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
|
Jenna TomielloJenna likes riding bikes! It took her a while to find it, but cycling is her one true joy (cycling... and her husband and dogs). She thinks pickles are the best trail snacks, and pickle juice the magic race elixir. Her favorite rides almost always include giant climbs on gravel bikes, probably getting lost once or twice. If you're racing cyclocross, she'll give you a hand-up while yelling at you to "ride your bike already." She 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.
|
Program Director
|
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 program director, 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 love 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 last two years and hope to continue to expand our coaching/learning opportunities in the future.
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 love 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 last two years and hope to continue to expand our coaching/learning opportunities in the future.
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!
SECRETARY
BETHANY JAKUBIK
I have been an MT Alpha member since 2017. I initially joined to seek out more racing and recreational riding buddies and then really enjoyed volunteering with the large scale clinic and various trail days. Sharing the MT Alpha camaraderie and positive vibes out on the trail and post ride beverages with new and old friends is what makes this organization so fun and I hope to share the stoke for many years to come.
BETHANY JAKUBIK
I have been an MT Alpha member since 2017. I initially joined to seek out more racing and recreational riding buddies and then really enjoyed volunteering with the large scale clinic and various trail days. Sharing the MT Alpha camaraderie and positive vibes out on the trail and post ride beverages with new and old friends is what makes this organization so fun and I hope to share the stoke for many years to come.
|
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.
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).
