Board & Staff
Board and Staff Members
Alan Martin – President
Alan is employed by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio as a Deputy Director of Transportation. He has served as a President of the Westerville Bicycle Club and also been the Tour Director of thier Annual Dry Run event. He is a Level 1 USA Cycling Coach, and has a passion to develop riding and racing skills in our youth. Alan and his wife, Kathy, are frequently spotted on their tandem, pulling their 2-year-old son, Christopher in a bugger.
John Gideon – Vice President
John was an original member of Consider Biking (incorporated as Central Ohio Bicycle Advocacy Coalition or "COBAC" when it was founded in 1990) and he was elected President in 1999 to revive COBAC. John has been a long-time member of Columbus Outdoor Pursuits and was a member of the COP board from 1993 to 1997 and was President of COP for one year from 1995 to 1996. He was elected in the fall of 2006 to the board of the Alliance for Biking & Walking, the North American coalition of state and local bicycle and pedestrian advocacy organizations, and currently serves as board Secretary. John is a member of the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission’s (MORPC’s) Citizen Advisory Committee. He has also been a member of the Columbus Bikeway Advisory Committee and the Columbus Area Pedestrian Safety Committee, part of the Franklin County Safe Communities program. Among the many accomplishments of Consider Biking under John’s leadership were the adoption by MORPC in July 2004 of a policy of routinely accommodating bicycling and walking in road and bridge projects that receive federal funds through MORPC (now called a "Complete Streets" policy) and the creation of the Pedal Instead valet bicycle parking program with the Mayor’s Green Team in the fall of 2006. John is an attorney, having received his J.D. from The Ohio State University in 1978. He has practiced civil service employment law as well as both criminal prosecution and criminal defense law. John has a strong interest in making the world friendlier for bicycling through changing government policy and practice. He is keenly interested in achieving reform at the state, regional, and local levels through the next federal transportation bill. He can be spotted around town on his Breezer bike, laden with panniers full of files, ready to produce obscure but relevant documentation at a moments notice.
John was an original member of Consider Biking (incorporated as Central Ohio Bicycle Advocacy Coalition or "COBAC" when it was founded in 1990) and he was elected President in 1999 to revive COBAC. John has been a long-time member of Columbus Outdoor Pursuits and was a member of the COP board from 1993 to 1997 and was President of COP for one year from 1995 to 1996. He was elected in the fall of 2006 to the board of the Alliance for Biking & Walking, the North American coalition of state and local bicycle and pedestrian advocacy organizations, and currently serves as board Secretary. John is a member of the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission’s (MORPC’s) Citizen Advisory Committee. He has also been a member of the Columbus Bikeway Advisory Committee and the Columbus Area Pedestrian Safety Committee, part of the Franklin County Safe Communities program. Among the many accomplishments of Consider Biking under John’s leadership were the adoption by MORPC in July 2004 of a policy of routinely accommodating bicycling and walking in road and bridge projects that receive federal funds through MORPC (now called a "Complete Streets" policy) and the creation of the Pedal Instead valet bicycle parking program with the Mayor’s Green Team in the fall of 2006. John is an attorney, having received his J.D. from The Ohio State University in 1978. He has practiced civil service employment law as well as both criminal prosecution and criminal defense law. John has a strong interest in making the world friendlier for bicycling through changing government policy and practice. He is keenly interested in achieving reform at the state, regional, and local levels through the next federal transportation bill. He can be spotted around town on his Breezer bike, laden with panniers full of files, ready to produce obscure but relevant documentation at a moments notice.
Shari Heinrich – Secretary
Shari is employed by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, where she works as a systems analyst. Shari fell in love with bicycling when she received her blue banana-seated bicycle on her 6th birthday. On that bike, and several others, she explored the roads of Northeast Ohio, until she moved down to Columbus and began exploring a whole new region. When unable to ride her bike, Shari feels lost, disconnected; stress builds. When Shari explores the Central Ohio countryside, she is at home, energized, serene. Her cycling takes many forms, including recreational riding, touring, racing, and commuting. She has enjoyed several leadership positions with the Westerville Bicycle Club, where she currently functions as the social chair. By being a board member of Consider Biking, Shari hopes to help Columbus grow into a community where all users learn to share the road.
Shari is employed by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, where she works as a systems analyst. Shari fell in love with bicycling when she received her blue banana-seated bicycle on her 6th birthday. On that bike, and several others, she explored the roads of Northeast Ohio, until she moved down to Columbus and began exploring a whole new region. When unable to ride her bike, Shari feels lost, disconnected; stress builds. When Shari explores the Central Ohio countryside, she is at home, energized, serene. Her cycling takes many forms, including recreational riding, touring, racing, and commuting. She has enjoyed several leadership positions with the Westerville Bicycle Club, where she currently functions as the social chair. By being a board member of Consider Biking, Shari hopes to help Columbus grow into a community where all users learn to share the road.
David Roseman – Treasurer
Ira Weiss – Immediate Past President
Ira retired over seven years ago after 28 years at the Ohio Arts Council. Ira is a tireless volunteer for many actvie transportation initiatives. He’s Past President of the Fairfield Heritage Trail Association, former Vice President of Columbus All-Breed Training Club, member and Past President of the Fairfield County Regional Planning Commission, board member of the Fairfield County Visitors and Convention Bureau, member of the Columbus Area Pedestrian Safety Committee, Member and Vice Chairman of the MORPC Citizen Advisory Committee and member of MORPC’s Air Quality and Energy Work Group, Greenways Work Group and Regional Policy Roundtable. Closer to home, he serves on Pickerington’s Safe Routes to School committee and is a founding member of Sustainable Pickerington. He’s participated in the steering groups that created the Columbus Bicentennial Bikeway Plan, the Fairfield County Active Transportation and Open Space Plan and Columbus Bike Users Map. He also publishes three weekly e-newsletters (and they’re free!): Ira’s Bicycling and Walking Newsletter, Ira’s Energy and Environment Newsletter and Dogs. You can find his Bicycling e-newsletter archived on our site. Ira was a rider for his fraternity in the 1966 Little 500 at Indiana University. What history! He’s the little guy who had trouble reaching the pedals. He treasures a personalized autograph by Gary Fisher in the Owner’s Manual of his 1997 Gary Fisher mountain bike.
Ira retired over seven years ago after 28 years at the Ohio Arts Council. Ira is a tireless volunteer for many actvie transportation initiatives. He’s Past President of the Fairfield Heritage Trail Association, former Vice President of Columbus All-Breed Training Club, member and Past President of the Fairfield County Regional Planning Commission, board member of the Fairfield County Visitors and Convention Bureau, member of the Columbus Area Pedestrian Safety Committee, Member and Vice Chairman of the MORPC Citizen Advisory Committee and member of MORPC’s Air Quality and Energy Work Group, Greenways Work Group and Regional Policy Roundtable. Closer to home, he serves on Pickerington’s Safe Routes to School committee and is a founding member of Sustainable Pickerington. He’s participated in the steering groups that created the Columbus Bicentennial Bikeway Plan, the Fairfield County Active Transportation and Open Space Plan and Columbus Bike Users Map. He also publishes three weekly e-newsletters (and they’re free!): Ira’s Bicycling and Walking Newsletter, Ira’s Energy and Environment Newsletter and Dogs. You can find his Bicycling e-newsletter archived on our site. Ira was a rider for his fraternity in the 1966 Little 500 at Indiana University. What history! He’s the little guy who had trouble reaching the pedals. He treasures a personalized autograph by Gary Fisher in the Owner’s Manual of his 1997 Gary Fisher mountain bike.
Lisa Antolino
Lisa Antolino is Director of Learning and Development for Fisher College of Business Executive Education. Lisa’s has a long history as a marketing professional and has been a respected civic leader for years. She currently serves of the boards of Leadership Columbus and The Athletic Club of Columbus. Lisa is passionate about cycling and hopes to use her volunteer efforts to introduce cycling to more people — particularly as a means of achieving better health and having more fun in life. She is a long time cyclist with varied types of riding experience including ultra distance, racing and tours. She completed the PAC RAAM Tour across the US in 15 days, Paris Brest Paris and climbed the Andes Mts. in Peru to 16,000 feet. She’s competed in triathlons and is a former Ohio and Indiana State Women’s Time Trial champion. Lisa is a life-time Columbus resident and a double Buckeye graduate with a Masters Degree in Workforce Development/Human Resource Development.
Kurt Lehmkuhl
Kurt is the owner of the Westerville Bike Shop. For many years, he practiced as a Financial Analyst, but found his way into the bicycle industry over 10 years ago. Kurt is keenly interested in alternative and green energy issues, and enjoys displaying his "pedal generator" bike. He volunteers his bike industry and financial experience with the Third Hand Bike Co-op. Kurt also organizes the annual Garret Wonders Memorial Bike Race as a fundraiser to support the legacy of Garret, who was a gifted, national-caliber, racer from OSU, that was killed while cycling and training for the Olympics several years ago.
Kurt is the owner of the Westerville Bike Shop. For many years, he practiced as a Financial Analyst, but found his way into the bicycle industry over 10 years ago. Kurt is keenly interested in alternative and green energy issues, and enjoys displaying his "pedal generator" bike. He volunteers his bike industry and financial experience with the Third Hand Bike Co-op. Kurt also organizes the annual Garret Wonders Memorial Bike Race as a fundraiser to support the legacy of Garret, who was a gifted, national-caliber, racer from OSU, that was killed while cycling and training for the Olympics several years ago.
Deb Evans
Deb is self-employed in the health care field. She has also served on the BOard of COlumbus Outdoor Pursuits for nearly 10 years. She loves recreational cycling, and has participated in countless tours throughout the country. Deb is also involved with Elite, a social riding club of African American women. And, she’s been developing a line of cycling apparel specifically designed for female recreational cyclists.
Deb is self-employed in the health care field. She has also served on the BOard of COlumbus Outdoor Pursuits for nearly 10 years. She loves recreational cycling, and has participated in countless tours throughout the country. Deb is also involved with Elite, a social riding club of African American women. And, she’s been developing a line of cycling apparel specifically designed for female recreational cyclists.
Doug Morgan
Doug Morgan has been a tireless advocate for “people powered” transportation since hearing a presentation 7 years ago on the childhood obesity epidemic ravaging our community. Athough not having been on a bike for over 30 years, Doug “threw away” his car and began biking 20 miles to and from his office 5 days per week, 12 months per year. Conducting this “social experiment” on himself, he has come to the belief that biking and walking for everyday transportation is the surest, perhaps only, path to personal, environmental and community health. Doug originated the bold “2 by 2012” goal which has been adopted by the City of Columbus, Consider Biking and several area companies and non-profits, and aspires for every central Ohio citizen to use a bike or other form of alternate transportation to get to work and school at least 2 days per month by the City’s bicentennial in 2012. When he’s not advocating for biking, Doug practices law at Hahn, Loeser & Parks, plays rock and roll with the Klatt Brothers Band and the Pep Boys, and moves and restores early 19th century houses and barns. Doug and his wife, Beth (who is known by most as Saint Beth for putting up with Doug), live in the Clintonville area where they met in 1st grade and have spent most of their lives. Beth and Doug have 3 mostly grown children: Brandon (28), a Wall Street investment banker, Kate (22), a recent graduate of Miami of Ohio and looking to work in the wellness field, and Corey (21), a chemical engineering major and member of the track and field team at The Ohio State University. Doug currently serves on the Boards of Consider Biking, the Columbus Chamber of Commerce, the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Foundation and the Columbus Club. Doug was a founding board member of TechColumbus and formerly served as the Chairman of the Boards of the Franklin Park Conservatory and City Year Columbus. You can follow Doug’s musings on biking and civilization on his blog at www.twowheeling.com.
Doug Morgan has been a tireless advocate for “people powered” transportation since hearing a presentation 7 years ago on the childhood obesity epidemic ravaging our community. Athough not having been on a bike for over 30 years, Doug “threw away” his car and began biking 20 miles to and from his office 5 days per week, 12 months per year. Conducting this “social experiment” on himself, he has come to the belief that biking and walking for everyday transportation is the surest, perhaps only, path to personal, environmental and community health. Doug originated the bold “2 by 2012” goal which has been adopted by the City of Columbus, Consider Biking and several area companies and non-profits, and aspires for every central Ohio citizen to use a bike or other form of alternate transportation to get to work and school at least 2 days per month by the City’s bicentennial in 2012. When he’s not advocating for biking, Doug practices law at Hahn, Loeser & Parks, plays rock and roll with the Klatt Brothers Band and the Pep Boys, and moves and restores early 19th century houses and barns. Doug and his wife, Beth (who is known by most as Saint Beth for putting up with Doug), live in the Clintonville area where they met in 1st grade and have spent most of their lives. Beth and Doug have 3 mostly grown children: Brandon (28), a Wall Street investment banker, Kate (22), a recent graduate of Miami of Ohio and looking to work in the wellness field, and Corey (21), a chemical engineering major and member of the track and field team at The Ohio State University. Doug currently serves on the Boards of Consider Biking, the Columbus Chamber of Commerce, the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Foundation and the Columbus Club. Doug was a founding board member of TechColumbus and formerly served as the Chairman of the Boards of the Franklin Park Conservatory and City Year Columbus. You can follow Doug’s musings on biking and civilization on his blog at www.twowheeling.com.
John Tolbert
John is currently the Division Director for the Community Health Division of the Columbus Public Health Department. He is directly responsible for the overall management of the Family Dental; Alcohol & Drug; Breast & Cervical Cancer, Neighborhood Health Centers, the Local Office of Minority Health and, the Neighborhood Health Services programs. His connection to the City’s efforts to link residents to health and social services in Columbus is a valuable asset to Consider Biking. John has worked in the health field for over 27 years and even had a stint at Columbus State Community College as the Department Chairperson of the Medical & Sport Services Department. One of his other lifelong passions is teaching and, he has taught courses in management at Cornell University and Franklin University. He currently teaches courses in Health Planning, Organizational Development, Leadership and Small Group Behavior at Wilberforce University. He serves on many community Boards (IMPACT, YMCA, etc) which utilize his passion for healthy lifestyles. John is married and has two sons. He is a longtime, avid, cyclist and a leader of the Major Taylor Cycling Club of Columbus.
John is currently the Division Director for the Community Health Division of the Columbus Public Health Department. He is directly responsible for the overall management of the Family Dental; Alcohol & Drug; Breast & Cervical Cancer, Neighborhood Health Centers, the Local Office of Minority Health and, the Neighborhood Health Services programs. His connection to the City’s efforts to link residents to health and social services in Columbus is a valuable asset to Consider Biking. John has worked in the health field for over 27 years and even had a stint at Columbus State Community College as the Department Chairperson of the Medical & Sport Services Department. One of his other lifelong passions is teaching and, he has taught courses in management at Cornell University and Franklin University. He currently teaches courses in Health Planning, Organizational Development, Leadership and Small Group Behavior at Wilberforce University. He serves on many community Boards (IMPACT, YMCA, etc) which utilize his passion for healthy lifestyles. John is married and has two sons. He is a longtime, avid, cyclist and a leader of the Major Taylor Cycling Club of Columbus.
Chris Bishop
Chris is the owner of Trek Stores Columbus which operates two bicycle stores in the Columbus market.
Maryellen O’Shaughnessy
Maryellen is an elected official and serves as the Franklin County Clerk of Courts. She served as a Columbus City Council member for 11 years and played a leadership role in the advancement of active transportation causes in central Ohio.
Kurt Pottkotter
Kurt is the Director of Development at the Fisher School of Business at Ohio State University. He is an avid bicycle commuter – setting a powerful example for his young children. He also serves on the Dublin Bicycle Task Force.
Jeff Stephens – Executive Director
Jeff is the staff member of Consider Biking. Jeff spent the first 20 years of his career in various roles in the non profit health industry, before assuming leadership with Consider Biking in March 2008. His involvement in the cycling community, however, extends over a lifetime. He first cycled across the US in 1988 and quickly became addicted to recreational and competitive cycling. He is now an internationally recognized ultra-endurance bicycle racer, placing 10th in the grueling Race Across America (RAAM) in 2001 and setting several state crossing records. He enjoys joining his wife and 6-year-old daughter in using bicycles to commute to work and run errands when possible. Stephens was a founding Board member of the Ultra Endurance Cycling Association, and has served on numerous Boards of related industry associations throughout his career. He is a member of countless national and regional bicycle organizations and also serves as the Chairman of the Columbus Transportation & Pedestrian Commission.
Jeff is the staff member of Consider Biking. Jeff spent the first 20 years of his career in various roles in the non profit health industry, before assuming leadership with Consider Biking in March 2008. His involvement in the cycling community, however, extends over a lifetime. He first cycled across the US in 1988 and quickly became addicted to recreational and competitive cycling. He is now an internationally recognized ultra-endurance bicycle racer, placing 10th in the grueling Race Across America (RAAM) in 2001 and setting several state crossing records. He enjoys joining his wife and 6-year-old daughter in using bicycles to commute to work and run errands when possible. Stephens was a founding Board member of the Ultra Endurance Cycling Association, and has served on numerous Boards of related industry associations throughout his career. He is a member of countless national and regional bicycle organizations and also serves as the Chairman of the Columbus Transportation & Pedestrian Commission.
