Our barn (office) staff and guides eat, sleep, and breath adventure in so many forms.
The common bond we have in our adventures is our love of sharing travel with everyone!
Barn Staff
Fred Ackerman
Founder & Chief Shepherding Officer, 2002
Born in the Mojave Desert, raised in Northern Minnesota and blessed to call Cape Cod “home” for most of his life, Fred began traveling from a young age. He has not only traveled six continents, he has lived in four of them. With a degree in mechanical engineering from MIT in hand, Fred was a busy young professional with no time to plan vacations, but had a strong desire to get out there and explore. After traveling with a few adventure tour operators, Fred quickly realized that he wanted to be on the other side of the equation to be out seeing the world and to share his passion for being active outdoors with others.
Leaving a promising management consulting career, Fred joined one of the industry’s largest active tour operators, creating and leading trips throughout the US and Europe – and hasn’t looked back since! Although his waking hours are now shared with raising a family (baby number 4 was born in May 2016…he should probably learn their names), Fred is focused on managing the business growth and ensuring we stay true to our values, but he loves it when he can get out to guide a trip
Ashley Vincent
OPERATIONS NINJA, 2011
Quick to smile and laugh, serene and yet a master of productivity, Ashley grew up in Connecticut and graduated from Vassar with a degree in Economics. After college she started guiding trips for kids at Overland Travel including an epic one across the USA from Savannah, GA to Santa Monica, CA. Back in 2003, a friend invited her to join her for a through-hike of the entire 2,200-mile Appalachian Trail. Her friend bailed, but Ashley did it – alone. Back when Ashley started with us in 2011, she did it all: lead guide, head mechanic, IT department, and any and everything else we needed. Now mother to three children she’s working behind the scenes on many essential tasks.
Ben Sander
Dynamic Operations Guru, 2017
A born world-traveler, Ben is passionate about combining education and travel, while also protecting the environment. He has worked in ecotourism ventures in Costa Rica, Kenya, Tanzania, Peru and Pohnpei, Micronesia. His love of ecotourism also led him to be a bike tour guide in Washington DC offering bike tours of the national memorials. Most recently, prior to joining us, he spent 7 years managing the travel program for the National Parks Conservation Association connecting members with the best in educational travel to the US National Parks (which is, ahem, how he first met us). That’s right, Ben is also a former client, turned valued employee.
He has taken part in Climate Ride five times to help raise awareness around climate change, bike advocacy, and national park protection. Ben is also an avid hiker and has thoroughly enjoyed exploring the Bay Area on foot joined by his beloved dog, Vida, as much as possible. He has visited over 140 national park units (his favorites are Glacier, American Samoa, and Mojave) and loves to connect Black Sheep travelers to amazing experiences in our national parks and public lands on foot and via bike.
Dave Goodman
Cycling Operation Guru (aka “The C.O.G.”), 2018
A native of Texas, Dave somehow found pond-based ice hockey as his sport of choice in addition to cycling. He now calls Reno, Nevada, home. A passionate bike expedition tourist who has toured around the American west, Dave handles all things bicycle, from designing custom tours, to guiding to maintain our fleet, which is why we call him the COG. With his quick wit, yet understated humor, Dave is a hit as a guide and colleague alike. In his off time Dave pursues creative outlets working with wood and stone.
The Shepherds
Ryan Fowler
SENIOR SHEPHERD & CUSTOM TOUR SPECIALIST, 2011
Born and raised in Northern California, Ryan began cycling at age 15 and the wheels never stopped rolling from that point on. He began racing as a junior, started a collegiate cycling team while studying film production and banana slugs at UC Santa Cruz, and still competes at the semi-professional level for mountain bike events nationwide.
Now living near Lake Tahoe, Ryan spends his free-time backcountry skiing, capturing photographs, writing, backpacking, and, yes, cycling. His passion for the outdoors and all things cyclical is challenged by his love for good food, great wine and even better beer. The resident quick wit, Ryan is likely to leave you on the floor laughing. Now in his 8th season guiding professionally, Ryan also researches and plans many of our custom tours.
Jen Slowey
SENIOR SHEPHERD & CUSTOM TOUR SPECIALIST, 2013
Jen grew up in Upstate New York (smack dab in the middle) and after a semester abroad in New Zealand, knew she wanted to see more of the world. She graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in music, then headed to Europe for some adventure and culture. She fell in love with Chamonix, France where she lived high up in the Alps, played trumpet in a band and skied powder with the locals. Now she lives in Truckee.
Jen has perhaps more nicknames than anyone else here at BSA: Some favorites include: Slowdog, J.Slo, Jennifer Snowski, Flowbee and Jen. Between trips she plays French horn in the Reno Orchestra and, like Ryan, plans custom BSA tours.
Marie Hernandez
SENIOR SHEPHERD & CUSTOM TOUR SPECIALIST, 2016
Four years ago Marie found her calling leading trips. A California native, she loves to explore new areas as well as showcase the place she calls home. She holds a BFA in Photography and Digital Media from CalArts and previously was a professional photographer. In her last career, she managed a team of 50 people, hosted team building activities and coordinated events for up to 200 guests. She has lived and worked in remote parts of Australia (where her Irish-born mom is from), traveled throughout New Zealand and South East Asia independently, cycled through Taiwan, and planned a 21-day, 225-mile rafting and camping expedition on the Colorado river in the Grand Canyon. All of these past experiences have been invaluable training for her role with us as a professional guide and trip planner. Phrases like “How can I help” and “Let me get that for you” are a mainstay of Marie’s vocabulary. The reason? She genuinely enjoys people and loves to go the extra mile to help. She has a fun sense of humor and is a prankster as well (which apparently, like her triple Australian-Irish-American citizenship, she also gets from her mom).
Trevor husted
shepherd extraordinaire, 2018
Trevor has been guiding professionally for many years in a variety of capacities from mountaineering to kayaking to cycling. A dual EU & US citizen he has guided many bike tours in Europe as well as the US. Originally from the state of Washington, he is now a resident of Tahoe City. Trevor discovered the joy of the mountains at a young age. The landscape of the Pacific Northwest forged in him a unique respect and love for nature. Seeking out hills, landscapes, rivers, valleys and delving into different cultures has been the draw and yearning to get outside. He has had the opportunity to live, travel, and guide all over the world and through this and writing he has been able to share his experiences with others with the hopes of instilling the same admiration for adventure, culture, nature, and empathy that fuels his lust for life. A talented musician and actor he also brings a sense of fun to each trip.
austin mcinerny
SHEPHERD EXTRaordinaire, 2019
Austin believes immensely in the power of cycling to transform the lives of individuals and the culture of entire communities. Starting in elementary school and continuing thru his time as an undergraduate at the University of California, Santa Cruz and as a graduate student in Regional Planning at Cornell University, Austin has ridden all types of bikes both recreationally and competitively and has toured the Tyrolean Alps, around northern Greece and thru the Pyrenees as well as extensively in the United States by bike. Along with his wife, Austin coached a high school mountain bike club for many years and, as a result, put a career in environmental mediation on hold to serve as the president of the National Interscholastic Cycling Association “NICA” for nearly eight years until mid 2019. Having played a major role in growing NICA into the largest youth mountain biking organization in the United States, BICYCLING Magazine named Austin one of the “New Heroes of Cycling” in 2016.
Zack Reinhardt
SHEPHERD EXTRAORDINAIRE, 2015
This Pennsylvania native studied film at Temple University before making his way out west. The first things one notices about Zack are his impressive moustache and equally mature demeanor that belies his chronological age (many folks have been shocked to learn he’s only in his mid 20s). Zack enjoys guiding “as the opportunity to share unique experiences with people and lead them on an adventure they may have otherwise would have never experienced.” A passionate cyclist, and mechanic he’s built a few bikes from scratch and rides regularly. A few months ago we successfully lured him away from his 9-5 at a little company you may have heard of called “Facebook”.
Patrick Makiri
SHEPHERD EXTRAORDINAIRE, 2012
Native Californian, Pat was born and raised in Southern California, but he has lived in Northern California for much of his adult life. At UC Santa Cruz he earned a degree in American History and further developed his great appreciation for surfing and cycling. Patrick just relocated from Santa Barbara back to San Francisco where he continues to enjoy time on the water and on two wheels as well as cooking with his girlfriend using farm fresh organic ingredients as much as possible. 2016 marks his 5th season of guiding active vacations with Black Sheep Adventures. He is now one of our “go to” guides for both active and educational tours and between trips he also helps out with trip planning, bike maintenance, and warehouse organization.
Beth Bittle
SHEPHERD extraordinaire, 2017
An avid hiker, cyclist, kayaker and traveler who enjoys exploring new places and meeting new people, Beth is passionate to share her love and knowledge of the outdoors with our guests and is an encouraging, supportive leader. Beth grew up spending lots of time outdoors hiking and riding horses in Missouri. In college, she studied recreation and led backpacking trips for international students. She loves cycling and hiking in all the places she visits, especially in the U.S. National Parks and has been to 17 so far (but who’s counting). Beth has also traveled extensively internationally, including to India, Nepal, Vietnam, South Korea, England, Scotland, Holland, Botswana and South Africa and is always planning her next adventure.
Beth and her wife live in the Bay Area. They have an adorable toddler and a dog that enjoys rocking a Mohawk (the dog, not their son). Beth also serves on the board of her local Sierra Club.
Aja Cook
SHEPHERD EXTRAORDINAIRE, 2013
Perhaps due to nostalgia for a high school experience shared with Ryan Fowler, Aja never left high school. Ok, she did actually go to college and get a Masters Degree in Education so she could return to her high school as a teacher (and high school mountain bike league coach). A former professional mountain bike racer herself, as well as an incredible chef and wine connoisseur, Aja took to the hard and soft skills of guiding like a duck Michael Phelps to water. She has guided tours with us around California and on the East Coast. Always quick to smile and make it look easy even when giving her all to create a sensational experience for our guests, Aja now calls Sausalito home.
Nicole Marcoe
SHEPHERD, 2015
A graduate of Binghampton and native of the Northeast. Her love of the wilderness and adventure travel led her to teach at various educational institutions. These include The Student Conservation Association, The Appalachian Mountain Club, The Outdoor Academy, The White Mountain School, Visions Service Adventures and The National Park Service.
From Alaska to Guadeloupe, and the Cascade Mountains to the Appalachians, Nicole has had the pleasure of exploring many scenic areas throughout the U.S. After honing in on her love of the bike, both mountain and road, Nicole began guiding trips to Europe. A fluent French speaker, she has spent ten summers in France guiding cyclists following Le Tour. Formerly of Sausalito, these days she’s building a successful career as a florist and setting up her new home in Silicon Valley.
Frank Ackerman
LEARNED SHEPHERD/CO-FOUNDER OF FOUNDER, 2005/1974
A retired National Park Service Ranger who in his 32-year career lived and worked in a variety of parks from Dinosaur National Monument, Grand Canyon, Death Valley and Voyageurs National Parks before retiring as Chief of Interpretation for Cape Cod National Seashore. Frank later returned to full-time work for another 5 years as Curator of Education and then Director of the Nevada State Railroad Museum. Now he’s our resident educational tour expert, designing, writing educational commentary, and accompanying many of our educational tour programs. He greatly enjoys living in Northern California and exploring the region’s various hiking trails, and railroads.
Peter Hansen
Study Lecturer
Peter A. Hansen is a nationally known interpreter of railroads and the American experience. He is the long-time editor of Railroad History, the scholarly journal of the Railway & Locomotive Historical Society, and he is also a correspondent for Trains magazine, a popular publication focused on the modern railroad industry. He has been an on-camera source for CBS News, NBC News, and PBS, and has written several documentary films for distribution on public television.
Peter is a communications consultant to major railroads, and he is also guest curator and consultant to some of the nation’s noted historical museums, including the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture, where his firm coordinated the restoration of a 1922 Jim Crow railroad coach.
The late William L. Withuhn, curator emeritus at Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, said of Hansen, “Pete’s grasp of history – broadscale and regional, and not confined to railroading, either – and his own grasp of audience psychology is excellent.”