New WABA Executive Director: Shane Farthing

May 25, 2010 – The Washington Area Bicyclist Association is pleased to announce the appointment of its new Executive Director Shane Farthing.  The organization completed a thorough and extensive nation-wide search and selection process. 

“WABA was able to attract many well-qualified and highly motivated applicants for the position,” explains WABA Board President Barbara Klieforth.  “Shane impressed us as a leader with vision and a lot of knowledge, energy, and passion for bicycling as well as equity among all modes of transportation.  He is well-versed in DC lore and clearly capable of working with a wide variety of people.  We are fortunate to have him!”

Shane Farthing is a lawyer, policy analyst, weekday bicycle commuter, and weekend recreational cyclist.  Formerly the head of the Office of Green Economy within the District of Columbia’s Department of the Environment, Shane has been involved in the environmental planning and development of many of the projects currently changing the face of the District.  In addition to his detailed understanding of infrastructure and land development policy, Shane comes to WABA with an understanding of the larger social and environmental benefits of cycling. 

“I'm excited to have the opportunity to come to WABA and continue the important work this organization has been engaged in over the past years,” says Shane.  “As a longtime member, I have always appreciated WABA's advocacy efforts, and I hope that, with the strong foundation laid by the current staff and by the prior Executive Director, my skills will help take the organization to the next level.  As cycling grows in popularity and is embraced by policymakers as a component of smarter urban growth, I hope WABA will be a valuable resource and a leader in making the DC metro area a safer, healthier, more livable region.”

When not biking, Shane spends his time kayaking, camping, following the slow-but-steady improvement of the Nationals, and trying to make his 1912 rowhouse “greener” on the cheap. Shane possesses graduate degrees in law and public policy from the George Washington University and a Bachelor’s degree in Religious Studies from Virginia.  He is admitted to the New York Bar.

Shane will assume his executive director responsibilities with WABA on June 3rd.

Comments

[CyclingFool]

...and trying to make his 1912 rowhouse “greener” on the cheap

Let the jokes begin about Penny(pinching) Farthing! ;-)

Seriously, though, congrats to Shane and WABA. Sounds like a good pick to me.

[contrarian]

Sounds like a serious pick. I was very worried that there would be a leadership vacuum at WABA but it looks like things will be in capable hands.

[Eric_W.]

This sounds very promising!

Best of luck to Shane Farthing! (No funny remarks on the name from me ;-))

[freewheel]

Congrats to Shane. I hope he can continue the significant progress made by his predecessor.