 Board Candidate: Ed Yoshida
Ed Yoshida is an attorney recently retired from Merck. For the past 13 years, he headed up the legal group at Rosetta Inpharmatics, which in 2001 was acquired by Merck and was a basic research site in Seattle for Merck until it was closed in 2009. Prior to heading up the legal group at Rosetta, Ed was a founder of Scius Corporation, a start-up software company, and before that he was an attorney at IMRE Corporation, a biotech company that made and sold a therapeutic medical device.
Ed lives in Normandy Park, south of Burien, with his wife, daughter, and son. Ed has been cycling in the Seattle area since the mid-70’s. This has included commuting by bike from the southend into Seattle, participating in organized rides, and cycle touring in both the U.S. and abroad. His first love is cycling, both riding and wrenching, but he also enjoys climbing and backpacking. Ed is on the board of directors of the New Hope Health Center, a free medical clinic located in Tukwila that treats individuals who don’t have medical insurance. He is also active in his church and assists with his son’s high school robotics team.
Ed has a juris doctor degree in law from the University of San Francisco and a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Washington. He is a named inventor on two issued U.S. patents.
1. What brought you to the organization and what has inspired you to serve on the Cascade board?
My first exposure to the CBC was riding the STP back in the early-90’s. Since that time, I’ve enjoyed many of the organized events promoted by the club such as the Chilly Hilly, the Commute Challenge, the Bike-to-Work breakfast, Flying Wheels, the High Pass Challenge, and RSVP.
I want to serve on the board, because I strongly believe in the mission, vision, and goals of the CBC. We know that cycling can change people’s lives for the better through improved health for both individuals and our environment. In more than 30 years of riding in the region, I’ve seen remarkable changes: an increase in the number of bike trails and bike lanes, bike racks on buses, and increased workplace support for cycle commuting. Effective advocacy is a key contributor to this success and the CBC is one of the most effective advocates for improving the cycling infrastructure in the Puget Sound region. I want to give to the community in a meaningful manner through supporting the work of the CBC.
2. How do you see the Cascade board best contributing to the success of the Club?
The board is responsible for helping to determine the mission and vision for the organization as well as setting policy. Given the strength of the club’s programs, I see the board best contributing to the success of the club through energetic support of those programs as well as providing long range strategic planning to ensure the viability of the club in the future. In short, the board needs to listen to and seek input from club members, understand the environment in which the club operates, and help the club to accomplish its stated goals.
In addition, the board should represent the various constituents of the club by program area as well as geographically. Each board member should provide this representation with commitment and enthusiasm in an ethical manner, and be willing to listen and contribute to a diversity of ideas.
3. Why should members vote for you?
As a board member, I would bring a deep appreciation and enthusiasm for cycling and the desire to help improve the cycling infrastructure for all cyclists. I have the time and willingness to advocate for those improvements with elected officials as well as with business leaders who can be our allies in making the Puget Sound region more bike friendly. The CBC rides, events, educational programs, outreach, and advocacy are all very important. I would contribute my legal, technical, organizational, and communication skills in addition to my passion for cycling to support the current work and mission of the CBC.
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