Nominations for 2025 Contributor of the Year
Here are the Contributor of the Year nominations in the order they were received.
Gabby Zacks – I would like to nominate Gabby for her time and effort putting on women’s events along with Annabell to help promote and grow women’s involvement in the track!
Wagner Sousa (multiple nominations) – I’d like to nominate Wagner Sousa for COTY 2025. Wagner stepped up once again, volunteering his time and skills when our storage containers needed reinforcement and is already in progress with further upgrading our facilities. Wagner is a vital member of our community and his contributions were critical to ensure the security of our velodrome.
I’d like to nominate Wagner Souza for contributor of the year for Hellyer Velodrome. His relentless availability and willingness to help at a moment’s notice in our community’s times of need has be nothing short of sainthood. A constant champion for Hellyer Velodrome, his continued dedication to the track, its members and reputation is an outstanding example of someone who has gone above and beyond simple membership.
Wagner Souza has been instrumental this year. From vibes at races, even when he broke his hand… To leading the latest project to enhance security, which is super intense and involves his welding skills, ordering big containers and attending board meetings! nobody else comes close!!!
Candidate Statements for the 2026 Board of Directors
Candidate statements (8) in order of submission: Robert Carlsen, Florian Schneider, James Grady, Fergus Liam, Carla Richard, Alexander Winter, Marissa Axell and Martin Szwarc.
Robert Carlsen
My family and I really enjoyed spectating at Hellyer during the 2024 season, which rekindled my interest in getting back into track racing this year after a long hiatus since riding on the T-Town velodrome in Pennsylvania. I had a truly fulfilling experience in the Thursday Night Track League series, and I’m excited to focus on track racing for my 2026 season.
I’ve been so inspired by the friendly and supportive community at Hellyer. We’re fortunate to have an accessible velodrome with such a unique history close to home. I often encourage cyclists in the South Bay to give track racing a try and would love to see more people discover the challenge and fun of racing at Hellyer. It would be an honor to contribute to the velodrome in any way I can.
Thank you for considering my application.
Florian Schneider
I’d like to run for re-election to the NCVA Board. This was my second year on the Board where I served as President for my second term. 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.
James Grady
2025 was my second year on the NCVA Board. I’d like to continue serving our community by serving another year. My goal for 2026 is to increase opportunities for racing, assist with the capital improvements, and drive attendance by evangelizing Hellyer around the country.
Fergus Liam
Hellyer Community is one I hold in deep regard and owe much of my success in life to. I’ve been lucky enough to give back to the community these last two years in a board role and look forward to continued work to improve upon the work I’ve laid out in years past. Thank you for your consideration for Board of Supervisors for Hellyer Velodrome.
Carla Richard
Every lap around Hellyer reminds me why I’m passionate about track cycling. I’m applying for the NCVA Board in 2026 to help others experience the awesome environment of our velodrome.
If I am trusted to rejoin the Board, I am committed to collaborating with the many people who work hard to promote events, supervise training sessions, and maintain Hellyer’s facilities and equipment. This past year was my second as a Board member and first as Treasurer (serving as co-Treasurer in 2024). I learned even more about what makes Hellyer run. I reported finances each month, assisted with payments and refunds, and worked to maintain the non-profit status of NCVA. I’m excited to keep being part of the Board and help map a strong future for Hellyer as a well-used, well-run place where our community can ride and race.
Alexander Winter
I have been part of the Hellyer community for the last 10 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 2 years on the board have given me opportunities to dig in on infrastructure topics such as security, storage, and track improvement. I hope to continue these efforts next year in partnership with our other board members and our Santa Clara County Parks representatives.
Marissa Axell
I served as Secretary on the NCVA Board in the 2023 & 2024 & 2025 season. I keep meeting notes, and have tried to help with other challenging tasks and committees where possible. I’d be happy to serve another term to help with marketing the track to new audiences, and further Hellyer’s women’s racing initiatives.
Martin Szwarc
I’d like to be considered for the Hellyer board membership for 2026. I’ve been a regular at Hellyer for some time now and would like to give back by getting involved more. We have a great community and being part of it is something I cherish. I’d like to help maintain and grow this for 2026 and beyond.