is the Cochise County WheelFun Rep.  Growing up in Alaska, living in North Idaho for a bit, she now calls Benson home, along with her family. Mountain biking has been an amazing positive factor for her and her family. She is passionate about empowering individuals, families, and communities through biking. Christy is currently working towards her Master of Social Work and a Certified Clinical Adventure Therapist, using the bike therapeutically any time she can! She loves great coffee and amazing adventures!

Alfred Lomahquahu, born and raised on the Hopi Reservation. Attended High School Riverside California. Sherman Indian, enlisted in the US Marine Corp. MOS 1345 Engineer Equipment operator. 8 yr enlistment. Worked in construction, Native American Cancer Program for NAU, Community Service Administrator, Governor for village of Bacavi. Vice Chairman for the Hopi Tribe, Consultant for HUD on Hopi. Artist, Attended NPC and ASU. Environmental Activist. Currently the Registrar for the Hopi Tribe duties are voter registration, data base. Assisting Elections Board on Tribal Elections and educational outreach to Tribal members.

Scott is the Wheel Fun representative for Gila County. Scott is a native Arizonan, growing up in Tempe, going to college at NAU and finally settling in Payson. Mountain biking has been a passion for Scott since High School and he is currently working to build a non-motorized trail system around Payson.  He has been teaching at Rim Country Middle School and running the Outdoor Adventure Club since 2000. He feels that getting kids and their families connected with the outdoors is the best way to build healthier individuals & communities and foster a love of wild places in the next generation.

My name is Natalie Hammon, I am a principal at Cottonwood Elementary and I live in Centennial Park, Arizona. I am deeply passionate about supporting children’s mental well-being. I believe that outdoor activities play a crucial role in fostering healthy minds and spirits. That’s why I’m thrilled to be a new board member of Wheel Fun. Biking has a unique way of connecting us with nature, which I see as the best natural medicine. I’ve witnessed firsthand how participating in bike clubs can transform students, providing them with a sense of community, confidence, and joy. Wheel Fun perfectly encapsulates this idea, combining the thrill of biking with the therapeutic benefits of the great outdoors. I’m excited to contribute to this wonderful initiative and help our youth discover the freedom and joy that comes from cycling!