Positive Reinforcements
IMBA Trail News
Volume 15, Number 1
Spring 2002
Grassroots volunteer work has always been IMBA's backbone. We began in 1988 as an association of local and regional mountain bike clubs and now include close to 450 affiliated groups. During the last nine years, IMBA's professional staff has also grown steadily and improved. Today, we support 18 employees-a group that is more talented and energetic than ever.
IMBA doesn't have a receptionist, a multi-story office complex or Dilbert-like cubicles. We do have a water cooler (essential for a staff of passionate athletes) and a Nerf basketball hoop - though it's tough to hit three-pointers because of our low ceiling.
During the last eight months, we've added five new staff members who are already making a big difference. Without overlooking the contributions of our affiliated clubs or the other 13 IMBA staffers who have been with us for years, I'd like to tell you about our new people.
Jenn Dice, IMBA's Advocacy Director, has lots of government experience. She used to be a press director for the Colorado state legislature and a lobbyist for Colorado Counties, Inc. She has a master's degree in public administration from the University of Kansas. During her seven months on the job, she has quickly strengthened our ties with a variety of key federal agencies. Jenn talks fast and rides hard: her mountain bike focus for the last three years has been the Leadville 100-a 100-mile, high-altitude Colorado race that lasts from dawn to dark.
Pete Burhop, who became IMBA's Development Director last October, knows how to raise money. As a 501c3 non-profit organization, IMBA depends on individuals for two-thirds of our funding-from $20 individual memberships to major donor commitments of $5,000 or more. Pete used to work for Colorado Outward Bound and the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) so he understands outdoor education-a key component of IMBA's work. Part of Pete's challenge is maintaining and increasing IMBA's corporate support, both by bike industry companies and renowned firms such as Ben & Jerry's, WorldCom, Subaru of America and eBay. An avid climber for many years, Pete is applying that focus and physical strength to riding. Translation: he pedals a lot and suffers little.
Jody Flemming is IMBA's latest staff addition. He came to us in January from the Colorado Wildlife Federation, where he was executive director. Jody has been a National Park ranger, a trails volunteer and through his experience as an ED, knows how non-profit organizations work. His focus at IMBA is the Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew program-our highest-profile project. This is year six for the Trail Care Crew and the number of requests for visits is at an all-time high. Jody is passionate about anything and everything that involves bicycling.
Mark Schmidt and Lora Woolner are the new Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew. Mark is a professional product designer and Lora directed the mountain biking program at the Kelso Conservation Area outside Toronto. As a team, they are enthusiastic, creative and love to ride. They'll learn a lot from our talented returning crew, Jen and Rich Edwards, who are back for year three. Also, we're happy to announce that Joey Klein, a long-time Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew leader, will continue to work for IMBA this year as a Trails Specialist. More about this soon.
Along with growth comes inevitable transitions. Judd de Vall, IMBA's stylish International and Sprockids programs coordinator, moved on at the end of February. Judd's destination is the World Cup and National Championship Series downhill circuit, where his strength and skills could carry him quickly toward the top. Judd created great IMBA programs in Mexico, Canada, Italy and the United Kingdom and worked closely with Sprockids founder Doug Detwiller to create IMBA Sprockids. Good luck, Judd! - TB
