Wiens is best known for his long and illustrious XC racing career. But his advocacy work at home in Gunnison County has been just as impactful.
Arguably one the all-time best known fat tire racers in U.S. history, Mountain Bike Hall of Famer and Leadville Trail 100 legend Dave Wiens has been named the new executive director of the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA).
Wiens had previously served as the advocacy organization’s Board Chairman, a post that will now be held by Chris Conroy, president of Yeti Cycles. Taldi Walter, Government and Community Affairs Manager of outdoor retailer REI, will serve as Vice Chair.
Read the Mtbr report from the 2016 IMBA World Summit in Arkansas.
In a press release issued this week IMBA noted that Wiens’ “vision and commitment to the non-profit quickly stood out to the Board of Directors and management team, and it became clear he was who IMBA needed to lead the organization into its next era.”
Wiens raced mountain bikes professionally from 1988 to 2004, a span that included two World Cup XC wins, two U.S. national championship titles, and most notably, six straight Leadville 100 wins, including triumphs over defrocked Tour de France winners Floyd Landis and Lance Armstrong.
Wiens is also the founder and executive director of Gunnison Trails, a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing singletrack bike trails on public lands adjacent to Gunnison, Colorado, which includes the amazing Hartman Rocks trail system.
“As a mountain biker I share a passion for trails and riding with this entire community,” said Wiens, who also does PR work for German component maker Ergon. “IMBA has been an important part of mountain biking getting better and better over the past 30 years and I’m looking forward to working with mountain bikers from all over, as well as other stakeholders, while IMBA continues to help provide great places to ride.”
Yeti Cycles president Chris Conroy is taking over as IMBA’s Board Chairman.
Dan Brillon, IMBA Vice President of Finance and Operations, became interim President and Executive Director in August 2016 when Mike Van Abel resigned after 12 years of service. Since that time IMBA’s senior management team and Board of Directors have been working closely to execute on key initiatives before turning attention to filling the Executive Director role. In the near-term IMBA will separate the duties of President and Executive Director, and Brillon will remain President of the organization to oversee internal operations and business structure.
Check out the Gunnison Growler, a race founded and run by Dave Wiens.
At its February 2017 meeting, IMBA’s Board formalized a committee structure for board members and staff to work more closely on finance and development goals. The Board and management team are continuing the process of restructuring IMBA’s Chapter Program along with refining the organization’s focus and vision.
Check back soon to Mtbr for an in-depth interview with Wiens, as he lays out hos plans to lead the country’s largest mountain bike trails advocacy organization.