Meet Our Team!
Travis Jecker
Founder / President
Travis was always seeking adventure, whether as a husband, stay-at-home dad, soccer coach, volunteer firefighter, or motocross enthusiast.
As a family man, he pursued excitement in various forms, whether on the water, in the dirt, or tearing across any terrain, often with his family and friends by his side. Unfortunately, Travis's adventures came to an abrupt halt in March 2005 when he sustained a C5, C6 spinal cord injury from a dirt bike accident in Tehachapi while with loved ones. After his injury, he realized that his options for adventure were now limited and required significant coordination. This realization sparked his dream to establish a nonprofit organization focused on coordinating and providing enjoyable, relaxing, and adventurous experiences for wheelchair users and their families.
Travis believes that life should be lived to the fullest and that everyone deserves to experience "the positive ride of life." After 20 years, Travis’s adventure continues with Positive Ride.
Gary Hale
Founder / Program Director
Gary Hale's life story is a remarkable blend of service, adventure, and advocacy, beginning in 1988 when he attended Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo. He started his career with the United States Forest Service as a firefighter in 1989, eventually becoming a fire captain paramedic with the City of San Luis Obispo, where he demonstrated unwavering courage and a commitment to public safety. Throughout his career, Gary prioritized the well-being of others and earned respect for his selfless service during emergencies. His love for the outdoors fueled his adventurous spirit, engaging in activities like hiking, surfing, and snowboarding, which contributed to his vibrant life. In retirement, he continues to be active in community service and mentorship, embodying the same passion he had in his professional life.
As a co-founder of Positive Ride, Gary champions ADA advocacy, ensuring outdoor recreation is accessible to all, particularly individuals with disabilities. His dedication to overcoming challenges, promoting inclusivity, and fostering a love for nature is what motivates him to help make Positive Ride’s Mission come to life. Gary’s journey is a powerful reminder of the impact one can have through service, adventure, and a commitment to community well-being.
Sarah Jones
Founder / COO
Sarah moved to San Luis Obispo County in 2018 in search of a more meaningful life. She has always had a passion for helping others, evident in her career in mental health advocacy and her desire to educate people about their bodies through health, herbal remedies, and diet. Currently, she is studying to become a Holistic Health Coach, with hopes of creating a workshop to teach others how to heal themselves through nature. In her free time, Sarah enjoys spending days at the beach, building her e-commerce store, going on motorcycle rides with her husband, and enjoying family time.
Her enthusiasm for health and wellness, coupled with her positive outlook on life, led her to meet Travis Jecker. Together with Gary, they founded Positive Ride, united by their shared commitment to helping people feel included in all aspects of life. Sarah is dedicated to ensuring Positive Ride thrives by keeping its operations organized and efficient. Her favorite part of working with the nonprofit is witnessing the smiles on clients' faces as they use the Freedom Trax and hearing the uplifting stories from their families. She aims to make Positive Ride a place where individuals can experience independence from their daily lives.
Sean Brady
Event Mgmt. / Volunteer Guide
Sean grew up in San Luis Obispo and attended school alongside Travis Jecker. He is a father of two and loves exploring the coast and various places across the US with his children.
In 2021, when the Vietnam Memorial Wall Foundation came to Madonna Meadows in San Luis Obispo, Sean noticed that people in wheelchairs were unable to reach the wall due to muddy conditions. He contacted Gary and Travis from Positive Ride to inform them of the situation and offered to help. They dedicated 2.5 days assisting approximately 175 Vietnam Veterans in reaching the wall. Veteran events hold a special place in Sean's heart. This experience deeply resonated with Sean, inspiring him to support Positive Ride and its mission to promote adaptive adventure for those with mobility challenges.
Sean enjoys bringing the Positive Ride booth to all kinds of events, including several in California and even Reno. Sean says, “Bringing joy to someone's life by providing them the freedom to explore, regardless of their age or mobility, is priceless. I genuinely appreciate Positive Ride, my lifelong friend Travis, and the entire crew. “
Dave Deborde
Maintenance Mgr. / Volunteer Guide
Dave enjoys outdoor activities of all kinds, including hiking, backpacking in the Sierras, dirt biking, UTV riding, camping, and motorsports. As a Part 107 licensed drone pilot, he also has a keen interest in outdoor photography.
In 2022, Dave became a docent at the Pismo Preserve and quickly discovered opportunities to partner with Positive Ride. The Land Conservancy organized orientation and training for docents, preparing them to facilitate outings with Positive Ride at the Preserve. With 40 years of experience as a mechanic for electric-powered golf and utility equipment, Dave recognized a need for mechanical support for the Trax units.
“It is a blessing and a source of encouragement to witness the joy that Positive Ride clients express as they venture across the beach on a Freedom Trax unit.” - Dave