After holding the position for about a year, John Mauro stepped down as Director of Policy, Planning and Government Affairs earlier this year to head to New Zealand with his wife.

Now, the club has hired Evan Manvel, the former Executive Director of Portland’s Bicycle Transportation Alliance to fill the key spot once held by now-mayoral-staffer David Hiller.

From Cascade:

We are excited to announce that Evan Manvel, former Executive Director of the Portland-based Bicycle Transportation Alliance (BTA), has been hired as Cascade Bicycle Club’s new Director of Policy, Planning and Government Affairs.

In July, John Mauro announced he would be leaving Cascade Bicycle Club to move to New Zealand after having been with the organization for four years.

The Director of Policy, Planning and Government Affairs is a key position in the club’s political advocacy work and Cascade completed an extensive search and interview process to  John Mauro’s follow-up.

“After several rounds of interviewing, it was a unanimous decision of the Board and staff to try to get Evan away from Portland, where he helped build their incredible bike infrastructure as the director of the BTA, and bring him to Seattle,” said Chuck Ayers, Executive Director of Cascade Bicycle Club. “And fortunately for us, Evan accepted.”

Originally from Fort Collins, Colorado, Manvel got his Bachelors degree at Haverford College and received a Master’s degree in Public Policy and Urban Planning from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government.

He comes to the club with a proven record of success and two decades worth of transportation advocacy experience, having served in positions such as Legislative Affairs Director and lobbyist for the Oregon League of Conservation Voters, co-chair of the Bike Walk Vote PAC, board member of the Willamette Pedestrian Coalition and, of course, Director of the BTA.

As the Executive Director of the BTA, Manvel successfully helped push through five statewide laws and helped win several policy victories in Portland, including funding a new Bicycle Master Plan and passing a $229 million regional trails and open space bond measure.

Manvel most recently worked as Principal of Manvel Public Affairs, serving clients such as the Coalition for a Livable Future, 1000 Friends of Oregon, the Oregon Environmental Council and Portland political candidates.

“I have been an advocate for livable communities for the past 20 years and I’m thrilled to be bringing that passion to Seattle,” said Manvel.  “I felt like the job description was written for me. “

Manvel said he’s  a fan of Cascade’s work and has been particularly impressed by Cascade’s “leadership, power, membership and its willingness to be a strong voice for bicycling.”

“I’m looking forward to partnering with the local government and activists,” he said. “As well as getting to know the joys and gaps of the bicycle system in Seattle.”

A self-proclaimed “functional cyclist,” Manvel said he mainly uses his bike to get around town.

Luckily, his one-and-only bike has gears to take on Seattle’s hills.

Outside of work, Manvel is an outdoorsman and is looking forward to strap on a backpack and explore the wonderful backcountry that surrounds Seattle.

“I’m also excited to getting to know a whole new set of microbrews and the art scene,” he added.  “Really, there’s a sea of things I’m looking forward to in Seattle.”

Manvel starts his new position on Tuesday, Sept. 4.  Please give him a warm welcome.