Our FB4K MN Staff and Board 

Free Bikes 4 Kidz MN is led by a passionate and engaged staff and board of directors. Find out more about them below.

 

FB4K MN Staff

Jay Zemke – Executive Director

Email Address: Jay@FB4KMN.org

As Executive Director of Free Bikes 4 Kidz MN, our mission and purpose is geared toward helping all kids ride into a happier healthier childhood by providing bikes to those most in need. Free of charge. Other responsibilities including operations and strategy; securing financial stability and serving as a spokesperson but the most important is to put kids on bikes. 

 

 

 Hosts

Guides

Mechanics

Volunteer Coordinator

Bike Recipients Coordinator

 

FB4K MN Board of Directors

 

    Maureen Vischer- Chair

Maureen has loved bikes and kids since she was one.  Her first bike was a yellow beauty with a basket, bells and a fabulous banana seat!  When her older brother Dave wasn’t looking, she would take his black dirt bike and try to catch air off the curb at the end of their driveway.  After college, Maureen rode her red Bianchi road bike across the state of Pennsylvania and learned that maybe she should have trained a little.  Maureen has always worked at the grassroots level trying to help kids and families improve their lives.  So, when she was asked to join the FB4KMN board, it was an easy choice.  Kids and bikes, bikes and kids?  What’s not to love?

 

Martha Hoeppner – Vice Chair

Martha Hoeppner is the mother of three children, a dog lover, and an avid cyclist. She loves the outdoors and is a believer in the power of exercise when it comes to creating healthy and energetic people. One of the reasons Martha is excited about the opportunity to serve the Free Bikes 4 Kids organization is because she believes that all kids deserve the opportunity to be outside and on two wheels. We have an amazing park/trail system in the Twin Cities and providing bikes for all kids in need is a powerful way to promote healthy change. Martha is an educator and is passionate about serving children, especially in areas where systems are failing them.  Recently, Martha has worked to serve children in North Minneapolis with after school tutoring, organizing an annual coat drive, and providing food resources to people in need.  Martha enjoys using her outreach skills to connect with communities and bring people together for the greater good.

 

Jeff_Lundgren_Pic.jpeg

 Jeff Lundgren – Executive Committee

Retired financial services executive, Jeff Lundgren has returned from 9 years in London to get Free Bikes 4 Kidz MN finances cranking. Cheers! He’s clearly a roadie, ready to cruise on his Cannondale Synapse, Focus Mares and Pashey Countryman.

 

 

Matthew Kennedy – Treasurer

Former bean counter before becoming a client spokesman for HairClub for Men. When not modeling and putting miles on my Wilier, I play an amazing #2 parent with an even more amazing wife to Monroe and Maris.

 

 

Phil Wolpers – Executive Committee 

A seasoned problem solver and technology leader, Phil cut his professional teeth in the bike industry.  More recently he has held strategic roles in technology product management across retail and logistics leaders.  When not in the office, supporting FB4K MN, or spending time with his wife and two kids, Phil loves maintaining his bikes almost as much as he loves riding them with family and friends on all the beautiful tarmac, gravel, and dirt that Minnesota has to offer. 

 

Britt Monson

Marketing and branding by day, downhill skiing in the winter by night and weekends – spending time with her family/friends/dog OUTSIDE every chance she gets. Born and bred a MN girl, she calls Savage home but always counting the days to get on skis or hit a trail in MT (where her sister/daughter live).

 

 

 


Joan Weber

With a long career as an painter and illustrator, Joan has unleashed her creative powers to make Free Bikes 4 Kidz MN look good and feel good in the world of social media. Her wheels are always turning.

 

 

Adam Clarke

Experienced IT leader and longtime lover of bikes. In 7th grade he rode to school many days through a Minnesota winter as a challenge with a friend – surprisingly that only made him like riding even more and ever since he has been hooked. Adam‘s favorite place to ride is Cuyuna on his Salsa Rustler. Worked in the bike industry for 15+ years, and his most recent bike related accomplishment was reducing the size of his herd from 10 bikes to 5.

 

Linda Stone

An experienced lawyer who also helped lead the revitalization of a grant-making non-profit, Linda helps to fuel the kids in her current work as a strategic director for an organization focused on relieving hunger for Minnesota’s kids. Her first bike was a green Schwinn, still remembered while she turns the crank on her De Rosa.

 

Bryan Wall

Bryan Wall is an experienced digital marketing leader specializing in customer acquisition. Loves riding trails and enjoying nature. Bryan also builds bicycles including fillet brazing his own frames. Previous board work includes Make a Wish, Stages Theater, and the Leland Johnson Common Vision program. Loves Free Bikes 4 Kids MN for its mission to provide bikes to those most in need.

 

Melissa Burns

Melissa Burns became part of FB4KMN’s dedicated team in February of this year. With 27 years of invaluable experience as an early childhood educator in the Minneapolis Public Schools, Melissa brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to her role. Her dedication extends beyond the classroom as she actively writes grants to secure bikes and helmets for Preschool tot lots, ensuring children have safe and enjoyable outdoor experiences.
 
Hailing from a large family in Northeast Minneapolis, Melissa understands the importance of community and family values. Now a proud mother of two boys herself, she finds joy in watching her sons participate in sports activities. Living in Ham Lake, Melissa has embraced community engagement by recently establishing a charming Little Free Library in her neighborhood.
 
Beyond her professional and family commitments, Melissa volunteers for Be The Change MN, an organization that has directly benefited from FB4KMN’s efforts. Through her involvement, Melissa embodies the spirit of positive change and community empowerment.

John Baker

Nick Garbis

 

FullSizeRender

Terry Esau – Board Member Emeritus

The now National ED, this composer, producer, music super­star gave up his successful career to write books, ride bikes and become the fearless founder of Free Bikes 4 Kidz. He rides a Trek Madone with Di2 that costs more than his car­­, which says more about his car than his bike