(Photo © J. Maus)
Confirming a rumor first published by the Portland Mecury on Wednesday, the Bicycle Transportation Alliance has announced that Advocacy Manager Michelle Poyourow is leaving the organization.
In a blog post published today, the BTA wrote:
“BTA Advocacy Manager Michelle Poyourow confirmed she is leaving her position with the organization in mid-February. Since 2006 Michelle has worked in several positions at the BTA, and has led the advocacy department for the past two years. She has made a major contribution to bicycle advocacy and to the BTA with a long list of accomplishments, and we will certainly miss her commitment, insight, and ability to analyze and articulate difficult issues.
We welcome Gerik Kransky as our new lead advocate and Build It campaign manager. Gerik comes to the BTA with over ten years campaign experience in environmental, health and transportation Michelle and Gerik will work in partnership until mid-February to ensure a smooth transition and continued momentum of BTA advocacy efforts.”
In a comment below, Poyourow writes, “I am indeed resigning on my own terms, for my own reasons, at my own pace.”
I’ll have more thoughts/analysis/coverage/reactions on Monday.
Thanks for reading.
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Still the same question: is Michelle leaving on her own terms, or has the BTA alienated yet another excellent (and publicly lauded) staffer?
Right. Gosh, you hope its the former, as this won’t look so good otherwise. Interesting to note that “Both comments and pings are currently closed” on the BTA blog entry.
Jonathan, in your first article on this story you had a quote from Matt Davis saying the Kransky hire/Poyourow resignation were not related. The BTA blog post seems to infer the opposite. Do you have any clarification on this?
A big thanks Michelle for the high quality work you’ve done. I’m hoping you follow up with a bright and fulfilling position…both in Oregon & bicycling as you have been a great advocate.
BTA rumblings sound like a classic case of dictatorial Board of Directors gone wild. Poyourow is just being smart. Seen it before. Doesn’t end well.
If bike move can move someones apartment stuff from downtown to sell wood, surely we can set up a ceremonious bike move to move her desk stuff to where ever it needs to go
Michelle will be missed. Hopefully she will continue to help the region through another organization.
Best wishes to Gerik in succeeding her.
To clarify, I am indeed resigning on my own terms, for my own reasons, at my own pace.
Michelle – that’s great. So, uh: what’s next?
Good to hear!
Transition ride with both Michelle and Gerik? This weekend? Celebrate Michelle’s accomplishments and welcome Gerik to the organization?
Michelle has always been an amazing resource to the Lloyd TMA. We wish her the best of luck in her future endeavors.
Michelle, thanks for your contributions to the community while working for the BTA, and good luck on all your future endeavors. I’m looking forward to seeing what you choose to do next!
Gerik, welcome aboard! Portland’s got a wild & crazy bike community, and I’m sure you’ll find your new position both rewarding and challenging.
Huh, a Transition Ride, that’s a neat idea, but maybe next weekend…we’re a little tired right now!
Michelle will be a tough act to follow. She is a gifted writer and speaker, and it’s for me at least to imagine a more persuasive advocate for the BTA.
The BTA is a huge disappointment. It is supported by proceeds from the sale of license plates statewide and should be more accountable. It is time to support shifting this public funding to another organization. At least in Portland you have an active bicycling community and local government support. In southern Oregon the situation is much different and we desperately need a statewide advocacy organization.
Here’s hoping Michelle stays in Portland active in the bike/transportation scene. Thanks for all your hard work and for riding your talk.
Best wishes, Michelle! We look forward to finding out what lucky organization you’ll lend your talents next.
Noooo! Say it isn’t so!
Michelle has done great work, and her relationships and knowledge of bicycle issues were key if the BTA intends to become more effective, rather than less!
Anyone not familiar with her abilities as a leader and BTA figurehead should take a look at today’s Oregonian video footage of her leading the “Built it” rally.
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/index.ssf/2010/02/portland_city_council_postpone.html
Ted Buehler
Two down, one to go.
Good luck in your next endeavor, I just hope its nothing I care about.
Thanks Michelle! You were one of the few folks keeping the BTA relevant in my eyes. I’m going to have to echo everyone else and say that the organization had better become transparent and make some big leaps soon.
The BTA board has made some huge changes to the organization in the last couple months. Bricker and many others out, now Poyourow out.
Folks can complain here on bikeportland, in bars, to friends, on rides.
Or, you can contact the Board of Directors and give them some feedback.
They’re a nice enough bunch, they give a ton of time, all donated to the BTA, but they also owe it to the members to be in touch.
Are you a member of the BTA? Former member? Prospective member? Do you have opinions about how the BTA could be more effective in representing your interests as a bicyclist?
Let them know. Show them you care enough to tell them what you think.
They’re listed on the BTA web page, search for “BTA Board” (direct link to follow).
Ted Buehler
BTA Board info —
http://www.bta4bikes.org/at_work/board.php
Paul Adkins adkins@bta4bikes.org
John Beaston beaston@bta4bikes.org
Tommy Brooks brooks@bta4bikes.org
Hugh Bynum hugh@bta4bikes.org
Mary Fetsch maryf@bta4bikes.org
Stephen Gomez gomez@bta4bikes.org
Jeff Knapp jeff@bta4bikes.org
Jim Middaugh middaugh@bta4bikes.org
Susan Otcenas susan@bta4bikes.org
Doug Parrow doug@bta4bikes.org
Nancy Pautsch nancy@bta4bikes.org
Austin Ramsland ramsland@bta4bikes.org
Mary Roberts maryr@bta4bikes.org
Thanks, Michelle, for work well done.
I know that wherever you go from here, you will bring good and effective energy to that organization. I am selfish enough to hope that you remain in the Portland area.
As a BTA board member and a cyclist I want to publicly say thanks for all you’ve done Michelle. As I told you earlier you will be missed but I’m glad you’ll still be around Portland to help make this a great place. It’s been an honor to work with you. I look forward to more in the future. I’m proud of you for making a great choice for you.
My best to you!
I want to second Joe’s comments. I deeply appreciate the seriously hard work that Michelle has done. Michelle I hope that you do stay in Portland and remain active in the bike community. We would very much be the lesser without your efforts. I’m sure that all the bike organizations would welcome you
Thank you, Michelle, for your inspiring work and verve. Looking forward to seeing you around town soon!
Another jewel falls out of the BTA crown.
Thanks to Michelle for a job well done.
@Ted 22
As a BTA board member I want to clarify that in no way did the BTA force Michelle “out.” Her decision to leave is a loss for the BTA but as others have expressed we hope that Michelle will continue to be a leader in making Portland a better place.
We are fortunate to have added Gerik Kransky to our advocacy staff to takeover Michelle’s work when she departs.
As you’ve suggested we are very interested in what our members think which is why we’ve scheduled eight member forums this year as well inviting members to work with us on several committees. Board chair Mary Robert’s recent letter to members outlines these initiatives as well as our top priorities for 2010.
http://www.bta4bikes.org/btablog/2010/01/27/letter-from-bta-board-chair-mary-roberts/
Thanks
Stephen Gomez
Sometimes there needs to be a change. This doesn’t mean that politics or conspiracy are afoot. Lives change, better offers come along, passsions and interests shift. Ms. Poyourow can share her reasons with us if she sees fit to do so.
With the changes at BTA, this is our moment to challenge BTA to serve us better with constructive criticism and ideas. Take advantage of it.
Good luck, Michelle. Thanks for your work. Keep us posted on what’s next.
Thanks Michelle and happy riding where you go next.
Michelle,
Thanks for all your fine work for the BTA on behalf of all bicyclists, but especially for your powerful statement rejecting of the Columbia River Crossing fraud. Hope we can continue to partner in the battles that lie ahead.
Lenny Anderson, Swan Island TMA “moving freight by creating and promoting transportation options”
Michelle,
We are so grateful for your hard work and leadership. You were out there in so many ways for the BTA! What a whirlwind. And you have brought with you such a dynamic and classy presence on our behalf. I hope after you catch your breath we can work together some more on the tough bike issues in Oregon.
Michelle,
Your speeches were very articulate & clear on where you stood. You had one of the hardest jobs. You had to lobby the government to prioritize spending while safe routes received money from the same entity. Congratulations on walking that fine line and standing up for the values, that we all benefit from. Good Luck on the next chapter.
Ride On
Jeff
Michelle,
Best of luck to you wherever the road leads! I do hope you will remain in the Portland area. Thanks again for all your hard work to make our city a great place to ride…
Michelle,
Thanks for all the help over the years.
All The Best!
Jim
comment 16, in its first year the “share the road” plate produced about $26k, which was split with cycle oregon. that year (2008) BTA pulled in over $1.3 million, of which a little over half a million came from government grants and contracts. most of this was fee for service stuff like safe routes to schools. half of $26k would be about a tenth of one pct. of BTA’s budget. just fyi.
Michelle, you’ve done great work at the BTA, giving that organization a strong and principled voice in the time you’ve been there. I hope your next step will allow you to keep working on behalf of bikes, transportation, and livability issues; or for that matter, any cause you’re most passionate about. Wherever you end up, the team that gets you on its side will have an unfair advantage.
one pct., sorry, decimal point floated on me.
I’m a fucking brilliant reporter.
That’s all.