This is a tough one. But here goes.
Advocacy director David Hiller announces resignation
After eight years leading Cascade Bicycle Club’s advocacy work, advocacy director David Hiller announced he is leaving the organization to pursue new opportunities as of Friday, May 13. He shared his news with staff in April.
In 2003, David moved from his role as executive director of the Connecticut Bicycle Coalition to join the Cascade staff. Since then, he developed the organization’s relationship with elected officials, government staff and policy makers at every level of government and has worked tirelessly to advance Cascade’s mission through advocacy and policy work.
David has contributed to many of Cascade’s actions and successes over the years, most notably the Seattle Bicycle Master Plan, passage of the Vulnerable User and Complete Streets laws, publishing “Left by the Side of the Road, A Regional Bicycle Network Report,” adoption of Complete Streets ordinances in multiple Puget Sound cities, endorsement and election of many pro-bike candidates, passing the “Bridging the Gap” streets levy, defense of the Burke-Gilman Trail and initiating the T2040 / PSRC lawsuit.
“David’s dedication to improving bicycling policy and infrastructure throughout our region has been unmatched. His departure is, without a doubt, a tremendous loss for Cascade,” executive director Chuck Ayers said. “I am personally grateful for all that David has given to Cascade. We have moved from a fringe group to one that has a respected voice at the table, largely due to David’s determination and hard work over the last eight years.”
“I am grateful and humbled to have played a part in Cascade’s growth and success,” David said. “It was a difficult decision. There is still a lot of work to do, but the organization is positioned to be successful long into the future. I want to extend my thanks to Cascade’s dedicated members, volunteers, staff and board for their strong support of our advocacy work. I’m looking forward to staying involved as a member, volunteer, participant and supporter.”
He added: “Maybe I’ll even ride the STP one day.”
A national search will be launched to fill the position in the coming weeks.
David, we’ve had our ups and downs over our seven years working together, but the ups were by far some of the best times. I’m so very sad to lose you as a colleague, and I wish you much success wherever you land. You’ve been a fighter for the cause and a friend in the trenches, and I’m proud to have worked with you. You will be sorely missed.
I’m really going to miss working with you, David. However, I do look forward to visiting you at your new home, meeting you for a drink after work, and hanging out with you as a friend – you know, places where you can feel free to speak your mind (that was a joke…). Cascade has some big shoes to fill, something that I’m not sure is even possible.
David, I’ll echo what M.J. and Max said – you will be sorely missed, not just for your knowledge and skills. I’ve been lucky to call you a friend and a boss and proud to share in many accomplishments at Cascade over only a couple years. I am so glad you offered to volunteer with the Club and look forward to assigning you tasks in the near future.
David,
I have you to thank for bringing me into the world of Cascade and introducing me to Seattle’s strong bicycle movement. Your wit and intelligence has always brightened the work environment. I am so excited for your new adventure and opportunity. I look forward to following your success and continued positive impact on the city we all love. Keep doing what your doing – it works.
David,
You have been an inspiration and a friend since I started working at Cascade back in the day as an Americorps. You always treated me with respect and made me feel like I had a voice. As Max said you have some big shoes to be filled. There is no other David Hiller out there. I look forward to potential future partnerships but in the near future a beer together.
David – As an intermittent CBC member (I lapse from time to time), ex-East Coaster, and family biking advocate guy, I want to say how much I appreciated your forceful advocacy and sharp wit, in print and out. What keeps me renewing my membership is the advocacy mission, and you will be missed!
David,
Even from a distance your work with CBC has been tremendously impressive. Your efforts and successes have inspired us here in Portland, though we’ve not yet been able to enjoy the results you have.
It’s been a personal and professional pleasure to know you. Good luck with your next endeavor!
David- you’ve been the real face of the movement and are tireless in your determination for our community to be better. There’s probably a piece of you in every bit of nonmotorized infrastructure in the region… Thanks for making my ride– and all of our rides– safer, easier and more enjoyable. We’ll really miss you, your wit, your humor and your passion. Ride on and enjoy your next steps– but don’t ride too far.
David, you are a warrior. For me and a whole lot of people who bicycle. I have learned many a thing from you. Chief among them:
• Know your stuff
• Take bold action
• Never leave anyone behind
Thank you for leading the charge and taking a stand for all people who bicycle. I’ll miss trying to keep up with you!
[...] down as Advocacy Director of Cascade Bicycle Club effective Friday, May 13. His resignation was announced on Cascade’s blog today: After eight years leading Cascade Bicycle Club’s advocacy work, advocacy director David [...]
David,
You’ve been a great ally on my projects and I’ve so appreciated your unflagging tenacity, especially on the long-running ones. Your intelligence and passion will be missed by many, me included.
Bonne chance!
David,
Thank you for your passion, dedication and hard work to create a better future for all of us. It’s been an honor partnering with you and thank you for everything that you have done for our region – keep it up!
Good luck to you, David. You should be proud of your many accomplishments at CBC.
David, you’re leaving a great legacy with all the work we’ve done on Complete Streets and Vulnerable Users, and of course the list goes on. Best of luck on your future endeavors!
John Stewart
Board member, Feet First
Hey David…like Teagan, I have you to thank for bringing me to Cascade. I remember how it all started: that warm summer day in 2008 when you biked down to Sightline’s office to meet with me at Gelatiamo. It took a couple of years, but I made it here, where it’s been a pleasure–and an education–to work with you over the last nine months. When I say “an education,” I mean that I’ve learned much from you about previously arcane-to-me subjects represented via acronyms like VUB, VMT, CTAC III, T2040, etc. You’ve patiently answered all my questions and helped me get a handle on the nitty-gritty of bicycle advocacy so that I can write about it. You’ve got a rare mix of toughness, compassion and encyclopedic knowledge that I’m certain will serve you well as you pedal forward into new endeavors. Take care!
now you can run red lights and chug whiskey on thursday nights!
BULLDOG!!! I am wondering what to say that hasn’t already been commented on – thanks for getting me involved in local advocacy and for having a strong, unwavering stance on vulnerable users and wanting a better multi-user infastructure in Seattle. Hats (helmets?) off to you, friend.
David,
It has been a pleasure and an honor to work with you on bicycle advocacy projects over the past few years. The progress we are able to make today is only possible due to your years of tireless work and expert knowledge. I am very sad to see you go. You should be very proud of what you have accomplished for Cascade Bicycle Club and for the region!
Hiller – thank you for your leadership and your hard work with Cascade and for being a great friend and boss to Chris and a great friend to me. I still remember meeting you at Hang Wire’s party in Georgetown! You are obviously a great intellect, but I also appreciate what a kind person you are and your rare personality that has no parallel. You have a nice wife too.
Good luck on the road ahead!
David,
You did an amazing job and you are leaving huge shoes to be filled. You’ve done a lot not, just for the causes, but for the actual people that you’ve worked with and met throughout your time. Good Luck
Thanks for your hard work to make our streets a little safer, our rides a little smoother, our biking community a little stronger. Bit by bit we will have streets for all.
David, thanks for your great work and big accomplishments over the last few years. It’s been a pleasure working with you, and this big loss for Cascade is Seattle’s gain.
Thanks David, thanks indeed. You’ve done so much-
Thanks for the help and advise you’ve given me- very much did I appreciate that.
I wish you were not leaving this position, but understand that you want to move on.
The legacy you’ve left, just from the vunerable road users bill will enshrine your name in Cascade for years to come.
Stay true to yourself, and do ride the Stp sometime, West Sound Club will stand you a beer.
gears to you…leo
David,
I can’t thank you enough for giving me the opportunity to work for/with you — especially after submitting my resume a day late! While three years wasn’t nearly enough time, I feel incredibly fortunate to have had the opportunity to learn from you and witness what true passion and dedication to a cause really means. You will be greatly missed in the Advocacy Dept., but I know you’ll continue to be a champion in the community for bicycling.
Wait… I thought you endorsed Greg Nickels!
So, no back story, just time to move on…..Your compatriots have said it all. What a tribute!
I thank you for being the smartest guy in the room on everything related to transportation. Please bring to Mike McGinn’s efforts what you brought to Cascade: passion, smarts, and a heart in the right place.
Maybe you’ll start returning my phone calls now that you work for a politico…
Thanks David and I wish the best for you.
Kevin
David, congratulations on the new gig! Hope you do find time to work on your new house and ride the STP, but especially glad to hear that your advocacy work will continue at the City.
David, all the best to you for the future. I’ve been watching from afar and was always so glad to see the good, hard, noisy work continue — obviously you’ll be missed. Big shoes, big voice to fill.
Hope to see you for a beer and five-year recap (!) the next time I’m in town.
Congrats.
Kari
David, it has been a pleasure working with you on some of our coinciding issues in Olympia. I would hazard a guess that I will see you down there again. First brew is on me.
Can you say “Fish Tale?”
Larry
Many thanks for all the work, with excellent results, you did while at CBC. There is no
doubt that you will continue to help lead the bicycling community, for which you have
become an important voice, through the myriad of coming challenges. However all of
Seattle should gain with your influence on local transportation issues which you know
so well.
Keep’em Circlin’
Rob
My first in-person contact with David Hiller was at one of last year’s public meetings on the Vulnerable User bill. This was an incredibly emotional event, with testimony by several family members who had lost loved ones as a result of negligent driving. I will always remember David’s solemn promise not to give up working on their behalf. David is absolutely someone you want on your side, and he will continue to do great things to make it easier and safer for all of us to get around. Looking forward to great successes!
Congratulations, David.
Kevin