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Mike Van Abel Hired as IMBA Executive Director
For Immediate Release: September 30, 2004
Mike Van Abel, a former national vice president for the American Diabetes Association, has been selected to head the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA). Mike was picked from a field of more than 350 candidates, following a nationwide search conducted by T. Malouf & Company. He replaces long-time IMBA executive director Tim Blumenthal, who recently assumed the top role at Bikes Belong, the bicycle industry's trade association.
Hill Abell, president of IMBA's board and owner of the Bicycle Sport Shops in Austin, Texas, said, "We couldn't be happier that Mike has accepted the position. He brings outstanding skills to the job - from advocacy and lobbying to fundraising and nonprofit leadership."
Originally from Green Bay, Wisconsin, Mike received his B.S. in Biology and Soil Science in 1979 from the University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point. For the next eight years he worked for the YMCA, ultimately becoming an associate executive director in Colorado.
In 1986 Mike joined the National Multiple Sclerosis Society to manage a major federal grant program. He was soon promoted to a national staff position where he oversaw numerous aspects of the organization - from managing operations in several regional chapters to supporting events such as the MS150 bike ride.
Mike was recruited to the American Diabetes Association in 1994 as an affiliate services director, and was later appointed executive director of the Colorado affiliate. When the ADA embarked on a massive restructuring in 1998, Mike was promoted to the position of national vice president. In this role he guided and grew the Mountain and Pacific regions, while concurrently leading the national rollout of the highly successful Team Diabetes marathon training fundraising campaign as well as Oregon's Summit to Surf cycling event.
Mike lives in Broomfield, Colorado, with his wife and three children. An avid outdoor enthusiast, Mike enjoys it all - including cycling, running, hiking, camping, skiing, snowshoeing and canoeing. He will begin work as the IMBA executive director on Oct. 18.
Contact: Pete Webber, IMBA communications director pete@imba.com, 303-545-9011
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