Nominations for 2024 Contributor of the Year
Here are the Contributor of the Year nominations in the order they were received.
Fergus Tanaka -For many years he has been integral to advancing Hellyer: this year was driving force on the Board with the racing calendar and stepping in to fill so many needs in the operation of the Velodrome in so many ways. From a collection of many who have contributed much to advance NCVA in 2024, Fergus stands out!!
Larry Nolan – I’m nominating Larry Nolan for contributor of the year given his many contributions over the past year, notably running WNTT throughout the season, and his indefatigably upbeat promotion of the sport.
Erik Salander – Erik served on the Board as President last year. This year, Erik has been doing an incredible job tirelessly working in the background, where he is looking after our email infrastructure, keeping the web site, and the calendar up to date, and acquiring rail banner sponsors which is a much needed source of income for the velodrome.
Annabell Holland (nominated twice) – Where to begin: Annabell contributed in so many functions with impact: As Board member for many years. For example, this last year Annabell implemented our new security system which has been crucial to keep the velodrome safe. As race official Annabell was officiating in almost every race this year. Finally, whenever at the track Annabell is always willing to use her time to help riders improve.
Andrew Lanier – My Volunteer of the year vote goes to Andrew Lanier, who continues and consistently helps so many riders!
Candidate Statements for the 2025 Board of Directors
Candidate statements (8) in order of submission: Marissa Axell, Florian Schneider, Carla Richard, Fergus Liam, Stephen Roulac, Erik Salander, James Grady and Alexander Winter.
Marissa Axell
Hi, I’m Marissa Axell, I served as Secretary on the NCVA Board in the 2023 & 2024 season. I keep meeting notes, and stepped forward with other challenging tasks and committees where possible. I’m proud of how well the board came together in 2024 and would be delighted to keep this momentum rolling. I’m still impressed with how successful we are with such a small group of committed volunteers. I’d like to serve another term to help with marketing and further Hellyer’s women’s racing initiatives.
Florian Schneider
I’d like to run for re-election to the NCVA Board. This was my first year on the Board where I served as President. For next year I plan to continue helping where I can to ensure smooth operation of the velodrome and make it a better place for the community. I’m proud of what we’ve achieved this year, overcoming many challenges. It makes me glad to see so many athletes enjoy the track and I’m looking forward to the next season.
Carla Richard
Riding the track at Hellyer is such a joy for me. I seek to join the NCVA Board in 2025 to help others experience the awesome environment of our velodrome.
If I am entrusted to join the Board in 2025, I am committed to collaborate with the many people that work hard to promote events, supervise training sessions, and maintain Hellyer’s facilities and equipment. I was a Board member and co-treasurer in 2024, and learned the core finance tasks needed to support Hellyer. I would love the opportunity to apply this experience and work with others to ensure that the non-profit status of Hellyer is a success. I’m excited to be part of the Board and map a strong future for Hellyer as a well-used, well-run community resource.
Fergus Liam
Thank you for your consideration for NCVA Board member. This last year, I was lucky enough to hold the roles of scheduling and marketing for Hellyer Velodrome. I was able to work with my fellow board members to make sure we hosted a regular season, held district championships, and grow our Supervisor ranks for Saturday sessions.
My goals for the coming year is to work with other supervisors to plant the seeds for a comprehensive program at Hellyer Velodrome that is accessible to any and all people who wish to discover track racing. I’m also looking to help new promoters host more race opportunities for all levels of cyclists while developing our community assets in helping provide for the greater participating population. Thank you for your time and vote.
Stephen Roulac
A year ago, when I ran for and was elected to the Hellyer Velodrome Board, I introduced myself to our Velodrome community by saying that my interest in serving on the Hellyer Velodrome Board was motivated by members of the Hellyer Velodrome community – including Board members – suggesting my background/expertise would expand Board capabilities and that Board role would be how I might best contribute to and support our community.
As events evolved, since I was unable to race in 2024 because of a couple of severe injuries, serving on the Board this past year was my primary interaction with the Velodrome. That said, the Candidate Statement that I submitted last December contains information about my background. In that Board Candidate Statement I stated that my priority would be to work with the Board concerning how best to enhance the present and prepare for tomorrow.
Over this past year the newly-constituted Board addressed leadership transition as well as a host of operating considerations – some more visible and others necessarily less so. The emphasis appropriately was predominantly on the present. Looking to 2025, it shall be highly appropriate for the Board to address more attention and resources to future Velodrome aspirations, opportunities, and prospects.
In my 2024 term I learned much and contributed to the Board, through building on and applying my extensive background in multiple leadership, advisory, and board roles with numerous nonprofits, governments, tech, entertainment, financial, and business enterprises. Looking ahead to 2025, I shall continue working on the reasons prior Board members had urged me to run for the Board: to enhance the present and prepare for tomorrow.
Should there be topics or concerns that you believe the board should prioritize, I would welcome hearing from you: sroulac@roulacglobal.com.
It shall be my honor to continue to serve on the Hellyer Velodrome Board. To this end, ask for your vote. Thank you.
Erik Salander
I’d like to rejoin the Hellyer Board for 2025. I think I can make some contributions organizationally, operationally and in support of supervisors/promoters. The Hellyer Velodrome had a fantastic 2024. It will take alot of work to repeat that and even more to improve. I’d like to work with the other Board members to make that happen in 2025 while also planning for the future.
James Grady
2024 was my first year on the NCVA Board. I was instrumental in many initiatives, including making sure there was racing. I enjoyed my time working with the other wonderful Board members and would like to continue.
My goals for 2025 are:
1) increase marketing and outreach efforts to grow our participant base
2) bring in new sponsors
3) foster the growth and development of new event promoters to ensure we have lots going on!
Thanks for your consideration!
Alexander Winter
I have been part of the Hellyer community for the last 9 years. My fellow riders and our track’s volunteers welcomed me and mentored me at a time when I was still developing my own identity in the sport of cycling. I now can’t imagine my life without the velodrome, and I’m running for re-election to the board so that I can continue helping improve our community. I look forward to seeing Hellyer grow the diversity of our rider base, the competitiveness of our racing opportunities, and the overall enjoyment that left turns bring us. My last year on the board has taught me about the inner workings of the decision-making process and given me opportunities to dig in on infrastructure topics such as security, storage, and track improvement.
