Staff & Board

Originally from the Pacific Northwest, my life has taken me all over the country and across the globe, and throughout my moving and travels, I’ve found bicycling to be a major part of my life in so many ways from recreation and competition to just getting around and getting to know people. I’ve experienced the beauty of what bicycling can be and I’ve slogged through what it absolutely shouldn’t be (and seen most of what’s in between).

While my career brought me to Virginia, riding in and around Harrisonburg pulled me to the Shenandoah Valley. We’ve got it all here: world-class mountain biking on well-maintained trails; fantastic road biking through the gorgeous countryside; and communities that either are already put together with or have the potential to develop bike and pedestrian-friendly ways for getting to and from school, work, and life in general in a comfortable manner.It was apparent when I was a visitor and has been even clearer to me since I moved here in 2016 that it’s no accident that the Valley is such a great place to ride: the Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Coalition (SVBC) has very effectively put in the time and legwork to make this such a great place for bikes. And while it’s fantastic here in the Bike Capital, there is plenty we can do to make it even better, to bring in new riders and get more people out walking and riding and enjoying this wonderful place we have. I’m excited to be on the Coalition board and be a part of these efforts to bring the Shenandoah Valley to its full potential as a place where people can live, work, and play comfortably in the fresh air. Bikes are just a ton of fun and I want to share that with everyone. Let’s get to work!

I’ve lived (and rode my bike almost daily) in our beautiful Valley for a couple of decades now. I’ve grown to love this community, and a big part of that affection is derived from the work of the Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Coalition — from the trail work to bike-centered rides and events to bike/ped infrastructure and advocacy to simply making this a better place to live, work, and ride. I have ample experience working with nonprofits, including a few years working to get the Northend Greenway project underway in the late 2000’s. Now, I’d like to give back to SVBC and to the community; I look forward to learning from and engaging with the SVBC tribe as we work together to continue the strong legacy of cycling joy in our region.
Whether building world-class mountain bike trails, making our communities more bike-friendly, or improving access for all the residents of the Valley, I believe that we have the opportunity to continue to build the SVBC into an organization that can achieve great things. I am excited about what the future holds and grateful for all the work that has made the Shenandoah Valley a great place for bicycling.

My partner Kristin and I moved to Harrisonburg in 2013 thanks to opportunities at JMU. Originally from Louisiana and with extended stops in Austin and Bahia, Brazil, we feel so fortunate to put down roots in the vibrant Shenandoah Valley. I ride my bike to work, with my kids to school, and to shop and hang out downtown. We’ve benefited greatly from the coalition’s work to amplify biking and pedestrian access and safety, and I’m excited to help push the needle forward.
At JMU I teach Environmental Justice, a field of study and social movement that asks us to recognize, and improve, how harms and benefits are distributed throughout our communities. My classes, research projects, and service priorities focus on the relationships connecting people and places. How can we make those relationships more equitable, more inclusive, and healthier for all? I’m excited to bring that way of thinking, living, and sharing to the coalition. I’d like to see us continue to build community by expanding access to safe and inclusive paths, streets, trails, and other spaces across the Valley. I see wonderful opportunities for connecting the SVBC to other community groups working to make the friendly city, and the broader Shenandoah Valley, even friendlier.

I have experienced the joy of riding my bike on trails and roads, in competition, bike tours, and commuting to get ice cream. Currently I serve on the Harrisonburg Bicycle Pedestrian Subcommittee and would like to continue and expand that service as an SVBC board member, advocating for safe and fun transportation options throughout the valley.

I grew up in Harrisonburg and went to college in Massachusetts. Following college, I moved back and forth between Harrisonburg and other cities and states including Portland, Pittsburg, Atlanta, West Virginia, and Alaska. Harrisonburg always has me coming back. I love this community, I love the four seasons, the farmland, and the mountains and waterways. And now, I don’t really imagine myself moving away again. I’m ready to more deeply invest in this community.
For work, I am a co-producer of the Red Wing Roots Music Festival and a co-owner of the Christmas tree and wreath retail lot on route 42 S. For fun, I spend time outdoors fishing, hiking, hunting, and camping. I also enjoy music festivals. 🙂

Living in Portland, OR, I gained a true appreciation for a city that you can safely and efficiently bike anywhere and everywhere. It was my favorite thing about Portland. I love the work SVBC is doing. I know how large the scope of work that SVBC is involved with and how important it is and would love to help move the agenda forward.

I would like to see the SVBC platform and vision realized! I would especially love to see the bike/ped infrastructure greatly improved in Harrisonburg. It would be a dream to see Greenways connecting North to South and East to West.

I am excited and even a little nervous about the opportunity to sit on the SVBC board. There are several reasons why I have decided to run for a seat on the SVBC board, but most of these reasons can be summed up by saying that I enjoy working with and serving the cycling community in the Shenandoah Valley. For the last 30 years I have seen the growth of the cycling community and have been proud of all its hard work. I believe the investments by the cycling community and its members has benefited our entire community. As a board member I would like to continue this growth of giving while maintaining the family feel that created the Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Coalition. I hope my ability to listen to others, to be objective with all topics and my openness for discussion will be an asset to the SVBC Board and Shenandoah Valley community.

I’ve known this cycling community’s steady backbone has been the Coalition for years, and I’m hoping to be able to participate by listening and offering any assistance I can. My life has been significantly improved by recent infrastructure initiatives like the Friendly City trail, and I’m encouraged by the cycling strides Harrisonburg has made in the past twenty years. I’m always up for gravel adventures and epic rides, but I am most interested in how to make cycling more accessible and integrated into our community’s daily lifestyle.