meet the team
Our Board
Our Board is made up of dedicated community members who advocate for PACA’s goals and its members as outlined in the constitution, bylaws, vision and mission statement.
The following documents are for you to learn more about our Board of Directors and their responsibilities and how you can apply for a position.
From 2020 onwards, all members are required to submit an application in advance of the AGM in order to be considered for a role
Terry McWhirter
President
After benefiting from all the work PACA has done for many years in the Penticton area, I felt it was my time in 2019 to step up and get more involved at the Board level.
There couldn’t be a better group of people to work with and I am continually amazed at what PACA has been able to accomplish. From urban riders to road cyclists, gravel grinders and mountain bikers, PACA has been and continues to be the voice for cyclists in the South Okanagan.
Skyler Punnett
Vice President
Skyler Punnett’s return to mountain biking corresponded to his return to Penticton. After a 15 year hiatus to get his career as an art director and illustrator off the ground in Vancouver he returned to his beloved hometown of Penticton. A cross country rider at heart, Skyler loves riding to find new views and new inspiration to fuel his creative career. From Go East Old Man to the Goat Trail in Summerland, Skyler loves connecting with folks from of all ages and levels of riding. He would be remiss if he didn’t take this opportunity to thank his dad, Graham Punnett for the introduction to the sport and for his first hand-me-down bike…and second…but the third he bought himself
RATS
Trail Director
This role has morphed into a committee. The club’s official trails stewards have stepped up for the season to fill an unexpected vacancy in the position. That said, if you are a committed trail junky, and like digging dirt for the good of the community, get in touch!
Matt Hopkins
Urban Cycling Director
“Live free or drive”
Matt is returning for his 3rd year on PACA and is the co-founder of the Penticton Bike Valet.
Matt (Along with previous Director Trisha Kaplan) has lobbied the City of Penticton to pursue a lake to lake for all ages and abilities bike route successfully. Matt also writes a bi-weekly column in the Penticton Herald focusing on sustainable mobility and equity in transportation.
Stephanie Atilano
Marketing & Communications Director
If I am not on my bike, I am on my other bike always encouraging others to get out their bike. I am honoured to be a part of PACA and the cycling community on the trails and on the pavement.
Kimberly Whidden
Membership Director
Hardly a day goes by when you won’t find Kim on a bike. She’s an avid road and gravel cyclist, and a novice mountain biker whose tires never leave the dirt. Growing up in Victoria, Kim and her family would often bike 10km to Beacon Hill Park on busy roads — long before bike lanes came along. Since then, she has relied on her bike to get her around wherever she’s living. Before she joined PACA, Kim volunteered with HUB Vancouver, at several Granfondos (when she wasn’t riding), and on the board of her road cycling club. Kim believes cycling should be inclusive, safe and a viable way to get around — no matter your age, ability or what you like to ride — as long as you keep the rubber side down.
John Armstrong
Director At Large
The Penticton and Area Cycling Association advocates and supports all types of cycling. Everyone in Penticton benefits from a bike-friendly community through increased property values, retail activity and healthier citizens. I am joining PACA to support the club to identify, write, submit and manage grant proposals that help to fund activities and infrastructure delivered by PACA.
Erin Creagh
Treasurer
What do road biking and accounting have in common…math! Erin’s background is in accounting (a designated CGA, CPA with an MBA) and is new to road biking! Stats are her jam and she’s loving all the new bike related metrics to master.
PACA’s strong sense of community and support for all types of riders is what drew her to volunteer with the Board.
Laura Harp
Director at Large
Laura started in 2009 as a Board member-at-large, predominately helping to organize the bike festival and cyclocross races and then gradually increasing her responsibilities to acting as President of PACA until 2019.
Past efforts include securing land access for mtn. biking (the highlight being the 100+ km’s of trails within the 3 Blind Mice network) and helping to bring together the numerous individuals to work together towards common goals, such as trail development and community programs.
Access to safe roads and sanctioned trails is not given easily. Supporting PACA to help create a strong cycling community with secured access for future generations keeps her motivated.
Kevin Dyck
Executive Director
As our first Executive Director, Kevin brings a wealth of leadership and non-profit experience to the table. He’s as comfortable writing grants as he his careening down a mountain, but his scars suggest he’s probably better at the former!