Message from Ann Mack

Dear Friend of Trailnet,

After fourteen years at Trailnet, eight of them as the executive director, I have made the decision to leave Trailnet to seize a wonderful adventure and opportunity. I will remain Trailnet’s biggest fan, but will be channeling my energy and using much of what I have learned throughout my career to build a company with my husband, David.

This is a bittersweet announcement for me – a sadness to leave such a dynamic organization, but a thrilling time in my life. Trailnet’s 26 years of focused work has benefited our entire region, and I am especially proud of these particular accomplishments carried out during my tenure:

• A strategic shift for Trailnet, from trail building and capital projects to our current focus on policy, planning and programming, was successfully implemented.
• Our staff has grown to 21 and includes transportation planners, design and communication experts, advocacy specialists, bike and youth program educators and, of course, bicycle event planners.
• We have secured federal funding to develop bike/pedestrian master plans for 29 local communities.
• We spearheaded a successful re-location campaign to our current downtown office at 411 North Tenth Street, co-locating with St. Louis’ Downtown Bicycle Station.
• Our leadership role in elevating the proposed South County Connector conversation and technical assistance for Complete Streets in St. Louis City and St. Louis County have created increased public awareness of and accommodations for non-motorized traffic.

I will be working closely with the Trailnet board of directors as they launch a national search for my replacement. I am looking forward to a smooth transition sometime this fall. In fact – hold the date for our second annual Ped-a-Palooza on October 17. We plan to use that party as a celebration of my years partnering with you, and as a hearty welcome to Trailnet’s new leader.

We are fortunate to have an incredibly competent staff diligently working for a more livable St. Louis. Rest assured that I will forever be a champion of Trailnet activities in the region. Thank you for your generous support and for everything you have done to bring such joy to my work. It has been a privilege representing you when bikeability and walkability issues are at stake.

In fact, those are the very issues that elected officials will be focused on Monday, April 7 at Bike Ped Day at the Missouri Capitol. Please consider joining us and other advocates – a Trailnet van will be leaving St. Louis at 8:00 a.m. and returning by 6:00 p.m. Contact rhonda@trailnet.org for more details.

Sincerely,

Ann Rivers Mack

Chief Executive Officer