AUSTIN, Texas (BRAIN) — The Professional Bicycle Mechanics Association is getting off the ground with its first board of directors, elected during a conference call last week.
The association has named five board executives and confirmed an additional four members-at-large.
James Stanfill, of Austin's Bicycle Sport Shop, was unanimously chosen to serve as the association's first president and was tasked with creating and communicating the vision of the PBMA as the association's structure is built. Stanfill, a veteran of Specialized, Cannondale and USA Cycling, got the association rolling by forming a Facebook group last month.
Other members of the board's executive council are Jeff Rowe of Focus Bicycles USA (president-elect), Brent Williams, of Quest CycleTech (vice president), Edward Reynolds III, of Clemmons Bicycle (treasurer), and Sarah Lamb, an independent race mechanic (secretary).
The four members-at-large are Marty Caivano, with the International Mountain Bicycling Association; Jenny Kallista, of the Appalachian Bicycle Institute; Stu Thorne, of cyclocrossworld.com; and Ric Hjertberg, of WheelFanatyk. (Full board member bios.)
The board also approved the official rollout of the PBMA website, www.ProBMA.org. The full website rollout will be done in phases as the association develops, but the site was officially launched with an article examining certification issues in the cycling industry.
The board also approved a PBMA logo and graphic standards. The new PBMA logo will be made available on branded merchandise through the website.
According to an association press release, upcoming PBMA projects include the finalizing of legal documentation and structure and continuing the website build-out to add features and services for professional mechanics and bike dealers as well as educational pieces for the general public.
"The PBMA will also continue to converse within the industry, solidifying partnerships and continually strive to improve the skills and professional standards for cycle mechanics industrywide," the press release said.
