ABOUT

Trek for Trevor was formed to honor the life of Trevor “Microsoft” Laher who died on March 27, 2020 in his attempt to thru-hike the Pacific Crest Trail; a 2,652-mile trail which spans from Mexico to Canada through California, Oregon and Washington.

What We Do

We run outdoor safety campaigns and create educational content to keep hikers safe on trail.

Planning & Preparation

Adequate planning and preparation are paramount for any successful trek. Hikers must know what gear is needed and how to use it. Most importantly, loved ones must be notified of their hiker’s plans and how they should respond in an emergency.

Before Trevor left to thru-hike the PCT, his parents attempted to discuss the potential dangers associated with thru-hiking, Trevor responded with the statistic that only 15 people had ever died hiking the PCT. “There’s a better chance I die in a car accident than hiking the PCT” Trevor replied.

Unfortunately, that turned out not to be true.

Mission & Vision Statements

Mission

We promote safe hiking and exploration through preparation, awareness and education.

Vision

We aspire to create a culture in which hikers are empowered to explore safely, ensuring that every adventure becomes a journey worth remembering.

Safety Content

Trek for Trevor writes original articles and content on hiker safety, and collaborates on content with national news and media outlets.

Our Values

Safety

We celebrate the spirit of adventure, but prioritize safety above all else, ensuring that every hiker has the knowledge to return home unharmed.

Compassion

We will not judge - we approach our mission with compassion and empathy, recognizing that every hiker's journey, education, and knowledge is unique and deserving of support and understanding.

Courage

We celebrate courage in the face of adversity, inspiring hikers to “Hike Their Own Hike” and take ownership of their own self-interests and preservation of safety.

Collaboration

We prioritize the combined impact that collaboration with other stakeholder groups can have on our community, placing the benefit to the hiking community above the interests of the foundation.

Respecting the environment

We respect nature and the beauty it holds. We believe in the principle of “Leave no Trace”. Valuing wildlife and the environment reinforces safety.

Decision-making

Decision-making: We are committed to making a framework of decisions which represents the best interests of our community (even when unpopular), as a cornerstone of our commitment to the difficult decisions hikers must make every day while on Trail.

Education

We are committed to the promotion of hiker safety and trail etiquette education as this is a requisite for safe recreation of the outdoors.

Hand drawn illustration of Trevor Laher out for a hike on the Pacific Crest Trail

“I hope this experience was greater than anything that you could have ever imagined.”

- Trevor (Microsoft) Laher

Board of Directors

  • Professional head shot of Doug Laher

    Douglas Laher

    EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR/EX-OFFICIO

    Doug and his wife Karen are co-founders of Trek for Trevor. Doug is an experienced non-profit executive and oversees the administrative functions of the foundation.

  • Professional head shot of Dave Laher

    David Laher

    PRESIDENT

    Dave is retired with extensive non-profit experience serving on the Board of Directors for the United Way in Wooster, OH. He and his wife Marilyn enjoy retirement in Peoria, AZ.

  • Headshot of Russ Hepton while hiking the Pacific Crest Trail

    Russ Hepton

    VICE PRESIDENT

    Russ is an award-winning Digital Product Designer and avid long-distance hiker. He lives in the UK and routinely goes on outdoor expeditions throughout Europe. Russ thru-hiked the PCT in 2022.

  • Professional head shot of Brian Schneider

    Brian Schneider

    SECRETARY/TREASURER

    Brian Schneider is a banking analyst living in Olmsted Falls, OH. He is an avid cyclist who has cycled over 1,000 miles through the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Most recently he spends time on the local disc golf courses.

  • Professional headshot of Chris Nelson

    Christopher Nelson

    DIRECTOR-AT-LARGE

    Chris is a career non-profit executive serving in local, state and national United Way CEO roles for 42 years. His specializations include resource development, grant writing, public policy, crisis preparedness and response.

  • Sherry Babic

    DIRECTOR-AT-LARGE

    Sherry is a Respiratory Therapist and friend of the Laher family. She serves on the Ohio Respiratory Care Board. In her free time, she and her husband enjoy visiting zoos, and exploring local parks.

  • Professional head shot of Kim Jorgensen

    Kim Jorgensen

    DIRECTOR-AT-LARGE

    Kim is a retired educator who volunteers at her local food bank and her school’s Alumni Association. Kim assists in organizing the annual Trevor-hike at the Carlisle Reservation in Ohio.