TART is governed by a 16-member volunteer board of directors.

Executive Board:
Tom Auer, Past President
Tom has a lifelong interest in bicycling. He was especially interested in joining TART in order to help Ted Okerstrom with his vision of a trail around the Boardman Lake. He also has an interest in fitness as a way of life. He has been an internal medicine physician at Thirlby Clinic since 1975. Email Tom at btauer@charter.net

Scott Howard, President
Scott Howard was elected to the board in May 2005. He is an avid trail user, a native of Traverse City and lives on 11th Street with his wife, Michele, and 3 young children. Professionally, Scott is an attorney and works in Traverse City at Olson, Bzdok & Howard, PC. Email Scott at scott@envlaw.com

Brian Fisher, Vice President
Brian Fisher joined the board of directors in May 2007. A TART supporter for many years, Brian is out biking on the trails frequently. "My interest in TART was really formed by my trail usage- I ride a lot," Brian said. "I think it's great you can get from here to there by using the trails." One of his more enjoyable trail activities is riding up to Suttons Bay after work, jumping in the water, and then riding home. Brian also values riding as a form of transportation, not only recreation, and wants to continue to promote that aspect of trail usage. When he isn't out on the trails, Brian is a dentist and has spent most of his 24-year career here. He and his wife Vera also live in Traverse City. Email Brian atbfisher795@gmail

Susan Vigland, Secretary
Susan has been a member of the TART Trails Board of Directors since 2009, and currently serves as secretary. Susan is a competitive cross-country skier and and a member of the Hagerty cycling team. A native of Cadillac, she attended the University of Colorado - Boulder and is currently employed by Hagerty Insurance as a training and wellness manager. She and her husband Todd reside in Traverse City and are on the trails year around. She is delighted to be involved with TART. E-mail Susan at svigland@hagerty.com

John Paul, Treasurer
John Paul, head of the Bank of Northern Michigan in Traverse City, joined the board in May 2007. A longtime outdoor and trail enthusiast, John was eager to get involved in the local trails organization. "So many of the outdoor activities my family and I enjoy involve trails," John said. "Hiking, biking, and cross-country skiing have all been activities we've pursued for years." John returned to town a couple years ago to start the Traverse City office of the Bank of Northern Michigan. He's been a banker for 30 years, and for 13 years with Old Kent Bank (now Fifth Third) in Traverse City. His career took him to Kalamazoo for several years, but now he's back and recently moved into the bank's new office on the corner of State and Union downtown." This opportunity to join the TART board represents a whole new segment for me within our community and I'm looking forward to participating," he said, adding that he can't wait to see the remaining 7 miles of the Leelanau Trail paved. John and his wife Sue have four children and live in Traverse City. Email John at jpaul@tbonm.com

Board Members:

Brian Beauchamp
Brian joined the TART board in 2009. He currently works as a policy specialist for the Michigan Land Use Institute. Contact him at brian@mlui.org

Chris DeGood
Chris is a senior civil site engineer for URS Corporation and joined the TART board in 2009. Contact him at chris_degood@urscorp.com

Jim Dombrowski
Jim first moved to Traverse City in 1978. He was transferred to Mt. Pleasant in 1989 but kept his house in Traverse City and moved back in 1999 when he retired from work as an Electronic Technician. Jim first became involved with TART as a volunteer during the trail survey. He has since become a groomer on the Vasa Trail and enjoys working on all of the trails. He has also built signs and brochure boxes and installed them along the trails. Jim is an avid cross-country skier and enjoys biking and walking the trails as well. Jim also does the registration for the Bayshore Marathon. Jim's desire is that the trail system continues to grow and the existing trails continue to improve. Email Jim at browski@charter.net

Meagan McLain
Meagan joined the TART board in February 2011. She grew up helping out with her family's business, McLain Cycle and Fitness. Meagan is responsible for creating Tour de TART to showcase the Leelanau Trail. Tour de TART has subsequently become TART's signature event. She is involved with registration logistics for most cycling events in the region. Meagan is an avid cyclist both on and off road. Email Meagan at meaganmclain@hotmail.com

Kelley Peterson
Kelley Peterson was elected to the board in June of 2010. She is an avid cross-country skier and runner. A native of Traverse City, she lives on Old Mission with her husband and children.

Doug Spence
Doug is a relative newcomer to the Traverse City area having established his Family Practice here in 2001. He grew up in Saginaw and is a graduate of Wayne State Medical School. Upon moving here, Doug quickly became a member of the physically active medical community with weekly ventures on the Vasa and Leelanau trails. As a student in Madison, WI and Ann Arbor, Doug commuted regularly by bicycle. This 'bicycle perspective' familiarized Doug with the many benefits trails have to the overall health of a community. In his practice, he enjoys seeing the excitement of his patients who have found dramatic improvements in health as a result of regular exercise. Activities in organizations providing care for the medically underserved in Grand Traverse County, as well as frequent participation in community athletic events, also enhance his enjoyment of living in this area. Email Doug at dspence22@yahoo.com

Kevin Pryor

Kevin is a Suttons Bay resident and business owner of Body Balance.  He served as the Suttons Bay point man for Tour de TART and joined the TART board in spring of 2010. Kevin may be reached at bodybalance@centurytel.net.

Mike Tarnow
Mike joined the board in 2008 and is a real estate appraiser for Northern Michigan Real Estate Consultants of which he is both founder and co-owner. He may be reached at mtarnow@nmrec.com

Matt Vermetten
Matt joined the TART board in February 2011. He enjoys using the TART Trail system on a daily basis. Matt's favorite recreational pursuits are cycling and cross- country skiing. He is a partner at the law firm of Brandt, Fisher, Alward and Roy. He may be reached at mvermetten@bfarlaw.com

Howard Yamaguchi
Howard is a retired planner and civil engineer living in Williamsburg. Howard recently joined the TART board in 2009. He may be reached at hayamaguchi@members.asce.org

Grand Traverse County Appointee: Ross Richardson
Ross is a Grand Traverse County Commissioner and was appointed to the TART board in 2011. You can reach Ross at ross873@sbcglobal.net