About Us

Stephen Garets is an active motorcyclist with 39 years on-street riding experience. His involvement in motorcycle safety dates to 1981, when he completed instructor training and went on to launch motorcycle safety programs in several Idaho communities. Steve's background in motorcycle safety and rider training includes: rider and instructor training; motor officer training for beginning, intermediate and high speed applications; rider training curricula development; community and state rider training program development and administration; licensing system development, license examiner training and trainer training; and state motorcycle safety program assessment and infrastructure evaluation and design. He has consulted internationally and served as a member of the seven-member Technical Working Group on the NHTSA and MSF-sponsored National Agenda for Motorcycle Safety.

Steve is a member of the Transportation Research Board subcommittee on Motorcycles and Mopeds and is past Executive Committee member and Chairman of the National Association of State Motorcycle Safety Administrators (SMSA).

Ray Pierce has been an active motorcyclist for twelve years. He joined TEAM OREGON in 1991and received Chief Instructor training in 2000. As the Training Specialist he recruits and trains instructors, manages the state's quality assurance program and develops curricula. In his spare time he conducts license examiner training for DMV and police motor officer training for Oregon's police training academy.

Stacey Axmaker was trained as a Motorcycle Safety Instructor in 1991. Since that time he has taught over 190 rider courses (MRC, BRC, IRC, ERC, Advanced Rider Training, High Speed Police Training) assisted with dozens of instructor trainings and updates, and has trained instructors to teach alone, to deliver mobile program equipment, as well as to train and mentor other instructors. As a full time member of the TEAM OREGON management team from 1997-2002 he was primarily responsible for scheduling courses, assigning instructors to teach, and establishing and maintaining sponsor relationships (for range and classroom space) for over 20 training locations across the state.

Stacey holds an MBA from Oregon State University and is currently working in Financial Services. He continues to teach courses, mentor newer instructors, and now serves the TEAM OREGON management team in an advisory capacity