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 two awesome kids. They have been residents of southwest Atlanta for over 18 years.
TIM O'MARA, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
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.
BECKY O'MARA, CO-FOUNDER, DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT
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.
JESSI BURGESS, DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
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.
ANDREW KOBAYASHI, LEAD BICYCLE MECHANIC
Jonathan brings a unique blend of educational expertise and leadership development to his role as Program Director at Bearings. A SouthWest Atlanta native with a B.A. in Education, his upbringing laid the foundation for his deep commitment to serving inner-city youth. Having overcome poverty, homelessness, and youth recidivism before launching a professional basketball career overseas, Jonathan embodies the adage: “Through grace and faith, God can turn messes into masterpieces.”
From the court to the community, Jonathan’s youth development journey began after retiring from basketball and dedicating his life to creating pathways for teens to reach their full potential in every dimension of life—drawing inspiration from the teachers and coaches who helped him heal and transcend adversity.
That calling led him to become an educator, coach, and after-school specialist, where he launched a youth program, empowering students in the classroom, and coaching a back-to-back state championship team. These milestones opened the door to the nonprofit sector, where he spent the last five years building a thriving youth development space from the ground up—a safe haven for teens to explore their passion, purpose, and potential.
At Bearings, Jonathan brings this experience, along with an unwavering dedication to elevating the consciousness, community, and culture of his city and beyond. He remains a vital force in empowering the next generation to become their most whole and fearless selves.
JONATHAN INMAN, DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS
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 and currently oversees all of Bearings’ earn-a-bike programs.
WARREN ZACHERY, PROGRAM 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.
JESSIE KATE JOINER, DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST
Nick is a lifelong cyclist, bike racer, and cycling advocate based in Grant Park, Atlanta. With two decades of experience in the media agency space, he has excelled in managing teams and overseeing media buys for large clients. Currently, he channels his extensive experience into the role of the cycling program specialist, guiding the Bearings Composite Mountain Bike Team and mentoring young riders. Outside of Bearings, he spends time with his wife and son at their home, where he enjoys challenging his son with Star Wars trivia and making origami. Nick aims to live a balanced and grateful life, supporting people in the way he's so generously been supported.
NICK VAN WINKLE, CYCLING PROGRAMS SPECIALIST
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.
GREG BURDICK, BUSINESS OPERATIONS MANAGER
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.
JARVIS WAGNER, RESTORATION TECHNICIAN
PELLEO BADIANE, ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Pelleo Badiane is a seasoned nonprofit professional with over 10 years of experience in administrative operations, grant management, and community engagement. She has successfully supported numerous organizations in building strong systems and creating meaningful community programs. Pelleo has played a pivotal role in helping school leaders open new schools and has assisted hundreds of families in navigating educational opportunities in Georgia. As a native of Atlanta, Pelleo is passionate about fostering excellence in the community. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Civic Engagement from Lincoln College and brings a wealth of organizational and leadership skills to her role at Bearings Bike Works, ensuring the seamless execution of programs that empower youth and families.
Iris serves the Bearings team as a Development Specialist, bringing a strong background in marketing and fundraising. She earned her BBA in Marketing from Georgia State University, where she also gained her first experience in development through her work with the GSU Risk Management Foundation. As a proud Atlanta native, Iris is passionate about youth programs that give back to her local community. Outside of work, she enjoys practicing yoga, hiking, and spending time with her two cats!
IRIS HARRINGTON, DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST
VALERIE SEWELL, CYCLING PROGRAMS SPECIALIST
Valerie Sewell serves as the cycling program specialist. Valerie has worked in the nonprofit development sector for over 15 years, where her work has taken her all over the world. Valerie lived in the Middle East for over a decade working in community development helping under-served women and children. She's passionate about seeing communities transformed by God's love. She has extensive experience in coaching, training, and discipleship. Prior to her life overseas Valerie was an educator in the public school system here in Georgia. She loves that her work allows her to partner with the local community, and that she gets to do it all the while riding a bike! In her free time you will find her mountain biking, coaching girls soccer, hitting up her favorite thrift store, or hanging out with her friends and family.
In Loving Memory Of
TODDRICK LAMAR
2003-2024
Toddrick’s journey with Bearings began in 2013 as a participant in Skills for Life. After years of hard work and growth, he completed his Fellowship in our Frameworks program in 2024. This milestone was just the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Toddrick, as he was soon hired as our full-time Program Mechanic. One of his favorite aspects of the job was teaching other kids the same skills he once learned in Skills for Life, passing on his knowledge and inspiring the next generation. Each day, we continue this work in his honor.
