In a letter to leaders of member organizations today, Alliance President / CEO Jeffrey Miller announced that, after nearly 25 years of dedicated service in active transportation advocacy, he will step down from the Alliance at the end of March 2015.

“Jeff has done so much to advance biking and walking advocacy throughout North America, and we thank him for his dedication and passion,” said Rob Sadowsky, Chair of the Alliance for Biking & Walking Board of Directors. “Jeff will leave behind a strong organization that has elevated the work of hundreds of local active transportation leaders and organizations.”

Under Jeff’s leadership, the Alliance has quadrupled its budget and services and grew from fewer than 100 state and local member organizations to more than 200, making it a far-reaching coalition of state and local biking and walking advocacy organizations. Under his direction, the Alliance grew numerous programs areas to dramatically strengthen active transportation around North America:

• The Alliance’s Winning Campaigns Training program has grown from one session per year to 4-6 national trainings that reach hundreds of state and local leaders every year.
• The Alliance now trains over 1,000 emerging advocates annually through hands-on workshops, one-on-one coaching, technical assistance, and distance learning webinars.
• The Alliance’s Bicycling and Walking in the United States: Benchmarking Report has doubled in size and scope is now the most comprehensive resource for data on active transportation and health trends in the United States.
• Advocacy Advance, the Alliance’s partnership with the League of American Bicyclists, has worked with advocacy and agency staff partners at the state and local level to increase public investments in biking and walking. As a direct results of Advocacy Advance’s workshops, technical assistance, and grants, advocates have won over $457 million in additional federal, state, and local funding. Our Rapid Response Grants alone have generated a return of $2,807 for every dollar invested in the program.
• Closer and expanded partnerships with People For Bikes, America Walks, AARP, American Public Transportation Association and many excellent organizations.

During Jeff’s tenure, there has also been growth in the organizations that the Alliance serves and represents, with new organizations forming and existing organizations adding staff to more effectively make change in their communities.

“I am extremely proud of how focused the Alliance has been to advance state and local advocacy organizations and leaders, how far the biking and walking movement has come, and the difference we are making in communities across the continent,” said Jeff. “The Alliance is a fantastic organization with excellent member organizations, a great staff, and dedicated board. Having spent nearly 25 years in biking and walking advocacy, I am grateful to have been part of the active transportation advocacy movement that is now so strong.

Following Jeff’s departure at the end of March, the Alliance’s Deputy Director Brighid O’Keane will serve as Interim Executive Director for the organization.