About Us
Our Mission & Vision
Founded as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, at Blue Ridge Packs & Tracks, we believe nature is for everyone. Our mission is to provide free access to adaptive all-terrain track chairs, supported by trained volunteers, so people with mobility challenges can safely explore the outdoors.
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But our vision goes beyond one trail or one chair. We are working to inspire a movement—equipping communities, nonprofits, and parks across the country to create their own programs and make true accessibility a reality.
Our Story
This nonprofit was born out of both loss and calling.
Paige French, our founder, and her husband Johnny were inspired by an NPR story about track chairs being used in Colorado. Together, they dreamed of bringing that same possibility to the Blue Ridge.
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But just as they were preparing to launch the nonprofit, Johnny died suddenly. Paige assumed the dream had ended too—until one morning she awoke with the full vision in her heart.
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“It’s funny that you thought it was Johnny’s plan. It’s funny that you thought it was your plan. But it’s really My plan—now get on with it.”
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From that moment, Paige was determined to carry forward the dream—both as a legacy to Johnny and as a response to a divine calling. What began as one woman’s conviction has grown into a nonprofit dedicated to bringing hope, healing, and outdoor adventure to those who need it most.
What We Do Locally
In Nelson County, VA, and the surrounding Blue Ridge region, we currently provide:
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Track Chair Adventures: Free all-terrain chairs available for individuals with mobility limitations.
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Volunteer Support: Compassionate guides who walk alongside participants on every trail.
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Safe & Scenic Trails: Including destinations like the historic Blue Ridge Tunnel.
Every outing is more than a hike. It’s freedom, joy, and connection restored.
Taking It Further
While we are passionate about serving individuals here in the Valley, our broader vision is to help others replicate this model nationwide.
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We provide:
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Sample waivers and resources
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Guidance on starting a program
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Encouragement for public-private partnerships
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Advocacy for real accessibility in trail planning
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Our goal is not to run every program, but to equip and inspire others to open their parks, trails, and hearts to people with difficulty ambulating.
Meet the Team
Paige French
Founder & Executive Director
Paige is a resident of Waynesboro whose passion is to promote outdoor recreation for all. Nature is healing and should be accessible to everyone. Blue Ridge Packs and Tracks was founded with that in mind. Paige is retired but had been a Nurse Practitioner for 25 years, practicing in the area of Family Medicine and College Health.
She holds Degrees from Coastal Carolina University and The Medical University of South Carolina.
Ryan Kimmell
Board Member
A Native of the Shenandoah Valley, Ryan’s deep appreciation for the outdoors and nature was instilled at an early age, spending time with family and friends in the surrounding mountains. Ryan continues to enjoy the outdoors hiking, skiing, camping, and swimming in the surrounding areas with his wife Michelle and their guard dog, a 4lb Yorkie named Kaila.
Ryan and Michelle have an intense love of travel and enjoy adventuring; often traveling with no plans, allowing the adventure to unfold as it may.
Having worked in the nutraceutical industry for many years, Ryan has a passion for helping people and connecting them with nature and its benefit to overall health.​
Hunter Mathias
Board Member
Hunter loves all things outdoors including hunting, fishing, biking, rock climbing, and hiking. He has hiked the length of the Appalachian trail in Virginia and has aspirations to through-hike the entire trail one day. In his free-time, he enjoys navigating life with his wife, Stephanie, and spoiling their Labradoodle, Huck. He and his wife moved to Crozet in May of 2021 and are thankful to call Crozet their home.
He is a graduate of Bridgewater College and Mary Baldwin University. Hunter currently works for Augusta county Fire/Rescue, serving in their EMS division as a paramedic. He is also a part-time physical therapist that works in the Charlottesville area.
Joseph Vartanian
Board Member | Financial Advisor
Having entered the financial services industry in 1996, Joe has built a clientele that consists of individuals as well as small business owners in his role with Gate City Advisors. He regularly conducts seminars with local professionals on comprehensive financial planning and tax-efficient investing and is actively pursuing his ChFC® designation from the College for Financial Planning.
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A longtime resident of Greensboro, North Carolina; Joe remains active in his community. When not in the office, Joe prefers to spend his time outside with the family - his wife, Ashley, and their three children (Lily, Jack, Ollie).
Education: Business/Finance, University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
Debbie White
Board Member
Debbie spends as much time as she can outdoors, principally on the 50 acre forested home she owns in the shadow of Humpback Rocks or helping with native plant management in the Nelson County area. She has recently retired from 20 years as a chief finance officer for local governments around the state of Virginia where she gained a reputation for solid financial processes, compliance, transparency and grant management.
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Debbie has been married for 46 years to Roy and they enjoy visiting their three grown children and seven grandkids. She graduated from the University of Virginia with an MBA from Virginia Commonwealth University and her CPA following advanced accounting classes at Radford University.