Floyd A. O'Reilly Blog: Alison Graves stepping down as leader of Cycle Oregon

Thursday, June 2, 2016

Alison Graves stepping down as leader of Cycle Oregon

Graves speaking in The Dalles in 2014.
(Photo: J. Maus/BikePortland)

Cycle Oregon announced today that Alison Graves is no longer the organization’s executive director but will remain involved as a member of the board.

Graves was hired by the Portland-based nonprofit in February 2014. Current Deputy Director Steve Schulz will take over leadership of Cycle Oregon.

For more details read the press release below:

Cycle Oregon Executive Director Passes Leadership Baton to Deputy Director
Organization will continue to focus on bicycle tourism and rural investments

PORTLAND, OR — June 2, 2016 — Today, Cycle Oregon announced that Alison Graves will be stepping down as Executive Director and passing the leadership baton to Deputy Director Steve Schulz to continue the organization’s mission of transforming lives and communities through bicycling.

Graves leaves Cycle Oregon on a high note. “It has been such an honor to work with Cycle Oregon,” she says. “We have strengthened our support for rural communities, forged strong partnerships, and expanded our events. I will miss being with the great staff, dedicated volunteers, and inspiring board on a regular basis, but I will continue to support Cycle Oregon in other ways.”

Graves will complete special projects for Cycle Oregon through the end of the summer and then become a board member emeritus, acting as liaison to Oregon’s Scenic Bikeway program. Beyond Cycle Oregon, she will join her husband Jay Graves, former owner of the Bike Gallery, in managing their farm in rural Washington County, helping their family operate the Dayville Mercantile, and supporting the growth of the Wallowa Lake Lodge.

Under the leadership of incoming Executive Director Schulz, the Cycle Oregon staff and board are working closely to ensure that the organization’s events remain the best in the business and their impact continues to help where it matters most. Among other things, Schulz and team will focus on advancing the Salmonberry Trail, exploring additional events, collaborating with partners to support rural communities, and growing the Cycle Oregon Fund.

Schulz has been with Cycle Oregon since 2008, most recently as Deputy Director. He has long demonstrated his leadership capacity, but never more notably than during the 2015 Week Ride, where he masterfully orchestrated an event re-route in the face of a wildfire. Schulz is excited about the future of Cycle Oregon and looks forward to harnessing the good will and good work of the organization.

“As an organization, we’re more aligned as a result of Alison’s contribution,” says Schulz. “I’m excited to build on that work and strengthen Cycle Oregon as not only a leader in events but also a strong contributor to the vitality of this great state.”

Cycle Oregon will celebrate its 30th anniversary in 2017 and sees a continued need for its unique mission, which combines bicycle tourism with rural economic development.

“Growing up in rural Wyoming, I can relate to some of the challenges faced by the small communities of Oregon,” says Schulz. “I’m inspired by the opportunity for Cycle Oregon to provide economic support and help facilitate constructive, long-lasting change in these areas. We have an unbelievably committed staff, board, and group of volunteers, and I look forward to working with them to expand our impact through new offerings and stronger strategic partnerships.”