You're very involved as a rider and volunteer in the NETRA vintage series. What attracts you to this series? Where do you think the series is headed in the future?
I enjoy the Vintage series because I enjoy collecting and restoring old bikes – the ones I yearned for as a teenager. The Vintage series gives me a chance to test both my riding skills (four inches of travel and drum brakes?) as well as my mechanical abilities in a relatively low-key environment. I also have found that I prefer racing on Saturday. I see the Vintage series continuing to grow in terms of ridership, we’ve had some events with almost 50 riders. Each year there are new bikes eligible (at least 25 years old) to ride the Pre-Modern class so new riders are coming in.
When you were elected NETRA president, there was a lot of work to be done. Tell us about what you felt were priorities for NETRA at the time and how you worked to address them. Where do you think the Association stands currently?
In becoming NETRA President, I found the main challenges facing NETRA were financial, declining rider counts, and a reputation for favoritism in our competitive events. I revised the event fee structures with the clubs, as the old rider-based fees placed all financial risk on NETRA. I also reduced our operating costs by dividing up the administrative duties after Jerry Shinners retired and decreasing our spend on our website. I partnered tightly with Competition Chairman Andy Anthony to improve the quality and rules adherence in all our competition events. Today, I don’t think NETRA has ever been in a stronger position: money in the bank, no protests at the annual comp meeting, ever-increasing rider and membership counts, and great sponsors.
You've been active on the administrative side of NETRA and other series. What motivates you to give of your time?
I give my time to NETRA because I get great satisfaction from a well-run event, series, or organization. I ran with a bit of a rough crowd as a teenager, and riding my dirt bike kept me out of a lot of trouble. It also taught me the value of preparation, hard work, and perseverance that has led to a successful career as an IT Services executive. I can’t ride as often or as fast as I used to, so the administration work is a way to stay involved and help provide others the same riding opportunities I’ve had.
Anything else you'd like to share or anyone you'd like to thank?
I’d like to thank all of the volunteers I’ve worked with on the Board, the Comp Committee, my Pilgrim Sands club members, and my forgiving wife Jean who supports me in pursuing this passion.