The VMBA Board of Directors has three (3) open board seats to appoint to a three-year term beginning April 1, 2022, with the current Board Treasurer, John Ringer, seeking to remain in his seat for a second term. In accordance with VMBA Bylaws, the current Board of Directors has nominated a slate of candidates for the membership to consider and vote on prior to the VMBA Annual Meeting on March 24th. Board Members help steer the direction of VMBA and are vital in setting the strategic plan. The current Board is particularly interested in adding individuals with fundraising and marketing expertise as well as those with a passion to help VMBA advance diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Please find below statements from each candidate and, if you are either a 2021/22 or 2022/23 VMBA member, follow the link below to cast your ballot by 3pm, March 22nd!
Running For Re-election
John Ringer (Waterbury)
John is wrapping up his first three-year term with the VMBA Board. By day, John is a Director of Carbon Market Development at the American Forest Foundation, where he oversees a team responsible for scaling market development of the Family Forest Carbon Program. On the VMBA board, John has deftly applied his experience in business strategy, finance, and stakeholder engagement as VMBA’s Treasurer. During his tenure, VMBA has steadily grown its Rainy-Day fund, successfully navigated the pandemic’s financial uncertainties, and built a strong financial position that has enabled the organization to grow and invest more actively in supporting Chapters and advocating for mountain biking in Vermont.
The VMBA Board and Staff wholeheartedly endorse John to continue his successful track record as Treasurer and encourage the membership to re-elect him to a second term.
Running For Open Seats (3)
Quinn Keating (Jericho)
Hi, I’m Quinn. I’m a middle school Tech Ed teacher at Camels Hump Middle School in Richmond where I also run the after-school mountain bike club. When my wife and I first arrived in Vermont twenty years ago, we worked with the Green Mountain Club as summit caretakers on Camels Hump and Mansfield; an experience that truly galvanized our love for this little state and the recreational opportunities it provides. Since then, I’ve had opportunities in both the conservation and non-profit sectors to further solidify my knowledge and understanding of what it really takes to ensure that Vermont’s landscapes continue to play an integral role in the lives of those that call them home. And now, as a teacher, I find myself in the unique and enviable position to share that passion with the next generation of stewards.
Last year I had the chance to serve as a VBMA Ambassador and had a blast. Looking ahead, I’m really excited about the possibility of helping VMBA forward its mission as a board member. I’m passionate about mountain biking, Vermont, and the sustainable relationship between the two. I bring a levelheaded decision making philosophy, a fair and equitable approach to problem solving, and a love of connecting with people. Thanks for your consideration.
Tim Maher (Essex Junction)
Tim Maher is the Director of Brand Strategy at Fuse Marketing in Winooski, VT where he has helped his clients communicate with their consumers effectively for over a decade. Tim leverages his marketing expertise, collaborative leadership, and unparalleled project management to build strategies and execute activation plans for his clients.
Tim is excited to apply his professional experience and passion for mountain biking to help guarantee a sustainable future for trail riding in Vermont. By building awareness of VMBA and creating a community among outdoor enthusiasts, landowners, and partners, Tim wants to help VMBA remain proactive in encouraging MTB advocacy and opportunity.
Tim lives in Essex Junction with his wife Sarah and their puppy dog Josie. He takes full advantage of the Vermont outdoors and is an avid mountain biker, cyclist, and skier. Tim received his BS in Marketing from Pennsylvania State University and his MBA from Champlain College.
From riding the world-class trails of chapters throughout the state over the years, Tim has gained a huge appreciation for VMBA and the impact the organization has on outdoor recreation in Vermont. He is looking forward to working with VMBA and the mountain bike community.
Scott McCamp (Waitsfield)
My love of biking started at a young age with a bright orange coaster brake Huffy. As a teen my summer nights were spent at Catamount and winter evenings at Talent Skate Park’s bike nights. Fast forward a few moons and I graduated from the University of Vermont in 2012 with a degree in Environmental Studies and a minor in Parks, Recreation & Tourism. My degree focused on environmental education and public sector tourism which allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of the harmony VMBA seeks to create within their vision. As a digital marketing performance manager I can help market and grow VMBA sustainability in our digital world. If selected to the board I will work to maintain VMBAs vision through education, advocacy & on trail experiences. It would be an honor to help create more outdoor recreational opportunities for all.
I’m a Vermont resident of 24 years with a deep love for mountain biking. Given the huge rise in popularity of the sport, I’d love the opportunity to help keep Vermont the mountain biking mecca that it is in a way that’s respectful to the community we rely on as riders, while preserving the public and private land we ride on. VMBA’s mission lines up with what I want to see happen in this state, and joining the Board of Directors is one way for me to help the organization achieve their goals.
I have 20+ years of experience in Marketing. I started my career as a designer and continue to design and work on brand identity in my freelance business. I’ve worked as a Production & Project Manager for Champlain College Marketing for nearly 8 years, managing the workflow of 400+ projects/year, managing projects, working with budgets, and working with the team and leadership to plan annual communication strategies—all critical for meeting enrollment goals. I’m currently moving into an Operation & Systems Management position where I’ll develop and implement processes to streamline workflow. I believe these skills would make me invaluable as a member of the Board.
Charlotte Parsons (Colchester)
Empowerment and community. That’s what mountain biking brings to my life, in spades. I want to join the Board because I want to share the stoke, help build a more inviting and inclusive community, and advocate for the sustainable use and preservation of our state’s amazing recreational resources. Mostly, I want to listen – to members, to Chapters, to our communities – to learn how VMBA can continue to expand Vermont’s flourishing MTB community to best serve all riders.
Originally a flatlander, I’ve called Vermont home since 2007. I live in Colchester and am the Corporate Secretary for Evernorth, a nonprofit developer of affordable housing in ME, NH, and VT. I am deeply passionate about developing a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusiveness, and I am a founding member of Evernorth’s Culture Committee. I have a BS and MA in Teaching from James Madison University and an MS in Healthcare Administration from Champlain College. I have extensive experience in communications, event planning, donor relations, community outreach, finance, marketing, and fundraising. Besides my passion for mountain biking, I love camping, hiking, traveling, swimming holes, and spending time with my family. See you on the trails!
Carla Quandel (Stowe)
Hi, I’m Carla Quandel. I have a degree in IST from Penn State and I have worked as a project manager in the fields of technology and commercial construction. I currently work in the software development industry as a Senior Director of Program Management. I moved to Vermont when my significant other took a job at a bike shop in Stowe. We live and breathe mountain biking, as well as several other outdoor activities like hiking, skiing, horseback riding and trail running. I held the position of Executive Director for our local trail association back in PA, and I want to continue contributing to the greater good of our new community. Doing so through the MTB community has been very rewarding. Some of my focus areas were on sponsorship and committees facilitating member involvement, creating more volunteer opportunities for members, conducting member surveys and analyzing trends, and facilitating relationships with land managers. I also contributed to two major trail restoration projects.
Meryl Willett (East Burke)
I’m Meryl Willett — Communications and Marketing Coordinator at Burke Mountain Academy. In my early career, I was a broadcast journalist and a brand storyteller for social entrepreneurs and have since worked in marketing and communications for independent schools for seven years.
Living in East Burke, VT, you will find me in the woods with my dogs, MacGyver and Kaya, or on my mountain bike. At 30 + years of age, I now ski! If biking has taught me anything, it’s that doing scary things can be rewarding and – mostly – fun.
VMBA has been a vital conduit for so many in the mountain biking community. It would be a privilege to support their essential work bringing together businesses, community leaders, local chapters, and riders in and beyond Vermont as stakeholders in the sport’s future. I’ve been a biker for eight years, and I attribute getting on a bike for the first time and finding a passion for the sport to organizations like VMBA and the fantastic community I gained as a result.
My position at BMA focuses on fundraising communications, social media, marketing, public relations, and our website. I would be thrilled to leverage my professional skills to support VMBA’s mission.