MEET YOUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Brian Staiger / President 

Brian moved to Bend in the summer of 2018 from upstate NY. Brian is a retired high school science teacher,  track, cross country and basketball coach. He shares his passion for road cycling with his wife Therese. Within the first month of moving here, Brian and Therese joined the COWs. Saturday group rides have become a regular part of their routine. Brian has also become an avid mountain biker and enjoys hitting the trails with friends. 

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.

Terry Belunes / Secretary

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.

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.

Paul Brooksbank / Social Director

Paul moved to Bend following his retirement in 2015. Paul worked as a Fire Captain in Las Vegas. Paul is married with three sons. Paul enjoys road, mountain, and cycle touring. Along with sail plane soaring,  restoring vintage motorcycles, and attempting to ski. Paul joined COWs in the spring of 2021 and enjoys both riding and drinking beer with the club, but mostly the drinking part because riding is hard. Paul looks forward to leading more rides and serving on your board with enthusiasm.

Tod Feuerman / At-Large

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.

Jodi Grossman / At-Large

Jodi moved to Bend from Boulder, Colorado at the height of the pandemic in June, 2020. Cycling was her ticket to entry into her new community, and being a COW member catalyzed her passion for being on the road and on gravel. In addition to cycling, Jodi enjoys both alpine and telemark skiing at Mt. Bachelor, exploring the Pacific Northwest and international destinations, and the many Central Oregon food trucks and live music venues.

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)

Sam moved to Bend in 2000, and had always wondered why Bend and Central Oregon lacked a recreational bike club. His answer was to start COWs in 2016. When Sam was 11 years old, he began riding with his mother and uncle in the Los Angeles Wheelman club. When he was 19, he rode across the US on a J.C. Penney sponsored ride. He now gravel, mountain or road rides with whoever is willing, including his wife Barb.