(Photo: Elly Blue)
The Bicycle Transportation Alliance’s development director, Eileen Trudeau, has resigned. Incoming Executive Director Rob Sadowsky confirmed Trudeau’s decision today, saying “She felt it was a good time to move on.”
Trudeau joined the BTA in April 2009 and is the second of three directors to resign from the organization this year. Former Operations Director Angela Koch left the organization in March after being first hired to lead their Safe Routes to Schools program in May 2007.
Sadowsky says the tumultuous recent history of the BTA has taken a toll on staffers:
“Everyone who has weathered the last seven months has had a difficult time… It’s been a lot of extra work and introspection for the organization… All our directors have been asked to take on a lot of responsibilities.”
Reached at the airport before hopping on a flight to Portland to attend Friday’s Oregon Bike Summit and the Alice Awards benefit on Saturday, Sadowsky spoke of the BTA “moving into a new era.” “There’s some excitement building… We’re trying to re-invigorate ourselves. She just came to the conclusion that she didn’t have the energy to jump on board with us.”
Sadowsky added that he was looking forward to working with Trudeau and that both he and the Board asked her to stay.
The “difficult time” in the last seven months he referred to is due in large part to operating without an executive director. The BTA fired former leader Scott Bricker in November and Sadowsky doesn’t officially take command until July 1. While he isn’t working full-time yet, Sadowsky has been highly involved and is already transitioning into his position.
Helping with that transition is former Community Cycling Center executive director Susan Remmers, whom the BTA has hired as an interim director on a part-time basis. Remmers is helping to focus staff, offer feedback to the board, and she’s also working closely with Sadowsky to make sure he hits the ground running.
Trudeau will also stick around to help Sadowsky make a smooth transition.