Angela Parrotta - President
While living and working as a graphic designer in New York City, Angela biked across the country in 2008 and 2010 with the non-profit, Bike & Build, to raise money and awareness for affordable housing. This led to a career change and a move to Washington, D.C. to work in bicycle advocacy. While in D.C., she rebranded one of the DMV's oldest independent bike shops, Spokes Etc, designed cycling kits for many of the local race teams and clubs, and was the women's director for an elite race team. Angela started road racing in 2014 and in her last 4 years of competing has stepped on over 25 podiums.
Over the last several years, Angela would visit Naples often to see family and escape winters in D.C. The stars finally aligned in 2020 and now she calls Naples home. The cycling community here has always welcomed her and now she's eager to finally give back.
While living and working as a graphic designer in New York City, Angela biked across the country in 2008 and 2010 with the non-profit, Bike & Build, to raise money and awareness for affordable housing. This led to a career change and a move to Washington, D.C. to work in bicycle advocacy. While in D.C., she rebranded one of the DMV's oldest independent bike shops, Spokes Etc, designed cycling kits for many of the local race teams and clubs, and was the women's director for an elite race team. Angela started road racing in 2014 and in her last 4 years of competing has stepped on over 25 podiums.
Over the last several years, Angela would visit Naples often to see family and escape winters in D.C. The stars finally aligned in 2020 and now she calls Naples home. The cycling community here has always welcomed her and now she's eager to finally give back.
Tony Renda - Vice President
From his early years as a daily paperboy in suburban Pittsburgh, Tony has always been at home on a bike, appreciating the things that we all love about cycling: the Independence, the Fitness, and the sheer Joy that cycling affords us when we travel at accelerated speeds, while still in-touch with our environment.
Since those early days, cycling has been an ever-present part of Tony’s life: Living & riding in NYC, Pittsburgh, and Jacksonville, it was his 2007 move to Naples that accelerated his appreciation for cycling: Naples’ climate, bike-friendly roads, and strong Velo group rides made it easier than ever to get out on the bike.
Throughout the year, Tony races triathlons and is a standout cyclist in his age group, earning spots to multiple IRONMAN World Championships at the Full and Half distances. These days, you can find him on weekly Velo group rides, long solo century rides, or mountain bike rides at nearby CREW trails.
Tony runs 4 radio stations here in Southwest Florida and enjoys spreading the word about cycling and Naples Velo.
From his early years as a daily paperboy in suburban Pittsburgh, Tony has always been at home on a bike, appreciating the things that we all love about cycling: the Independence, the Fitness, and the sheer Joy that cycling affords us when we travel at accelerated speeds, while still in-touch with our environment.
Since those early days, cycling has been an ever-present part of Tony’s life: Living & riding in NYC, Pittsburgh, and Jacksonville, it was his 2007 move to Naples that accelerated his appreciation for cycling: Naples’ climate, bike-friendly roads, and strong Velo group rides made it easier than ever to get out on the bike.
Throughout the year, Tony races triathlons and is a standout cyclist in his age group, earning spots to multiple IRONMAN World Championships at the Full and Half distances. These days, you can find him on weekly Velo group rides, long solo century rides, or mountain bike rides at nearby CREW trails.
Tony runs 4 radio stations here in Southwest Florida and enjoys spreading the word about cycling and Naples Velo.
Sundi Faith - Treasurer
From balancing budgets to balancing on my bike, I’m the ultimate combination of cyclist and CPA. My favorite part of tax season? Claiming all those miles spend cycling as ‘work-related cardio’! When I’m not preparing tax returns, you can catch me dodging traffic. Having done my share of racing in past years, I am now all about riding for FUN and I’m now always on the lookout for the best bike routes that cross the paths of a great coffee shop. I specialize in maintaining a cheerful disposition even when my helmet hair is truly a sight to behold. I have been a part of Naples Velo since 2007 serving on the board for the second time now. Being a big proponent to cycling safety, I’m also currently serving on the board of the Naples Pathway Coalition. Join me on this wild ride as we conquer the cycling world one pedal stroke at a time!
From balancing budgets to balancing on my bike, I’m the ultimate combination of cyclist and CPA. My favorite part of tax season? Claiming all those miles spend cycling as ‘work-related cardio’! When I’m not preparing tax returns, you can catch me dodging traffic. Having done my share of racing in past years, I am now all about riding for FUN and I’m now always on the lookout for the best bike routes that cross the paths of a great coffee shop. I specialize in maintaining a cheerful disposition even when my helmet hair is truly a sight to behold. I have been a part of Naples Velo since 2007 serving on the board for the second time now. Being a big proponent to cycling safety, I’m also currently serving on the board of the Naples Pathway Coalition. Join me on this wild ride as we conquer the cycling world one pedal stroke at a time!
Amy Bullard - Secretary
Amy joined Naples Velo as a new cyclist in 2011. She is dedicated to the sport and has been lucky enough to ride with so many of the incredible members of the Naples cycling community. Her career has mainly been as a management consultant and most recently her focus has been as an international advisor to equine wearables startups. Think Garmin, Fitbit, Strava for horses! She has been living and cycling in Connecticut and North Carolina for the last few years. This year she made the decision to make Naples her permanent home again. She is excited to share her considerable Board experience with Naples Velo and is grateful for the opportunity to give back.
Amy joined Naples Velo as a new cyclist in 2011. She is dedicated to the sport and has been lucky enough to ride with so many of the incredible members of the Naples cycling community. Her career has mainly been as a management consultant and most recently her focus has been as an international advisor to equine wearables startups. Think Garmin, Fitbit, Strava for horses! She has been living and cycling in Connecticut and North Carolina for the last few years. This year she made the decision to make Naples her permanent home again. She is excited to share her considerable Board experience with Naples Velo and is grateful for the opportunity to give back.
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Justin Bolde
Justin is originally a Naples native with an 8 year hiatus out West in Phoenix, Arizona where he was an avid motocross racer and skateboarder. It was an easy transition from the bike to cycling. Riding with Naples Velo, he was able to build relationships within the cycling community and eventually gain the skills needed to start racing. Justin holds a USAC category 1 license and is currently racing in the fastest criteriums in North America. Justin stays very busy balancing his two loves cycling and family. |
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Greg Pelican
Greg is a 20 year veteran of the bicycle industry. Greg owned and managed Bethel Cycle in CT for 16 years and currently is a Managing Partner, and GM of Naples Cyclery. Before buying Bethel Cycle, Greg held the role of Marketing Manager for both Fuji Photo Film and then Eastman Kodak. Greg is a passionate cyclist with results that include two Bronze Medals in the ITU Duathlon World Championships, 4X USAT Duathlon National Champion, and 3X CT USA Cycling State Champion (bike racing and cyclocross). |
Joe Rose
Joe grew up in Manasquan, a small beach town on the Jersey Shore. His two-wheel obsession started at around six years old with his first Schwinn Stingray and has continued since. Enduro and motocross motorcycles were his bikes of choice in his early teens and 20’s. In the early eighties, his love of riding the trails renewed his interest in biking, so he started riding mountain bikes and even entered local races. Joe supplemented his mountain biking with road riding with the local groups in the early nineties. After several years going back and forth between NJ and Naples, Joe and his wife Laurie became full-time residents in Naples in 2003. In 1982 Joe joined the NCR Corporation, starting an extensive career that has taken him around the world, which he continues to enjoy.
Previously, Joe served on the Naples Velo Board, including the president’s role. He continues leading the local mountain biking community and works with the groups on riding safely, etiquette and responsibly. You can find Joe on the Naples Velo rides most mornings, especially on Tuesday’s Hour of Power, his favorite ride.
Joe grew up in Manasquan, a small beach town on the Jersey Shore. His two-wheel obsession started at around six years old with his first Schwinn Stingray and has continued since. Enduro and motocross motorcycles were his bikes of choice in his early teens and 20’s. In the early eighties, his love of riding the trails renewed his interest in biking, so he started riding mountain bikes and even entered local races. Joe supplemented his mountain biking with road riding with the local groups in the early nineties. After several years going back and forth between NJ and Naples, Joe and his wife Laurie became full-time residents in Naples in 2003. In 1982 Joe joined the NCR Corporation, starting an extensive career that has taken him around the world, which he continues to enjoy.
Previously, Joe served on the Naples Velo Board, including the president’s role. He continues leading the local mountain biking community and works with the groups on riding safely, etiquette and responsibly. You can find Joe on the Naples Velo rides most mornings, especially on Tuesday’s Hour of Power, his favorite ride.
Griffin Van Nest
Being born & raised in Toledo, Ohio it was ice hockey I played my whole life and it was 17 years ago that my wife & I began doing "travel therapy" where I discovered mountain biking while on a stint in the Pacific NW. Soon after I bought my first (mountain) bike when we lived in Brandon, FL. and I got plenty of miles on that bike for a few years. However, it was my love for the Miami Dolphins that had me buying my second (road) bike so I could participate in DCC II back in 2011. The Dolphins Challange Cancer is their yearly fundraiser the benefits the University of Miami Sylvester Cancer Center and their feature ride is a 100 mile route around the Miami area. So while the Dolphins introduced me to cycling it was Naples that introduced me to group rides and ever since coming to the area 7 years ago I've been a regular attendee on most weekends as well as riding a few weekday nights either solo or with an impromptu group that forms on Tuesdays & Thursdays. Once I became comfortable with group rides I focused on riding faster with the occasional attempt at racing thrown in for good measure. I love the group dynamic and I've always been a fan of "the more the merrier" hence always extending a warm welcome to any new faces I may see. My goal is to promote increased safety awareness for all cyclists as well as helping in any ever way possible, which lately has been taking pictures while for our social media accounts. Also, I will lend my assistance to planning & organizing any one of our future off bike social events.
Being born & raised in Toledo, Ohio it was ice hockey I played my whole life and it was 17 years ago that my wife & I began doing "travel therapy" where I discovered mountain biking while on a stint in the Pacific NW. Soon after I bought my first (mountain) bike when we lived in Brandon, FL. and I got plenty of miles on that bike for a few years. However, it was my love for the Miami Dolphins that had me buying my second (road) bike so I could participate in DCC II back in 2011. The Dolphins Challange Cancer is their yearly fundraiser the benefits the University of Miami Sylvester Cancer Center and their feature ride is a 100 mile route around the Miami area. So while the Dolphins introduced me to cycling it was Naples that introduced me to group rides and ever since coming to the area 7 years ago I've been a regular attendee on most weekends as well as riding a few weekday nights either solo or with an impromptu group that forms on Tuesdays & Thursdays. Once I became comfortable with group rides I focused on riding faster with the occasional attempt at racing thrown in for good measure. I love the group dynamic and I've always been a fan of "the more the merrier" hence always extending a warm welcome to any new faces I may see. My goal is to promote increased safety awareness for all cyclists as well as helping in any ever way possible, which lately has been taking pictures while for our social media accounts. Also, I will lend my assistance to planning & organizing any one of our future off bike social events.
Kurt Shearer
Born and raised in the Fingerlakes region of NY, Kurt entered the United States Air Force after high school. Upon separating from the military he moved to Naples in 1982 with a former USAF roommate that was from Naples.
Kurt has a beautiful wife Sue, daughter Amy (Brooklyn, NY) and son Lee (Greenville, SC), daughter Lauren, son-in-law Andrew and 2 grandchildren in Charlotte, NC where Kurt and Sue travel monthly.
He was introduced to triathlon in 2001 and quickly became hooked on the sport. He is an avid snow skier, loves to cook and travel. Kurt is former president of Naples Area Triathletes and former board member of Naples Velo and he looks forward to serving again and giving back to the sport which he loves.
Born and raised in the Fingerlakes region of NY, Kurt entered the United States Air Force after high school. Upon separating from the military he moved to Naples in 1982 with a former USAF roommate that was from Naples.
Kurt has a beautiful wife Sue, daughter Amy (Brooklyn, NY) and son Lee (Greenville, SC), daughter Lauren, son-in-law Andrew and 2 grandchildren in Charlotte, NC where Kurt and Sue travel monthly.
He was introduced to triathlon in 2001 and quickly became hooked on the sport. He is an avid snow skier, loves to cook and travel. Kurt is former president of Naples Area Triathletes and former board member of Naples Velo and he looks forward to serving again and giving back to the sport which he loves.
Don Rupprecht
Don practiced law for approximately 20, primarily before federal courts and agencies throughout the US and its territories. He then transitioned into conducting financial turnarounds and startups for multi-national corporations for 20 years.
Don first became involved in cycling in 1991 in Indianapolis, IN. He is a member of the Tour de’ Taverns Cycling Club in Evansville, IN and the Team Sociale Cycling Club in Columbus, OH.
In 2010, Don retired and moved full time to Naples, FL. At that time, he joined Naples Velo Bicycle Club. He is a past president of Naples Velo and is excited to again serve as a Trustee of Naples Velo.
Don practiced law for approximately 20, primarily before federal courts and agencies throughout the US and its territories. He then transitioned into conducting financial turnarounds and startups for multi-national corporations for 20 years.
Don first became involved in cycling in 1991 in Indianapolis, IN. He is a member of the Tour de’ Taverns Cycling Club in Evansville, IN and the Team Sociale Cycling Club in Columbus, OH.
In 2010, Don retired and moved full time to Naples, FL. At that time, he joined Naples Velo Bicycle Club. He is a past president of Naples Velo and is excited to again serve as a Trustee of Naples Velo.
Sonny Iaask
Sonny is a competitive cyclist and triathlete living in Fort Myers, Florida. He spent 8 years of
active duty in the Marine Corps with 3 combat deployments. Sonny grew up riding on two
wheels; starting young on bicycles, BMX bikes, dirt bikes, motorcycles, and mountain
biking; joy riding and competing has been his fearless passion. When living in
Michigan, Sonny was a volunteer coach for the Grand Rapids Dirt Dawgs, a non-profit
mountain bike organization focusing on teaching kids a healthy lifestyle and trail
stewardship through mountain biking. He holds a USAC level 3 coaching certification and
loves to help people achieve their fitness goals. Sonny currently races for Waldo Racing
and has big goals to accomplish. Outside of cycling, his number one priority is family. Sonny has a very supportive wife and son who also share the passion of cycling and triathlons. Sonny's favorite quote is “Riding a bike is not a hobby; it’s a way of life.” The cycling community is like no other; Naples Velo is like one big family.
Sonny is a competitive cyclist and triathlete living in Fort Myers, Florida. He spent 8 years of
active duty in the Marine Corps with 3 combat deployments. Sonny grew up riding on two
wheels; starting young on bicycles, BMX bikes, dirt bikes, motorcycles, and mountain
biking; joy riding and competing has been his fearless passion. When living in
Michigan, Sonny was a volunteer coach for the Grand Rapids Dirt Dawgs, a non-profit
mountain bike organization focusing on teaching kids a healthy lifestyle and trail
stewardship through mountain biking. He holds a USAC level 3 coaching certification and
loves to help people achieve their fitness goals. Sonny currently races for Waldo Racing
and has big goals to accomplish. Outside of cycling, his number one priority is family. Sonny has a very supportive wife and son who also share the passion of cycling and triathlons. Sonny's favorite quote is “Riding a bike is not a hobby; it’s a way of life.” The cycling community is like no other; Naples Velo is like one big family.
Leigh Masimore —Jean Heuschen Memorial Ride Advisor
After 36 years in the corporate world, Leigh and his wife Maggie started their part time relationship with Naples in 2012. Eventually making it their fulltime residence in 2017. For the last 5 years Leigh has organized and led moderate pace rides in East Naples. He is an FBA Ride Leader/Ride Marshall for club and charity rides. Leigh has recently served as Safety Liaison for Naples Velo making cycling safety presentations to cycling clubs and homeowner associations.
After 36 years in the corporate world, Leigh and his wife Maggie started their part time relationship with Naples in 2012. Eventually making it their fulltime residence in 2017. For the last 5 years Leigh has organized and led moderate pace rides in East Naples. He is an FBA Ride Leader/Ride Marshall for club and charity rides. Leigh has recently served as Safety Liaison for Naples Velo making cycling safety presentations to cycling clubs and homeowner associations.