Annual Board Member Elections - 2022
Laramie BikeNet is looking to fill three vacancies on our board this year. Please take a moment to review the candidates and cast your vote! All current BikeNet members should have received a ballot via email this morning, Thursday, March 17th. Members can vote electronically until March 31st, so hurry and renew if you did not receive a ballot.
For family memberships: in order for each person in your family to vote, please update your profile with up to four household members with unique email addresses. If you are updating your contact info or adding additional household members now, you will need to reach out to us for a new ballot at laramiebikenet@gmail.com.
For family memberships: in order for each person in your family to vote, please update your profile with up to four household members with unique email addresses. If you are updating your contact info or adding additional household members now, you will need to reach out to us for a new ballot at laramiebikenet@gmail.com.
Candidate statements:
Dewey Gallegos
Dear Laramie BikeNet, My name is Dewey Gallegos and I would like to be considered for the open position on the Board of Directors for BikeNet. I am a long time member and actively participate in all things BikeNet. I am interested in getting more people on bicycles, not just because I own and operate a bicycle shop, but because bicycles are a healthy and convenient way to stay active and explore our public lands. My passion for public land advocacy, cycling advocacy, Fat Biking, mountain biking, and commuting will guide my decisions as a board member. I also have the benefit of hearing the needs of the cycling community every day at work, and will use this information to further guide my decisions as I work to enhance cycling for all cyclists of Laramie.
David Jones
Hello, my name is David Jones and I have been a part of the Laramie mountain biking scene for some time now. As much as I enjoy all of the opportunities that have developed regarding cycling in our community, I have also come to enjoy giving back to the cycling community. I have helped as an assistant coach on the 7220 Speed Goats now for two years and my son, Eli Jones, will be starting his sophomore year on the team this coming fall. I also serve on the board for the Laramie Range Epic and this summer’s race will be my second one as a board member. I am interested in being on the board for Laramie Bike Net specifically as a parent of a Speed Goats team member. I look forward to your consideration in the upcoming Bike Net election and please feel free to contact me with any questions.
Lars Peterson
I am asking for your consideration for board membership to Laramie BikeNet. My name is Lars Peterson. My wife and I have lived in Laramie since 2004. During that time, we have taken full advantage of all the mountain biking in the area. Now, I feel like it is time to give back. Over the last couple of years, I have been blown away by the positive effects organized or influenced by Laramie BikeNet. Literally, from the Happy Jack trail system to the School Yard, there have been amazing things happening. These additions will benefit Laramie by increasing tourism, attracting new residents, and promoting healthy lifestyles. I feel like there is more that can be done and want to help. What I would bring to the board is a community member that is passionate about Laramie, loves to ride bikes and wants to give back. Thanks for your consideration.
Erin Philips
I would be honored to have the chance to serve as a board member for Laramie BikeNet. My husband and I moved to Laramie in 2011, and I was immediately taken with the natural beauty, community, and bike culture of Laramie. I work as a research scientist at UW and in addition to mountain biking, I enjoy running, skiing, and spending time with my family, friends, and two dogs. I have spent many happy hours on my bike at Happy Jack and the Schoolyard and in the Snowies. I think that all of the Laramie BikeNet projects and programs are very important for our community. If elected to the board, I would like to focus my energies on trail maintenance projects to ensure that Laramie cyclists continue to have access to world-class trails and to help promote sustainable trail development. Thank you for your consideration.
Maciej Pike-Biegunski
I am writing to express my interest in running for the BikeNet board. I have been an avid cyclist since the age of 13, and I have been involved in numerous facets of cycling including race organization, racing, trailbuilding, skills and race coaching, and working as a bicycle mechanic. My interest in joining the BikeNet board is rooted in my concern for making cycling safe, accessible and enjoyable for all of the members of the Laramie community. That means working towards ensuring that the people of Laramie are able to safely cycle to get to work, run errands, or just going for a spin on their bicycles. I see improving the cycling infrastructure in Laramie as a social justice issue-making navigating Laramie safely via bicycle will enable kids to get to extracurricular activities, college students to get groceries safely, and folks of limited means to safely get to and from their jobs. I hope to help improve on and off-street cycling infrastructure and signage, particularly to allow safer and easier bicycle access from south and west Laramie to vital services like grocery stores and healthcare providers. Thank you for your consideration-I hope to be of service to the Laramie community as a BikeNet board member.
Aaron Ross
My name is Melissa Ross and I would like to nominate Aaron Ross for the Laramie BikeNet Board. Aaron’s cycling career spans over 20 years. He was the President of the UW Cycling team, organized the Mountain West Conference Finals, volunteered as the EMT for bike races, and was active in the Laramie BikeNet. After graduating, Aaron worked for Landry’s Bicycles in Boston where he mentored newbies into the sport. Aaron created and led a club team in the New England area that raced the road and cyclocross series. In 2012, Aaron worked for a cycling wind tunnel facility in Scottsdale, AZ. He helped organize a local Gran Fondo, supported countless teams ranging from amateurs to Olympians, the American Diabetes Association, and continued to grow the local shop team. He has been involved in designing and manufacturing bike wheels. Since returning to Laramie in 2018, Aaron has made an effort to bring a wind tunnel to Laramie and recently launched Link, a new high-performance bike fitting studio. Aaron would be extremely grateful for the opportunity to serve the Laramie cycling community as a board member and would provide exceptional knowledge in working on big projects.
Nancy Sindelar
As one of the original founders of Bike Net, (carrying membership card #2), I started as the commuter bike specialist, helped revive the Dead Dog, was medical and sag for the Enduro route test. I served on the original Greenbelt Committee when it was completed along the river. For 45 years my bike has been my main source of local transportation. I pushed for gaps in the highway rumble strips, and elimination of them on the far lane where a cyclist makes a left turn onto a highway. Currently I’m on the Albany County Clean Water Advocates board, a consensus group successfully lobbied the County Commissioners to strengthen zoning on the aquifer. We cooperated with the Pilot Hill project on the land purchase. I organized for last year’s ACCWA Spring Creek cleanup, working with the City and commercial interests. We are known for long term agendas toward protecting Laramie’s drinking water. I currently chair the Traffic Safety Commission, the first cyclist on board. Currently the TSC is working with the Council, Manager and Engineer t update the bicycle ordinance. I’m advocating to improve traffic light recognition for cyclists and pedestrians (no more beg buttons and hockey pucks), bike lane continuity and the greenbelt.
Casey Wood
I am Casey Wood and I am interested in serving on the Laramie BikeNet Board of Directors. I have been living in Laramie since 1981, and have been an avid bike rider my whole life. I remember riding a Bike-a-Thon (as they were called) in the 1970s on a whim and with no training at all. I was sore, but very happy the next day. I have served previously on the Cycle Wyoming Board and was Vice-President for many years, and also served as a volunteer for the Tour de Wyoming for nearly 20 years. Today, I classify myself as a die-hard roadie, with a growing love for mountain biking on the Schoolyard Trails, and Fat Biking for pleasure in town and on the trails. I also cherish cycling as a family and friends activity, too. I hope I can bring my family-centered approach to cycling to BikeNet Board service. I have ideas about building activities for families and bike newbies to explore cycling and find their niche. I want to support road cycling to a greater degree than at present (the Time Trials, etc. are great!, and I think there is room for growth there). Lastly, I really want to expand the opportunities for quality cycling in and around Laramie that does not require the use of a vehicle to get to the starting line. Laramie is one of the few communities where this is possible.
Dewey Gallegos
Dear Laramie BikeNet, My name is Dewey Gallegos and I would like to be considered for the open position on the Board of Directors for BikeNet. I am a long time member and actively participate in all things BikeNet. I am interested in getting more people on bicycles, not just because I own and operate a bicycle shop, but because bicycles are a healthy and convenient way to stay active and explore our public lands. My passion for public land advocacy, cycling advocacy, Fat Biking, mountain biking, and commuting will guide my decisions as a board member. I also have the benefit of hearing the needs of the cycling community every day at work, and will use this information to further guide my decisions as I work to enhance cycling for all cyclists of Laramie.
David Jones
Hello, my name is David Jones and I have been a part of the Laramie mountain biking scene for some time now. As much as I enjoy all of the opportunities that have developed regarding cycling in our community, I have also come to enjoy giving back to the cycling community. I have helped as an assistant coach on the 7220 Speed Goats now for two years and my son, Eli Jones, will be starting his sophomore year on the team this coming fall. I also serve on the board for the Laramie Range Epic and this summer’s race will be my second one as a board member. I am interested in being on the board for Laramie Bike Net specifically as a parent of a Speed Goats team member. I look forward to your consideration in the upcoming Bike Net election and please feel free to contact me with any questions.
Lars Peterson
I am asking for your consideration for board membership to Laramie BikeNet. My name is Lars Peterson. My wife and I have lived in Laramie since 2004. During that time, we have taken full advantage of all the mountain biking in the area. Now, I feel like it is time to give back. Over the last couple of years, I have been blown away by the positive effects organized or influenced by Laramie BikeNet. Literally, from the Happy Jack trail system to the School Yard, there have been amazing things happening. These additions will benefit Laramie by increasing tourism, attracting new residents, and promoting healthy lifestyles. I feel like there is more that can be done and want to help. What I would bring to the board is a community member that is passionate about Laramie, loves to ride bikes and wants to give back. Thanks for your consideration.
Erin Philips
I would be honored to have the chance to serve as a board member for Laramie BikeNet. My husband and I moved to Laramie in 2011, and I was immediately taken with the natural beauty, community, and bike culture of Laramie. I work as a research scientist at UW and in addition to mountain biking, I enjoy running, skiing, and spending time with my family, friends, and two dogs. I have spent many happy hours on my bike at Happy Jack and the Schoolyard and in the Snowies. I think that all of the Laramie BikeNet projects and programs are very important for our community. If elected to the board, I would like to focus my energies on trail maintenance projects to ensure that Laramie cyclists continue to have access to world-class trails and to help promote sustainable trail development. Thank you for your consideration.
Maciej Pike-Biegunski
I am writing to express my interest in running for the BikeNet board. I have been an avid cyclist since the age of 13, and I have been involved in numerous facets of cycling including race organization, racing, trailbuilding, skills and race coaching, and working as a bicycle mechanic. My interest in joining the BikeNet board is rooted in my concern for making cycling safe, accessible and enjoyable for all of the members of the Laramie community. That means working towards ensuring that the people of Laramie are able to safely cycle to get to work, run errands, or just going for a spin on their bicycles. I see improving the cycling infrastructure in Laramie as a social justice issue-making navigating Laramie safely via bicycle will enable kids to get to extracurricular activities, college students to get groceries safely, and folks of limited means to safely get to and from their jobs. I hope to help improve on and off-street cycling infrastructure and signage, particularly to allow safer and easier bicycle access from south and west Laramie to vital services like grocery stores and healthcare providers. Thank you for your consideration-I hope to be of service to the Laramie community as a BikeNet board member.
Aaron Ross
My name is Melissa Ross and I would like to nominate Aaron Ross for the Laramie BikeNet Board. Aaron’s cycling career spans over 20 years. He was the President of the UW Cycling team, organized the Mountain West Conference Finals, volunteered as the EMT for bike races, and was active in the Laramie BikeNet. After graduating, Aaron worked for Landry’s Bicycles in Boston where he mentored newbies into the sport. Aaron created and led a club team in the New England area that raced the road and cyclocross series. In 2012, Aaron worked for a cycling wind tunnel facility in Scottsdale, AZ. He helped organize a local Gran Fondo, supported countless teams ranging from amateurs to Olympians, the American Diabetes Association, and continued to grow the local shop team. He has been involved in designing and manufacturing bike wheels. Since returning to Laramie in 2018, Aaron has made an effort to bring a wind tunnel to Laramie and recently launched Link, a new high-performance bike fitting studio. Aaron would be extremely grateful for the opportunity to serve the Laramie cycling community as a board member and would provide exceptional knowledge in working on big projects.
Nancy Sindelar
As one of the original founders of Bike Net, (carrying membership card #2), I started as the commuter bike specialist, helped revive the Dead Dog, was medical and sag for the Enduro route test. I served on the original Greenbelt Committee when it was completed along the river. For 45 years my bike has been my main source of local transportation. I pushed for gaps in the highway rumble strips, and elimination of them on the far lane where a cyclist makes a left turn onto a highway. Currently I’m on the Albany County Clean Water Advocates board, a consensus group successfully lobbied the County Commissioners to strengthen zoning on the aquifer. We cooperated with the Pilot Hill project on the land purchase. I organized for last year’s ACCWA Spring Creek cleanup, working with the City and commercial interests. We are known for long term agendas toward protecting Laramie’s drinking water. I currently chair the Traffic Safety Commission, the first cyclist on board. Currently the TSC is working with the Council, Manager and Engineer t update the bicycle ordinance. I’m advocating to improve traffic light recognition for cyclists and pedestrians (no more beg buttons and hockey pucks), bike lane continuity and the greenbelt.
Casey Wood
I am Casey Wood and I am interested in serving on the Laramie BikeNet Board of Directors. I have been living in Laramie since 1981, and have been an avid bike rider my whole life. I remember riding a Bike-a-Thon (as they were called) in the 1970s on a whim and with no training at all. I was sore, but very happy the next day. I have served previously on the Cycle Wyoming Board and was Vice-President for many years, and also served as a volunteer for the Tour de Wyoming for nearly 20 years. Today, I classify myself as a die-hard roadie, with a growing love for mountain biking on the Schoolyard Trails, and Fat Biking for pleasure in town and on the trails. I also cherish cycling as a family and friends activity, too. I hope I can bring my family-centered approach to cycling to BikeNet Board service. I have ideas about building activities for families and bike newbies to explore cycling and find their niche. I want to support road cycling to a greater degree than at present (the Time Trials, etc. are great!, and I think there is room for growth there). Lastly, I really want to expand the opportunities for quality cycling in and around Laramie that does not require the use of a vehicle to get to the starting line. Laramie is one of the few communities where this is possible.
