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Bikes Belong elects new officers

Published: Nov. 19, 2008

Three U.S. bike industry leaders were elected as Bikes Belong Coalition board officers at the organization’s November 18 meeting in Boulder, Colorado. Steve Meineke, president of Raleigh America, was picked to become president after serving three years as vice president. Former treasurer Chris Fortune, CEO of Saris Cycling Group, was named vice president. Michael Mercuri, VP of SRAM Corporation, was elected treasurer. All three began service immediately.

Kozo Shimano, outgoing board president, opened the meeting by reflecting on his three-year term. The new slate of officers is poised to guide Bikes Belong’s board until the end of 2010. This will be a period of unprecedented opportunity for the organization, whose budget has doubled over the last three years. The coming year will be critical as Bikes Belong works to maximize federal funding for bicycling in the next transportation bill, due for approval in September. In addition, Bikes Belong plans to award more than $1.2 million in grants to national, regional, and local bicycling projects next year.

Bikes Belong is the national industry group working to put more people on bicycles more often. Funding comes primarily from bicycle supplier and retailer annual dues. Seventeen industry leaders representing their companies attended the meeting.

The Bike Belong Board:
President: Steve Meineke, President of Raleigh America
Vice President: Chris Fortune, President of Saris Cycling Group
Treasurer: Michael Mercuri, VP of SRAM Corporation
Secretary: Elizabeth Train of Bikes Belong

The Directors include:
Leslie Bohm, CEO of Catalyst Communication
John Burke, CEO of Trek
Penina Bush, VP of Shimano American Corporation
Lance Camisasca, Industry Consultant to Interbike
Fred Clements, Executive Director of the National Bicycle Dealers Association
Pat Cunnane, President of Fuji Bicycles
Lisa Falvy, VP of Advocacy for Sportworks
Steve Flagg, CEO of Quality Bicycle Products
Mike Greehan, CEO of Green Light Media
Chris Kegel, Owner of Wheel & Sprocket
Kwai Kong, President of Specialty Retail Division for Easton-Bell Sports
Chris Lambiase, Publisher of Bicycling Magazine
Michael Mercuri, VP of SRAM Corporation
John Rangel (alternate), CFO of Specialized
Patrick Seidler, CEO of WTB
Kozo Shimano
Mike Sinyard, CEO of Specialized
Elysa Walk, General Manager of Giant