(Photos © J. Maus)
The Portland-based Bicycle Transportation Alliance (BTA) is looking to expand their Board of Directors. The
BTA’s Board is a key part of the organization and it helps set the direction and tone of their advocacy work.
Their Board currently operates with 12 members, but according to public affairs director Karl Rohde, their bylaws allow up to 20. Six of the eight potential new Board members are new and have yet to serve a two-year term.
Current BTA Board members include; TriMet Communications Director Mary Fetsch, TriMet Administrator John Bloss, Bike Gallery President Daniel McGinnis, real estate developer Jim Meakin, and retired Intel employee Hugh Bynum (Board Chair).
Rohde says they’re looking to have a larger Board because, “there are a lot of people in the community that are interested in getting involved with bike advocacy at a higher level.” He also added that they are looking to expand the BTA’s reach, elect people with new skill sets and, “get some fresh voices.”
Votes for Board candidates are only open to BTA members and votes must be received by the end of this month.
Among the candidates on the ballot are…
Paul Adkins
Adkins is an advocate and Bike Friday employee based in Eugene. He is the president of the advocacy group GEARs (Greater Eugene Area Riders), and as a father of four kids, he was instrumental in sparking the Kidical Mass movement that has spread from Eugene to Portland.
Austin Ramsland
Austin has been active in the handmade bike scene. His wife Natalie Ramsland, is the builder behind Sweetpea Bicycles and he was instrumental in making the Handmade in Oregon exhibit at the Portland Airport come to life. Most recently, Austin has spearheaded the Oregon Manifest Bike Show which is set to take place next month.
John Beaston
John is a stalwart volunteer in the Portland bike community. As a co-founder of EasyStreet Online Services, he donates web server space to organizations like the Oregon Bicycle Racing Association (OBRA) and the Bicycle Transportation Alliance (BTA). He also does the dirty work as a volunteer for the Community Cycling Center (CCC).
Tom Knipe
Tom is the former Director of Programs and Interim Executive Director at the CCC. He now works as an event organizer and sponsorship coordinator for Good Sport Promotions/OR Bike (the folks behind the Portland Century, Worst Day of the Year Ride, etc…).
for the Flanders Bridge.
Jim Middaugh
Jim is former Chief of Staff for City Commissioner Erik Sten and he made a respectable run at City Hall himself in the recent primary election. Jim has experience with major non-profit environmental groups as well congressional experience as an aide to Rep. Peter DeFazio.
It’s great to see some new blood coming into the BTA (especially such stellar folks like these) and I look forward to seeing where these new Board members take the organization.
[*Not shown but also running for the first time is Tommy Brooks. Mary Roberts and Board Chair Hugh Bynum are running for re-election.]
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Slight correction: Mary Roberts is also running for re-election…
Wow, those are some seriously good people. I\’m impressed.
Paul Adkins is a good nomination but I don\’t think I would characterize GEARs as \”fledgling\” considering they have been an organized club since \’91, only one year less than the BTA.
Thanks Jim,
You\’re right.. that\’s my mistake. I was thinking of the recent merger of GEARs with another advocacy group (whose name escapes me at the moment).
I\’ve edited the post.
Thanks.
So 8 openings and 8 people running… Is there some \”you have to get the majority of the votes cast\” clause, or are they all shoo ins unless someone makes a determined write in effort, and I shouldn\’t bother to even return my ballot?
I mean, the BTA could make this interesting by having two parties, (the \”transport\” party who\’d advocate for more commute routes and the \”recreation\” party who\’d advocate for more parking lots at the end of trails,) and then have some fringe groups that would advocate for other things, (no bicycle lanes at all, taking over the freeways, whatever.) And we could also have lawn signs and argue about who looks better in lipstick…
But right now I\’m leaning towards saving the stamp.
I cancelled my membership this year, there\’s just not enough to show for my 18 years of membership; sorry BTA, even the Alice award I received back when doesn\’t make up for your lack of leadership when it really counts…