As Bike & Build’s Founder, one of the questions which I’m most often asked is, “Has Bike & Build become what you wanted it to and thought it would be?”
It’s a tricky question to answer. As Bike & Build has grown from an idea to a baby to an established organization, my goals, expectations, and hopes for it have changed and evolved.
I started Bike & Build in 2002, after completing a cross-country ride organized by New Haven Habitat for Humanity the summer before. The experience I had – combining elements of charity, volunteerism, travel, and adventure – was so positive that I finished my ride with a single thought: everyone should have the chance to do a trip like this. Initially, Bike & Build was my way to replicate and share with others the experience that was so formative to me.
As Bike & Build grew, the potential for creating impact among the affordable housing cause and housing groups in the field became increasingly important and compelling. Over time, the organization was able to become a larger funder of affordable housing projects. The fuel behind my work and involvement with Bike & Build was the opportunity to fund and execute projects that would meaningfully change the lives of the families they touched.
Most recently, to me Bike & Build has become about the community of riders, alumni, affordable housing partners, trip hosts, parents, and friends that has grown out of the organization and its programs. It’s an incredible group to be a part of.
As Bike & Build has grown, with it my role has evolved – from Founder to Director to Chair. After 10 years, the time is right for me to scale back my involvement with the organization.I will be stepping down as Chairman, and look forward to defining what my new role with Bike & Build will be. I look forward to staying close to Bike & Build, and I feel fortunate to turn the organization over to a fiercely dedicated and talented staff and board. I am also grateful that Kristian Sekse will be taking over the Chair position.
When I started Bike & Build, I didn’t truly know what I wanted it to be, but I’m incredibly excited and grateful for what it has become. My sincere thanks to all of you who have touched Bike & Build in big and small ways, and have helped it to become what it is today. I look forward to continuing to be a part of extending the experience of a Bike & Build trip to more people, helping the organization create affordable housing, and growing and connecting with the amazing group of people who are a part of it.
