America's Next WABA Executive Director

Written with heavy input from Jeff Peel

As reported, Eric Gilliland is ending his 10 year tenure with WABA. With the staff and programs larger than they've ever been, a dedicated board and bicycling on the rise - both on the streets and politically - throughout the region, Eric leaves the organization in a good position. But combined with the retirement of Bicycle Education Program Director Dorcas Adkins, members are right to worry about so much institutional knowledge leaving the organization.

As WABA's board searches for a new Director it's fair to question 'what next?' Will WABA follow the lead of advocacy organizations in New York City and Chicago and add transit and walking to their efforts? Will new leadership come from the region, or from an outside leader looking to lead one of the largest regional bike advocacy organizations in the country? As BikePortland.org did when the Bicycle Transportation Alliance was seeking a new leader, here "is a completely unscientific and unsubstantiated list of local, regional, and national bike superstars who might want to consider throwing their hat in to the ring (or not)."

1.Noah Budnick, Senior Policy Advisor, Transportation Alternatives

Noah has been a powerful force at TA, helping to transform NYC bicycling into a national leader in innovative design. As a board member of the Alliance for Biking & Walking he has made a name for himself throughout the country. Could he duplicate his NYC successes here in DC? Would he give up the Big City to run his own organization?

2.Scott Bricker, Executive Director, Bike Pittsburgh

At the other end of of the C&O/GAP trail lies Pittsburgh. Under Scott's leadership Bike Pittsburgh is a major force in reviving this rust belt town, overseeing new bike parking policies, the hiring of the city's first bike coordinator and a forthcoming bicycle master plan. The real question is, if he switched cities, would he move by bike? 

3.Cheryl Cort, Policy Direct, Coalition for Smarter Growth

Well versed in the issues of transportation and the growth and land use issues that effect them, could Cheryl turn her regional knowledge and connections into a smooth transition?

4.Barbara McCann, Executive Director, Complete Streets Coalition

A former WABA board member and national advocacy leader, DC and the region could benefit from both perspectives. While some may see it as a step backwards, would the lure of working on your home region's issues woo Barbara away?

5.Jonathan Kass, DC Council Committee on Public Works and Transportation

Would Jonathan be willing to take his transportation knowledge and ability to navigate D.C. government bureaucracy to the private, advocacy sector?

6. Mark Plotz, Program Manager, National Center for Biking & Walking

Though softspoken in person, Mark is heard loud and clear in both public design meetings he facilitates and on the race course. Could his combination of knowledge of bicycle planning and connection to the racing community be what WABA needs to broaden its appeal and increase membership?

7. Douglas Stewart, former WABA board president

Douglas' experience in advocacy in Fairfax as well as fundraising could be just what WABA needs to continue to take WABA to the next level. He's currently working as a nonprofit consultant and smart growth advocate in Fairfax County. Would he be willing to make the move?

8. Bruce Wright, WABA board/FABB

Bruce has proven to be a thoughtful spokesperson through FABB and has gained knowledge of programs and procedures through his experience on the WABA board. If chosen as the next leader would it mean a westward shift in the organizations focus?

8.Maggie Thomspson, Assistant Director, Bicycle Colorado

As former WABA Program Manager and now upper management at another advocacy leader, Maggie has what it takes to lead the organization. Would she give up the mountains to move back east?

9.Jack Cochrane, MoBike

A Montgomery County advocacy powerhouse, Jack has the connections to push bicycling forward in Maryland. Like with Bruce, would that mean a shift in focus? 

10. Heather Deutsch, DDOT
with experience from Rails to Trails, and an insider knowledge of DDOT and the connections that includes, Heather would bring a wealth of experience and knowledge, but would she be interested in the management and fund-raising side?

Who else would be a viable candidate?

Comments

[SJE]

If Scott Bricker joins WABA, he could take the C&O canal most of the way here. I think that we could all join in and help him move.

[SJE]

Additional ideas

11. David C (Mr. Washcycle): unfortunately, busy with space stuff and new kids

12. Dave Alpert

[ontarioroader]

Gwadzilla! He'd put some teeth into bicycle advocacy in DC.

[SJE]

...or beard

[Richard Layman]

While I do think that WABA should convert to a more "Transportation Alternatives" kind of model and focus on sustainable transportation, which means walking + transit to the organization, I am not big on 2 of the 3 "DC" specific people you mention.

Similarly, while I am impressed with Bruce Wright, likely the center city should still hold sway.

I am not active in WABA (I am a member) so I am not sure how it's organized, maybe there can be "subdivisions" for NOVA and MoCo-PG as well as DC.

But the issues of walking and biking in suburban jurisdictions is somewhat different from the center city. And there need to be more resources provided to all, in order that overall, sustainable transportation objectives can be better achieved in the Washington Metropolitan area.

[darren]

Sorry to regurg a comment I made on a prior post, but these candidates reflect very diverse backgrounds, and thus infer some big choices to be made about WABA's direction. That's what should happen -- when a longtime leader leaves, there's a HUGE opportunity to ask frank questions about what's working, and where we should go. And these choices should come BEFORE they hire somebody.

If the BTA situation taught anybody anything, it's that the board needs to think these things through, and get membership involved in a defined way. That fine organization that Eric helped build up is capable of holding down the fort for a few months, why not take a bit of time to open the floor to the important questions?

[League Darren]

Great post. Noah would be a huge score for DC.

[bikermark]

Hey, League Darren: I know where you work, and I work on your bike, so watch yourself.

[washcycle]

darren, I'm not sure what the process will be, but it's a good idea to ask the kind of questions you've mentioned. I know the board reviews these annually.

Richard, in talking to Eric he kind of made me think that he saw things that way. MoBike could handle Montgomery County. FABB for Fairfax. Arlington BAC for Arlington. Oxon Hill bike club for Southern PG and WABA focused on DC and anything big eleswhere. Unfortunately, that left some areas out, but there are only so many hours in a day. There is a lot more grass roots to WABA than I think people realize.

[SJE]

Why limit to those who have been working on bike or transporation programs recently? Obviously the person must have the passion, but might have been an excellent leader in another area of advocacy or management and could apply those skills to WABA.

[freewheel]

I vote for Eric Gilliand. Find more money to keep him here.

[Jack]

OK, I knew this list was flawed when I saw my name on it.

But seriously, WABA is incredibly indispensable and Eric doubly so! I hope they'll be able to find someone as good. That would be a good thing, since smaller local groups would have trouble going it alone. Those of us in the grass roots trenches like MoBike depend on WABA to back us up... pitching in, sending alerts, tag-teaming, bringing reputation to the table, having a staff, getting grants, mentoring, and on and on. I'm extremely grateful for all the support Eric has offered to me over the years.