NJ BICYCLE SUMMIT FEATURED SPEAKERS

Tim Blumenthal (Executive Director - Bikes Belong):
Tim Blumenthal is the executive director of Boulder, Colorado-based Bikes Belong, the U.S. bike industry association dedicated to putting more people on bicycles more often. He previously served 11 years as the executive director of the International Mountain Bicycling Association. Under his leadership, IMBA grew from a single staffer into the world's largest mountain bike advocacy group.

Andy Clarke (Executive Director - League of American Bicyclists):
Andy Clarke was appointed to the position of Executive Director in April of 2004 after successfully leading efforts to create, interpret and implement the various transportation programs that are available to improve conditions for bicycling and walking as the League’s State and Local Advocacy Director. Before joining the League in February 2003, Clarke was on contract to provide technical assistance to the highly regarded Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center on site at the Federal Highway Administration. In addition to his strong policy background, Clarke has managed a range of bicycle and pedestrian planning projects at the state and metropolitan levels and has worked extensively with state and local advocacy groups. Clarke is a 1984 graduate of the University of Birmingham, United Kingdom with an undergraduate degree in Law. He is on the Board of Directors for America Bikes, and a member of the Association of Pedestrian and Bicycling Professionals.

Jeff Miller (President/CEO - Alliance for Biking and Walking):
Jeff began as President/CEO of the Alliance in the spring of 2008. A bike advocate since 1990, Jeff served as Executive Director of the Bicycle Coalition of Maine for nearly 12 years, growing the organization into one of the strongest and most respected bicycle coalitions in North America. Jeff became an advocate while in college, when he biked across the U.S. in 1990 and saw first hand how biking could help address many of our societies challenges. Jeff, who now lives in Washington DC, uses his bike year round for transportation, enjoys touring and exploring, and competing in road races and triathlons. In addition to his experience running a statewide coalition, Jeff has served as president for the local Friends of the Kennebec River Rail Trail. Jeff also serves on the board of the nation's largest bicycling organization, the Adventure Cycling Association and America Bikes, the national coalition of eight national advocacy organizations promoting biking and walking in the Federal transportation bill.

L. Grace Spencer - Assemblywoman, New Jersey:
Grace Spencer has served in the New Jersey General Assembly since January 8, 2008, where she represents the 29th legislative district. Grace serves in the Assembly on the Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee (as Vice-Chair), Judiciary Committee and the Law and Public Safety Committee. She served the City of Newark, New Jersey as Assistant Corporation Counsel from 1997-99 and as Special Prosecutor from 2000-2003. Grace earned a B.A. from Rutgers University with a major in Business Management and was awarded a J.D. from the Rutgers School of Law-Newark. She is an attorney with the firm of Marshall, Dennehey, Warner, Coleman and Goggin. She sponsors Bill Bill A3912 - Requires motorists operating vehicles to maintain minimum three foot safety distance when overtaking bicycles.

In addition, Sheree Davis of the New Jersey Department of Transportation is an invited speaker. Ms. Davis is the Manager of the Bureau of Commuter and Mobility Strategies within the New Jersey Department of Transportation. She is a career state employee with 24 years of service. She also serves as the State Bicycle & Pedestrian Program Coordinator and has done so for the past 8 years. During her tenure, the program has received the Outstanding Sustainable Initiative Award by the NJ American Planning Association. The program also received the State Government Partner Award from the East Coast Greenway Alliance. Ms. Davis holds a Bachlor's Degree in Physical Education from Temple University in Philadelphia and a Master's Degree in Education from the College of New Jersey.