CORA promotes Reser to executive director

The Cincinnati Off-Road Alliance is betting big on the future of trails – and it has tapped one of its own to lead the charge.

The nonprofit, commonly known as CORA, has named Jason Reser as its new executive director. He’ll guide the group through its five-year strategic plan to more than triple Greater Cincinnati’s natural surface trail network, from 120 miles to 375 miles. The expansion also includes 14 bike skills parks and four regional bike parks, connecting neighborhoods across Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky.

Reser, who has served as CORA’s trail development director since 2021, said the work goes far beyond recreation.

“They are about connection to nature, to each other, and to the neighborhoods we call home,” he said. “I am honored to help lead the charge to bring this transformative vision to life.”

Building trails for a growing community

Founded in 1996, CORA has built a reputation as a leader in sustainable trail development. Its mission focuses on making outdoor spaces accessible, promoting health and wellness, encouraging youth to get outside, and supporting local communities. That mission reflects strong public demand: residents across Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky have repeatedly expressed a desire for more bike trails.

That demand isn’t unique to CORA. Great Parks CEO Todd Palmeter said the community has made trail expansion a top priority through the park system’s Comprehensive Master Plan. Momentum is visible across the river, too. In January 2024, for instance, the city of Covington began working with CORA to add roughly 3 miles to Devou Park’s Backcountry Trails, setting it up to be the region’s longest urban trail network and among the top five in overall length.

Reser’s experience makes him a natural fit to lead CORA through this pivotal moment. A University of Cincinnati graduate, he has been a fixture in the region’s bike community for decades. Beyond his work with CORA, Reser owns Reser Bicycle Outfitters and Trailhead Coffee in Newport, Kentucky, and is a past president of the Kentucky Mountain Bike Association. He also spent a decade in leadership with Queen City Bike and served on the Park Hills, Kentucky, City Council from 2017 to 2019, giving him insight into how public policy and community development intersect with recreation.

With his trail-building expertise, community leadership and advocacy experience, Reser is poised to deliver on CORA’s ambitious plan to use bike trails to strengthen the region.

“When kids grow up riding bikes, they’re more likely to stay active as adults,” Reser said. “Our investment in bike parks helps create fun, safe spaces where young riders can build skills, confidence, and a lifelong love for the outdoors.”