Staff

Jon Terbush, Executive Director

Jon joined SMT in 2021 as the organization’s first-ever staff, bringing 15+ years of experience in communications, public policy, and nonprofit development. Prior to SMT, Jon was the Communications and Development Director for the Boston Cyclists Union (BCU), a nonprofit that promotes sustainable transportation and the joy of biking. Jon is passionate about conservation, and excited to be working on the vexing challenge of enhancing outdoor recreation while preserving natural resources for future generations. 

Cat Gruener, Trail Manager

Cat has been a Trail Professional since 2015. She has helped build and maintain hundreds of miles of trails, mostly in Colorado, but also in NW Arkansas and California. Cat is thrilled to be able to focus on Salida area trails, and hopes to create smiles for everyone out there.

Board of Directors

Mike Smith, President

Mike has been involved with SMT since 2011 and was instrumental in establishing the board and growing the organization.  He has written several successful grants funding miles of trails and infrastructure. Mike is passionate about our Salida community, and providing time and energy to make our trail systems something that everyone can enjoy. 

Travis Hochard, Vice President

Travis has lived in Salida since 2007 and is a longtime recreational mountain biker and trail user. He is the general manager at River Runners and serves on various other community boards including the Chaffee County Visitors Bureau, Arkansas River Outfitters Association, and the Arkansas River Conservation Cooperative. 

Richard Parker, Treasurer

Rich joined SMT as Treasurer in 2022. He brings 15 years of professional experience in corporate and non-profit finance, passion for outdoor recreation, and love of the Salida community. He hopes to lend his skills to continue building a great organization and great, sustainable trails to be enjoyed by all. 

Ruthie Harper, Secretary

Ruthie is a practicing attorney with the Colorado Attorney General’s Office. Her legal practice focuses on state regulatory and administrative law. Since moving to Salida in 2020 with her husband and son, she has enjoyed exploring the outstanding local trail system both on bike and foot. 

Hill Abell

Hill Abell is a new member of the Salida trails community, but has been a passionate advocate for trails and trail users for over 30 years. Hill owned and operated a family of bike shops in Austin, TX, for 37 years before the mountain life and Salida’s abundant trail system compelled him and Laura, his wife, to make the move. Hill served 19 years on the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) board, was a member of the Texas Trails Advisory Committee for Texas Parks and Wildlife, and supported trail development and open space preservation as a member of the Austin Parks and Recreation Board.

Brian Bergeler

Brian Bergeler grew up riding rigid 26″ mountain bikes with toe clips on the rocky + rooty nightmare trails of Monte Sano Mountain in Huntsville, Alabama…and has the scars to prove it. His love of mountain bikes and trails (+ his wife) uprooted him from the East Coast and planted him in Colorado 15 years ago. He and his wife have called Salida home for the last six years. Brian’s background includes active transportation + trail planning, project management, nonprofit trail stewardship and a long history in the bicycle industry. Please don’t ask him about Toyota Land Cruisers, unless you have an hour or two to spare!

Rachel Finkowski

Rachel FInkowski has been living and riding bikes in Salida for the last 5 years. Rachel is a social worker who is passionate about making our community better for everyone. She has worked in nonprofits for over a decade including as the director of a Chaffee County Nonprofit, The Alliance. Rachel’s day job is working in mental health, and she wholeheartedly believes that access to outdoors, movement and sunshine can help so many people in so many ways. It is an honor to steward this amazing trail system we have here in Salida. See you on the trail! 

Brinkley Messick

Brink’s involvement with SMT began in 2008 when he lead the crew that built Backbone and Little Rattler. From then on he has worked in the non-profit sector focusing on trails, stewardship, and advocacy and continued to contribute to trail systems in Salida, Buena Vista, Del Norte, Penitente Canyon, and across Colorado. Brink is also a working artist. His paintings often include landscapes, maps, and topography influenced by his career in trails. 

Tim Ryan

As a member of SMT’s board of directors, Tim has been involved in planning and building trails in the Salida area for over a decade.

Zach Ryerson

Zach is the Parks, Trails and Open Space supervisor for the City of Salida. He likes running really long distances, sleeping in the dirt and eating ice cream. Zach has worked in the professional trails world for almost 15 years, and is passionate about public land and conservation management. See ya on the trails! 

Anna Ulrich

Anna N Ulrich is a resident of Chaffee County of approximately 8 years, with a majority of her free time in these last 8 years being spent on the local trails: hiking, biking, walking her dog, meeting up with friends, etc.  For work, Anna is a lawyer specializing in children’s advocacy.  She also currently volunteers as a mountain bike coach for Salida Racing (the high school mountain bike team), where she gets to share her love of bikes and the outdoors with her daughter, Amelia, and other young athletes. Anna is passionate about ensuring and expanding access to our trails to all people regardless of age, background or socioeconomic status.

Tom Wagner

Tom was raised in the Denver suburbs of the Front Range, but could not be happier that he now lives in Salida with his family. He has ridden bikes for fun and transportation for nearly 40 years, including 25 years as a mountain, gravel, and road bike racer. He previously served on the Mayor’s Bicycle Advisory Committee for the City of Denver and has served on the SMT Board of Directors for more than two years. When he is not riding bikes, Tom is skiing Monarch or chasing his toddler around F Street.

John Witherspoon

John is a dedicated volunteer with a passion for making a positive impact. When he’s not behind the lens capturing the beauty of the outdoors as a photographer, you’ll find him exploring new cycling routes and soaking in the natural world. John’s commitment to volunteering and his love for outdoor adventures make him a great addition to the SMT team.