Board of Directors

If you need to contact any board member, email staff for their contact information. If you’re interested in becoming a PCC board member, see this link.

Acting Chair: Rip Sanders, Columbia (Midlands Regional; 2nd term 2021-2024)

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Rip is a practicing lawyer, representing and advising clients in commercial real estate and other business transactions and contracts as well as litigation matters or lawsuits. Rip has a BS in History from Clemson and a JD from USC Columbia.

Treasurer: Brian Curran, Columbia (Midlands Regional, 1st term, 2023-2026)

Brian Curran

Originally from Pittsburgh, Brian made Columbia his home since 1984. He is a graduate of U of SC with a degree in Finance, and he is married with three adult children. Brian is an avid cyclist, mountain, road and gravel. This will be his second time serving on the PCC board.

Lanneau Lide, Columbia (Midlands Regional; 2nd term 2022-2025)

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Lanneau is a retired cardiologist, and he spent years leading the Assault on Little Mountain ride, annually north of Columbia. He currently volunteers with Festivelo, held annually as a fundraiser for PCC in Walterboro, SC.

Kyle Draganov, Charleston (Lowcountry Regional; 2nd term 2021-2024)

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Kyle has 20+ years of experience in geographic information systems application development. Currently, he works in application security for The Baldwin Group, on contract with the NOAA Office for Coastal Management. Kyle’s passion for cycling began in his teens while competing in road races and triathlons. Later in life, realizing the environmental and health benefits of cycling, he sought out opportunities to advance the cycling movement. Kyle is an active volunteer in local cycling organizations, including Charleston Moves. He annually participates in charity and group rides such as Ride to Remember for Alzheimer’s, Cycle for Life Cystic Fibrosis, and Hell Hole Gravel Grind. He also co-founded a work cycling club that has grown to 20+ members. Kyle resides in James Island with his wife Kelly and daughter Bella.

Eshana Young-Pierre, Columbia (Midlands Regional; 1st term 2021-2024)

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Eshana is currently the Marketing and Communications Manager for Blue Bike SC. She has been in the creative industry for 13 years as a Graphic Designer and Marketing professional. She is proficient in generating revenue by implementing cutting-edge branding campaigns, visual marketing, and branding design. Her creative journey has allowed her to change the narrative of many businesses in South Carolina, outside of South Carolina, as well as outside of the United States. Eshana takes a hands-on approach with her clients, which she believes unlocks opportunities for success, growth, and abundance.

Mary McGowan, Greenville (Upstate Regional; 1st term 2021-2024)

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Mary McGowan is a Speech-Language Pathologist for Greenville County Schools and a full time bike commuter in Greenville, SC. She currently serves as the board chair of Bike Walk Greenville and is passionate about building safer and more accessible infrastructure for active transportation.

Ernie James, Florence (Lowcountry Regional; 1st term 2021-2024)

Ernie James

Ernie is a retired Human Resource executive who worked in leadership positions at General Motors, United Technologies and Sonoco Products. He is a graduate of the University of Rochester Simon Business School. Ernie sees bicycling as a great means for building communities, and he brings to PCC years of corporate management and board leadership experience.

Fiona Martin, Lugoff (Midlands Regional, 1st term, 2022-2025)

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Fiona is a digital marketer and founder of FGM Internet Marketing, a workers' owned co-operative for digital marketing professionals. As a competitive triathlete, she spends many hours traveling by foot and bicycle on the roads near her house in Kershaw County. Through her grassroots advocacy for bike/ped safety, she was appointed to the Kershaw County Planning Commission in March 2021. Fiona also enjoys growing her own food and medicine, cuddling chickens, wrangling her dogs, and practicing reciprocal relationships with the landscape around her.

Brittany Jones, Bennettsville (Lowcountry Regional, 1st term, 2023-2026)

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Brittany is the Business Development and Community Engagement Manager for the City of Bennettsville, SC, in Marlboro county.  She previously served as the Communications and Equity Manager for the national organization, Safe Routes to School Partnership. She currently serves as the Secretary of the Lake Paul A. Wallace Authority working to improve trail access and recreational offerings.  She serves on several boards and organizations in her community and is passionate about improving the quality of life and health of residents through safe and connected routes.

John Beach, Columbia (Midlands Regional, 1st term, 2023-2026)

John Beach

John has a BA in Economics from Wofford College.  He has a law degree from the University of South Carolina and is recognized as a “super lawyer” in South Carolina.  John served for 7 years on the Columbia Bike and Pedestrian committee. John brings to PCC years of experience as a lawyer and mediator, as well as unique experience and considerable time working with developers on zoning and smart growth issues.

Advisory Board Members

Kelly Mezzapelle, Myrtle Beach

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Kelly has been a planner for the City of Myrtle Beach for over 20 years. Kelly has developed transportation plans, roadway design plans, mixed-use pedestrian-friendly zoning districts, and currently staffs the city’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee. Kelly is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners, and has her BS in Marketing and Real Estate from USC-Coastal and her MBA from Winthrop University. Kelly and her husband have been cycling on the Grand Strand for almost 30 years.

Leigh Deforth, Columbia

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Leigh has worked in the planning field since 2005, and has enjoyed becoming more involved with bike and pedestrian planning while working as a comprehensive planner for the City of Columbia, a role she's held since 2015.  An avid road runner, cyclist, neighborhood walker, amatuer potter and jam maker in Columbia, she also enjoys hiking, mountain biking, trail running, and skiing.

Kyle Kelly, Sumter

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Kyle is a Senior Planner with the Sumter City-County Planning Commission, where he serves as the lead transportation planner for the City of Sumter, Sumter County, and the Sumter Area Transportation Study (SUATS) MPO.  He is a proud graduate of Clemson University, and an Eagle Scout.  When he’s not thinking about Clemson football or city planning, he’s struggling to keep up with his 4-year old daughter and 2-year old son.

Stacey Owens, Greenville

Stacey Owens

Stacey Owens is a retired police captain from the Greenville Police Department in S.C. after 28 years of service, where he served over 19 years primarily in investigatory and supervisory roles. Stacey holds a Master’s in Criminal Justice from Anderson University and is now employed by the SPINX Company, LLC and is the Director of Community Engagement. Stacey is married with 3 children & 2 grandsons. After semi-retiring, he is now back to being an avid mountain biker and enjoys spending time with family.

Sylvie Baele, North Charleston

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Sylvie is the executive director of Charleston's nonprofit bicycle shop, Second Chance Bikes, which works to make bikes accessible to all so everyone can enjoy the benefits of bike ownership. A recent graduate of the College of Charleston's dual masters program in Environmental and Sustainability Studies and Public Administration, she is dedicated to helping others develop a deeper appreciation of bicycles as tools of social justice, strengthening and empowering users and communities in a myriad of meaningful and intersectional ways. When she isn't turning wrenching, delivering bikes, or sending emails, she loves spending time in nature and is most likely bikepacking, surfing, foraging, or weaving baskets out of invasive vines.