MEET YOUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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Joe Gilles / President
Joe & his wife Barb are originally from Durand, WI and moved to Bend in July 2020 after 30 years in the Portland area. They were long time members of the Portland Velo Cycle Club and have been riding since meeting in college back in 19...
A road rider, Joe helps lead the B & C Pace groups and occasionally attempts to hang on with the A’s. Prior to being elected President Joe was a prolific submitter of rides through the COW’s site (yes, it’s that easy!) and has been the Road Ride Coordinator since 2025.
In addition to the C.O. Wheelers, Joe blocks out December through April for Alpine ski season. He is a member of, and a Group Leader with the Bend Ski Club. As Joe likes to say, "folks who bike or ski just seem to be happier and enjoy life just a little more than the average person." You are our people!"
Dan Johnson / Vice President
Dan moved to Bend in April 2021 from the San Francisco Bay area but originally from Minnesota. He has been a Central Oregon Wheelers member for 4 years. Dan enjoys road, gravel, and occasional mountain bike riding. He has completed many triathlons including Ironman World Championship and ITU Age Group World Championship. Dan looks forward to a good 2025 Summer riding season.
Steve Klarquist / Treasurer
Steve moved to Bend with his wife Susan in 2015. Steve is a retired tax lawyer. An Oregon native, Steve lived in Central Oregon early in his professional life, and recreated here over many years before deciding the time was right to make it home. He enjoys all types of cycling, hiking, skiing, kayaking and fly fishing, and the easy access to these activities that Bend provides. Steve joined COWs in 2016, after seeing an article in the Bend Bulletin about a new cycling club. Steve and Susan have the COWs to thank for many wonderful friendships, not to mention a lot of great rides.
Tod Feuerman / Secretary
Tod moved to Bend in 2019 fulfilling a promise made to his wife 40 years ago that they would retire to Central Oregon. Living in Los Angeles and working as a Film & TV editor, Tod started riding a road bike a decade ago with the San Fernando Valley Bike Club. As a COWS member since 2022, Tod has led road and gravel rides and looks forward to continued friendships and explorations on all types of terrain in Oregon.
Rob Kassan / Adventure Ride Coordinator
Rob moved to Central Oregon from Southern California in 2021 after retiring from UCLA. He is currently in private practice at Bend Medical Acupuncture helping athletes recover from accidents and injuries and general wear and tear. When not riding gravel, road, mountain and fat bikes, he is flyfishing in the local rivers.
Sean Chance / Social Coordinator
Sean moved to Bend in 2022 from Boulder Colorado where he worked in the real estate business for 10 years. HIs wife Pam and Sean have really enjoyed the friends they’ve made since joining the COWS.
What a great group of people focused on cycling, community and staying fit.
Gloria DiSanto / At-Large
Gloria moved to Bend in 2017 with her husband, Frank, after years of visiting Central Oregon to ski and spend summers at Sunriver Resort. Her passion for cycling began while living in Seattle, and Frank soon joined in—making it a shared adventure they've enjoyed for over 30 years. Gloria originally joined COWs in 2018 to become more involved in the community she loves.
Sam Handelman / Founder (Non-Board member)
Terry Belunes / Club Historian
Terry returned to Bend after a 30 year career as an Environmental Scientist. After many years of white water kayaking, backpacking and mountain biking, Terry began road cycling in the 2000’s to stay active, enjoy the beauty of rural Oregon, and met new friends. Committed to safe and healthy cycling, Terry leads beginner rider orientations and the club’s Progressive Tuesday rides to help riders achieve their cycling goals.