Ryan Ojerio has been involved in trails advocacy, planning, construction, and maintenance for the last 13 years while working for Washington Trails Association (WTA). Although a hiking focused non-profit, WTA has a history of successful collaboration with other trail user groups. Ryan's experience includes working as a bicycle mechanic through high school and college, teaching mountain biking at the University of Oregon Outdoor Pursuits Program and serving as a volunteer on the Oakridge-Westfir Community Trails Committee whose planning efforts helped establish the area as a world class mountain biking destination. Ryan's approach to trail based recreation is further influenced by his undergraduate studies in ecology and conservation biology as well as his master's degree work in community and regional planning. On a more personal level Ryan's experience growing up as a person of color in traditionally white outdoor "spaces", being a father to two young children and caring for aging parents also inform his views on recreation planning and management.