2021 Board Election candidates
Laurens de Jong - President
Tell us a little bit about yourself…
Since May 2018, I've been the President of the AAVC. I took on this position because I love the sport of cycling. The AAVC's commitment to promote the sport of cycling for all its members is what makes this club special. We've had a Women's development program for the past few years and a Juniors' cycling program for decades. That's how I found this club in the first place: I have two children (10 and 13 years old) who actively participate in club rides and race for the AAVC. I feel fortunate that I have been able to contribute to this sport in our corner of the world.
What is your position statement?
"People, namely our club members, are the most important part of our club. If you look at 2020, nobody expected the club would have to deal with the pandemic and the social unrest that is currently affecting us all. Yet the constant is the people who love the club and love working to make the club great and successful. The President's job is about making everyone else succeed. It's a relationship job. It's about keeping the volunteers, the ride leaders, the coaches, the committee members, and the board members engaged, motivated, and happy.
What I want is a cycling club where young people feel safe and nurtured; where women feel safe and respected; where men feel safe and relevant. A cycling club that anchors our community. A cycling club that is radically free of all the negative stereotypes that taint many cycling clubs. Allez AAVC! "
Robert Noble - Board-Member-at-Large (x3)
Tell us a little bit about yourself…
I’ve been cycling at club level since I was 14 and I’ve done road, TT, mountain bike, cross and triathlon.
I have a huge passion for pro road biking and my bookshelf is littered with biographies and books called things like ‘European climbs’!
I’ve been in Ann Arbor for 4 years but not very active with AAVC due to young kids.
My goal would be to set up a time trial series as there aren’t many in this area.
What is your position statement?
Massive passion for cycling.
Would love to get a TT series up and running.
Interested in helping Juniors.
Lifetime of experience.
An absolute cycling nut!
I’m British so I can amuse people with my funny sayings and pronunciation.
Kathleen Panagis - Vice President, Membership
Tell us a little bit about yourself…
I have been an AAVC member for about 5 years. I started cycling with the UM cycling team, which led me to the AAVC. I enjoy riding on paved roads, gravel roads, trails, and cyclocross courses. I am an engineer and currently work as a research fellow at the University of Michigan. I'm also a new mom, so hopefully the Juniors team will have a new member in the future!
What is your position statement?
I have learned a lot about cycling and met some really great people through the club, so I want to see it continue to grow and evolve to meet the needs of Ann Arbor cyclists. Most of my experience with club events involves racing. This past year I co-directed the Spring Training Series (which didn't actually happen, but we still did a ton of planning work!). I also helped my husband run Mad Anthony Cyclocross for a couple years (RIP MACX). I am also familiar with the past challenges and some of the current solutions for tracking membership data. Based on conversations with past AAVC Secretaries, I know that tracking membership is very important for the club, but is not a trivial task. I am prepared to adapt our record-keeping system as needed.
In the future I would like the AAVC to grow as a community that supports cyclists in the Ann Arbor area. First, I would like to see continued improvements in transparency and communication within the club. The board has made great strides in this area in the past year. Second, I believe we need to focus on being welcoming and inclusive. While I think it is important to maintain support for members interested in racing, I think we should continue some of the more casual social events, like the challenges for members during COVID. I believe those are great ways to welcome new members and build a stronger community.
Michael Tjilos - Board-Member-at-Large (x3)
Tell us a little bit about yourself…
My name is Mike! I am your average Greek kid with a variety of interests including: sciences, music, nutrition, and of course -- biking. Aside from biking around town, you can usually find me at the piano, or, pursuing my academic goals.
What is your position statement?
I will dedicate my time and abilities towards maintaining the coordination and order of the club, whilst improving upon the overall functionality of the day-to-day. In addition, I will actively suggest beneficial changes and developments to push the club forward into the future. For example, I will back any developments to implementing a Men's team as I believe it would help make the club more rounded and add to the inclusiveness of the club.
Matthew Hartsough - Board-Member-at-Large (x3)
Tell us a little bit about yourself…
Hello! I've enjoyed serving as a Member at Large for the last 1.5 years and ask for your support to continue in this position for 2021. I came to Ann Arbor in 2018 to escape the hustle and bustle of a big city and raise my young family. I previously rode and raced bikes in New York City with CRCA/KruisCX. I have a passion for cyclocross and love how it rewards practiced skills as much as physical fitness (plus the race-day party great too!). I’ve been grateful to be taken in by the club and given the opportunity to provide my input on strengthening and growing our community.
What is your position statement?
I believe AAVC should continue it’s transition from pure racing to a club where everyone has a home and place to ride bikes. In 2019, I actively sought to bring together members at races, built a race-day community, and built out the Slack workspace to increase club collaboration. During 2020, I served on the Communications Committee to streamline the club’s branding and facilitated the charity matching initiative that raised over $8,000 for social justice initiatives. For 2021, I will advocate for the club to support social justice initiatives and community outreach, focusing on volunteer initiatives, and strive to bring together all members for rides and races.
Kari Alsager - Executive Vice President
Tell us a little bit about yourself…
I have been riding with the club the last 6 years, and on the board the past 2.5 years. I started as a triathlete and now call myself mainly a gravel rider who is trying to get better at mountain biking! I am also active with organizing the women's racing group and looking forward to group rides and races coming back someday.
What is your position statement?
I have been on the board as Executive VP for the last few years. I bring strong organizational skills and consistent follow through to any project I take on.
Jeremy Zeigler - Vice President, Sponsorship and Publicity
Tell us a little bit about yourself…
Hello my name is Jeremy Zeigler, for those of you that don't know me I've been apart of the cycling community at varying levels here in Ann Arbor since ~2005 ... The line is blurry as I am a converted runner / triathlete and I was training with the Velo Club long before I was racing with the AAVC. Most people know me as the picture guy, always taking and sharing ride photos... Century Saturday & Metric Sunday... Ninny Muggins & Rapha 500 ... "#allridesendwithice-cream" ...tandem rides with my daughter ...it's very rare to see me on a bike without a smile.
I enjoy the sport of cycling (road/gravel/track/mountain/etc...) and enjoy sharing my love of the sport with others ...keep being Awesome! 😎👍
2020 has been a year of change to say the least and I'm looking forward to 2021. I think the AAVC did a great job of bringing a new flavor of fun by being creative with the social media games and challenges... I'd like to continue to find creative new ways to add to the fun.
What is your position statement?
Cycling has given me a lot of great experiences, as well as some amazing friends and fantastic memories over the years... "life is short enjoy the ride”. I’ve been in the area a very long time and have relationships with businesses and active members of the community that I believe will be mutually beneficial for both the community and club. I’d like the club, its good deeds and its activities to be visible to the community and celebrated.
I intend to continue the work that has been started by those before me... one of my goals is to make cycling as accessible, safe and fun as possible for new riders (beginners, juniors, women and men). If you know me you know that I'm a team player and Cycling is a team sport. I would work to create camaraderie and a supportive positive environment within the club and its teams (Juniors / Women's / Men's).
I'm looking forward to AAVC club + team events / races and re-creating the fun (post-covid). I'm also always looking for new ideas and ways to create fun challenges for everyone. We are fortunate to have such a great club, I'm looking forward to all things to come!
Joe Miessner - Treasurer
Tell us a little bit about yourself…
Current AAVC Treasurer. Former road racer but love the gravel. Recovering from surgery this year so not so many have seen me around.
What is your position statement?
I’m trained as a mathematician, but turned to computer programming, so I bring my attention to detail to the office of Treasurer. Changes? Keep things running smoothly, while finding ways to improve.
Bradley Humphrey-Stark - Secretary
Tell us a little bit about yourself…
Raced road through college, some triathlons after, now I'm into the long ultra-distance gravel scene. Long-time bike mechanic, love board games, have 2 cats, and got married this year despite Covid!
What is your position statement?
As a board-member at large for two years and assisting with various tasks & projects, I wanted to step up and take some direct responsibility. Looking to keep going with the consistent approach to minutes & keep track of tasks and future assignments. There's some tagging and organization of old minutes to help with clarifications & referencing that I reckon I can sort out. The Secretary position has proven to be a tough role to fill, and often volunteers can feel overwhelmed, I hope to find some solutions and workflows to make things easier.