If you’ve ridden a trail we’ve cared for in the last few years, you’ve felt the work of six board members who are now finishing their terms: Gary Lowden, Callie Horwath, Emi Kubota, Josh Whitmore, Kent Cranford, and Dan Ennis. They’ve helped us hire staff, build relationships, and get more people involved in caring for our trails. They’ve also helped guide PAS through Hurricane Helene and a period of remarkable growth. We’re a stronger organization because of what each of them has given.
A lot of the work that goes into serving on a nonprofit board happens behind the scenes. We see volunteers out on the trails and the results of their hard work, but the meetings, planning, conversations, and decisions that make it possible are much less visible. These six people have given their time and energy to that work, and I want to recognize how much of what we do depends on it.
Over the next several years, thanks in part to the foundation these people and many others in our community have laid, we have a generational opportunity to take on more work, strengthen our partnerships, and make a lasting difference for our trails and the communities we serve. Real challenges lie ahead, but I’m confident in the people, relationships, and foundation we have in place to meet them.
Gary Lowden
A month after Hurricane Helene, Gary was earning his sawyer certification. He’s spent more than 45 years riding, racing, and advocating for mountain bike access, from California to New Jersey to Pisgah. He served as Vice President and led our governance work, but you were just as likely to find him out in the woods moving dirt. He’s become a close friend to many of our sawyers and Trail Crew Leaders and has been instrumental in the Bracken Mountain Preserve trail expansion.
Callie Horwath
A trained artist, entrepreneur, and trail builder, Callie helped create Ride Kanuga and Ride Rock Creek. At PAS, she put that energy and creativity into the Engagement Committee’s work, helping plan the Women’s MTB Bash and our first Pisgah All Mountain Challenge. She has also provided amazing professional photography for many PAS events.
Emi Kubota
Emi helped us get clearer about how we measure progress toward PAS’s strategic goals. An Asheville native and entrepreneur, she founded KidCycle Club, which helps young riders build confidence on two wheels, and brought that business experience to the board. She also reached out to shops and coaches through the Engagement Committee and worked to make our trails welcoming to everyone.
Josh Whitmore
Josh was born and raised in Pisgah and has been riding and volunteering here since the early 1990s. As a coach and founder of MTB Skills Factory, he brought a patient approach to the board along with his relationships in the outdoor community. He chaired the Community Engagement Committee before moving to the Implementation Committee. Along the way, he earned his sawyer certification and kept putting in hours on the trails.
Kent Cranford
Kent has managed to do just about everything except fully retire. After 40 years in the bike industry, including owning a bicycle retailer in Western North Carolina, he still made time for local bike nonprofits, PAS included, alongside riding and tinkering on an old car. On the Governance Committee, he shared his business experience, industry knowledge, and connections. He was always willing to volunteer and brought a smile to our meetings.
Dan Ennis
Dan has spent thousands of hours riding in Pisgah since coming to Brevard College more than 20 years ago. Few people know these trails and the people who ride them as well as he does. He worked to bring our local bike communities together and keep PAS connected to all riders, and was always willing to take on the work. He served on the Implementation Committee and served as our first race director for the Pisgah All Mountain Challenge.
These six and countless others have helped put PAS in a good position for the work ahead. Thank you to the entire Western North Carolina and Pisgah community of volunteers, trail users, partners, and supporters. I value the trust you’ve placed in this organization, the leadership and guidance you’ve provided, and the support you’ve given to make not just Pisgah Area SORBA, but our entire community stronger.
The work ahead of us is larger than any one person or organization. Together, we have an opportunity to care for more trails, support the people and communities connected to them, and build something that lasts for the next generation. The impact we’ve already made is something we can all be proud of, and I’m excited for what we’ll accomplish together in the years ahead.
Sincerely,
Daniel Sapp
PAS Board President