SPEAKERS

Thank you for your interest in Maryland’s Inaugural Outdoor Recreation Summit!


We are excited to collaborate with these knowledgeable, dedicated professionals in the outdoor recreation field to provide participants with a plethora of learning opportunities at this event!

Mandela Echefu | Co-Founder, WheelzUp Adventures


Mandela Echefu is the co-founder of Wheelzup Adventures, an Outdoor adventure shop located in downtown Cumberland, and the Third Black-owned specialty Outdoor Retail store in the country.


Mandela has been a leading voice in the push for innovation, creativity, and Diversity in the Outdoor space and industry. Before this, he has worked for 15 years in both clinical and administrative capacities in the Healthcare industry. Mandela holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Nuclear Medical Technology, an MBA from Frostburg State University, numerous certifications in Lean Six Sigma, and a Baldridge Examiner.


As a published writer, photographer, and speaker, his work can be found in Outside Business Journal, Adventure Cycling magazine, Blue Ridge Outdoor magazine, National Ski Patrol magazine to mention a few. He has been a presenter at the Big Gear show 2022, Appalachian Regional Commission Strategic session 2023, Maryland Administrative commission on the Outdoors 2024 and many other sessions and forums. Mandela is a proud member of the National Ski patrol, an Adventure cycling guide, a founding member of the Western Maryland Climbing Coalition and NICA coach.


Wheelzup Adventures was awarded the 2022 Entrepreneurial Spirit award by the Allegany Chamber of Commerce. In the past 2 years, Mandela and his company have focused on spreading the news of the healing that can be found in the outdoors through access, knowledge and community.


Adventure cycling magazine: https://www.adventurecycling.org/sites/default/assets/resources/20220301_CountryRoads_Echefu.pdf?fbclid=IwAR3_aYjdY55IdF4h_MmDoCGripwsbuxC4IML5L5Y-7Hft5M7-B_DGEwCX0A & https://www.adventurecycling.org/blog/motherland/


Retail Mentorship OBJ: https://www.outsidebusinessjournal.com/retailers/opinion-the-power-of-retail-mentorship/


OBJ Profile: https://www.outsidebusinessjournal.com/issues/the-next-generation-of-outdoor-industry-leaders/


Blue Ridge outdoors - More skiing-related: https://www.blueridgeoutdoors.com/go-outside/can-we-join-the-party/?amp


Bigger Tent: https://www.blueridgeoutdoors.com/magazine/may-2022/a-bigger-tent/


One year in business: https://www.times-news.com/allegany_magazine/one-year-in-a-sleepy-charming-town-and-touting-the-truth-that-self-discovery-lies/article_c00c50ea-68dd-11ec-9246-1b2a729048f7.html


National ski patrol DEI: https://nspserves.org/wheres-everyone-else/


MENTIONS

AAA: https://go.carolinas.aaa.com/go-magazine/online-exclusive/great-allegheny-passage/


https://open.maryland.gov/blog/from-nigeria-to-allegany-county-wheelzup-inspires-people-to-get-outdoors

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