THE TEAM

PROJECT BIKE TECH TEAM

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Jeff is a 28-year bicycle industry veteran. Before joining Project Bike Tech, he was embedded in bicycle industry trade education as the School Director at Barnett Bicycle Institute and Quality Bicycle Products' U of Q. Jeff has a broad range of experience having held positions in retail, on professional racing teams, and working for industry suppliers. He has a passion that supports Project Bike Tech's mission, and he knows that the education PBT provides holds an important stake in defining the future of the bicycle industry as well as many other STEM industries that PBT can introduce young people to.
“I'm thrilled to join the team at Project Bike Tech. The PBT mission falls right in line with my values, and helping the organization continue to grow is an exciting new professional chapter for me. I recognize the amazing investment of work and passion that Mercedes and the entire team has made to grow it to the positive force that it is now. I'm honored to have been chosen for this role, and I'm eager to delve into the work ahead.”

LEAD GRAPHIC, CLASSROOM, AND RETAIL DESIGNER

NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT & FUNDRAISING DIRECTOR
Mercedes Ross has been a leading Merchandising force in the bicycle industry, pioneering the “Concept Shop” platform in the early 90’s and becoming a known expert in the field over the 25 years she has been in the business. Recently being voted as one of the top 50 Influential Business Women in the bike industry lends credibility to what she brings to the table.
Mercedes has also worked in many industries: Ski, Outdoor, Motorcycle, Scuba, Craft Brewing as well as having owned a Motorcycle retail store for 15 years. As an established industry leader, she gives sales team training seminars and has been a lead speaker in both the Bicycle and Motorcycle industries at their national trade shows. Mercedes has given seminars internationally and speaks fluent German. She is a published column writer for industry magazines and has been involved in 50+ educational video segments for the Bicycle industry. You can reach Mercedes IVE DIRECTORdirectly at director@projectbiketech.org

FOUNDER
Berri is the Founder of Project Bike Tech.
She is a longtime bike shop owner of the famous bike shop Bicycle Trip in Santa Cruz, CA.
Berri has a passion for sharing the love of bikes with future generations and that is why she founded Project Bike Tech back in 2008. Berri continues to support and guide Project Bike Tech and is instrumental in the day to day operations of the organization.

PAUL STUCKI - EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT SPECIALIST
Paul is recently retired from 25 years in public education, including five years teaching the Project Bike Tech curriculum along with High School Mathematics. Although well versed in the mainstream classroom, Paul also excels working with at-risk teens in the Alternative School setting.
Outside the classroom, Paul has spent most of his life connected to the Bike and Outdoor Industry. Initially pursuing Outdoor Education as a career, he spent several years racing mountain bikes professionally and skiing on the Bud Pro Mogul Tour. Upon “retirement” from competition, Paul founded and was head coach for the Aspen High School Mountain Bike Team. He also coordinated experiential education programs at his schools, and spent summers guiding in the Colorado Mountains. “I’m very excited to join the PBT Team and help support this very special opportunity for young adults. I think my unique background will complement an already impressive organization, and help to strengthen our educational network to get even More Kids Wrenching.”

COMMUNITY LIAISON

My Name is Randy Bitsue. I'm Dine (di-neh) of the Tachii'nii Clan
(Red Running Into The Water People) born for the Todich'iin'ii Clan ( Bitter Water).
My Mothers Maternal Clan is Halstooi (Meadow People Clan). My fathers Paternal Clan is Bit'ahnii (With His Cover Clan).
Originally I'm from Baahaali (Breadsprings), NM. A small community south of Gallup, NM, where I currently reside with my 3 kids Chea, Chace, and Chyla.
Gallup High Alumni
Actively working on becoming a Level 2 NICA coach.
I also work with Silver Stallion Bicycle and Coffee. Which has been in operation since 2018. Through our non-profit org we are bringing the bike shop to the Navajo Nation. As well as holding after school development rides with 4 Gallup Mckinley County Schools. Within those schools we've had over 300 plus students come through our programs. With the hopes of starting NICA teams with students from the area.
We want the bicycling culture to thrive in the Navajo Nation. With PBT it helps make it just that much more possible.
Things that I love to do when I'm not riding bikes with kids for a living.
Traveling, I love hitting the open road to new destinations. especially with my kids and our bikes.
Fishing/Hunting/Gathering, Nothing grounds you more in my opinion, reconnecting with nature. Learning to appreciate what mother earth can provide for us (humans).
Did I mention that I LOVE bikes!
Another way to reconnect with my surroundings. The moments when you complete that long grueling climb up. You hear your body, the air your lungs are consuming. The beat of your heart resonates through your chest. Yes, you feel alive!
But what comes next is what lets you know that you're living. That is the downhill ride filled with adrenaline and dopamine.

Southwest Programs and Finance Manager
Steve has built a career providing small businesses and nonprofits a solutions-oriented approach to improve systems & processes, financial performance, and executive & staff engagement. Watts has a proven record of successfully managing projects and programs: acquisitions, mergers, and start-ups of cooperative businesses and nonprofits; local political and advocacy campaigns; corporate marketing strategy, branding, and promotion; and, numerous community service projects. He has been involved in the cycling industry for nearly 30 years having worked in retail bike stores, led advocacy organizations, and raced mountain bikes competitively. Steve currently resides in Tucson.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Channing is an experienced communicator and public affairs professional with an extensive background in media relations, government relations, marketing, corporate business development and nonprofit management.

Leigh Keatts serves as a member of the board of directors for Project Bike Tech, bringing a wealth of expertise to our organization. She is a detailed-oriented tax professional with 13 years of public accounting, industry, and family tax office experience. Currently the Director of Tax and Compliance at Quality Bicycle Products and a licensed CPA, Leigh is instrumental in guiding strategic decisions related to Project Bike Tech’s financial governance and regulatory compliance.
Leigh is a passionate mountain biker, and blends her professional expertise with a commitment to cycling, lifelong learning and helping Project Bike Tech further its mission.

Jean-Pierre Salgado (JP) serves as Vice President of Project Bike Tech's Board of Directors. He is a lifelong student and instructor of science, technology, and engineering with a profound love of bicycling. Born in Haiti of French-and-Portuguese-descended parents, he moved with his family to the San Francisco Bay Area when he was in the first grade.
JP attended UC Berkeley and as a student, he worked at the Lawrence Hall of Science as an Instructor of Physical Sciences and Astronomy where he greatly enjoyed the experience of teaching and developing STEM-based coursework. Upon graduation from Cal, he continued his education, attending law school, and earning a master’s degree in management.
Professionally, JP worked in the fields of consulting and engineering. Formerly serving as Director of Global Environment, Health, and Safety (EHS) for Oracle Corporation, he led a world-wide organization responsible for EHS policy and governance and compliance, risk management and resiliency, and sustainability. Throughout his career, JP has visited and worked in more than 35 countries; he is bilingual in English and French and he has profound appreciation for the world’s different cultures and civil societies.
JP is an avid cyclist and strongly believes that Project Bike Tech holds a powerful stake in the future workforce and evolution of the mobility industry.

With a career deeply rooted in cycling education and community engagement, Calvin Jones has made incredible contributions to the cycling industry. He is Park Tool Co’s Director of Education, and since 1997 has been instrumental in establishing Park’s reputation as experts in bicycle technical training. Calvin developed the Park Tool School, its related videos and has authored the Big Blue Book of Bicycle repair.
In the 1980’s Calvin was a founding instructor at USA Cycling’s Bill Woodul Race Mechanic Clinic. He was also the first instructor on staff at Barnett Bicycle Institute.
Calvin’s leadership extended to founding the NICA team Stillwater MTB in 2013 and establishing the non-profit Stillwater Area Scholastic Advocates (SASCA). He serves as assistant coach at Stillwater MTB, mentoring Equipment Managers and fostering technical skills and teamwork among students.
Calvin is committed to using cycling to develop lifelong skills, and he brings this passion and expertise to Project Bike Tech’s mission and curriculum.

Attorney
Stephen Tomlinson is a Partner with Kirkland & Ellis LLP whose practice focuses on business transactions in the real estate and hospitality industries for real estate private equity sponsors, sovereign and other non-U.S. investors and real estate operating companies engaged in acquisitions and dispositions, operating company and multi-investor fund formations and investments.

FOUNDER
Berri is the Founder of Project Bike Tech.
She is a longtime bike shop owner of the famous bike shop Bicycle Trip in Santa Cruz, CA.
Berri has a passion for sharing the love of bikes with future generations and that is why she founded Project Bike Tech back in 2008. Berri continues to support and guide Project Bike Tech and is instrumental in the day to day operations of the organization.

Former PBT Teacher and School Administrator

OWNER, BICYCLE TRIP BIKE SHOP
Aaron was part of the original team that created Project Bike Trip (now Project Bike Tech) and has been a guiding force for the program since then. In high school, Aaron was in an independent study course working in a bike shop and doing school work from home. He graduated with honors and a skill that has taken him from bicycle mechanic to sales associate to manager and now he’s the owner of Bicycle Trip bike shop.
Aaron enjoys riding road bikes and MTB with his 7-year-old identical twin boys. He and his family spend time camping, boating and riding motocross in and around Santa Cruz.

FRIENDS OF PROJECT BIKE TECH

CO-FOUNDER, PROJECT BIKE TECH
Julie (Mitchell) Beckmann co-founded Project Bike Tech in 2008 alongside longtime friend and collaborator, Berri Michel. She served as President and Executive Director of Project Bike Tech from 2008 – 2010. In addition to launching Project Bike Tech, Julie’s professional career spans freelance sports journalism and international business in the FMCG sector to publicity, distribution, and marketing at top publishing houses across the globe. She currently lives in Vienna, Austria.
Connect with Julie @ linkedin.com/in/julenebeckmann

Ray Keener has 40 years of bike industry experience, starting in retail in 1975. He is currently Executive Director of the Bicycle Product Suppliers Association, which recently endorsed the Project Bike Tech program. Keener is also a Contributing Editor to Bicycle Retailer and Industry News magazine, and Chair of the Capital Campaign for Community Cycles in Boulder, CO, where he lives and rides.

PBT INSTRUCTOR & CYCLING ADVOCATE
Bobby D. Richardson has been actively working in the cycling industry for over 20 years as a bicycle mechanic, shop owner and cycling advocate. He’s a graduate of United Bicycle Institute, is a licensed race mechanic for USA Cycling (the governing body for American Olympic Cycling), and holds a baccalaureate degree in Child/Adolescent Development from San Jose State University.
Outside of the three days that Bobby teaches, you can find him on is bike or playing reggae, electronica or jazz. He also works as a bike mechanic at Another Bike Shop in Santa Cruz.
One of Bobby’s students puts it best:
“Mr. Richardson is a great instructor because he explains things really well. He doesn’t just tell us; he explains it, shows us how to do it, then messes my bike up so that I have to do it all over again.”

CURRICULUM CONSULTANT
Therese has worked with Project Bike Tech to develop our industry endorsed curriculum. She is also a full time teacher of Bike Tech in School at Aptos High School in Aptos, CA. She has been wrenching since she was in her youth and continues to spread her knowledge to the next generation of mechanics every year. We are so proud to have her on our team.

BICYCLE ADVOCATE