Pend Oreille Pedalers announces new leadership
SANDPOINT — After four productive years under the guidance of Jason Welker, Pend Oreille Pedalers announced its new leadership team, with Emily Strizich taking over as executive director and Greg Williams joining as strategic advisor.
“The joke is that (Jason) Welker left such big shoes to fill, they had to hire two of us,” laughed Strizich.
The two join trails director Scott Rulander and programs director Sammy Berryman.
Founded in 2004, POP aims to build community through trails in the Sandpoint area. The organization works with federal and state land managers, Kaniksu Land Trust, Schweitzer Mountain Properties, Sandpoint Rotary and the city of Sandpoint to expand riding opportunities. Among them are the development of the lower basin trails at Schweitzer, the upper basin trails going out to POP point on Uleda Ridge, the Velo Tout Terrain at Pine Street Woods, and a new pump track at Traver’s Park.
“POP started out as a group of enthusiastic friends that got together after work to dig new trails by hand," Rulander said. "Twenty years later, during our peak season, as many as seven mini excavators are building each day! We are blessed to live in a community with generous landowners, supportive local partners, and an incredible group of volunteers."
In addition to building trails, POP hosts weekly group rides, riding clinics, youth camps and programs, weekly trail building parties, and monthly meet ups to get to know other cycling or cycling curious folks.
Strizich brings over 20 years of experience in nonprofits, outdoor recreation and community organizing. She said she has seen firsthand the transformation of the area's biking community and the power of that community to change lives.
"As an occupational therapist, mountain biker, and mom, I have seen the joy and freedom that washes over someone when they’re on a bike. … You just can’t help but smile on a bike," Strizich said. "For some folks, it might be the first time they have felt that freedom in a long time and it can be a new reference point for them. This isn’t even accounting for the physical and mental health benefits research has consistently shown with biking."
Greg Williams, who grew up in Post Falls — where his parents built the first BMX track in the Idaho Panhandle in 1983 — lives in Priest River founded Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship and has led numerous trail projects across public lands. He has been a part of more than 150 trail projects, which have added over 200 miles of new recreational trails and maintain 2,500 miles existing trails.
In his new role, he aims to drive strategic growth in trail development, community engagement and fundraising.
The organization will hold its monthly meeting today, Sept. 11, at 5:30 p.m. at Matchwood.
Information: pendoreillepedalers.org
Williams