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When Richard “Ricky” Reed first joined POGOH in September 2020, he thought he was stepping into a job. Over time, the work began to mean something deeper. What started as a practical opportunity slowly became a place where he felt connected, challenged, and supported in ways he did not expect. At first, he says, it felt like a job he was learning day by day, but over time it started to feel like something he wanted to grow with long term.
A Beltzhoover native, Ricky began on the Field Team, learning operations from the ground up. The work required flexibility, teamwork, and a willingness to solve problems on the fly. He remembers those early years as the foundation for everything that came next, explaining that being out in the field teaches you how everything fits together and allows you to see the system from both the rider’s perspective and the staff side at the same time.
As he gained experience, Ricky found himself drawn to the bigger picture of how bikeshare could evolve across Pittsburgh. In 2023, he stepped into the role of Expansion Specialist, helping plan growth while strengthening relationships across teams and neighborhoods. The transition gave him new skills and new responsibilities, especially around communication and leadership. Moving into expansion, he says, helped him think more strategically. It wasn’t just about what was happening that day, but about where the system was headed next.
Working closely with former Director of Operations, Sara Khalil, Ricky learned how strong leadership can shape not only operations but workplace culture. That mentorship reinforced something he already felt about POGOH’s environment. He describes it as a place that really creates space for people to grow, where team members are encouraged to step into new challenges and build on the strengths they already have.
Now serving as Director of Operations, Ricky sees his role as both practical and deeply human. While operations often happens behind the scenes, he believes the quality of that work shows up directly in a rider’s experience. Well-supported staff and strong collaboration, he says, are the foundation of a reliable system. Good operations start with people feeling informed, equipped, and supported, and when the team is working well together, riders can feel that even if they do not always see it directly.
He speaks with pride about bringing the lessons he learned as Expansion Specialist into his current leadership role, particularly when it comes to managing diverse teams and adapting to change as the system grows. Every person on the team brings a different perspective, he explains, and learning how to bring those perspectives together is one of the most important parts of the job.
When asked about his favorite memories at POGOH, Ricky pauses before laughing. There are too many, he says, to count. The highlights are often simple moments shared with coworkers, long days in the field, problem-solving together, or monthly outings that make space for connection outside of work. Some of his favorite memories are not big events at all, but the everyday moments spent alongside the team, figuring things out together and learning from one another.
That sense of community is what continues to motivate him. Over time, colleagues became mentors, friends, and collaborators who shaped how he sees both work and leadership. There is always something new to learn from the people around you, he says, because everyone has their own style and skillset, and that diversity makes the whole team stronger.
For Ricky, POGOH’s mission feels personal because it reflects the city he grew up in. His goal as Director of Operations is to keep improving how bikeshare serves the neighborhoods of Pittsburgh while supporting the staff who make it all possible. He wants to keep building on what has already been created and make sure bikeshare continues to feel accessible and reliable for the city.
Written by Anna D'Acierno, POGOH Marketing & Events Manager