Board Members
Paul Kleemann
I joined Wheels in March 2019 after an invitation from working with Alan Crossley at Free Bikes for Kids that year. I retired from Software Engineering in 2015 and was looking for a way to give back. I have been repairing and tuning my own bikes since I was 16 in 1976. I’ve been an avid cyclist since then, biking to school in grade school through college and to work until 2015. I've completed several organized century rides and a couple 250k rides .Working at Wheels has improved my mechanic skills greatly and there is nothing now that I feel I can't tackle. It is a win-win keeping bikes out of landfills and providing transportation and exercise to those who previously had no access to a bike. It is so rewarding to see the smile on the faces of kids and adults when they earn a bike.
Neil McCallum - President
Retirement has allowed me to use my talents to give back to others. Having completed 3 cross country bicycling trips with Bike the US for MS, this has broadened my appreciation for how riding a bike can bring people together. My “work” with Wheels for Winners is an extension of that commitment. Access to bikes and the ability of cycling to unite is wonderous.
Dan Karras
Dan joined Wheels for Winners in April of 2020. He has had various roles in the Bicycle Industry, having worked for Budget Bicycles as a mechanic and during his time with Trek Bicycle and Pacific Cycle in the areas purchasing and procurement. During Dan’s free time you will find him spending time with his friends and his daughter. He has a passion for bicycles and art. He also enjoys road biking, kayaking and is an active artist specializing in pet portraits and landscapes.
Neil Lerner
I started volunteering at Wheels in the summer of 2021. I retired a few months earlier from doing primarily office work and was glad to work with my hands and volunteer for such a great organization. I knew how to do some very basic maintenance on my 1996 Trek 930. The experienced Wheels mechanics taught me how to strip down and repair every part of a bike, large and small. This photo is at a free community bike repair event, where we make sure bikes brought to us are safe to ride and function properly.
Nivali Mariam
I got my first bike when I was 8 years old and from that moment I became a bike enthusiast. I moved to Madison from Mexico City during a winter and by the beginning of spring I bought the cheapest bike I could find and set myself the goal of getting to know Madison's streets, neighborhoods and life using my bike. I learned everything I could of bike mechanics using that bike too, so I had to learn how to repair it fast otherwise I would have no transportation for the day.
For me, cycling is not only a way of doing exercise or commuting, it is also a tool for your own independence, you don't need money to fill your gas tank or to wait for the next bus to come hoping the route will drop you somewhere near to where you need to go. It also allows people to know their city better, cycling through neighborhoods is the best way to know what's going on, what businesses exist, what roads need to be repaired, and where we need to place stop signs or street lights to make them safer for pedestrians and for cyclists.
Jamie Campbell - Vice President
I walked into the Wheels for Winners shop in the spring of 2019 and loved what I saw – a group of enthusiastic wrenchers surrounded by an ocean of bikes, tools and parts. When I learned that these volunteers were repairing donated bikes to give to folks who do community service I knew this was for me. I’m a retired mechanical engineer who loves to fix stuff. I’m a committed cyclist who appreciates the elegance of biking for transportation, enjoyment and the health of our bodies and the planet. I’m particularly motivated by the excitement and appreciation of bike recipients whose smiles make all the work worthwhile. Because there are so many different bike styles and designs out there, I’m constantly learning new tricks from my colleagues. As my skills have improved I’ve come to love the challenge of our off-site repair clinics where quick, on-the spot repairs are required. I look forward to pedaling our cargo bike repair station around Madison providing free repair services to anyone with a faulty bike.
Tofer Towe - Secretary
I was introduced to Wheels for Winners through its outreach events and immediately connected with the vision of expanding access to cycling for all, and helping everyone discover where a bicycle can take them in life. I have always loved the freedom and joy that comes from bicycling whether it was cruising with friends on my dirt bike as a kid, completing my first century, commuting to work, or having adventures with friends, or sharing a ride with my son. In 2019 I joined the Madison West Composite Mountain team as a volunteer coach, and fell in love with the energy of young people discovering the lifelong joy of being able to ride a bike safely on trails, while also setting personal goals, and making lasting friendships. Madison is such a great place for riding, with great bike paths and nearby trails, and I am thrilled to help Wheels For Winners encourage others to get out and enjoy biking.
Tom Neuser - Treasurer
I joined Wheels for Winners in 2021 after visiting the shop to donate a bicycle. The staff was so friendly and appreciative, and with retirement in my near future, I immediately knew that I wanted to join this group and give back to Madison. I’ve been an avid recreational cyclist since my high school years and commuted by bicycle as much as my job allowed, but I had only minimal bike maintenance skills. With the help of my new friends at Wheels for Winners, I am much more able to make a bike safe and enjoyable to ride. I have long thought that a child on a bicycle is the happiest, most free spirit on the planet. I’m glad to do my part to let others enjoy that feeling.
Chelsey Walters - Legal
My journey with Wheels for Winners began in 2024 while volunteering for another organization helping someone find a bike. I immediately connected with the mission and felt inspired to get involved. I am deeply passionate about community service and I’ve had the privilege of serving as an alderperson on city council and as Vice President of a local Kiwanis Club. A lifelong bike enthusiast, I’ve always had a flair for unique rides, with my most memorable being my beloved Electra Black Betty. After a leg injury, I turned to e-bikes to continue my adventures, and have discovered a wonderful community here in Madison. Having moved from a small town with few bike trails, I love exploring all that Madison has to offer on two wheels. I believe everyone should have access to that freedom and joy of cycling. Staying active and engaged in my community is essential to me, and I’m excited to contribute my skills while learning more about the incredible work happening in the shop.