The Directors of the NSMBA are community members dedicated to advocating for the goals of the Association and its members as outlined in the Constitution and bylaws. They are all volunteers, and responsible for planning for the future of the organization, as well as managing its day to day activities. Each director has a duty to act honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the society. Directors are involved in the planning, organization, execution, and follow up of the following activities:
- advocacy
- trail planning
- operations
- fundraising
- events (trail days, member meetings, special events)
- races
- marketing and promotion
- education
Give a Director a high five the next time you see them out on the trails. They all volunteer significant amounts of their time to support mountain biking and the community of trail users on the North Shore and in British Columbia.
Cooper Quinn
President
The Shore’s trails are a primary reason I moved here 15 years ago. I grew up in Jackson, Wyoming as part of a tight-nit community of builder and rider. I learned early on that trail access is a privilege, not a right, and in the value advocacy; working together with land managers and other stakeholders to build solutions that benefit the entire community.
There’s a long, involved history in the forests here—a patchwork of land managers, a complex stakeholder environment, and 1400 mm of rain annually all overlay our frontcountry network of multi-use trails, all within a stones throw of the 3rd largest municipal area in Canada. And, it’s The Shore—we’re legendary across the world for our legendary progressive trails.
As your President, I’ll try and balance the needs of NSMBA members, environmental stewardship, maintaining our position as a leader in progressive trails, and the community at large.Our community, mountain biking, and outdoor recreation are things I care deeply about; if you ever want to talk about them, email me, and lets get outside somewhere and talk!
Jaclyn Jeffrey
Vice President
After riding the North Shore a couple of times (and only breaking down into tears once on Pipeline), I moved over here in 2010. Since then I’m amazed at how the community has grown and how well the trails are maintained. Ladies Only was one of the first trails I rode and, to this day, is still my favourite.
I’m stoked to be part of the organization that’s making sure the trails that I love so much are going to be around for years to come. Professionally, my job is to ensure that processes are in place to get things done quickly and smoothly. My goal for 2018 is to put those skills to use and help the Directors achieve their goals.
Corey Brennan
Co-Director of Communications & Design and Secretary
I grew up on a farm in Alberta, riding dirt bikes and generally getting as dirty as possible. After moving to Calgary in the 1990s I switched to leg power and started mountain biking the local trails. Eventually, I upgraded to a full suspension bike and discovered the Canmore Nordic centre and trails around Bragg Creek. I moved to North Vancouver in 2017 and fell in love with the trails in my new backyard. Now I can ride year round, work on the trails and generally, get as dirty as possible.
I own ELEVATE Design, a branding, and graphic design company. I am also an investor in Work Nicer, a Calgary-based coworking community. I am excited to work with my partner, Morgan Mallett to promote the NSMBA by using my experience in community building, brand strategy, and graphic design.
Laura Tacchi
Treasurer
After learning to mountain bike in the Rockies, I moved to North Vancouver in 2017. Having lived in three other provinces I can confidently say that we spoiled for choice when it comes to trail and riding areas in the Sea to Sky. Since moving here I have tried to ride the local mountains as much as possible. I have been blown away by how much work goes into the trails and how well maintained they are. It is not unusual to roll onto some fresh gold or a new feature and I love that! I am so excited to be a part of the NSMBA and to be able to give back to this community.
When I am not outdoors I work in the banking industry and for the past 9 years, I have worked directly with businesses helping them grow and achieve their goals. Two years ago a group of us from RBC leveraged our community program to adopt Lower Oil Can. It has been so much fun working with the NSMBA and Michael Stormer to help them realize their vision for the trail. As Treasurer I hope to have an even bigger impact and work to ensure the long term success of the Association.
Brent Hillier
Director of Youth
I’ve been living and working on the North Shore for the better part of a decade, and am proud to call it home and raise my family here. In my professional life, I’m the host of the Front Lines MTB Podcast, a bi-weekly show aimed at Trail Advocates, Builders and Non-profit volunteers and employees. In addition, I work as the Community Manager at Trailforks, where I work with over 1400 Trail Associations all over the world.
I’m passionate about trails and the people who recreate on them. Like public libraries, trails are not only a crucial community asset, but a public right. But unlike our roads and social services, I believe they should always be maintained and managed by the community. Having community members maintain an integral community asset, provides us with the opportunity to learn, grow and socialize; ensuring a legacy of stewardship for generations to come. Like everything it starts with the youth. The future of Mountain Biking, and the trails in general, will be determined by the generation that follows us but like building or maintaining a trail we can still play a huge roll in pointing that path in the right direction.
Isabelle Deguise
Director of Advocacy
I started mountain biking over a decade ago when I moved to Vancouver from Ontario for grad school. Considering the major falls, bruises and tears that first year, it’s surprising it’s become such a big part of my life. But the community, the trails and the adrenaline rush just can’t be beat.
I moved to North Vancouver four years ago specifically to be closer to the mountains and now I use the trails on the North Shore almost every day to ride, run or walk my dog. I’ve been so impressed with the work the NSMBA has done over the past several years, I’ve decided to get more involved. My day job involves permitting and managing environmental aspects for the development, construction and operation of renewable energy projects in Western Canada, which involves a lot of regulatory work, government relations, stakeholder consultation and First Nation relationship building. I plan to transfer these skills as your new Director of Advocacy.
Jonathan Skelcher
Director of Membership
Growing up on a farm, being so isolated as a kid, the only reliable way to see your friends was to hop on your bike and go. Cycling has been a major part of my life ever since—from being an advisor to the Ontario Cycling Association, establishing Canada’s largest privately owned MTB Race Team, to becoming a social activist for more bike lanes and equal rights for cyclists in Toronto.
As Director of Membership for the NSMBA, my goal is to bring in new members of all abilities, ensuring that new trails are created for beginners of all ages, and allowing an untapped population the access and confidence they need to become avid and experienced mountain bikers.
Morgan Mallett
Co-Director of Communications & Design
Born and raised in Whistler and the North Shore, and having lived all over Canada, I’m proud to call the West Coast home. I started mountain biking in the mid 90s when my classmates needed a girl to ride on their high school team for points. Armed with zero mountain biking experience, a fully rigid Norco Kokanee with a stripped saddle, kick stand, and loose headset, I (mostly!) ran next to my bike to come 5th at provincials. Once I discovered that one could run in the mountains without a bike, I started trail running and racing in ultras. I now have a fully-functioning mountain bike—with no kickstand—and ride, run and fall, all over the North Shore.
When I moved back to the North Shore in 2011, I wondered how I could help restore and maintain the trails I loved so dearly. I’ve been volunteering maintaining and building trails with the NSMBA ever since.
My background is in graphic and fashion design, and I’ve been working in these industries since 2005. As owner and Creative Director of Design + Conquer and Graphic Design Director at a local fashion and design school, I’m passionate about interconnectivity, communication design, and helping others.
I am excited to work with my partner, and fellow board member, Corey Brennan to nurture the NSMBA’s design realm, and to promote connection between all trail users.
Don "Buck" Halliday
Director of Events
As a new member of the Board, I am excited about another great year for the association. I will specifically focus on special events that will attract new members and keep our existing membership having fun and riding first class trails.
Like all of our members, I am involved because I love to ride! In 2018, I completed a few fivers, the Spakwus, and the epic BCBR. These events required a lot of riding which increased my appreciation for the amazing trail work done on the North Shore and led me to get more involved.
Prior to becoming a mountain bike fanatic 20 years ago, I played rugby as my main sport for the Meralomas, UBC, and BC. I also grew up playing soccer, skiing, baseball, and other sports. I have coached soccer, hockey and field hockey and I currently help coach the North Shore Special Olympics floor hockey team.
I was one of the lucky ones who was born and raised in Vancouver and moved to the North Shore in 1994. I graduated from UBC a long time ago with a teaching degree, which fully prepared me for my first professional job in advertising and then in the exploration and mining business.
Taylor Donohoe
Director of Sponsorship
Growing up in Vancouver, the Shore has been part of my life for over 15 years and the trails here are a big part of the reason we call North Vancouver home today.
Without a doubt the Shore’s greatest asset is its network of passionate and talented builder and I am excited to be working with an organization committed to supporting the hard-working crew that keep our trails dialed.
Delivering on the Associations Mission Statement, ‘Trails For All, Trails Forever’ is a complex and challenging task. Despite the hurdles, the NSMBA has sanctioned the majority trails on Fromme and Seymour and created a comprehensive trail maintenance program through TAP. I look forward to working with new and existing sponsors and leveraging the creativity of our trail builders to continue developing our trail network in the future.
