Via an email to L.A. County Bicycle Coalition membership this morning, Executive Director Jen Klausner announced that she is leaving her position as of the end of 2014. The organization is at the start of a search process to find her replacement.
Below is an excerpt of her resignation announcement:
Now, with great pride in the good work of LACBC, its extraordinary staff and Board, growing network of local chapters throughout the County, and you, our membership, without whom we could do none of this, I announce that I will be stepping down from my role as Executive Director at the end of 2014. I will continue to support the organization from a different perspective, as I will be looking to get some dirt under my wheels, while attending to other responsibilities and projects.
Our Board President and a dedicated committee have already started to search for a talented new Executive Director to lead LACBC on to new challenges. We will post a job description on our website soon. If you have questions about the search process, or possible candidates to recommend, please email our Search Committee at EDSearch@la-bike.org.
I will leave this position to a successor with complete confidence that Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition is in a stronger position than ever before, and is poised to grow its influence over the bike-ability and quality of life in our County and its 88 cities. Just as our local bicycling community has grown exponentially, and the growing national movement for livable streets has connected us to an alleged "all-powerful bike lobby," our staff has also grown in the time I have been here, to a cohesive dozen, each of whom approaches their work with an uncommon level of dedication and expertise. I have the utmost faith in this team and in the future of bicycling in Los Angeles County. Get to know our exceptional staff here and also meet our distinguished Board of Directors.
With all that said, I'm not going anywhere just yet; I'll be here for the rest of the year, and hope to connect with many of you and see you at our numerous upcoming events. As members, I encourage you in particular to please support and attend our inaugural Firefly Ball on October 30th. We will be honoring a few special people who make our work possible, and celebrating the many achievements of our amazing diverse and visionary bicycle community. It will be a night to remember, and I hope to see you there and at future LACBC events.
This marks the second high-profile California bicycle advocacy organization head to depart in 2014. Last month, San Francisco Bicycle Coalition head Leah Shahum announced her departure. Let's hope BikeSD's Sam Ollinger isn't planning any copycat moves!
