QRCA, qathet regional cycling association

QRCA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The board of directors are the decision makers driving association direction and policy. They work closely with local stakeholders and policymakers, including local, provincial, and federal governments, and tourism operators to help grow cycling access and infrastructure. The board meets regularly (every 1-2 months) and each board member commits roughly 3 – 10+ hours per month depending on the role and season. All roles are currently filled by volunteers.

president

Brad Winchell: Bio Coming Soon…

vice-president

Alston Miller: I am currently the qRCA vice-president. I have also helped to lead and organize the Monday night rides for the past four years, have been an active member of the Chain Gang for the past five years and have sat on the Mahoney climb working group (first as a qRCA member and now as the vice president) for the past year. Outside of qRCA, I volunteer as the president of the Powell River Community Foundation (president for three years and on the board for six) and as an off-ice office volunteer for Powell River Minor Hockey. My goals for the qRCA include, completing and endorsing our strategic plan, aligning the qRCA 2022-2023 goals, outcomes and indicators with the strategic plan, establishing qRCA specific bylaws rather than diverting to the one’s solely mentioned in the Societies Act of BC, completing the Mahoney Climb trail consultation and trail identification project and moving it towards the procurement process for building, identifying and repairing local trails and infrastructure, helping with the s56 and s57 process and identifying and obtaining insurance that meets the needs of our membership ad projects.

secretary

Caitlyn Best: Bio Coming Soon…

treasurer

Patricia Winchell: I was involved with the club many years ago as the WW (Wild Women) Director organizing women’s specific mountain bike rides and events. Two years ago I re-joined the board in the role of Treasurer and I would like to continue to give back to the community in this role. With my CPA designation and work experience in accounting and finance I think I can really contribute to the success of the club. QRCA has so many projects and initiatives in the works that I am excited to support and be a part of.

Director of Government/indigenous relations + advocacy

Craig Galligos: Born and Raised in the Tla’amin Territory I am excited to have the opportunity to continue building relationships between the Local nation and the Association.  I look forward to working together at building and maintaining all that our territory has to offer and to help grow the sport of cycling within the community.

Director of Trails

Jordan Marciniak

Director of communications + branding

Miles Arbour: I work as a writer and tech editor in the cycling industry, which means I’m not only up to date with current cycling trends but also spend a lot of my time communicating with cyclists. I have enjoyed being at the forefront of QRCA’s rebrand and look forward to continue developing the association’s image and following.

Director of events

Carl Hanson: Moving away from my home town of Powell River and then moving back in 2018, I feel like I have a good picture of what the olden days were and what is new and exciting to come. I have been heavily involved in the mountain bike scene since moving back and have welcomed and toured many out-of-towners I’ve met on the trails. I can see this area turning into a mountian bike mecca over the next ten years and beyond. I would love to help shape that and get more people stoked on biking! I have experience with social media and have an eye for videography. My current work is largely decision making and managing people and projects. My unofficial resume may also include beverage consultant. Cheers!

Director of fundraising

Mike Chadwick : Previously was a race director for a trail running series on the lower Sunshine Coast. Thus use to marketing, sponsorships, permitting and seeing the impact that sport has to communities with bringing people together, impacting health. Would love to try and get more financial support for QRCA as they do a great job.

Director of membershiP & Volunteers

C Chad Warford: Having embraced several modes of biking in the qRD and reaped the benefits of the hard work the community does to make this a great place to move on two wheels, I want to give back. It has been a long time since I have made a contribution to any volunteer efforts, and while my primary strengths are as an educator, I have, as a baseline, strong organizational, communication, and information conduit skills which I can lend. Initially, I would like to serve as a director at large in order to find the best fit for my skills and capacity in the context of the QRCA’s needs, with a view to taking a more active role in a defined position in the future. I could probably do an adequate job of Events or Volunteers if those positions have no other candidates, but would also relish being directed as extra capacity for other directors when needed.

Director of active transportation

Chris Lightfoot: I am  interested in helping establish more safe, easy and enjoyable paths for cycling across qathet so people aged 8 through 80 feel comfortable choosing to cycle to wherever they like/need to go. Streets that are designed to safely accommodate walking, rolling and biking contribute to our community’s physical, social and economic well-being. I’m excited to meet and work with others who would like to see better cycling across qathet. 

Directors at large

Ty Bourassa: Trail builder, mountain biker, previous board member. I want to help find a common ground with trail building and the legalization process. A step by step process that makes trail applications/legalization user friendly and motivates more builders to come forward.

Hillary Marciniak: Bio Coming Soon…