Our Team
We wouldn’t be where we are today without the hard work of our Chapters, members, partners, and staff. Thank you to all the incredible people that work behind the scenes to keep our organization running smoothly.
Nick Bennette
Executive Director
Nick is a dad, environmentalist, recovering consultant, and passionate mountain biker. He’s most happy out in the woods, popping off roots and rocks and searching for fun lines. Outside of work, Nick is either keeping up with his 9-year old or out on the trail, typically combining those things as much as possible. Once the weather turns, Nick tries to get in as much skiing and fat biking as he can, and his family has (mostly) converted him into a cozy-weather board gamer. Nick’s favorite thing about working for VMBA is the people. “Every single person in our organization is passionate about strengthening access and sustainable stewardship. It’s awesome to work so closely with Chapter leadership, partners, and volunteers rooted in that same passion.” Most importantly, favorite trail snack. There’s no one answer for Nick, regardless, he strongly prefers ‘real’ food and the default is to whip together a ‘mega sandwich’ – peanut butter, banana, honey, and chia seeds.
Joe Gaynor
Programs & Partnerships Manager
Joe originally grew up in Connecticut and moved to Vermont to attend Champlain College. After college he had the opportunity to work for some great Vermont brands. Then was fortunate enough to start a family here and show them all the reasons why he moved. During Joe’s spare time, he likes to ride bikes with his family and snowboard during the winter. Joe’s favorite thing about working for VMBA is “the positive impact on the trails I have enjoyed for years and hopefully make it an even better place for my kids.” And his favorite trail snack? Sour gummy bears!
Amy Potter
Operations Manager
Originally from NH, Amy started exploring Vermont’s mountains while attending UVM. After graduating with a degree in Animal Science, she thru-hiked the Long Trail, which influenced her to make a career change towards the Green Mountain Club to help connect other people with the outdoors. While there, she learned a lot about non-profits and Vermont’s trail systems. Her greatest adventure is introducing her two young children to biking, hiking, and skiing. Amy loves working for VMBA because she’s “excited to be working for an organization that is dedicated to making mountain biking in Vermont more inclusive and accessible, which will allow for more people to experience the benefits of getting outdoors.” Lastly, her favorite trail snack is fruit snacks, which she always has stashed away for any hangry children (or adults).
Dean Havelock
Marketing and Communications Manager
Bikes have been at the forefront of Dean’s love for the outdoors, dating back to following his dad around the local state park with training wheels. These early memories have evolved into a passion for everything under the sun, including all shapes of cycling, skiing both on and off piste, trail running across the country’s high peaks, and climbing rocks local to his home in Stowe. He took to the mountains, moving to Vermont to pursue a degree in Marketing at the University of Vermont. Over the years, Dean has gained experience with many local brands in the outdoor industry, including the Alpine Shop, Ranch Camp & MTBVT, and Mad River Glen. His favorite thing about working for VMBA is “engaging with a rock solid team of riders and advocates across the state committed to making Vermont the best place to ride!” Most importantly, his favorite trail snack is anything with a high sugar content, like honey, maple syrup, or sour patch kids.
Adam Morse
Fellowship of the Wheel Director
Since the age of 3, stories of burning holes in shoes and busted “Big Wheels” from sliding around the neighborhood ruled his childhood. A lifetime lover of all things bicycles has led him to the role of Director for FOTW. He lives in Richmond, VT, and began his journey with FOTW as a board member in 2016. Throughout his time prior to FOTW, cycling has taken many different paths from bicycle sales & service to trail building, multi-discipline competition, event promotion and volunteerism. Mountain biking has made such a positive impact in Adam’s life from connectivity with nature, to social outlets, world travel, personal limits, relaxation, endless smiles and so much more. As such, his favorite part about working for VMBA/FOTW is the opportunity to contribute to the creation of any number of these experiences for all those who use our trails. With his spare time, Adam has been really into planning out and tending to a garden. Harvesting crops throughout the summer and transforming it into new recipes has been rewarding! For his favorite trail snack, any variety of the sugar-coated gummy family, quick burning fuel to keep the legs burning and the pedals turning
Kim Stinson
Ridgeline Outdoor Collective Director
From Vermont to Alaska, outdoor recreation has always played a pivotal role in Kim’s life. Growing up in New Hampshire and actively involved in equestrian sports, skiing and hiking, Kim went on to obtain her BS in Environmental Science from Johnson State College with a focus on natural resources. Soon after graduating, she made the move to Alaska where she spent a decade skiing as much as possible! Her passion for skiing was further supported by her professional avalanche safety training, emergency medical certifications, and involvement in search and rescue operations, eventually leading to her training her own avalanche rescue dog, Echo. When Kim moved back to Vermont in 2013, she traded her time on skis for time on her bike! This launched her into the MTB industry locally where she has worked as the Director for both Grafton Trails & Outdoor Center, and the Catamount Outdoor Family Center, while also serving as a VMBA Board member for several years. Kim is no stranger to nonprofit operations and as the current Executive Director for Ridgeline, her most rewarding part of working for the organization is seeing & hearing about the connection people have with the trails while allowing them to ignite their own personal connection to the resource. Outside of “work” time, Kim can be found supporting her daughter’s passion for competitive horseback riding, and managing her “way too big” garden at home. And, when on the trails you’ll find her enjoying her favorite snacks of gummies and a good trail mix too!
Bec Wojtecki
Richmond Mountain Trails Director
A former New Yorker, Bec discovered the fun of mountain biking after moving to Vermont in 2019. After working for years as a pediatric nurse and taking a break to hang out with her two awesome kids, Bec returned to the workforce with an interest in non-profits. She was able to combine a love of outdoor recreation and interest in community-based non-profits when she took on the role of Director of RMT in 2022. When she’s not working or riding her bike, Bec loves hiking in the woods with her dog, skiing in the winter with her family, and building Lego masterpieces with kids. Bec has found working for VMBA/RMT to be an incredible experience thus far. With the camaraderie of the outdoor community and time on the trails, collaborating with board members and volunteers to reach the trail-building and fundraising goals for the season hardly feels like work! Bec is proud of the work VMBA/RMT is doing to create inclusive trails and is grateful to be a part of that mission. Bec doesn’t have a favorite trail snack; she’s more focused on the après ride food! Bring on the tacos.
Kenzie Brunner
Stowe Trails Partnership Director
Originally from Michigan, Kenzie moved to Vermont after falling in love with the Green Mountain State while hiking the Appalachian Trail. Kenzie’s educational background is in psychology and sociology of recreation, which has fueled over 15 years of work in the outdoor industry. She believes every person, no matter their skill or background, should have equal access to the trails. She resides in Stowe with her husband and dogs. During her spare time, you’ll find her out on the trails riding or running during the summer, or in the backcountry skiing/nordic skiing in the winter. She is also President of Mansfield Backcountry Alliance, a local backcountry ski advocacy organization. She loves spending time with her two dogs and husband exploring all Vermont has to offer from peaks to bakeries, and beyond. She loves working for Stowe Trails Partnership because, “It’s exciting to be a part of an organization that is making a broad impact in recreation. I love hearing the ideas, dreams, and insights from all walks of life associated with mountain biking in Vermont.” Finally, Kenzie always has a pack full of snacks, but tends to refuels with gummy worms or Naak!
Courtney Behnken
Slate Valley Trails Operations Director
Courtney was an art teacher for 15 years in Maryland before joining VMBA/SVT. She fell in love with VT when she first did a 1K-mile bicycle tour from MD to VT with her (now) husband and VT has remained a special place in their hearts and are so excited to be living here, being part of our community, and planting roots. Outside of work, Courtney enjoys going on long gravel rides, mountain biking, working in her garden or cooking delicious food with friends. Courtney loves working for VMBA/SVT because she has met some incredible people and has really loved being able to get out there and engage the local community. To see people and kids empowered by moving their bodies outdoors in nature on trails has got to be one of Courtney’s favorite things about working for VMBA/SVT. Her favorite trail snack is probably peanut butter crackers. If she needs a sugar hit, her go to is maple syrup, of course.
Steve Petrik
Southern Vermont Trails Association Director
One of Steve’s main goals at SoVTA is to provide recreational life experiences that people might otherwise not have the opportunity to participate in due to barriers of entry. A fun fact about Steve is that he got frostbite on his hands while using a flamethrower. Outside of work, he is building more trails and backcountry zones for everyone to enjoy. When he has the time, he can be found fly fishing on the many streams and rivers in the area. Steve loves working for VMBA because, “I wanted to find a way to share my love the outdoors with the people of our community and visitors to the area.” His favorite trail snacks? Cured Italian meats and fruit.
Huge thanks as well to all the seasonal staff that help our Chapters build and maintain trails, run youth programs, engage their communities, and more! Interested in working for VMBA? Keep an eye on our blog and social media for any open positions.