Waterside Staff & Board

Nick believes that, like other forms of experiential learning, wooden boat building can foster social and emotional development, allowing students to build resiliency and confidence in a way that can enrich their lives. Prior to joining Waterside in 2017, Nick worked at the Philadelphia Wooden Boat Factory, primarily building Whitehalls. In a previous life, he was a nonprofit environmental attorney. When not working or parenting, he can be found in the water surfing.

Hannah found her way to living and breathing all things bikes via the local bike shop in her hometown of Chicago. After 12 years in traditional bike shops, she was drawn to Waterside because it intersects bikes with her other passions including adventure event planning, equitable youth education, and socially sustainable waste reduction. As a League Certified Instructor she is excited to expand outdoor programs and spread the organization’s mission.

Danny has worked in the bicycle industry for 15+ years and at Waterside since 2015. He enjoys bicycling of all kinds, from mountain bike and mixed terrain racing to commuting, grocery shopping, and hauling a trailer. He feels very fortunate to be working in a shop that is built around reuse, education and community. He enjoys sharing his passion for cycling and the outdoors and is honored to contribute to Waterside’s job training and youth support programs.

Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, Erik’s love of cycling started with family bike rides both on and off road. From there, he was taken in by a gang of bicycle tourists and vintage bike enthusiasts. Erik found that his love of cycling is best expressed by restoring old bikes and teaching others how to work on and maintain their own cherished rides.

Born in New Jersey, Ramess found his passion for bikes just before moving to California. A former patron, he learned bicycle maintenance in the open shop and further developed his skills at the UCSC Bike Co-op. Having spent time working on e-bikes and delivering food to housebound seniors, he came to Waterside to help provide accessible bike maintenance (e-bikes included) to the community.

Cleo is a former intern and youth mechanic. They grew up riding around the East Bay. While getting their B.A. from UC Santa Cruz, they were deeply involved in the Bike Co-op where they ran the open shop and grew their appreciation for affordable repair and education aimed at building self-reliance. Cleo is glad to be back at Waterside and excited about the focus on youth mentorship.

Helder brings extensive knowledge of history, anthropology, maritime history and skills to Waterside. He founded Waterside’s boat program as a way of both reviving the Berkeley Aquatic Park and building an environment that fostered the merger of craftsmanship as a method of youth development and ultimately community enrichment.

Rebecca became Waterside’s Executive Director in June 2023.  Rebecca oversees the management and operations of Waterside, ensuring that the organization engages youth and the community through hands-on learning in bicycle mechanics, wooden boatbuilding, and outdoor education. She is responsible for visioning, strategic planning, goal-setting and measurement.

Born in San Francisco, Jonathan grew up on Treasure Island and on a U.S. Navy base Sasebo, Japan. In Japan, he spent his free time learning music, and wandering the agrarian valleys and rocky coastlines of the Nagasaki prefecture, which fueled his love for the outdoors and his passion for travel. He returned to the Bay Area in 2005 and has been playing drums and bass guitar while traveling with bands, backpacking the Sierras, working in agriculture, and wrenching on bikes. Jonathan joined Waterside in 2022.

Ben was born in the shadow of the great Cascade and Olympic mountain ranges of the Pacific Northwest. It was here that fueled his passion for the outdoors, bicycles, mechanics and youth mentoring. He has 17 plus years of mechanics experience and has worked in prominent bike shops coast to coast. He was drawn to Waterside workshops because he believes in community and youth opportunity.

Jevon began as a Waterside intern in 2021 and was hired as a youth staff member in 2022.