Board Candidate Statements

Board Candidate Statements

Come out to our annual membership party on January the 14th at Transfer Co. from 6 pm – 8 pm and vote on our new board members. We have three open board positions this year.

Financial Coordinator

Makes sure that the financials of the organization are kept in order.

Brian Durkin

I’ve been involved with Oaks & Spokes for the past 2 years and would like to become more involved.  I’ve been biking in Raleigh since I moved here in 2007 and am excited to do more in the future!

I also like dealing with numbers and financial issues, and get to do it every day – I work in accounting.  I’ve been the financial coordinator for 2 non-profit organizations in the past, which I’ve enjoyed.

I feel that for Raleigh to remain such a nice place and to grow successfully, alternative forms of transportation such as bikes need to be developed.  To do this, I feel Oaks & Spokes needs to work with city government, businesses, community members and other stakeholders to collaborate on bike related projects and be a resource for those who ride bikes or are interested in doing so.

Along with taking care of the day to day financial matters of Oaks & Spokes, I feel the financial coordinator should use financial information to help Oaks & Spokes make decisions about how to best spend their time, effort and money.


Diane Gallagher

I’m a member of Oaks & Spokes since October 2018, who has been volunteering for various events while also looking for a way I can make a more substantial contribution to the organization. I’m a licensed CPA with more than 12 years of experience working with small businesses developing accounting systems, reports, budgets and forecasts to support leadership with the information needed to make good decisions.  I would be happy to contribute as finance coordinator.


Harry Johnson

I’m really excited for the opportunity to step up and serve our organization as Financial Coordinator.  I’ve been involved with Oaks and Spokes for several years and love the work that we’re doing to ensure that Raleigh is a great bicycle-friendly community for all ages and abilities.  I live near downtown Raleigh with my wife and baby son and work on real estate issues for Google in Durham and Raleigh where I regularly commute by Bike/Bus (and sold my car last year!).  I’m committed to a) keeping our financial records in good working order; b) helping to plan our budget for the coming few years, and c) increasing our budget by working with the board to identify additional grassroots and institutional opportunities for fundraising.

Marketing Coordinator

Lets the world know about Oaks & Spokes! Writes the monthly newsletter.

Kristi Pettibone

I love riding my bike and I love sharing biking with others. As my kids are entering more independent years, I’ve been looking for ways to get involved in my community. I recently discovered Raleigh Community Kickstand – and while I’ve only participated in one event at Oak City Cares, I’m excited about continuing to help out there each month. I came home from that event ready to learn more about the group and discovered the open position for a board member responsible for marketing for Oaks and Spokes. Since my background and experience are in communication and non-profits, it seemed like an easy decision to volunteer to be part of this group. 

At-Large Coordinator

Helps the organization in the way they think is best.

Annie Blazejack

I have been volunteering with Oaks & Spokes for about a year now. I’ve learned a lot about how to plan a community bike ride, and even more about the process by which the city improves its bike infrastructure. As an event organizer and a bike advocate, I now have a substantial skill set. About six months ago, I became the interim Marketing Coordinator, so I make the monthly email newsletter. I’m a daily bicycle commuter in Raleigh, and I think with a few more protected bike lanes and a larger number of people riding bikes, our city can become as safe and delightful for cyclists as any place.


Milo Bateman

As a former trail advocate and fundraising manager for Rails to Trails Conservancy I feel as though my experience is an ideal fit for helping the Oaks & Spokes mission here in Raleigh.