About Cascade Bicycle Club: Board of Directors

When I ran for Cascade’s board for the first time in 2004, a member at Kitsap Color Classic asked me very frankly, “So what will you do?” At the time, I was hard-pressed to answer that question, because I was really intrigued by all that the club was doing, but not very well informed about how to make a difference. I had spoken with the Advocacy Committee about having a liaison from the Board and there I learned a great deal about the political process and the way that Cascade works with political leaders and their staff to bring about change. I feel very gratified by our success in bringing Seattle’s Bike Master Plan and Complete Streets ordinances to our region (Kirkland, Seattle, Redmond and Issaquah), at the political campaigns we endorsed (and who won!), and our work on Seattle’s Bridging the Gap Transportation Levy. There are still many fights, and I stay involved as best I can, including with recent work to educate the Mayor Nickels and the Seattle Department of Transportation the value of an improved Stone Way.

I’ve also been able to lend a hand on other parts of the club, especially as it relates to internal governance and management. I have been on the Finance Committee, working to improve the amount of money that we can contribute to programming each year, e.g. teaching kids to ride safely; raising money from businesses in support of Bike to Work Month; and increasing direct financial contributions to the Club. I chaired 2007 Vulcan Bike to Work Breakfast which was our most successful to-date. I’ve also served on the Board’s Executive Committee, helping to manage the club and increase the effectiveness of the staff and Board.

In the upcoming years, I expect us to reach more people in our community, to capitalize on the in-roads we’ve made with the environmental, transportation, and public health sectors, to raise membership, and to raise awareness of the work Cascade does every day among members and local businesses. Finally I hope to build Cascade’s internal processes and foster the leaders we need to make this community better through cycling. And I hope I get out on my bike some more!

Renee Duprel, Vice-President

When I was 14 years old, I took a track class at Marymoor Velodrome with my brother and I’ve been cycling ever since. I retired from the U.S. National Cycling Team in 1992, and in 2000 I turned my attention to giving back to a sport that’s enriched my life; I joined the board of the Marymoor Velodrome Association and started a junior program for kids from 5 to 18 years old.

I currently serve on the Washington State Bicycling Association’s Junior Program Committee, which supports junior cycling in our state, and hosts the annual Larry Kemp Junior Cycling Camp.

I joined the Cascade Bicycle Club’s Education Foundation Committee in 2005, and I’m excited by the new focus on introducing kids in our community to the sport of cycling. I think the club is headed in a great direction by joining local YMCA’s to offer cycling day camps during the summer and creating after-school-programming. With the right infrastructure, the club has the potential to support, sponsor and direct a variety of programs that inspire and motivate kids to ride bikes.

I’m very pleased to be serving on this board, in particular. The staff of the Cascade Bicycle Club is clearly committed to “Creating a better community through bicycling”. This is an exciting time to be a part of the Club, as it continues to gain more credibility in the King County area. As transportation issues only become more challenging, the staff and board are constantly looking for opportunities to present solutions that benefit everyone.

In my other life, I’m a gift planning officer at The Seattle Foundation and I’m looking forward to participating in the Seattle to Portland and the MS 150 bike rides this year.

Joy Erickson, Treasurer

I began cycling while attending the University of Montana where we were not allowed to have cars. I purchased my first adult bicycle with tips from my job as a waitperson. I used it for all my commuting needs, even dates. I cycled through my years at the U of M completing my degree in English Literature with a minor in Economics and Sociology.

This year, 2005, my husband and I completed our 20th STP. Four of those years we rode the one day ride. It is my favorite event of the year with opportunities for meeting up with friends, great cycling, and challenging weather. My husband and I have cycled almost all of the west coast of the U. S. We cycled the Baja peninsula the year after the highway was paved. I also commuted every day in my years of attending the University of Washington and while working at the University. I commute 22 miles round trip to my present work spring summer and fall two or three days a week.

I am currently employed by the Port of Seattle and participated on the Port’s team in the Cascade Commuter Challenge. At the Port of Seattle I am a Facilities Maintenance Manager for the Seaport. I also manage smaller capital improvement construction projects.

My volunteer record includes working with the YMCA as a fitness leader, trainer, and fundraiser. I was on the board of the City Cantabile Choir for ten years. I worked with the board to write the 5013C document, fundraised, and served on the Concert Planning Committee. I am a Trustee on the Wedgwood Community Council where we are now working on obtaining our 5013C status. I am also a member of the General Advisory Council for the Seattle School District for the development of a technical training track in the public schools. I was a union carpenter for seventeen years. During that time I worked with some of my union brothers and sisters to develop a Women and Minorities Committee. I also worked with a core group of apprentices to develop an Apprenticeship Committee. I am a 2005 graduate of Seattle Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Tomorrow program.

My greatest interest in being involved with Cascade Bicycle Club as a board member would be in the area of political advocacy. With all of the transportation opportunities that are on the horizon for this region, I would like to be an active participant to ensure that cycle commuting is always included and considered. My goal as a cyclist would be to make cycling safer for commuters. I believe that safer cycling would be a great incentive for more people to participate.

Chris Weiss, Secretary

In 1986, as a new resident to Lake Forest Park/Kenmore, I discovered the Burke Gilman trail to downtown. Biking to work eventually led me to join the Cascade Bicycle Club, where I learned to ride pacelines, stretch my rides into centuries, and appreciate time in the saddle. Over the many commuting miles and thousands of trips along the Burke Gilman Trail, I have grown committed to expanding and protecting our bicycle trail system and to encouraging employers, developers and government to expand bike commuting options. As a retired Cat III road and NORBA mountain bike racer, I value the recreational imperative of safe streets and the organizations that support all levels of cycling, from safety rodeos at local schools, group rides, racing and endurance events, and ensuring that offroad trails are preserved and accessible to multiple users.

Seattle is faced with multiple challenges and opportunities. Blessed with our landlocked position between Puget Sound and Lake Washington and our strong economy, we all contribute to vehicle congestion and increasing population densities. We all must address pollution and its impacts on health and productivity. Global warming is here. The Cascade Bicycle Club is an important community group to assist everyone find their legs, places to ride, and advocate for cyclist’s interests. CBC has an increasingly important, and sought-after say in the formulation of transportation and recreational policies of our Region. We are promoting fun today and shaping a cycling legacy for those who will share the road and the trail over the many miles ahead.

As an attorney, I have worked on a variety of development and land use issues. My practice also focuses on commercial litigation and products liability law. In my work, I am called upon to analyze complex factual and legal issues, to formulate strategies to resolve disputes, to build consensus, and achieve compromise between parties with divergent interests. I have served on several boards for local non-profit organizations, most recently as a board member and president of Stevens Pass Alpine Club, a youth ski racing organization. I am a member of the Friends of the Burke Gilman Trial.

Memorable Rides: My first STP (1990); Ramrod; Seattle to Maine (31 days, unsupported); Markleyville Death Ride; NORBA National Championships; Lake Wenatchee to Lake Chelan (singletrack backcountry route); Seward Park Criterium Series; Ultratours with Elliot Bay Bikes

Wheels: Merlin Road; Cannondale Scalpel; Rodriguez Custom Tandem, KTM 250

Occupation: Attorney, Stoel Rives LLP

Michael DeBlasi, Director

I was born in Brooklyn, NY and biking has been part of my fondest childhood memories. I was brought up in an environment where the car was not the preferred mode of transportation. As a child we biked to where we needed to go or took public transportation. We also used our bikes as status, modifying them early on with 'chopper' forks and 'sissy' bars. The bike experiences gave us training in how to use tools properly and some engineering and design principles. We also raced bikes. Our bikes were our prize possessions. (Still are!)

Seems that a common thread on the Board Bios page is to create a strategy or plan for the club (Without eliminating any of the 'FUN', hopefully). In my project management experience, if a simple statement can capture the essence of the purpose of work, then the subtasks fall into line logically underneath. Here is my stab at a one-liner:

To create an environment that encourages people that cycling can be a primary form of transportation in an active family lifestyle in the Northwest.

This would be my goal as a board member, to help define the statement as why the club exists, and then donate my energy to achieving that goal. In the process Cascade would also produce a model that could be duplicated in other clubs around the world.

For my experiences, I have been Commuting to school/work for 20+ years. Own 7 bikes (that work!) Believe that the bike is the best form of human transportation currently in existence. Have ridden cross country, and up/down both coasts. Raised 5000$ for Lung Association Transamerica Trek 89. RAMROD 1989 finisher. 'Mentored' a casual rider who had never done a century thru RSVP last year. Worked Bike Expo last year, committed for Expo 2003. Volunteer Flying Wheels 2002. Passion for biking - teaching my 2 sons, 3 and 5, to trail bike. CIO professional - talent for turning information into results. I have experience as a public Speaker, teacher, industry Leader. I have been an active Cascade member for 2 years, and continue to be impressed with the level of professionalism and passion of the staff, members and the activities provided. I would be deeply honored to be able to serve as a Cascade Board member.

Tom Meloy, Director

I have been a member of the Cascade Bicycle Club for three years, and I have jumped in with both feet. I am a very active ride leader, leading a weekly Sunday morning ride called the “Hills of the West Coast,” as well as helping out with the Cascade Training Series. I served on the Rides Committee, co-write a Health and Fitness column for the Courier and started the High Performance Cycling group.

My business experience is in the financial services industry. I spent most of my career in sales and marketing. My last position was as a Vice President at Goldman Sachs Asset Management.

I was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and moved to Denver, Colorado, after college. Prior to moving to Seattle, on January 1, 2000, I spent six years in Dallas, Texas. Today I live in Downtown Seattle.

As a certified cycling addict, I ride around 10,000 miles per year. I have solo-toured the West Coast, as well as across British Columbia to Jasper, Banff, and back to Washington. Participating in the Chilly Hilly, Flying Wheels, STP, and RAMROD has given me a feel for local cycling events.

My motivation for wishing to serve the membership of Cascade on the Board of Directors is simple. I strongly believe in CBC’s four pillars:

If we have better places to ride out bikes safely, more people will elect to ride—to work, to school, on a tour, or just for fun. The more people are visible on their bicycles, the greater leverage CBC has to lobby for better roads and bikeways, secure funding for helmet safety and other educational programs, and offer diverse rides and events for the cycling public. It’s a beautiful self-perpetuating cycle of improving conditions for bicycle enthusiasts.

Putting more children and adults on bicycles will go a long way toward helping to solve the current “inactivity crisis” in America that has contributed to rising obesity rates and other health-related issues.

With its 7000 plus members, the Cascade Bicycle Club is uniquely positioned to influence both the development of Puget Sound’s transportation infrastructure and the public’s awareness of cycling in general. This work is critical. I’m glad to be involved by continuing serving as a Director on Cascade's board.

Ed Zuckerman, Director

Since July 2001 Ed Zuckerman has served as the Executive Director of the Federation of State Conservation Voter Leagues (FSCVL), a national program to develop and support State Leagues of Conservation Voters. The organization is responsible for the distribution of over two million dollars in grants to state LCV’s, an annual conference, regional trainings, and on-site mentoring.

Prior to managing the Federation, Ed served for seven years as the Director of Washington Conservation Voters (WCV). Under his leadership the organization became a national leader in the development and execution of voter education and participation programs. Ed has over 20 years in non-profit management, fundraising and program development.

Ed is an avid outdoor enthusiast; he commutes by bike from his home on Phinney Ridge to his office downtown and is a regular on Cascade's regular Sunday Hills of the West Coast ride. He has ridden STP five times, twice as a one-day rider. Ed also is a professional x-country ski instructor and citizen racer, and hikes the NW trails often. He is happiest when he can motivate his wife Mary and children Ellie (14) and Ira (10) to join him in the out-of-doors!

Ed is excited about joining the CBC board of directors. As a dedicated conservationist, Ed sees the programs that Cascade runs and reducing our culture's dependence on oil as integrally connected.

Board of Directors

Board of Directors Committees (Committee Chair):

2007 Board of Directors

Nate Glissmeyer, President

Renee Duprel, Vice-President

Joy Erickson, Treasurer

Chris Weiss, Secretary

Michael DeBlasi, Director

Tom Meloy, Director

Ed Zuckerman, Director