Instructors
Brandi BehlingI was born in small town Arcade, NY and have lived in a variety of places during my husband's Army career. I took the MSF Basic Rider Course near Ft. Drum 10 years ago and believe motorcycle safety is very important. I enjoy riding with my husband and kids and sharing my knowledge and experience with our students.
Robert Frank CiafardiniI was born and raised in the Bronx, and got my motorcycle license at Lehman College. Today, I ride a Ducati 1198R and a Harley Davidson V-Rod, but as much as I love riding in my spare time, I love teaching and inspiring other riders more. My vision is to encourage others to experience the best of two wheels. So your new, lifelong journey can be a memorable one.
Rich DerevenskyI live in Montgomery, NY and I have been riding for 29 years. I started motorcycling when I realized it would be more fun to ride to work instead of driving. As an instructor, I get to share my experience and meet new people while doing it.
Faye DimosFaye grew up in Astoria, Queens and has been riding motorcycles for over 15 years. An artist and mechanic by trade, she is also the co-founder of an LGBTQ community moto garage and workshop in Brooklyn. When she's not hanging with her cattle dog Moo, she can usually be found at her shop repairing and restoring Japanese bikes from the 80s and 90s
Michael FelicianoBorn and raised in Queens, NY. Ever since childhood I loved motorcycles. Took the MSF Basic Rider Course when I was 21 years old and have been riding ever since. Working in the emergency field has inspired me to teach motorcycle safety and pass on the hobby I love.
Ryan ForrestI began riding motorcycles as a teenager when I received my first motorcycle as a graduation present and I've been riding ever since. I joined the Air Force right out of high school and have served for about 29 years. With my impending retirement, I wanted to get involved more in my hobby. I truly enjoy watching students gain knowledge and confidence as they progress through our classes.
Gary GoodmanI grew up in California and started riding choppers while in high school. After a brief stay in Florida, I rode up to the Bronx and attended school in New York. I enjoy teaching because I like people. So, for me, teaching motorcycles is the perfect job and is a positive way for me to contribute to the education of other enthusiasts.
Leon GravesandeOriginally from South America, Guyana, I have been residing in NY for most of my life. I learned to ride a motorcycle with MSS in 2014 and became a rider coach in 2020. What initially started as a bucket list item has become a lifelong passion for improving my skill and sharing it with others to help them achieve their goals.
Johan HedlundI was born and raised in Gothenburg, Sweden, and I have been riding since 1978. Being an instructor enables me to communicate and share my positive experience with others while enhancing my own riding ability.
Jason HernandezI was born and raised in Bronx, NY, and got into riding 10 years ago when I was looking for an alternate form of transportation to and from work. All of a sudden, it became a passion for the art of riding. I love being an instructor because of the feeling I get every time a student comes back on their own bike to let us know how they are.
Jeffery m JenkinsI took the MSF Basic RiderCourse in 2007 with MSS in the Bronx, bought my first bike a month later, and have been riding ever since. Motorcycle culture always attracted me, but being a parent of three, I put a hold that lifestyle on hold. Being a RiderCoach allows me to interact with and share my gift so that others can also enjoy motorcycles.
Nathaniel LapierI grew up in Austin, TX before moving to New York City in 2010. A rider since my 2009 Basic RiderCourse, I also bicycle, run, sail, and work as a programmer when I'm not getting my Africa Twin muddy. I'm an instinctive teacher and love to guide new riders into the world of motorcycling.
Eli LittI live in the Flatiron neighborhood of Manhattan with my wife and young son, and enjoy riding around the city as much as I do touring country roads. I started riding in 2003 after sitting in traffic for 18 hours to enter a music festival while watching motorcycles go in and out of the fairgrounds with ease! Teaching at MSS gives me the privilege of sharing one of the great joys in my life with others.
BettyRae LorenzI live in West Shokan, NY, and have been riding for 44 years. My interest in motorcycles began at an early age because I thought it would be something exciting to do. I love being a RiderCoach and sharing the opportunity to ride with others.
Jennifer MikulaGrowing up, riding was on my "bucket list"; house, dog, bike, and that's what I did! Learning to ride by taking the MSF Basic Rider course, I began the "right way". Now coaching I can pass along safe riding skills to riders in the community that I will probably pass on the road.
Boris A MunozI was born and raised in NYC and got into motorcycling about ten years ago when I took the BRC with MSS in Staten Island. I had no prior training, but it was an experience of a lifetime, and I was hooked! I became a motorcycle instructor because I wanted to give back to the motorcycling world that same invigorating, self-fulfilling, awesome feeling of riding a motorcycle for the first time.
Cindy PopeI currently live in the Buffalo, NY, but I'm originally from Somerville, MA. 29 years ago I was introduced to motorcycling by a close friend and have been riding ever since. Seeing people who've been riding for a while learn new skills in our courses makes me love my job.
James PravasilisI began riding around the age of 8 years old . I started on a small Sears mini bike and graduated to dirtbikes. Since then I have ventured into road racing and motocross riding and street riding. I received advanced training from California Superbike School. I'm also a riding coach for the Riders club at New Jersey Motorsport Park teaching riders how to ride on racetracks.
Kenneth PunnettI have been riding for 27 years, and live in West Falls, NY. I was thrilled to be a passenger on a friend's bike and wanted to feel that freedom everyday! As an instructor, I enjoy guiding students through the skills acquired in MSF courses and watching them progress - whether they are new or experienced riders.
Ivan RestoI was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, and lived in Tampa, FL, for a while, where I learned to ride. I enjoy teaching and being around motorcycles; I'm also a people person, which is why I chose to become an MSS Instructor. In my spare time, I enjoy things like skydiving, BBQ, or something relaxing like fishing.
Joel Scott SamuelI live in Queens and have been a motorcycle enthusiast since 1976. After taking the BRC at MSS, I decided to become a Rider Coach and pass on the great safety skills that continue to benefit me!
Brett SchaffrickI live in Kingston, NY, and I have been riding motorcycles for 15 years, 5 of which I've spent as an instructor. I enjoy the smiles of people who learn to ride for the first time and the "bulb" that goes off when more experienced students learn new techniques. I am always looking forward to welcoming people to the exciting world of motorcycling.
Gin ShearI was raised in Rochester and started riding in 1975. I immediately bought a leather jacket, helmet, and my first motorcycle and later became a RiderCoach in 1992. Sharing my love of motorcycling with people new to the sport is so rewarding, watching students start with little or no experience and leaving with a love of riding.
Sue SlateI have ridden in every U.S. state except Hawaii and most of the Canadian provinces including the Yukon and North West Territories so I encourage everyone to get out there and see the planet on two or three wheels! I cross-train annually in multiple motorcycling disciplines and have been a Ridercoach since 1992. Becoming a coach opened up another way to enjoy riding for me!
Dave StarkI have been riding motorcycles for nearly 40 years and enjoy leisurely weekend rides through NY, NJ and PA. I grew up on Long Island and am a Certified Project Management Professional with over 30 years of experience in the media and entertainment industry. I became an MSF RiderCoach in 2018 to encourage the next generation of motorcycle riders to have a commitment to safety.
Rebecca StearnsI grew up in West Seneca down the road from the training facility in West Seneca. I took the MSF Basic Rider Course 20 years ago and I have been riding ever since. I grew up around bikes as my dad and uncle rode. I am a Buffalo Public High School teacher and I like riding on the open, winding country roads. I enjoy teaching others and I am looking forward to getting more women riders on the road.
Paul VennI was born and raised in Miami, Florida. I moved to Brooklyn 4 years ago and got my motorcycle license through MSS at our Kingsborough College location. I started on a 69' Honda CB400, but today, I ride a Suzuki Vstrom 600. I have always had a passion for teaching, and the opportunity to share my love of the sport is a bonus. In my free time, I enjoy making independent films.
