Our Team
Jim Gardner
Founder & CEO
Jim Gardner grew up riding bikes along the Pacific Coast Highway in Huntington Beach — and that early sense of freedom on two wheels never left him. He founded Good Karma Bikes to provide reliable transportation to homeless and low-wage workers, and grew it into a comprehensive program that builds self-esteem and teaches job skills in bike repair, eCommerce, and retail. His guiding principle: give away for free half of all that we make. A PhD physicist, NASA intern, Wharton graduate, and certified bike mechanic — who also shares his home with three rescue cats and a wife he met while rescuing a cat at USC — Jim is living proof that the right mission can bring a whole life into focus.
Amy Bassett
Operations Manager
Amy Bassett started in the Southeast and just kept heading west until she found the warm weather in California. Now based in San Jose, she brings a lifelong love of bikes and a formal credential from the United Bicycle Institute's bike mechanic program to her role as Operations Manager at Good Karma Bikes. She rides for the snacks and the scenery — no destination required. What drew her to Good Karma Bikes? Everyone here is genuinely kind and excited to be doing the work — and that energy, she'll tell you, is worth showing up for every day. One more thing: Amy loves ice cream in all its forms, and a life-changing cinnamon scoop once set the bar impossibly high.
Sam Perry
Development Director
Sam Perry's love of bikes started with family rides, and grew into an appreciation for what biking can do: get people where they need to go, keep them healthy, and ease the strain on the planet. A Bay Area local, Sam studied philosophy at UC Berkeley and earned a fundraising certificate from Temple University.
Throughout his career, he has consistently grown the donor base and contributed revenue at organizations he supports. In 2024, the Silicon Valley Business Journal named him to its 40 Under 40. Now he brings that track record to Good Karma, where every gift goes to work: more than 12,000 free bikes granted, over 65,000 people served, and $4.5 million given back to the community. Off the clock, you'll find him outdoors, reading, playing chess or shooting hoops. His proudest fun fact? He's married to his high school sweetheart.
Ashlyn Catuna
Communications Coordinator
Ashlyn Catuna wasn't always a bike person. A bad spill as a kid left her scared to ride, until her family came to Good Karma Bikes to donate her old bike. With her parents' help, she relearned to ride and found her confidence. A San Jose native and Chapman University graduate in Communication Studies, Ashlyn now tells Good Karma's story through social media, newsletters and the press. She loves the kind, fun-loving community and seeing how a bike can build confidence and hope. Off the clock, she's playing video games (Persona 3 forever), cross-stitching or painting. Her niche obsession? Famous shipwrecks.
Jay Cobb
Sales Associate
Jay Cobb has been on a bike since he was four years old, and his enthusiasm hasn't slowed down since. Originally from Oakland, Jay brings degrees in Business and Media Arts — and a lifetime of riding — to his role at Good Karma Bikes. His mission is to get every person who walks through the door on their perfect bike. He'll size you up, listen to your needs, and find the ride that fits your life. A recent e-bike convert and lifelong adventurer, Jay is always chasing the next new experience. (Except banana-flavored anything. Hard pass.)
JJ Means
Sales and Service Associate
JJ Means is a San Jose native who has always gotten around by bike. It was the city's welcoming riding community that turned the daily commute into a passion for bike maintenance. With a B.S. in Materials Science and Engineering from UC Irvine, JJ brings an engineer's eye to helping customers find the right bike and understand how Good Karma refurbishes every one. Between sales, hands-on service and quality checks, JJ loves the immediate impact of the job: a patched flat can mean someone makes it to work on time, or a kid makes it to school. Off the clock, you'll find JJ riding, playing automation games or cooking with friends. Fun fact: JJ once trained in fencing. Yes, with swords.
Victor Perez Contreras
Sales and Service Associate
Victor Perez Contreras knows firsthand that a bike can change a life. Growing up in Santa Clara, he got a bike from a high school teacher, and it freed him from the bus to get to class, work and everything in between. He went on to study Computer Engineering at UC Santa Cruz, trained in mechatronics and embedded systems, and picked up his wrenching skills at the UCSC bike co-op. As a Sales and Service Associate, Victor treats every client with the same respect and care, whether they're unhoused or buying a high-end build. At home, he designs, 3D-prints and programs his own robots, and unwinds by cooking and playing guitar. Victor is always eager to learn something new.
Eshan Rachapudi
Sales and Service Associate
Eshan Rachapudi has been riding since before he can remember, and he's volunteered at Good Karma Bikes for more than a decade. Now he's joined the team as a Sales and Service Associate. Originally from San Jose and now a junior at UC Santa Cruz, Eshan handles same-day fixes like flats and brake adjustments so people can keep rolling. He also helps customers find a comfortable, well-fitted bike. What he loves most is the community focus, especially granting bikes to people in need. Off the bike, he's usually listening to music or playing guitar. His most unique feature? A small patch on his chin where facial hair refuses to grow, courtesy of a BMX stunt that failed spectacularly.
