Joe Platzner named interim executive director

Related post: Chuck Ayers announces resignation from Cascade Bicycle Club

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Boardmember Joe Platzner

On behalf of the board of directors, I am pleased to announce that Joe Platzner has been appointed to the interim executive director position of the Cascade Bicycle Club. Joe was elected to the board in October 2012, and took his position in January 2013. He brings extensive leadership experience as well as a lifelong passion for cycling to the club. We are confident in his abilities to be an effective interim executive director.

In April, Joe will start working alongside Chuck, assuming the full executive director role on Monday, April 15. Joe and the board have agreed on four main goals during the transition:

     - Execute our current commitments. Provide a seamless transition operationally.

     - Recruit the most capable, experienced and visionary ED for the club.

     - Ensure that the permanent leader inherits the best possible operation.

     - Have fun.

Welcome Joe Platzner to interim executive director role

I’m flattered to have this opportunity. I owe much to Cascade. Cascade pulled me back into cycling with STP, and their work helped create much of the infrastructure I use every day. There are so many exciting projects we can bring to fruition where Cascade has helped lay the groundwork. In my neighborhood, for example, Cascade can influence game-changing projects with regional significance such as the BNSF corridor and the missing link in the mountains to sound greenway.

I look forward to working with the staff, volunteers, and community partners to better understand the club’s operations and to help find the best leader we can. Cascade will have no problem attracting a fantastic group of candidates from which to choose. I suspect our most difficult task will be to choose from wonderful options.

This is an interim full-time position; I’m not applying for the permanent position. I will be on leave from the boards of both Cascade and Bicycle Alliance of Washington while I’m on as ED. I expect to leave most big decisions to the next ED, but I will be fully engaged in the operations of the club, and one can expect changes as are usual with any transition. I’m looking forward to engaging with all of the staff; I’d welcome as many conversations as possible to be on bikes on coffee shop runs.

Executive director search process

A search committee has been formed, comprised of deputy director Kathy McCabe, and board members George Durham, Mo McBroom, Joe Platzner, Charles Ruthford and Don Volta. Finding the best leader for Cascade is a significant responsibility. We will conduct a national search to attract the best talent possible. We expect to open the position for application within a few weeks. We will circulate it through all our communication channels, including the website, blog, Braking News, social media and Cascade Courier. Members who would like to recommend candidates for consideration should send information to CBCEDSearch@cascadebicycleclub.org.