Joining us all the way from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, we are pleased to welcome Brent Tongco as Cascade’s new Communications & Marketing Director! Brent brings nearly a decade of marketing and communications experience, in addition to working within the bicycle industry.
Brent launched into the world of two wheels at an exciting time in the bike movement, the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver. Working under the mayor, he supported the marketing and promotions of all civic engagement events during the convention, including a temporary, manned bike share service with 1,000 bicycles. That temporary service evolved into a permanent bike share system, Denver B-cycle, where Brent served as Interim Marketing & Communication Director.
“At the time, I didn’t realize I could make something I loved so much a profession,” said Brent. “From then on, I knew bicycling was my professional calling.”
Brent also worked at the nonprofit Bike New York as Marketing & Communications Director, where he led marketing efforts for one of the largest recreational cycling events in the U.S., with 35,000 riders and 40 miles of closed streets in the chaotic New York City!
After Bike New York, he joined Trek’s bike share arm, B-cycle, establishing bike share systems across the country. And most recently, he served as the general manager of Oklahoma City Spokies, Oklahoma City’s bike share system.
But the real highlights of his work have been witnessing the impact of bicycling on lives and communities, he said.
At Bike New York, he was touched after attending an adult learn-to-ride class: “My heart was full after that ... seeing the big smiles and feeling of empowerment the new adult bicyclists had after that class.”
At B-cycle, he noted that “seeing the difference that bike share makes on a community [was] tremendous.”
And Brent said he is looking forward to continuing to lend his skills to further Cascade’s programs and goals.
“Cascade is one of the – if not the – leading bicycle advocacy organizations. And to be a part of that is humbling and amazing. I’m excited for the challenges ahead.”
And to answer the question that is in the back of everyone’s minds: what kind of riding does this guy do?
First and foremost, said Brent, the bike is his “utilitarian tool,” but what he loves most is to “explore and get to know new places,” both urban cores on his many skinny-wheeled bikes and exploring nature, on his mountain bike.
“And what surprises most people… I love playing bike polo,” said Brent. “The actual sport of bike polo is really fun and while it seems intimidating at first, the camaraderie is very welcoming… it combines my love of team sports and bicycling all in one beautifully intense court.”
Help us welcome Brent to Seattle and to Cascade Bicycle Club!
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