In this episode of the SpotOn Spotlight, we explore a bold idea that’s reshaping how cities compete for talent: outdoor recreation as a strategic advantage. Our guest is Brian Bozeman, Vice President of Business Development at Skanska, Founder and Ambassador of Cincitucky Trails, and Board Member at CORA (Cincinnati Off-Road Alliance).
Brian is leading a regional movement to position Greater Cincinnati–Northern Kentucky as an outdoor destination, one where your driveway can literally be your trailhead. From helping lead a regional push toward 375+ miles of future natural-surface trails and bike-legal singletrack to elevating the work of CORA’s volunteers to creating community experiences for hundreds of families, Brian’s passion for the outdoors is becoming an engine for workforce development, economic growth, and quality of life.
Together, we discuss how companies can leverage local outdoor amenities to attract and retain top talent, why trails are one of the most cost-effective regional investments, and how Cincinnati can follow models like Bentonville to become the outdoor capital of the Midwest. Brian also shares insights from his corporate role at Skanska, his leadership of the NKY Roots youth mountain bike team, and his personal journey toward work-life integration, family, and purpose.
Whether you lead a business, care about regional growth, or just want to explore more of what’s in your own backyard, this episode will broaden your view of what makes a city competitive and why trails may be one of Cincinnati’s greatest untapped assets.