SALT LAKE CITY (September 5, 2019) – In July 2019, Bike Utah, the state’s nonprofit infrastructure, education, and advocacy organization, announced that Executive Director Phil Sarnoff would be stepping down from his five and a half year tenure. He will be moving to Bozeman, Montana where he will add a few layers to his winter bike commuting kit.
Says Sarnoff of his departure, “Leading Bike Utah has been a career highlight and I’m extremely proud of all we have accomplished to improve bicycling around the state. The organization has a great staff, board of directors, and advisory council that will only accelerate our programs, initiatives, and the improvement of bicycling in Utah.”
During his time with Bike Utah, Sarnoff launched the Youth Bicycle Education & Safety Training Program (Youth BEST), which educates students throughout the state of Utah about how to safely experience their neighborhoods by bicycle. The Youth BEST program has educated more than 10,000 students since its inception in 2016.
Sarnoff worked with Wasatch Front communities to grow the percentage of cities and towns with active transportation plans from 13% in 2016 to 63% in 2019. Active transportation plans are the foundation for improving and creating infrastructure and connectivity for bicyclists and pedestrians. He also helped to develop and fund the Governor’s 1,000 Miles Campaign. Implemented in 2017, the goal of the 1,000 Miles Campaign is to build 1,000 new miles of family-friendly bike lanes, paths, and trails by 2027.
Diane Rosenberg, Bike Utah’s Board Chair comments, “The board is immensely grateful to Phil for developing impactful programs and creating mutually beneficial partnerships, which are making Utah a better place to ride. We are excited to welcome Crys Lee to our team, with her nonprofit expertise and passion for creating an active transportation network that will contribute to a livable, healthy Utah.”
With this context, Bike Utah is pleased to announce the selection of Crys Lee as new Executive Director.
Lee comes to Bike Utah from the nonprofit organization Empower Playgrounds, and brings with her a decade of nonprofit resource development and management experience. Lee graduated from Brigham Young University with a Masters in Public Administration, and has a passion for seeing the world by bicycle.
She is ready to apply her skills in strategic planning and marketing to grow Bike Utah’s positive impact on Utah’s youth, the state’s bicycle commuting population, and everyone’s access to safe trails, bike lanes, and paths. “Utah’s population is exploding. Our future depends on people utilizing cycling as a mode of transportation. I am thrilled for this opportunity to be a part of Bike Utah with the solutions to making Utah a safer and more breathable place to ride.”
Both Sarnoff and Lee will work together until September 16, when Lee begins the Executive Director role full- time. Feel free to email an introduction to her at [email protected]. She is excited to meet and work with Bike Utah’s many stakeholders!
