Introduction

I’d like to begin with some thank-yous starting with David Meek. I have a tough job ahead filling David’s shoes. He’s done superb work for the Club, and I know we are all grateful for his dedication.

Thank you also to Melissa Taylor and the Christmas Party committee for putting together such a wonderful event. They put countless hours into planning, tracking down gifts and prizes, and making it all look easy.

I don’t see any fundamental shifts in direction for the Club. We’re on solid financial footing, membership is growing, and we have continuity in most key positions.

George Perry continues as treasurer, a position he has graciously held for years and helping ensure financial accountability and responsibility. Joe Nivert continues his role as road ride coordinator, a task to which he has brought dedication and creativity for the past two years. Colleen Carboni still works hard to get Chattanooga on the road as commuting director. Joan Thompson remains as vice president, although it’s likely we won’t see much of her again until after tax season.

Del Sudkamp stays on as newsletter editor—perhaps the toughest officer position with the possible exception (at least once a year) of Wendy Richardson’s role as heading the nominating committee (it’s tough when most people say “no!”).

Cat Thornton and Kelvin Hale will serve as co-education directors, a role that Cheryl Shouse has performed with great commitment for several years. Carol Zitzow takes over from Amy French as secretary.

Of course, Daisy continues as communications director and webmaster, a title that gives only the slightest hint of her many responsibilities that help keep our Club alive, functioning and thriving.

Recognizing that the 3-State 3 Mountain Challenge has grown beyond volunteer-only status, the Club engaged an experienced, professional 3-State event director, Dawn Salyer, who has proven her commitment as a Club member for years and her talents as an event coordinator with the Smoky Mountain Wheelmen and our own Sequatchie Valley Century last October. While we now have a paid, professional event director, it does not diminish our need for volunteers. Please watch this newsletter and your email for information on how you can help us build the 3-State’s reputation as one of the top centuries in the country.

While much of the next year will be business as usual, I will make a few recommendations at our next membership meeting on Monday, February 19:

• “Job” descriptions for club officers so that we have more continuity from year to year

• Creation of a “president-elect” position so that future presidents have an extended learning and transition period, and the club has the stability of knowing who its future leader will be

• Creation of a “publicity coordinator” position to encourage more local media coverage of our events, activities and accomplishments

• Expansion of the membership coordinator’s role to include ways not only to increase membership but to expand members’ involvement in the Club’s activities and events – and to ensure that the Club’s activities and events better meet members’ needs

Outgoing president David suggested you might like to know a bit more about me.

I’m 52, single and live in North Chattanooga. I ride a two-year-old Jamis Satellite road bike (my first major bike purchase in more than a decade) and probably rode around 3,000 miles last year (I don’t keep track). My average speed on most rides falls between 14 and 17 mph. I’m a social rider and use cycling as my primary fitness tool.

I was born in Rhode Island and lived there and in Massachusetts before moving to Chattanooga. I attended high school at Phillips Academy, Andover, in Massachusetts and graduated from Wesleyan University in Connecticut with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in German in 1976. I worked in public relations and communications for most of my professional life and owned a small publishing and PR firm in the late 80s. In 1992, I joined Paul Revere Insurance Group, which was acquired a few years later by what was then Provident.

In 1997 Provident gave me a choice of being based in Massachusetts or Chattanooga, and the company was kind enough to let me get a taste of Chattanooga for six months in corporate apartments before I decided. In great part because of the bicycle community here I made the easy decision to move.

My first friends in Chattanooga and some of my dearest friends anywhere are in the Chattanooga Bicycle Club. One of my favorite expressions is that friends are the family you choose. There are so many of you in the Club who are my family. I hope I can give back even a fraction of what the Club has given to me.

For most of my professional life I was also a freelance travel writer focusing on European destinations. Whenever possible, I did my research by bike, as I found that bicycle touring is often the best way to get to know a country and its people.

After I lost my job at Provident nearly five years ago, I tried a few options but ended combining two passions–bicycling and travel–into a business. I now own a bike tour company and last year spent nearly two months bicycling in Europe. I’m putting final touches on this article while in the midst of packing for 10 days in Austria and Hungary. Life could be worse.

Please try to attend our monthly meeting on February 19 at 6:00 p.m. at the Downtown YMCA. You’re also welcome to attend a transition meeting with the outgoing and incoming boards on February 12, also at 6:00 p.m. at the Y. Many of us grab something to eat afterwards – the Club pays.

I’ll see you there or on the road.

Jim