BOULDER, Colo. (BRAIN) — The National Bicycle Dealers Association announced Friday that Todd Grant's final day as president of the organization was Thursday, Nov. 30.
Brandee Lepak, chair of the NBDA board of directors, said, "Recent sudden and significant income loss from our traditional outside sources along with our over-investment in capital spending necessitated substantial expenditure reductions," adding that "we appreciate Todd's service to the NBDA. His efforts representing and supporting independent bicycle dealers were appreciated during this disruptive period of dramatic change in our industry."
Grant, who was named president of the organization in 2015, said, "It has been my pleasure to have had the opportunity to work for the National Bicycle Dealers Association for these past two-plus years. Representing and supporting the independent bicycle dealer in a time of such disruptive change in the bicycle industry is a mission that I fully believe in and is needed for a healthy industry and better cycling opportunities for all."
"Given the sudden loss of income for 2018 changes clearly need to be made. This change is necessary for the NBDA to carry its mission forward," Grant said.
"There are many good projects in place and many fine people on the board of directors, and people that work for or with the NBDA, to see these projects forward," said Grant. "Peers helping peers — that is the essence of the association."
For the immediate future, the NBDA's board, which is composed of retailers, will be leading the 70-year-old association.
Grant is a former vice president of sales at Niner Bikes, the former director of brand management and director of sales at Pearl Izumi, and a former regional sales manager at Raleigh America. Earlier, he worked in bicycle retail as regional manager for Bicycle Village, and service and operations manager for University Bicycles in Boulder. He studied at the University of Maine and the University of New Hampshire, and received a law degree from the University of Colorado. He was chosen as the NBDA's executive director after a nationwide search coordinated by the Colorado-based search firm T. Malouf & Associates.
During Grant's tenure as president, the NBDA purchased Barnett Bicycle Institute and launched its "Buy Where You Ride" and "Bikes Build ... " campaigns, conducted a specialty channel retailer research study, and continued and expanded its America's Best Bike Shops program. Earlier this year the organization closed its longtime office in Costa Mesa, California, and moved its operations to the Boulder area. Sara Michaels, hired earlier this year as the NBDA's operations and administration manager, will continue her role at the Colorado office, managing the day to day operations of the organization.
Bicycle Retailer & Industry News is owned by Emerald Expositions. It is operated under license by NBDA Services Inc., a division of the trade association.
