rooted in skateboarding
growing in community
our journey has always been about more than boards
For over 25 years, Cowtown Skateboards has been more than a shop, it’s been a hub for Arizona’s skateboarding culture, giving back through events, gear, and skatepark advocacy. In 2018, we took the next step by launching Cowtown S.K.A.T.E., a nonprofit that channels the same passion into community development. It’s how we pay forward what skateboarding has given us and how we help guide youth toward new possibilities.
Leadership
Kat
Betsy
Executive Director
Kat is a Certified Nonprofit Professional with over 14 years of experience in the sector designing innovative programming for under-resourced communities and leading small, high functioning teams. Kat is passionate about helping children live stronger, healthier lives through Cowtown S.K.A.T.E.’s mission and is a long time long-boarder.
Ash
Kee
Development Coordinator
Ash brings five years of nonprofit fundraising and community partnership experience and will help grow our fundraising efforts, build new relationships, and expand the impact of our programs throughout Arizona.
Trent
Martin
Co-Founder & Board Chair/President
Trent Martin is a skateboarder, father, husband, entrepreneur and community activist. He discovered his passion for skateboarding as a kid, and has continued to skate ever since. In 1997 he and his friends opened Cowtown Skateboards, a retail shop and skate brand that has played an integral role in the Arizona skateboarding community for nearly 30 years, hosting events, giving away gear, working with cities on skatepark projects, and much more. Along with his partners, Ed Cox and Laura Martin, Trent has gone on to co-found Cowtown SKATE, a nonprofit organization that expands the trio’s capacity to effect positive change in the community by increasing access to skateboarding and all of its health and social benefits.
Shane
Reddy
Board Treasurer
Shane is a lifelong skateboarder whose deep roots at Cowtown have shaped his passion for finance, technology, and helping build what's next.
Jon
Muller
Board Member
Jon Muller (Turtle) has more than 25 years of leadership experience in financial services. His lifelong passion for skateboarding helps expand Cowtown S.K.A.T.E. 's impact; ensuring more kids have access to the opportunities that build confidence, creativity and a sense of belonging. Turtle has been a long time skateboarder for 30+ years.
Jan
Sherwood
Board Member
After a 28-year career with the City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department, Jan has worked closely with the Cowtown Skateboards team on community events, skatepark improvement projects, new skatepark development, public art initiatives, and youth-focused community programs. Her decades of public service and collaborative work have continued to help strengthen skateboarding throughout Phoenix.
Laura
Martin
Co-Founder &
Board Secretary
Laura is an advocate for skateboarding for over four decades, volunteer, organizing fundraising events, and helping strengthen skateboarding community. She remains committed to giving back and supporting future generations of skateboarders.
Jacob
Meders
Board Member
Jacob Meders has lived in Phoenix Az since 2008. Artist, master printmaker (WarBird Press) and Associate Professor at ASU he has spent most his life surfing but finds more time sk8ing these days. Other institutions that Jacob contributes time to are the Heard Museum and Phoenix Indian Center. A strong advocate for education and Indigenous rights, he loves how much COWTOWN SKATE impacts the youth in Arizona in such a positive way by giving them a challenging and healthy outlet.
Bethany
Eggleston
Board Member
Bethany brings more than 20 years of nonprofit leadership, fundraising, grant writing, and business development experience. Her passion for helping young people and strengthening nonprofits is a tremendous asset as Cowtown S.K.A.T.E. continues to grow.
Sarah
Mihaylo
Board Member
Since 2011, Sarah has led the Steve and Lois Mihaylo Foundation, connecting resources with nonprofits making a meaningful impact throughout Arizona. We're honored to have her experience and community leadership on our board.