Board of Directors

Served as our club president in 2021.

I got my first road bike in 1973 and have been riding ever since in Spain, in the Caribbean, and throughout the East and West coasts of the US. For many years I have enjoyed it with an increasing amount of passion as a practical means of transportation and as my favorite form of exercise and stress reduction. I joined the recently founded Premier Bicycle Club in summer 2017, having been attracted by its statement of mission and active schedule. I have enjoyed the group cycling experiences, the welcoming spirit of camaraderie, the mutual support, and the diversity of events offered by the club even more than I anticipated. It is an honor to give something back by serving on the board of directors and contributing to the further growth and development of the club 

I am a professor at Carnegie Mellon University, where I have conducted research in genetics and molecular biology and have taught undergraduate and graduate students since 1990. I have eight years of relevant experience as a member of the board of directors of Moraine Sailing Club, where I have also been director of the Community Sailing Program, Vice-Commodore and Commodore, as well as a USSailing-certified instructor in the club’s education program. 

Served as our club president in 2022 & 2023.

Since childhood, riding a bike has meant freedom to me. Freedom to explore beyond my neighborhood and the ability to get my first job as a newspaper boy. I bought my first road bike at the age of 13, although we just called them 10 speeds. As an adult, I find cycling to be a great way to get outside, exercise and be in the present moment. Whether road cycling, trail riding or tooling around trails on a fat bike, I love being in tune with what’s going on around me as I move through the world. 

Over the last 15 years I have alternated between group rides, solo efforts, long distance road rides and more limited mountain biking. I have done the Alyn Pediatric Rehabilitation Hospital Wheels of Love ride 4 times, riding around Israel for a great charity, the Keystone MS 150 Ride several times and a variety of charity rides, centuries and group rides. As I get older, the Club’s message of healthy living and healthy eating, resonates with me more and more as I combine a plant based, whole foods diet with cycling.

I'd rather be out riding every day, than working, so I try to fill that desire by commuting to my client's offices whenever I can. Living in the city, bike commuting is usually more convenient than driving, doesn't take as long as you would expect, and parking is free! It's also a great end-of-day stress reliever. When I'm not working, I volunteer to lead rides for the club, manage the club's website, and enjoy long weekend rides.

I am a strong believer in healthy eating and have been exploring what it means to adhere to and advocate for a vegan diet for over 23 years.

 

I have always loved to ride. As I frequently tell my wife and friends, “any distance any speed it's all good.” Whether it's a couple of laps around North Park, a couple of days on the GAP with my 9-year old granddaughter, or a couple of months on the road to Denali, Alaska, I love the freedom of bike travel. I feel uniquely at home on a bike. Not only do you go fast enough to get somewhere but slow enough to see things, it's also an ideal exercise to practice mental resilience and voluntary discomfort. I was a founding member of PBC and the club's first treasurer. I am honored to now serve on the Board. Now as then, I promise transparency and faithfulness to the mission of PBC. It's a great club and I will do my part to ensure it remains so and meets the evolving needs of our membership.

 

I have only recently started cycling but I am very familiar with its culture and requirements, as I am married to a very avid cyclist. Over the past seven years I have also attended multiple PBC activities where I have interacted with many club members ranging from very experienced cyclists to beginners and non-riding partners.

Before my recent retirement I was a Research Assistant Professor at the University of Pittsburgh, effectively managing Research, Personnel and Finances in a Molecular Biology Laboratory. I also have a long-standing commitment to the community, having served or currently serving as a volunteer with different organizations, including the Carnegie Library, Tree Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, Moraine Sailing Club, Food Community Bank, Highland Park Garden Club, and a local chapter of the American Wine Society. I am the current treasurer for the two last mentioned organizations and plan to bring those skills to the Premier Bicycle Club.

I want to improve my riding and get to know people with the same interests and skill levels. Bicycling is a great opportunity to stay in good physical and mental shape as well as to enjoy the outdoors. PBC can have an important impact as a home to all sorts of riders, both experienced and not experienced and especially those willing to learn and develop together. I hope to be an asset for the Club towards this goal and I am looking forward to a more active role. I hope to bring fresh perspectives regarding less skilled cyclists and new ideas for activities linked to PBC’s mission.

 

I have been cycling since 2003, and a club member since 2017. I enjoy the weekly rides as well as the club activities like the Spring and Fall Foliage events, Shenandoah, Gettysburg, Chautauqua, and trail rides.

Currently, I work at CMU’s Software Engineering Institute, a government-sponsored Research Lab focusing on software engineering, cybersecurity, and AI R&D. I am also very involved in the community, serving on 6 Butler County Municipal boards in officer or member roles.

I plan to retire this summer and ramp up my riding. The club provides valuable opportunities to stay in good physical shape -- I am looking forward to riding with you all this year.