We are pleased to introduce you to the 2016-18 board candidates. This talented list of passionate mountain bikers ranges from long-time NWTA volunteers to new names bringing a unique perspective and list of qualifications to the team.
KARALYN ARONOW
My name is Karalyn; I am a mountain biker, rock climber, and pet lover. Originally hailing from Florida, I am happy to finally be living in Oregon and strive to get out to natural areas as frequently as possible. I have a background in academia, holding two Master’s degrees – one in Biological Science and the other in Animal Behavior. I am currently serving as the Director of a Portland-based nonprofit and enjoy being able to use my background to make a difference locally! Mountain biking is a new(ish) love in my life, though I have fully immersed myself in the culture and community. I am excited to “share the stoke” with others who are new to the sport and look forward to becoming more involved with NWTA in order to give back to our region’s wonderful mountain biking.
I’m interested in serving on the board so that I can give back to the mountain biking community. I bring experience in nonprofits, grant writing, education, and social media outreach that I believe would be beneficial to NWTA. Additionally, I’m excited to share the joys of mountain biking with more members of the local communities!
INGA BECK
Inga loves mountain biking; so much that she felt inclined to give back to the sport that makes her so happy. First working for the International Mountain Bicycling Association as part of the Trail Care Crew Program with her partner Jason Van Horn, she had the opportunity to travel and experience trails all over the U.S. and Canada. After IMBA, she returned to a more conventional existence though she continues to give back to her favorite sport. She volunteered with the Bicycle Trails Council of the East Bay as their Membership Director and ride leader for the monthly women’s Ride Like a Girl rides, the San Francisco Urban Riders as their Community Manager, and the Bay Area LUNA Chix Mountain Bike Team leading monthly women’s rides and clinics.
She is on her fifth year working with Bikeskills.com as their Marketing Manager and Instructor. She has also spent the last 8 years contributing to Bermstyle.com as an editor and doing PR and Marketing. She is currently the Marketing Coordinator/Community Liason for Western Bikeworks/Velotech, Inc.
She loves (and owns) bikes of all genres, but is most excited to hit the trail. You can find her pedaling just about anywhere in Portland, and on her time off can be found riding at Sandy Ridge, Post Canyon or exploring a new trail.
JOCELYN GAUDI
I’ve been an off-road cyclist for 8+ years and an active NWTA member for 6+ years. I work for Portland Design Works as marketing manager. I’m on the City of Portland Bicycle Advisory committee and am on the Board of Directors for the Friends of Gateway Green. I also volunteer as a co-host on the KBOO Bike Show. I’m an ambassador for Juliana Bicycles and founded the Komorebi Cycling Team to promote off-road adventure cycling to women.
I’m interested in serving as a liaison between the NWTA and the Friends of Gateway Green as well as the Bicycle Advisory Committee. It’s important that these organizations are working together to promote off-road cycling in Portland and beyond. Further, I believe the next two years are going to be big for our group – with trails being built at Gateway Green and in the North Tualatin Mountains and the Off-Road Cycling Master Plan being developed – it’s likely well have a significantly growing audience over the next couple of years. I want to be a part of helping the growth be successful and sustainable. As the currently Trail Patrol lead and Sandy Ridge, I’d also like to work on building that group – both in size and capabilities – during my time on the board.
DAN POWELL
I’m originally from Michigan, but I’ve been in Portland since 2008. I’ve been working in the cycling industry since 2007 as a shop and race mechanic, Bike Magazine intern and contributor and more recently a tech and marketing professional for Saris/Cyclops and Planet Bike before co-founding Portland Design Works (PDW) in 2008. I’ve done trail work (and organized trail days) in 6 different States, and I’ve ridden bikes all over the country and the world. I don’t have all of the answers, but I’ve seen a variety of trail systems work in a number of cities. I believe Portland can have great trails, and great access.
JAMESON WATTS
My name is Jameson Watts and I am interested in the board of directors position for NWTA. I am currently a marketing professor in the business school at Willamette University with a focus on digital and social media marketing. This expertise and perspective could be useful to NWTA in your member outreach, interactions with the city and with the public at large. Prior to academia, I worked as a web developer (and manager of web developers) for about 10 years.
I am also an avid mountain biker with more than 17 years of riding experience in cross country, downhill, park, jumps etc. In fact, back in 2005, I was one of the first riders to shovel dirt for the Black Rock trails in Falls City. Since then I have lived in Boulder Colorado and Tucson Arizona where I was actively involved in the local mtb communities and their unique struggles to secure and maintain trail.