2010 Board of Directors Election

Philadelphia Mountain Biking Association (PMBA) is proud to be the first official chapter of IMBA. As part of the charter, PMBA adopted a set of by-laws and established a formal structure, which consists of Board of Directors, Executive officers and several (many!) committees. Board of Directors meets every month to review current PMBA business and chart the future goals and action of the organization. The Board is largely responsible for guiding the club activities to promote and support mountain biking in the area, foster permanent and positive relationship with local land managers, as well as improve the quality of mountain biking experience.

You can vote on-line here until midnight on August 30th, or in person at the next General Membership Meeting on September 1st, at which time you will also be able to meet all the candidates in person and participate in a QA session.

Please review the list of candidates and cast your vote!

2010 PMBA BoD Candidates in order of submission:

1. Christopher Hunter

I’ve been on two wheels for most of my life, whether it’s Mountain Biking, BMX or Motocross — I’m in love. I fall into the ‘fanatical biking enthusiast’ category with an emphasis on Downhill.

It’s hard to explain to most people, why spending $450.00 on a pair of Tech M4’s was a good deal. (It was!) It’s this same type of enthusiasm that’s necessary when getting involved with PMBA. You need to value your time spent in the trenches as personally rewarding because it’s a lot of work without pay.

If reelected it would be my second full term. It’s been an honor to help this club grow from its inception. When I started with PMBA, I immediately volunteered to run the website. I pushed for a community driven site and led the way towards automated fulfillment of membership dues. In my opinion, the web committee has been one of the most important factors in PMBA’s success; the website engages our members and encourages ongoing participation.

I’m currently the chair of the web committee. We had a productive year with a new Drupal based website, new logo, and iPhone application. Additionally, the web committee and I have a new Droid app in development, and we’re presently working towards making the website more user friendly.

If elected to another term, I plan to change course slightly and run for Treasurer. As the Treasurer, I will leverage my BS in Economics and my software development experience to integrate more of the club’s finances with the website. I will improve transparency of accounts payable and receivable. I will also continue to be on the web committee, working diligently to achieve these and other goals.

Thank you for your time.

Christopher D. Hunter
http://home.chrishunters.com

2. Jacalyn Clawson

I purchased my first mountain bike in 2000; a Specialized Stunt Jumper.    I’ve come a long way from those first days when I mostly concentrated on keeping the bike upright and the wheels in the singletrack.    As my love of riding has grown so has my devotion to trail advocacy.   Organized groups of mountain bikers have become increasingly needed to fight for trail access, to maintain the trail systems and to educate the public.  PMBA has shown to be a well-respected hard-working organization not only carrying out trail work at the Wissahickon but mountain bike skills clinics, organized group rides, and development of a bike park.     PMBA needs to continue this work and find new avenues to collaborate with other user groups, encourage new mountain bikers, and raise funds.   PMBA has provided a positive impact on my life in eastern PA and I have been grateful to participate in many of its committees, trips, TMDs, clinics and fundraisers.    I would like the opportunity to increase my support by serving on the PMBA Board of Directors.    I believe that my organizational and communication skills, along with my dedication, will be an asset to the PMBA BoD and to the members.

3. Jon Pearce

I’ve been a PMBA Board member for the last three years, and I’m asking you to allow me to continue for another term.  As a Board member, and this year as Vice-President, I’ve focused on increasing the quality of the mountain biking activities that PMBA offers its members.  The most visible focus is the monthly Skills Clinics, which I helped organize and manage last year.  This year I felt we needed an improved format, and I organized a team led by former racer Jay de Jesus that developed the current station-based clinic format.  I worked with the Parks and Recreation department to obtain approval for clinic participants to ride the upper Wissahickon trails without requiring trail permits, and am continuing to work on other accommodations for the Mountain Bike Philly and Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day events.  I also originated, planned and organized the Kingdom Trails trips in 2009 and 2010, and also organized the events with equestrians in past years. 

More in the background, I’ve worked to keep the website’s event information current, and you may notice that many of the front page announcements were submitted by me.  I’ve also been the primary photographer for trail maintenance days, and have edited and annotated photos of many of these events so that others can view PMBA’s accomplishments in this area.

And somehow I ended up on the Fox 29 news last year defending our trail features from unnamed critics who wanted to bring public pressure on those efforts.  On a few other occasions, having someone with gray hair as PMBA’s representative may have contributed to our credibility.

Having been a leader of other recreational sports groups in the past, I’ve enjoyed working with the PMBA Board, and hope that you’ll allow me to continue. 

4. Richard ("Rico") Niwinski... 

I would like to nominate myself to serve on the PMBA Board of Directors as Treasurer.  I feel I would be an asset to the organization with over 12 years of experience as a certified public accountant.  I have provided accounting and consulting services for clients in the for-profit, healthcare, non-profit, and insurance industries. I hold a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from LaSalle University. My current position is Chief Financial Officer at St. Joseph’s School of Nursing.  A majority of my experience comes from working specifically with non-profit organizations, including my current employer.  I am a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and the Healthcare Financial Management Association. 

Serving on the board as Treasurer for the PMBA would allow me to use my years of experience and skills in the financial industry to benefit a great organization.  I have volunteered at every Rally in the Valley, at several trail maintenance days, and have enjoyed riding and interacting with members.  As an avid mountain biker, I enjoy volunteering my time to PMBA, since it is such a positive organization that gives back to the mountain bikers and the community.  I am committed to furthering the success of PMBA through my efforts, and promise to continue in the best interest of the association.  If elected to the board, I hope to continue the great job that the current Treasurer, Nick Fortune has provided.

5. Mark Trostle

Greetings fellow PMBA members. My name is Mark Trostle and I’d like your vote for the 2010 PMBA BOD election. While I’ve had the opportunity to meet and ride with some of you, others may only know me by my screen name “mtrostle”. Aside from being a fellow Mtbr, PMBA member for 4 years and a team member of the EWR/ACGeyes Grassroots Team, I’m an avid outdoorsman, a husband, father of 2 young children and home owner in the Manayunk/Roxborough community. When my wife and I decided to purchase our home, we specifically chose to stay close to Wissahickon Park because of the vast outdoor activities it has to offer and the serenity of its environment in the bustling metropolis of Philadelphia.

I’ve been a member of PMBA since its origination. While other activities, home life and career have prevented me from being fully active with the club in the past, I feel that now is a pivotal time in our club. Even though our leadership has accomplished a lot, we’re still faced with many challenges.

Challenges that I’m willing to assist in overcoming.

It has been an uphill battle to this point and we’re still in our infancy as an organization. I strongly believe in the approach that we must grow our organization in numbers and through public awareness, create new relationships, leverage our existing partners and solidify our position within the eyes of the community. I will advocate for our continued presence and access to the park, continued growth and development of the existing trail system, promote the building of new trails and contribute to maintaining the delicate balance between us and all those who have a vested interest in the park.

While we are an organization small in numbers compared to others with in the tri state region, we are still a club of many faces and voices who have accomplished much. I would be honored to be elected as your voice to continue those accomplishments and move PMBA into the future.

If you have any questions that you would like to ask, please feel free to contact me. Thank you and I look forward to having your vote.

Sincerely yours,

Mark W. Trostle

6. Chuck Kirkland

Hi Everyone,

I, Chuck Kirkland humbly submit myself for service on the Philadelphia Mountain Bike Association Board of Directors.

I have been a Mountain Biker for 20 + years and I have ridden the Wissahickon and surrounding parks long before we as riders had a voice. That is why I am interested in playing a bigger part in the responsibilities in an environment that I call home.

I feel that this organization has reached out and helped so many individuals, from building and preserving trails to teaching kids riding skills, the commitment to this park system is constantly outreaching to its community.

My current contributions include, work in conjunction with PMBA Race Team Neighborhood Bike Works, PMBA Trail Committee, PMBA camping trips to French Creek as well as volunteer trail work in other parks.

My methodology is simple, maintain a strong and cohesive union of membership with the integrity to elevate this organization toward a more promising future.

I look forward for the opportunity to serve and I thank you for your consideration and time.

Charles J. Kirkland.

7. Robert Krotee

Since PMBA started, the honor of being part of a growing volunteer-organization in the company of dedicated people has enriched my life.

I want to help PMBA continue to flourish. Fortunately, I have seen ideas, actions, and visions come to light develop into something greater than imagined.

I think there is new direction ahead for PMBA. We can build resources further and increase our status in the community to represent mountain bikers. It is vital we keep strong relations along side with volunteer organizations that share the same ground and respect land managers responsible for the areas we build upon.

The future holds unlimited potential, PMBA has just scratched the surface of what we can do. There are many mountain bikers in the area that have yet to be part of PMBA. Hence, a lot more work to be done.

Titles:

Vice President Of PMBA(Feb07-Sept09)
Outreach/Committee-Chair
Current/Board Member

Accomplishments involved, created/ developed:

-IMBA/Charter/Chapter
-PMBA-Symbol
-'T-shirts, ForRIV1&2,&4
-Designed, Packaged & Distributed/T-Shirts
-Initiated Trail-Clinics
-Input/Development of PMBACommitees
-Assisted RallyInValley-1,2,3
-ProjctMNGR: RallyInValley4
-Input/Developed Flyers
-Attended Washington,D.C. Bike-Summit '08/Lobbying Congress
-Take-A-Kid-MtBike-Day/08'&09'
-Attended PA/Mountain-Bike-Summits
-Helped Flag trails at Nox.09'
-Coordinated w/Local Bike-Shop Conference @ Valley-Green/Incld:IMBA&FOW Speakers
-Televised-Interveiw: ComcastNews
-Teaching MtBike Clinics:w/Neighborhood-Bike-WRKs

 Trail-Work in Wissahickon: Demo-2,Gorgas-Rerout,Summit.Ln, EIT, Livezy, Kitchens.Ln, Walnut.Ln, Janette.St.

Places Ridden outside Area:
WhistlerBC, MoabUT, Sun ValleyID, FruitaCO, BolderCO, ManchesterNH, Kingdom-TrailsVT,ShanandoaVA, Lynn-WoodsMA,AshevilleNC,Rays-in-DoorOH

I'm am certain the trail ahead for PMBA will not be easy, it will have rocky and difficult at times, but will be a fun adventurous ride.

Sincerely,

Robert J Krotee
Krotee@Phillymtb.net
215-651-4781

8. Kris Molendyke

I am the most recently elected member of the board, having assumed responsibility in November 2009 after years of dedicated effort as a general member.  

Aside from working at our trail maintenance days, sharing at our clinics and drinking beer at our Bike to Beer events, I've volunteered many hours improving our website, developing our iPhone App, and recently stepping up as Secretary for the BoD.

I am seeking reelection to the BoD for the following reasons:

1. I can be our best secretary.  I make sure that meeting minutes are accurate and I post them ASAP following a BoD meeting.  In light of recent concerns regarding club transparency it is imperative to have an excellent person serving as Secretary.

2. I am your voice.  I believe that by keeping a level head, discussing issues with our entire membership and trying to see conflicts from all sides allows me to make well informed decisions.  I'm naturally analytical and I will not commit to a vote until I feel that I have solicited information from as many members with as many opinions as possible.  Then I'll evaluate, use my best judgement, and act in the interest of improving mountain biking in Philadelphia.

3. I am committed.  A Philadelphia without mountain biking is like a Philadelphia without beer... terrifying, sad and sober.  Mountain biking is fun and I want to do all I can to improve it in the city we all love.

9. Cat Newsom

Formerly the captain of the Texas Women’s Cycling team, I have traded in my skinny tires and plunged into the dirt and camaraderie of mountain biking.   No, I have not been a member of PMBA since its inception, and I was not born ridding a mountain bike.  I am a recovering roadie who has seen how this sport and this club can positively impact a life.  This club has taught me how to ride a bike, this club has picked me up after I have fallen, and this club has introduced me to friends without whom I can’t imagine my life.  But as much as this club has given to me, I have also given to this club.  As a member of PMBA, I have organized Women’s Clinics, organized ride leaders for the Rally, designed the map for the Rally, led the Women’s ride at clinics, volunteered at trail maintenance days, and am currently organizing  the Mountain Bike Philly event.  As a member of the Board, I look forward to the opportunity give back to a community that has done so much for me.

While PMBA plays a critical role in developing riders’ skills and confidence, this club also plays a critical role in the political advocacy of mountain biking in our community.  If elected, I will work to promote the needs of riders while respecting needs of other users.   I look forward to advocating for a Bike Park as well as more mountain-bike-optimized trails in our parks.

I bring to the table experience in Marketing and PR.   I also have a degree in Math, qualifying me for the open Treasurer position.

I look forward to the opportunity to represent the members of PMBA on the Board of Directors and to continue to help our club and our sport grow.

10. Chuck Uniatowski

Dear fellow PMBA members, I, Chuck Uniatowski, would like to submit my candidacy for a Member of the Board of Directors:

Having been a fan of mountain biking for over 15 years, I decided to join PMBA in 2007.  I was an active member, even when new, participating in rides, trash clean ups, and trail work.  I have remained active, graduating to a leadership role:  I lead Tuesdays’ challenging, and often full throttle, Gentleman’s Ride, as well as head numerous trail maintenance projects with the Trail Maintenance Committee.  Because of my trail work, I have also developed a strong relationship with PMBA’s key partners, FOW, FPC, and IMBA, who regularly ask for my input when it comes to the design and construction of new trails.  Examples of recent projects, fully supported by the FPC, are the new trails near Wises Mill, the new Golf Course Climb, and the Saul School reroute.  Outside of my leadership role, I lobby for fully legal bike features and continue to put many hours towards general trail maintenance.

I believe that my record of active membership with PMBA, and partnership with FOW and FPC, shows that I consistently strive to uphold the core values of IMBA. Being a member of the Board will allow me to build upon the relationships, skills, and credibility that I have earned within PMBA, as well as with our key partners.  I’ve learned that we need to work with our partners for solutions, thereby allowing for better trails now and for the future.  Maintaining trusting relationships with our partners will ultimately ensure the best possible mountain bike experience while allowing PMBA to continue to search for new ways to expand upon that experience, in turn promoting long term mountain bike interests in the Philadelphia area.

Thank you for your consideration.

Chuck Uniatowski