Tom Clark

Number of years as an SMBC member: 5

I have previously volunteered for SMBC as follows:

Route planning, marking, and signs volunteer, Gulf Coast CycleFest and Tour De Parks; CycleFest Director in 2022.

Volunteer experience in other capacities:

Served as Capital City Century Chair and held a variety of positions on the Board of Directors, Springfield (IL) Bicycle Club; served as Chair of the Springfield Bicycle Advisory Council.

I will bring the following strengths to the board:

Experience in leadership and consensus building, and in bicycle advocacy work with city, county and other bike-ped planning agencies. League of American Bicyclists League Cycling Instructor, bike safety presenter, bike rodeo trainer and organizer. SMBC certified ride leader. Also, I can wiggle my ears!

Please provide other pertinent information concerning your candidacy: 

I greatly enjoy being an SMBC member and participating in rides and social events with fellow SMBCers. In 1994, I first completed the annual weeklong bicycle ride across Iowa (RAGBRAI). Since then, I’ve ridden all or part of it 24 times. I recently became a full-time Florida resident. I hope to continue doing RAGBRAI and other out of town rides. 

Chuck Fleming

Number of years as an SMBC member:  6 years and 9 months

I have previously volunteered for SMBC as follows:

• SMBC Board Member:
  • Current 1yr term serving as Vice President
    • Safety Chairperson
      • Incident Data Reporting
      •  Secondary Medical Insurance Claims Support
    • E-Bike Policy Development
    • Charitable Contribution Review Committee
• Appointed to fill a board vacancy in 2021
• CycleFest 2021
• Student Bike Safety Rodeo
• Summer Picnic
• Cross Florida Bike Ride – SAG

Volunteer experience in other capacities:

• Numerous community organizations and clubs:
  • Team Rubicon, Lions, Kiwanis, Masonic Lodge, Sun City Center Clubs

I will bring the following strengths to the board:

• Ability and desire to work within the board to achieve positive actions that benefit our very diverse biking community
• Administrative experience as a retired teacher and school administrator
• Retired US Coast Guard and veteran USAF member having served in numerous leadership roles

Please provide other pertinent information concerning your candidacy:

I’m looking forward to the possibility of continuing to serve our SMBC community as a member of our board.

Richard Garrett

I have previously volunteered for SMBC as follows:

• Former SMBC President and current board member - Community Liaison
• Organized Ride of Silence in Sarasota and Bradenton
• Participated in several Bike Rodeos training children and adults

I have and will bring the following strengths to the board:

• 2021 Bike Advocate of the Year from the Florida Bike Association Vision Zero Hero (2020).
• League Certified Instructor.
• Active member of the Metropolitan Planning Organization with participation of the Bike Pedestrian Committee and Citizens Traffic Safety Committee.
• Active participant working with state, county, and city groups to plan trail alignments, identify safety concerns of cyclists, and coordinate bike awareness activities focusing on safety.
• Worked with others to donate funds for underprivileged children Christmas parties. An estimated 200+ bikes and helmets (including fitting) delivered
• Avid rider, approaching 9,000 miles for 2022.
• Coordination with various cycling clubs with information distribution and cycling issues (Lakewood Ranch Blvd. – southbound).
• Active bike advocate on local TV stressing helmets, visibility, and rules of the road.

Volunteer experience in other capacities:

• Investment club board member (6 years)
• HOA past treasurer
• Volunteer working with others to acquire bikes (350) and helmets (including fitting) for two different charities with over 800 children

Please provide other pertinent information concerning your candidacy: 

Goals for 2023 board include all the above AND identifying organizations that could be helped by our considerable balance sheet in fulfilling the SMBC mission statement.

Gary Kapac

Number of years as an SMBC member:         14

I have previously volunteered for SMBC as follows:

• CycleFest
• Tour de Parks
• Kids’ rodeo
• Road cleanup
• Bicycle Maintenance Classes
• Certified ride leader and currently lead one of the Friday rides.

Volunteer experience in other capacities:

• Bicycle assembly for the Salvation Army Angel Tree program.
• Bicycle repair at various charities.
• Volunteer at various running and biking events.
• Board member for a property owners’ organization.

I will bring the following strengths to the board:

I have many years of senior management experience in business. I like to see the big picture and am not afraid to get involved and provide input where needed. As a snowbird and member of a bicycle club in Ontario, I may bring a different perspective to some items.

Please provide other pertinent information concerning your candidacy.

SMBC has been very good to Janet and me, so this is an opportunity to give back to the club and help ensure its continued success.

Mary McElvogue

Previous SMBC Volunteer:

• CycleFest: Rest stop coordinator, several years assisting with home base food, signage assistance
• Ride Leader: Attended ride leader training and serve as a ride leader
• SmartCycle: As an LCI (league cycling instructor) I participate as an instructor for smart cycle classes to teach safety to new and experienced riders.  We also hold kids’ rodeos to help children learn bike safety
• SMBC Board: I served as Club Treasurer and was on the Board of Directors for a 2-year term 2019 and 2020
• SMBC Website: Assistant to webmaster and oversee the Bicycles for Sale site

Other Volunteer Activities:

• Mote Ranch HOA Board of Directors, 2 year term 2020 and 2021
• High Point, NC Chamber of Commerce, 2 year term on Board of Directors
• Kiwanis Club of High Point, Member, Board of Directors and Lieutenant Governor
• United Way of High Point, Loaned Executive for Annual Fund Raising effort
• Piedmont Environmental Center, 1 year term on Board of Directors

I will bring a commitment to cycling safety and enjoyment if elected to the leadership team of the Club.  My experience as a ride leader, a past member of the Board and an LCI have made me aware of the many aspects of cycling in our community.  The Club’s focus on safety first has helped our Club attract and maintain cyclists over the years. When serving as a Board Member, I keep an open mind to new ideas and carefully evaluate the issues that arise affecting the Club. 

SMBC is a fantastic cycling club. The members are friendly and enjoy good health and fun times. I have met so many wonderful folks through this Club and look forward to many more years of cycling safely in the Sarasota/Manatee communities.

Christopher Muller

Number of years as an SMBC member: 2.

I have previously volunteered for SMBC as follows:

 

Cyclefest in 2022

 

Volunteer experience in other capacities:

• I have held various volunteer roles with United Way over the last 30 years.
• I also volunteered for Cyclo X Louisville where I helped set up the obstacles for the Cycle-Cross race. 

 

I will bring the following strengths to the board:

• I am a retired Lead Director of IT.
• I have years of experience managing people, processes, and infrastructure in the corporate environment. I bring organization, drive, and experience.
• I also bring previous (2006) experience with riding in a competitive environment as part of the Team Louisville Bike team. 

 

Please provide other pertinent information concerning your candidacy: 

• I have been riding with various clubs and teams (Louisville Bike Club, Team Louisville, Bike Touring Club NJ, SMBC) for over 16 years.
• I have been through the SMBC training to be a ride leader.
• I prefer the 17-19 group rides and I typically ride 3 days a week with SMBC. 

Eugene Rider

Number of years as an SMBC member: 5

I have previously volunteered for SMBC as follows:

I am an active member of SMBC in several safety related roles. I lead four to six rides a month as a certified group ride lead plus an active certified League Cycle Instructor (LCI). In 2022 I’ve taught several safe cycling classes, for SMBC and with local bike shops. In addition, I led CycleFest registration as director for two years.

Volunteer experience in other capacities:

In 2022, two Youth Cycling Rodeos were held, partnering with local law enforcement, community organizations as well as a large homeowners association.

Working with SMBC board members, also participated with local community group’s youth holiday parties by providing bike helmets for disadvantaged kids.

I will bring the following strengths to the board:

SMBC’s mission of safety and community involvement for cyclist safety is important. Working with community groups, including law enforcement, county planning and non-profits, are key for SMBC to extend its mission. I bring an established track record of working with diverse groups and teams to accomplish positive and enthusiastic results. If elected to the Board, I pledge to continue working with community groups and individuals to promote SMBC’s mission of cyclist safety.

Please provide other pertinent information concerning your candidacy:

My wife and I love to experience diversity of culture, differing perspectives and supporting local businesses. Having lived and worked around America and the world also allowed me to build successful teams and companies. It’s this experience I will bring to SBMC, if elected to Board, of serving its members.

John Michael Smith (JT)

Number of years as an SMBC member: 7.

I have previously volunteered for SMBC as follows:

• Performed as ride leader.
• Assisted Jeff Flagg & Brian Daily make bylaw changes & with financial statements for 12-31-22.
• Helped obtain police escort for Ride of Silence in Sarasota.
• Volunteered in prior years for CycleFest, taking equipment & signage from storage, placing signs for rest areas, unloading and loading a trailer, & cleaning up after the event.
• Helped with Youth Rodeo setup and guiding kids learning to stop and look both ways.

Volunteer experience in other capacities:

 

I was on the Board of Directors of Sarasota Manatee Manufacturing Assn., a not-for-profit organization, and served as treasurer for 4 years. I also worked on their bylaws.

 

I have experience with not-for-profit entities.

 

I will bring the following strengths to the board:

 

I am a CPA and owned my own firm from 1982 until 12-31-19. I helped individuals and businesses plan for growth and prepared financial statements. I have experience with not-for-profit entities.

 

Please provide other pertinent information concerning your candidacy: 

 

I can communicate and work with all types of people to complete projects. I helped obtain Sarasota City Police to direct Ride for Silence. I was fortunate to ask the right people to obtain police assistance in the City of Sarasota on the day of the ride.

 

I would like to help SMBC grow, have good cash flow, and have healthy fund balance

(equity) for its members in the Sarasota-Manatee area.

 

I think it’s important to educate riders and motorists to accept each other on the roads and to assist young riders learn how to ride safely, be visible, and to start learning bike maintenance sooner than later.

 

Thank you for considering me to be an SMBC Board Member.