Become a Board Member |
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Who We Are
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Jay Tatara:
Serving on the Board of Open Roads is an opportunity to stay involved in youth development in Kalamazoo. I am a life long bicyclist. I love getting more people on bicycles and see the work we do at Open Roads as a step toward making bicycles accessible to more people in our community. Ethan Alexander: I am a board member and the founder of Open Roads. I have a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology, and 10 years of experience in child and family therapy. I have worked in home-based programs, day treatment facilities, as well as residential and in-patience psychiatric programs. Currently, I serve as a Culture and Climate Specialist at Kalamazoo RESA. I specialize in classroom management training and coaching. Most of all, bikes are a source of joy, freedom, and independence. I feel honored to be a part of Open Roads. Paul Runnels: I have been a bicyclist since my college days in the 1970's and I still have the bike I had then and it's still rideable thanks to the Open Roads Bike Program! I became aware of Open Roads in 2017 when my neighbor pointed me in its direction and I am committed to our mission of engaging and empowering local youth through bicycles. I am proud of the dedication and initiative of our staff to the Open Roads Bike Program. It is a wonderful organization and I am honored to be a part of it! Laura McCoy: I’ve been with Open Roads since 2020. I’m in my 30th year as an educator with KPS and I’ve taught 3-6th grade, Adult Education and as a Math and Literacy Coach. I’m also the mother of two wonderful kids and two grand-kids. My favorite part of Open Roads is the sense of belonging it provides, empowering youth through life skills and the love of cycling. It’s such an amazing place with a great staff. Sean Rose: Jack of all trades. Master of none. What I like most about cycling is the sense of freedom it brings, the exercise, camaraderie, and the joy of ripping up trails with friends. Adam Frazier: Adam Frazier received his Bachelor’s of Science in Accounting from Morgan State University in Baltimore, MD and is currently pursuing the Nursing Home Administration certification from Michigan State University. Adam is passionate about quality-first approaches, leveraging his experience from finance and investment banking, where he was selected to be a Bernard Osher Scholar. He is excited about sharing principles of empowerment with our team working to build a sustainable city for our youth. Adam believes that each stage of life should be celebrated, especially for our seniors. Sidney Bailey IV: Sidney Bailey IV is a native of Grand Rapids, Michigan that moved with his family to the area in August 2020. He lived in Maryland for 15 years where he worked as a mathematics teacher and later an Assistant Principal. He is a school administrator with over 19 years of experience and believes in educating the whole child; creating learning environments that are accessible by all while meeting the academic, social, and emotional needs of students. That is what drew him to Open Roads - the opportunity to teach so many skills and have unique experiences all through the common bond of a bicycle. He is married to Jocelin and has 2 children, Sidney V and Quinn. He enjoys coaching his children in different sports, and watching their musical and acting performances. He is a casual cyclist that enjoys bike rides and increasing his mileage, with a goal of doing a "century ride" some day! Steve Sutherland: I’m a veterinarian that retired from Upjohn/Pharmacia/Zoetis after 25 years. Currently I work for an animal health startup in Long Beach, CA. I enjoy bicycling and many other outdoor activities. I believe strongly in the mission of Open Roads. This organization makes a difference in the lives of many young people in our community. The skills that the kids acquire (social, leadership and mechanical), help them grow and thrive in many ways. Ruth Hunter: I built strong memories around bicycles with my father, riding our bikes for miles around Kalamazoo. They also provide a sustainable, affordable mode of transportation. I was also one of the first Earn-a-Bike students -- I earned a bike through Open Roads in middle school, and it's a pleasure to have the chance to serve on the board of an organization that provided such a great program for me while I was growing up. |