Our Team
MT ALPHA CYCLING IS A 501(C)3 NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION FOUNDED BY JAMIE TERRY AND KRISTINE AKLAND IN 2012. WE WOULDN'T BE HERE WITHOUT OUR VOLUNTEER RUN BOARD AND COMMITTEES. A THANK YOU TO ALL INVOLVED!
EXECUTIVE Director
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Jenna TomielloI likes riding bikes! It took me a while to find it, but cycling is my one true joy (cycling... and my baby girl Willa, my husband, and my dog). I thinks pickles are the best trail snacks, and pickle juice the magic race elixir. My favorite rides almost always include giant climbs on gravel bikes, probably getting lost once or twice. If you're racing cyclocross, I'll give you a hand-up while yelling at you to "ride your bike already." I became the Executive Director of MT Alpha in 2022, after over 15 years of non-profit work with educational programming and management, and is excited to be here.
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HEAD COACH
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MaryJane (MJ) MartinI joined MT Alpha in 2016 as a way to connect with a new community and get involved with cycling after moving to Missoula. Through Alpha, I've had the opportunity and privilege of coaching junior mountain biking, after-school flagship programs, and our women's clinics. As a PMBI certified coach and the MT Alpha head coach, my goal is to offer women and juniors of all abilities an opportunity to safely practice MTB skills, ask questions, and explore new ways to ride their bike.
Personally, I enjoy gravel, long trail rides, and rowdy park days. When I'm not on the bike you can find me adventuring with my dog Ruth, knitting hats, and handing out treats and shots at our local cyclocross races! |
Board Of directors
These volunteers pour their love and time in organizational management, development and oversee MT Alpha and its committees. They ensure the organizations mission and values are maintained, while also pushing for continued growth.
PRESIDENT
LOUISA BERKY
I joined MT Alpha in 2020. As a newcomer to town, Alpha became an immediate group of friends and awesome ladies to ride bikes and explore the surrounding areas alongside. While I do enjoy a good all day sufferfest and challenging myself on technical trails, I also love coaching and sharing my knowledge and passion for mountain biking. MJ and I have coached the mini clinic series together for the past few years and are we continually looking for opportunities to expand MT Alpha's coaching and educational programs!
LOUISA BERKY
I joined MT Alpha in 2020. As a newcomer to town, Alpha became an immediate group of friends and awesome ladies to ride bikes and explore the surrounding areas alongside. While I do enjoy a good all day sufferfest and challenging myself on technical trails, I also love coaching and sharing my knowledge and passion for mountain biking. MJ and I have coached the mini clinic series together for the past few years and are we continually looking for opportunities to expand MT Alpha's coaching and educational programs!
VICE PRESIDENT
CHRISTINA ANABEL
A native New Yorker, I grew up riding my bike through the streets of my rural hometown, but my bike tires never touched a trail until I moved to Utah where a friend convinced me to try mountain biking. When I moved to Missoula, I joined MT Alpha, looking to meet some like-minded folks. Riding with MT Alpha, I met a lot of women riders who were all over the spectrum in ability. I attended the clinics and learned the basics of bike-body positioning, braking and how to choose a line. I look forward to seeing everyone out on the trail and hopefully continuing MT Alpha’s legacy of promoting camaraderie and confidence in women riders!
CHRISTINA ANABEL
A native New Yorker, I grew up riding my bike through the streets of my rural hometown, but my bike tires never touched a trail until I moved to Utah where a friend convinced me to try mountain biking. When I moved to Missoula, I joined MT Alpha, looking to meet some like-minded folks. Riding with MT Alpha, I met a lot of women riders who were all over the spectrum in ability. I attended the clinics and learned the basics of bike-body positioning, braking and how to choose a line. I look forward to seeing everyone out on the trail and hopefully continuing MT Alpha’s legacy of promoting camaraderie and confidence in women riders!
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TREASURER
BRITT PETERSON It is certainly not a unique experience to find mountain biking intimidating. Even being in very good company, it took me until my thirties to give it a go. I am not entirely sure what combination of confidence, support, friendship, and devil-may-care attitude gave me the final push to try it out, but I do know that finding MT Alpha right at that moment made the difference between testing the waters and adding a significant new hobby to my life. |
DIRECTOR
LARISSA WALKER
My passion lies primarily in triathlon and gravel biking. You will typically see me in the back of the pack and bringing up the rear. As someone who is not a strong or skilled biker, I came to MT Alpha looking for that safe space to expand my riding capabilities and network with a group of
likeminded people. I want to work with MT Alpha to expand beyond mountain biking, and make safe and accepting spaces for women, girls and non-binary people in the road and gravel biking communities in Missoula as well.
LARISSA WALKER
My passion lies primarily in triathlon and gravel biking. You will typically see me in the back of the pack and bringing up the rear. As someone who is not a strong or skilled biker, I came to MT Alpha looking for that safe space to expand my riding capabilities and network with a group of
likeminded people. I want to work with MT Alpha to expand beyond mountain biking, and make safe and accepting spaces for women, girls and non-binary people in the road and gravel biking communities in Missoula as well.
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DIRECTOR
LEAH THOMPSON As a lifelong mountain biking enthusiast, I discovered MT Alpha in 2023 as the perfect way to connect with a community of adventurous people. In recent years, I’ve also developed a passion for gravel riding and have enjoyed leading several gravel rides for the Alphas. I’m excited to support MTAlpha’s mission and contribute to this inspiring cycling community. |
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DIRECTOR
KAYLA MCCORMICK What’s better than riding bikes? Riding with other rad folks! For years I would venture out on the trails by myself. While it is always thoroughly enjoyable, there really is nothing like sharing the stoke with someone else. I’ve never met a bike I didn’t have fun on. I grew up riding BMX with my brother and started riding MTB during college in Houghton, Michigan. Since becoming a member, my eyes have been opened to the amazing world of gravel and road and I haven’t looked back. I run my own graphic and web design business and had the privilege to use my skills to design the recent brand refresh and fresh new kits for MT Alpha. Thank y'all for making them look so rad! |
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DIRECTOR
KANDISS HAMM Riding bikes with friends is the best! After moving to Missoula, I was in search of fun friends and to get better at road and mountain biking! Little did I know, I’d meet some pretty rad people and find a new love for gravel and cyclocross through joining MT Alpha. During my time as a member, I’ve had the pleasure of being surrounded by badass riders, learning so much from those around me and developing new friendships. The best part about MT Alpha is that there is something for everyone and it encompasses so much more than just riding. I love the community and relationships that come from MT Alpha |
DIRECTOR
MEGAN ANDREWS-SHARER
I've been volunteering with MT Alpha since 2021. I got hooked planning the annual MTB clinic -- the camaraderie of 80 women riding bikes in whatever weather Montana offers in May is an experience like nothing else. I think MT Alpha is a unique group due to their accessibility and inclusivity. Plus, I'm a nonprofit nerd. I look forward to contributing my fundraising, data, and operations skills to my favorite organization!
MEGAN ANDREWS-SHARER
I've been volunteering with MT Alpha since 2021. I got hooked planning the annual MTB clinic -- the camaraderie of 80 women riding bikes in whatever weather Montana offers in May is an experience like nothing else. I think MT Alpha is a unique group due to their accessibility and inclusivity. Plus, I'm a nonprofit nerd. I look forward to contributing my fundraising, data, and operations skills to my favorite organization!
Thank you to past board members: Co-Founder, VP & President - Kristine Akland (2012-2022), Co-Founder - Jamie Terry (2012-2020), President - Katie (Rogotzke) Foote (2012-2020), Secretary - Jen Bardsley (2012-2015), Vice President & Director - Bri Lui (2012-2022), Secretary & Director - Meg Whicher (2015-2021), Treasurer & Director - Lauren Olsen (2014 - 2022), Trail Director - Natalie Wagenbrenner (2020-2022), Director - Caroline Lurgio (2020-2022).
