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 ride-able 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. Dana Rose: I am a Kalamazoo native and WMU alum. I’ve worked in Human Resources for the last 6 years and joined Open Roads’ board of directors in 2025. I am a casual cyclist and love riding trails in the summertime. Open Roads combines a few of my favorite things: empowerment, development, bicycles and good vibes! 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. Tim First: Tim has a passion for youth development and thoroughly enjoys serving as an active member of the Open Roads board. During the work day, Tim is a Principal (Partner) at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) in PwC’s advisory practice specializing in Cybersecurity. Tim has a distinguished background having worked in industry for 17 years prior to pivoting into consulting where he focuses on combining the best in theory and leading practice with a practical application. He focuses on helping clients along a long-term transformational journey while ensuring that value is delivered at each stage and a focus is placed on organizational acceptance and adoption. Katie Kelly: I became a member of the Open Roads Board of Directors in 2025. Originally from Canton, MI, I am a lifelong Detroit sports fan. As a child, I spent many hours biking around my neighborhood and playing competitive basketball, soccer, and softball. I pursued my education and athletic aspirations at Albion College, where I studied physical and health education while playing softball. Later, I earned a master's degree in physical education pedagogy from Western Michigan University. Since 2008, I have been teaching elementary physical education in Kalamazoo Public Schools, and I currently hold the position of lead teacher for the Physical Education and Health department. I am also a proud pet parent to three dogs and seven chickens! Alisa Watkins-Monroe: I am a Kalamazoo native, I have worked in the school system for over 13 years working with youth. I have a Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice, I joined the Open Roads board in 2025. I love riding bikes with my grandchildren, and showing them I know how to fix a flat is the most fun part of it all. Empowering youth gives me a great feeling and it is heartfelt -- when I see the smiles on their faces, bikes are so fun and I know I love when I have a new one. I am honored to be a part of the Open Roads Board. Michael VanderMeulen Mike joined the Open Roads board in 2025. Mike retired from a 35 year career in corporate finance and accounting in 2017. In 2019, Mike joined Pedal Bicycle in their service department and worked as a mechanic until 2024. Mike is passionate about cycling and is excited to marry that passion with the mission of Open Roads. |