Tim is a relentless believer in the possibilities of youth, and he fights against negative influences and the consequences they have on Atlanta youth. His passion for working with youth and children began in 2000, when he began volunteering in church youth ministry, mentoring teens and leading worship service production. As a student, Tim struggled in school, eventually leading him to drop out of high school at the age of 17. Having forged a path through difficult circumstances allows him a unique connection point to many of the families Bearings Bike Works serves.
Tim founded Bearings in 2010 with a mission to help at-risk youth discover their potential and to prevent future crises. For the past 14 years, his goal has been to illuminate pathways to possibilities. Bearings Bike Works aims to expose every child’s God-given gifts through experiences that provoke discovery and curiosity while developing perseverance and confidence. Tim brings a sincere level of passion and integrity for developing leaders within the community to continue the mission.
Tim believes collaboration is an essential facet to positive life-changes, and has partnered with various schools, businesses and other for-impact organizations to provide solutions in vocational training.
As a credit to his successful leadership at Bearings Bike Works, Tim has received numerous community awards. Tim and Becky are married and the proud parents of Mary Kate and Jase. They have been residents of southwest Atlanta for over 17 years.
TIM O'MARA, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
BECKY O'MARA,
CO-FOUNDER, DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT
Becky's background is varied but a common thread has woven its way through a variety of jobs: Becky has always loved casting a vision for the future and inviting others to jump in and work together to accomplish a goal. The satisfaction of seeing a vision come to life has kept Becky jumping in when organizations are in growth mode. After graduation from Stetson University, Becky spent five years working in children's ministry at 12Stone Church, then one of the fastest growing churches in the country. From 2011 to 2016, Becky managed the staff at Matchstic, a boutique branding agency, first as Project Manager and later as Operations Manager. Today, Becky is passionate about helping students develop the skills needed to thrive in the American economy and building communities where people from different backgrounds can connect over common interests and passions. She serves the bike shop by maintaining strong relationships with its supporters and is thrilled every time she gets to invite someone to partner with Bearings in this important work.
JESSI BURGESS, DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
Jessi serves the Bearings team as the Development Manager. After graduating from Georgia State University with a degree in Journalism, Jessi went on to work in several different fields, including print and radio journalism, but she knew her dream was to work in the nonprofit sector, using her skills to give back to her community. Her nonprofit career began in Nevada working as a development coordinator for Big Brothers Big Sisters, but the desire to be close to family after having her daughter brought her back to Atlanta. Jessi is thrilled to be working for an organization whose mission and vision she feels passionately about.
On the weekends, Jessi loves spending time with family, reading novels, and exploring the city.
ANDREW KOBAYASHI, LEAD BICYCLE MECHANIC
Andrew Kobayashi is our Lead Bicycle Mechanic. Cycling and community engagement are a fundamental part of his values. Prior to coming to Bearings, Andrew worked in the restaurant industry before leaving to manage a local bike shop. With several years in the cycling community of Atlanta, Andrew sees it as a privilege and responsibility to make cycling infrastructure and knowledge accessible to the city of Atlanta. He believes that quality service to both, people and of bikes is essential.
JESSIE KATE JOINER, DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST
Jessie Kate serves as the Development Specialist at Bearings. She graduated from the University of Alabama with a degree in Public Relations, and found her passion for nonprofit development through her classes and volunteering with her church’s youth group. After spending a short time in Washington, DC, Jessie Kate is excited to return to the south and the nonprofit industry. She is thrilled to join the Bearings team and serve the Atlanta community. When she is not working, Jessie Kate likes to visit national parks, cheer on Alabama football, and spend time with friends.
WARREN ZACHERY, PROGRAM MECHANIC
Warren began his journey with Bearings as a participant in the Skills for Life drop-in program when he was just 13 years old. He loved working with his hands and needed a reliable bike.
Over the years, Warren progressed through the levels of the curriculum and became the first participant to test in Level 4, the highest level of the program. In 2016, he was hired as a summer intern and worked at Bearings part-time through most of his high school years. He joined the team as a full-time staff member in 2020.
Warren hopes to serve Atlanta as a law enforcement officer in the future.
QUILL MARTIN, MOUNTAIN BIKING PROGRAM COORDINATOR
Quill is our Mountain Biking Program Coordinator here at Bearings. He grew up in northeast Georgia and raced in the Georgia League through high school. Quill loved the Georgia League so much that he began working with them in race and equipment management. After a gap year from college, he continued his racing career in college at Piedmont University, where he studied physics, art, and computer science. While coaching wrestling and mountain biking part-time, he found a new love working in youth development to better the next generation of athletes. When he isn’t traveling, camping, or going for cool MTB rides, he is a mountain biking knowledge geek and a LEGO fanatic. Quill is excited to work with an organization that serves youth and pursues their personal growth.
BECCA HECK, ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Becca serves as the Administrative Assistant for all things at Bearings. Feeling a call to youth ministry, she served as the Director of Student Ministry at a local Atlanta church for the last 13 years. She has since felt the desire to gain her MDiv from Reformed Theological Seminary, while also serving at Bearings Bike Works. Becca has lived in the neighborhoods of Decatur, Inman Park, and now East Point. As long as she can be just a hop, skip, and jump from the Beltline, she's happy. She has a passion to see Atlanta continue to grow in it's care for its youth, and desires to be a part of making it a city that is brings healing and wholeness to all those in it. When she isn't in the office at Bearings, or studying for class, she's dragging her friends to every new restaurant in town on the constant hunt for the best burger and fries in town.
JARVIS WAGNER, RESTORATION TECHNICIAN
Jarvis began attending Bearings' drop-in program in 2017 after moving to Atlanta. Over the next few years, he learned how to build and repair bikes and participated in our summer internship for teens in 2021. Jarvis then began the Frameworks Fellowship in August 2021 and worked through advanced mechanical training in our retail shop, learning valuable customer service skills along the way. In 2023, he was hired on full time as Bearings’ first Restoration Technician.
GREG BURDICK, BUSINESS OPERATIONS MANAGER
Greg serves as the Bearings team Manager of Business Operations. After wrapping up a thirty seven year career as an international business leader, joining Bearings fulfills a long time passion to refocus energies to work with youth and the local community. Greg is exited to combine his passion of managing organizations and building relationships focused on clients with Bearings Bike Work’s mission to utilize bikes to help youth develop skills necessary to successfully transition into adulthood and the workforce.
In the “off hours” Greg spends time with his family, local community organizations and is interested and involved in many sporting activities – and now looks like he will be spending more time on a bike.
JASON SCROGGINS, PROGRAM MANAGER
Jason joined the Bearings team as the Program Manager in 2023. After 20+ years in the construction industry as a remodeler and carpenter, he is excited to change lanes into a non-profit adventure serving the people that he’s called neighbors and friends for over 10 years.
Jason loves everything outdoors and loves taking his family with him on the adventure. Whether canoeing or fishing, hiking or riding bikes, Jason loves being the guide and seeing his kids flourish through challenging experiences.
Jason is a deacon at his church, and he loves studying theology and seeing the story of the Bible unfold, and how it changes lives - feel free to ask him how it changed his life!