What is The Board?

The Southwest Montana Mountain Bike Association (SWMMBA) operates to accomplish our mission statement. The Executive Board is the body which interprets our mission, applies that interpretation to executing the mission, and strategically plans future actions to accomplish our mission. The Executive Board oversees all hiring, budgeting, and operational aspects of the full SWMMBA organization. This differs from our Chapter Boards who oversee trail work, fundraising, and projects within their chapter’s service area. Our Executive Board is not paid in any way (other than smiles), they are all volunteers. Essentially, these are your elected representatives, their job is to best accomplish our mission for our members. There are a maximum of 12 elected Board Seats, the SWMMBA Executive Board has traditionally operated with between 8 and 12 members. Board Members are not compensated in any way for their work.

What’s Involved With Serving On The Board?

The level of dedication to our mission is impressive when it comes to the Executive Board. The average Executive Board Member will volunteer their time up to 15 hours per month on tasks for the organization, exploring potential new projects, optimizing the organization’s operations, and in helping our Chapter Boards execute the organization’s mission. On top of volunteering at events and completing organizational tasks, board members are expected to attend a minimum of one board meeting each month.

Additionally, board members receive training in various software platforms used to better serve our mission. Board members each have an official SWMMBA email address and access to our internal Slack group where all internal communication occurs. Some board members are in charge of delegating work to committees, managing volunteers, handling IT tasks and requests, managing our budget, interacting with contractors, or even collaborating with land managers. Our board has set roles for most of it’s members, each have goals and responsibilities to keep the organization moving forward.

If you see them around, thank them for their work!

Want to nominate someone for our Board?

Nominate Them

BOARD OFFICERS

The SWMMBA Executive Board elects officers to coordinate board activities and facilitate various organizational functions. Board Officers must be Board Members in good standing and are elected by the board, of the board, in the Board Meeting immediately following Board Elections.

The current board officers are:

President: Josh Fairchilds
Vice President: Ian Jones
Secretary: Megan Shiverdecker
Treasurer: Josh Spitzer

Learn more about them in their bios below

BOARD MEMBERS

The current members of the SWMMBA Executive Board are:

Ian Jones

Ian grew up in rural Maine, near Acadia National Park; needless to say he’s been riding a bike in the woods for a long time. He didn’t officially start mountain biking until moving to Montana, where he got his first experience of cross country riding on the Bangtail Divide. Ian has a special place in his heart for high altitude, high difficulty rides which makes the Lionhead region of the Henry’s Mountains an area of special interest for him. Ian is one of the original founders of SWMMBA, and is always looking for ways to improve the nonprofit.

Email: ian@southwestmontanamba.org

Adam Oliver

Adam has been interested in the hands on aspect of trails for many years. He first got involved with the board for trail maintenance, but has since put a lot of effort into advocacy as well. Adam is one of the original founders of SWMMBA. He sometimes rides a fat bike, but mostly sticks to skiing in the winter where turning and stopping seem to work better.

Email: adam@southwestmontanamba.org

Melissa Cronin

Five generations ago Melissa Cronin's family homesteaded between the Conrad and Niehart, MT raising horses and herding sheep. This history coupled with growing up in a passionate skiing family at the base of Bridger Bowl has instilled a love for the outdoors, backcountry places, exploring, solitude and adventure. Melissa lived in Big Sky with her husband and family for 25 years where mountain biking became an important part of their lives. It was riding the backcountry trails in the Big Sky area and being an active participant in the Travel Planning for the Gallatin National Forest that has solidified Melissa's commitment to advocating for mountain bike access, the creation of new trails, land stewardship, trail maintenance, advancing mountain bike culture and community service.

Email: mel@southwestmontanamba.org

Joe Bernhardt

Born and raised in central Montana, I moved to the Gallatin Valley in 2005 for the love of all that makes this area what it is. It wasn't until later in life that I started treating bikes less as a tool and more of a means of enjoyment. It has since developed into a love affair - something that I am proud to say is a defining factor of who I am as a person. I am fortunate to be employed locally in the Software and Agriculture industries, which provides me the luxury of sharing the joy of bicycles with my two teenage daughters.

I want to share the love. I want to see everybody experience the same joy I have found on the trail. As our community grows, we will face new challenges that threaten this vision. But, I believe that through proper leadership and education, we will continue to overcome any obstacle that comes our way.

Email: joe.b@southwestmontanamba.org

Matt Redmond

After relocating from Boone, North Carolina to Bozeman in 2014 to become a ski bum, Matt quickly learned that summers are his favorite season in Montana. To make the most of the short summers, he took to mountain biking as his preferred sport.

It wasn't until 2017 that Matt started volunteering and participating in the various SWMMBA events and dig days. Eventually joining the board in fall of 2023 to channel his passion for trails and desire to expand the mountain biking community.

When he is not biking, he and his wife, Eilis, are typically spending their summer weekends backpacking to remote areas of Montana with their dog Avett.

Email: matt.r@southwestmontanamba.org

Josh Horstmann

Josh moved to Bozeman from the East Coast for access to the mountains, and all the great outdoor activities Montana has to offer. He has been riding bikes since the mid-80s. when he got his first Specialized hard tail. He was a member and instructor for IMBA’s National Bike Patrol for over 20 years volunteering with clubs around the country. Since joining SWMMBA, he has been helping build our Bike Ambassador volunteer program.

He joined the SWMMBA board to not only help build the bike community here in Bozeman, but to help the organization expand trail access and outreach across the state. When he’s not riding, he and his wife travel in their van checking out trails and breweries with their two dogs.

Email: josh@southwestmontanamba.org

Martijn Linden

Originally hailing from the country of all things bike, the Netherlands, Martijn now calls Bozeman Montana his home. And yes, he owns a Dutch cargo bike (you were wondering, weren’t you?) and like a good Dutchie allegedly rode bikes even before he walked around in wooden shoes. His first mountain bike was a GT Zaskar, back in the last century. But his Mountain biking addiction really got out of control after a back injury sidelined his middle-of-the-pack trail running career whilst living in Vermont. After a weekend riding the magical Kingdom Trails on a bike with plush suspension all hope was lost. When not riding the fabulously wild Montana trails, Martijn also loves to coach the rowdy kids at NICA, since his own kids think he is just old and boring.

Trails unite us and bikes are fun. Organizations like SWMMBA are worth all of our collective efforts. Anything to spread the love and continue to grow all things bikes and dirt into an empowering and transformative force!

Email: martijn.linden@southwestmontanamba.org

Nelson Bedient

Nelson grew up mountain biking in the sierras. He and his parents would volunteer building trails on the weekends. Nelson moved to Montana for school and stayed for the community.

Nelson joined SWMMBA in hopes of increasing community engagement/involvement at trailwork days and bike events.

Email: nelson.bedient@southwestmontanamba.org

Josh Spitzer

Josh Spitzer has been riding mountain bikes for more than 30 years. When he’s not cross-country riding (and occasionally racing), Josh is the CFO and COO of onX, a technology and mapping startup based in Montana. Most of his other jobs have been in bike shops. Josh lives in Bozeman with wife, son, and a cartel of rescued chihuahuas (currently numbering seven).

Email: josh.s@southwestmontanamba.org

Megan Shiverdecker

Originally from Ohio, Megan did not grow up mountain biking but discovered it in 2016 after moving back to Big Sky and has been hooked ever since. She feels lucky to be able to access such amazing trails around town so easily. Megan hopes to help SWMMBA as they continue to develop new projects and expand on the amazing work they have already completed in the area.

Email: megan@southwestmontanamba.org

Vacant

This could be YOUR bio… Voice your interest by emailing our VP.

Email: ian@southwestmontanamba.org

Josh Fairchilds

Since moving to Bozeman 17 years ago, Josh has ridden and pushed his bike through many miles of Montana front and backcountry trails. Whether out for a quick spin on town trails after work, or committed to a big day deep in the mountains, his love for single track and beautiful wild places fuels his commitment to mountain biking in southwest Montana.

Josh is a veteran of the outdoor industry, having worked for several iconic brands, including as a product creator at Five Ten, Co-founder of Oboz Footwear, and most recently as Senior Director at Simms Fishing. Additionally, Josh has served as a board member for Friends of Hyalite and Friends of Joshua Tree.

With his passion for mountain biking, his love of the Bozeman community, and his business experience, Josh is ready to lead SWMMBA into the future: building trails and community, and advocating for mountain biking throughout southwest Montana.

Email: josh.f@southwestmontanamba.org

Big Sky Chapter Representative

Ashley Wilson

Ashley grew up in Michigan and spent most of her early years at different racetracks watching her dad race and enjoying time on the lake. Her passion for mountain biking started a few years ago on trails in Michigan and that love has grown with making the move to southwest Montana. Ashley lives in Big Sky and is the Controller for the Big Sky Community Organization. Ashley is grateful to be a part of SWMMBA and is excited to help grow the connections & partnerships with local organizations. She believes that together we can increase access to mountain biking, help bring more trails to Big Sky and surrounding areas, while advocating proper trail use and conservation. When she is not working or getting involved with the community, you can find her exploring with her husband and their husky, Juneau.

Email: ashley.w@southwestmontanamba.org

Bozeman Chapter Representative

Kyle Johnson

Kyle was raised in Minnesota farm country where he rode his BMX bike everyday to visit his friends. He started working for REI in 2008 and bought his first mountain bike shortly after that. In 2010 he took the opportunity to move to Bozeman along with his wife Emily. Since then, Kyle has been a bike tech at REI and trail work volunteer. He enjoys all forms of riding bikes - you may see him mountain biking on local trails with his two dogs, at a Wednesday night cyclocross race or biking around town with Emily.

Kyle joined SWMMBA to be more involved with trail building and maintenance. He is looking forward to getting into the woods with the community where we can all make a difference in the sustainability of our local trails.

Email: kyle@southwestmontanamba.org