Meet your
CWA-JC Pilots

Greg Schmidt

Greg is one of our pilot trainers and an avid cyclist who rides just about everything, road, mountain, gravel, and more. A retired intensive care physician, he now spends his time woodworking, solving New York Times puzzles, and staying active in the community.

What he loves most about being a pilot is sharing the joy of biking and helping others experience it.

Connie Moore

Connie brings energy, warmth, and great conversation to every ride.

A pediatric physical therapist and chair of the Iowa City Parks and Recreation Commission, she loves staying active through hiking, reading, and time with friends, family, and her dog, Frank.

What she loves most about being a pilot? It combines two of her favorite things: cycling and connecting with people.

Francis Gurtz 

Francis brings music, movement, and community into everything he does.

From leading a ukulele group to singing with local and national ensembles, he’s deeply rooted in creativity and connection. He also loves biking for everyday life, from commuting to grocery runs.

What he loves most is seeing the joy riders feel when they get outside and experience new places.

Hailey Ecklund 

Hailey thrives on connection, curiosity, and adventure.

Originally from San Diego, she now calls Iowa City home and spends her time hiking, cycling, gardening, and exploring the world. She’s even been to Everest Base Camp.

What she loves most about being a pilot is sharing stories and giving others the chance to experience the joy of riding again.

Horacio Olivo

Horacio brings heart and global perspective to every ride.

Originally from Mexico City, he has lived and worked around the world before spending more than two decades at the University of Iowa. These days, he enjoys running, cycling, and time with his kids.

For Horacio, being a pilot is all about connection, helping riders feel seen, valued, and part of the community.

Jim Cramer

Jim is a lifelong cyclist with deep roots in the Iowa City community.

He’s been riding since the 1970s, from road racing to gravel and RAGBRAI, and still logs plenty of miles today. Off the bike, he enjoys music and concerts.

What makes being a pilot meaningful for him is seeing how much joy each ride brings to the people he serves.

Carla Pies

Carla loves the conversations that happen on every ride.

A retired adult and geriatric nurse practitioner, she grew up in Madrid, Iowa, and moved to Iowa City for college and her career. She enjoys walking her dog, hiking, running, cycling, and tackling the New York Times Spelling Bee. 

Carla's favorite part of being a pilot is watching riders light up during the journey and seeing the smiles they inspire in others along the way.