Appointments to the Board of Directors are volunteer positions. Members are expected to participate in fundraising events, support our endeavors, and seek out opportunities to further the growth of the organization. As the four A2A riders/directors begin the inaugural bike tour for the charity, we would like to thank all who have donated their time and diligently served to help make this all happen. In just one year, Biking for a Better World has grown immensely, touched thousands of people, and raised over $20,000. Together we are building a project that will propel the organization into a bright future of reaching out to those in need throughout the world.
Jake has been serving as President of Biking for a Better World since January, 2006, when the organization was formed. He was inspired to create the charity after completing two successful bike tour fundraisers. The first, Buffalo to Burbank, took place in 2001 and benefitted Cradle Beach Camp, a summer camp for disabled children in Angola, New York. Jake and his friend, Dave Muirhead, raised over $20,000 for the camp through their cross-country ride. On the second tour from Lake Tahoe to Austin, Texas, Jake pedaled with a team of four which included current rider/director, Duncan Sisson and benefitted the Lance Armstrong Foundation. They rode over two thousand miles in twenty-four days during October of 2003. The dream of Alaska to Argentina grew out of these experiences and has gradually become reality during his time as a resident of Lake Tahoe. Jake also holds a B.A. in English from Hartwick College in Oneonta, New York, and is currently working on a memoir detailing his trip across the country that he hopes to have published by 2009.
Duncan played a major role in the establishment of Biking for a Better World. He first got a taste for tour planning and fundraising in 2003 when he and Jake, a long time friend and riding partner, organized a tour from Tahoe to Texas to benefit the Lance Armstrong Foundation. The team of four raised over $5000 through their ride and completed more than two thousand miles in twenty four days. Biking for a Better World's Alaska to Argentina bike tour is Duncan's second. The idea of establishing a non profit and being involved in such a ride was irresistable. He not only has experience pedaling but also understands the preparation needed to successfully fundraise and plan bike tours.
Duncan graduated from Hartwick College in 2002, and holds a B.A. in Philosophy. Shortly thereafter, he made the move to Lake Tahoe, CA and now calls it home. For the past two seasons Duncan has been a Professional Ski Patroller at Alpine Meadows, CA. Due to the Alaska to Argentina tour, he will have to take a season off from patrolling but plans to continue upon his return.
Brooks has been assisting the A2A team since the summer of 2006. As President of CHARITYSMITH, he has offered his insight and experience to the structure of Biking for a Better World. Brooks was also key in the nomination of A2A for a grant from the Goran Kropp Memorial Fund, a division of the CHARITYSMITH. (In the summer of 2006, the A2A team received this grant supporting their journey.) In addition to serving as President of CHARITYSMITH, Brooks has a Masters of Science from MCP Hahnemann University and a Medical Doctorate from the University of Utah. He completed his internship at UCSF-East Bay and is currently a resident and medical researcher in Anesthesia and Pain Management at Stanford University.
Tim McLaughlin met the A2A team through a mutual friend in February 2007. He quickly jumped on board to head up Biking for a Better World's website design and maintenance. After graduating from the University of Missouri with degrees in Business\Administration and International Studies in 1998, Tim moved to California to become a Silicon Valley millionaire. Just before the bubble burst, he moved to Tahoe, and his caviar dreams came to a screeching halt. After a couple of Tahoe winters, he moved to Japan to teach English for two years. Back in Tahoe, he now leads multisport tours around California and walks the tightrope between work and play.
Paula began volunteering for Biking for a Better World during the summer of 2006 after learning about the organization from the A2A team. Having experience with educational organizations and a background in environmental science, Paula decided to contribute her time and skills to help the A2A team succeed.
Paula has her undergraduate degree in zoology and anthropology from North Dakota State University and her teaching credential in biology from Sierra Nevada College. She currently works for North Tahoe High and Middle school teaching newcomer students and coaching track and field.
During the A2A tour, Paula will be supporting the team by continuing their fundraising efforts and handling all donations. She will also help promote the project and supply the team with equipment and travel needs.
Bill first got involved with the A2A project in March 2007. While attending one of the fundraisers, Bill decided to make a generous contribution to the team by purchasing their bikes. As an avid sports enthusiast, including skiing, bicycling, rock climbing, hiking, and kayaking, Bill was immediately drawn to Biking for a Better World's mission. He is also a conservationist with an emphasis on land preservation and has set aside hundreds of acres in "forever wild" status.
Now retired, Bill has served as Chairman of the Board for both Penn Federal Financial Services, Inc. and Penn Federal Savings Bank. He is currently Chairman of the Board and CEO of John Young Realty/GMAC.