COSTA MESA, Calif. (BRAIN) — The National Bicycle Dealers Association's longtime executive director Fred Clements will be stepping down in the next few months to take a project director's role within the organization. The organization announced it has begun a search for a new executive director.
"This has been an epic run for me personally and I am grateful for the opportunity," Clements said. "The board of directors is making a serious commitment to increase staffing. This is a critical time for bicycle dealers on many levels, and we'll be looking for someone to take the NBDA to the next level. I'll be here to help."
The search is being conducted by T. Malouf and Company Executive Search of Boulder, Colo.
Retailer James Moore, the NBDA's president and owner of Moore's Bicycle Shop in Hattiesburg, Miss., said, "In the eight short years I've served on the NBDA board I've seen the organization increase dramatically the number and intensity of initiatives created to lead the independent bicycle retailer to excellence. What has not always increased is the manpower needed to turn strategic plans into programs that engage and empower our membership to become better retailers.
"Fred Clements, having served the NBDA for over two decades, is like the farmer who lifted the newborn calf over the fence every day so the calf could graze on the grass in the adjoining pasture. Not realizing that every day the calf added only a little more weight, when the cow was full grown, the farmer continued to lift her over the fence.
"Fred has been doing more than his share of lifting as the NBDA has matured and now we look forward to allowing him to focus on the successful programs he has helped create and nurture. Seldom does an organization get the privilege of seeking new leadership while also keeping the talents of the leader who has brought to this point. I personally, and I know I speak for the NBDA board, am truly grateful to know that Fred will continue to be a vital contributor to the NBDA."
