PPA Staff
The Pedal Power Association has the following permanent staff members:
Karin takes a breather while cycling the Swartberg Pass
General Manager: Karin Pohl
Karin started cycling in 1986 when she did her first Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour, and was once fit enough to complete the event in a sub-3. For a while, she cycled competitively on the road (solo and tandem), off-road and on the track. Nowadays she can mostly be spotted having fun somewhere on a mountain bike or doing a cycle tour; her favourite tour being cycling 980-odd km on the Camino de Santiago (Pilgrim’s route) from St Jean Pied-a-Port in France to Santiago in northern Spain. Favourite local ride? “Anything that has a coffee stop or two in it.” She joined the Association in 2004 to head up the Office. How many bikes in the garage? “Four – a road bike, mountain bike, track bike and commuting bike.” Work-wise, what makes you happy? “There are so many things, from getting new cycle paths approved to helping someone who is new to cycling understand the basics, and then to see their joy when they get it right. The PPA project funding portfolio is amazing – putting back into cycling is very satisfying.” Contact Karin on karin@pedalpower.org.za
Wendy at the start of an event
Senior Events Coordinator Wendy Cole
Wendy started cycling in 1989 when her father and brother did their first Cycle Tour. She started doing funrides and did the intercycling events since. Wendy has since completed 10 Cycle Tours (the last two with her dad on a tandem) and is well on her way to Club 21. She worked for Central Gauteng Cycling for a while, and has been with PPA for more than 8 years.
Wendy heads up the PPA’s Events department and is regularly seen on the start line of PPA events, loudhailer in hand. Favourite ride? “Any scenic MTB ride with more downhills than uphills!” How many bikes? “Two – a road and MTB, although most road events are done on a tandem.”
Contact Wendy on funrides@pedalpower.org.za
Annette, getting the admin done before an event
Events Coordinator: Annette Barhouch
Annette joined PPA in 2010 after working as a sports service manager in the United Kingdom for six years. She studied sports and club management at Varsity College and comes from a strong sports background, with provincial colours in hockey. She is passionate about events and ensuring that events run smoothly, improving year-on-year.
Contact Annette on funrides2@pedalpower.org.za
Events assistant Sam at her desk
Events and Marketing Assistant: Samantha Hendry
Samantha joined the Association in 2008 to become the right-hand of the event coordinators. Sam comes from a financial background and is a stickler for detail and keeping the funride office up-to-date. Sam also coordinates the cycling marshals portfolio.
Contact her on marketing@pedalpower.org.za
Vanesia
Bookkeeper: Vanesia Diedericks
Vanesia joined the Association some four years ago, after working, amongst others, for a firm of chartered accountants. Vanesia’s two teenagers both cycle, albeit not competitively. Vanesia is passionate about ensuring that the Association stays on a firm financial footing.
She thrives on challenges (which working with an Executive Committee can sometimes be!) and aspires to learn something new every year; the latest being completing the Pastel Payroll Five-step administrative course. Contact her on: accounts@pedalpower.org.za
Development Officer/WPCA Secretary: Jannis Jagger
Jannis joined PPA in 2008 as the Membership Secretary. She now works with the development cycling clubs and is the Secretary for Western Province Cycling Association. Contact her on admin@pedalpower.org.za
Fahiema
Debtor’s clerk: Fahiema Salie
Fahiema joined PPA in 2006 and has been instrumental in streamlining the membership debit order payments process. She has two children (13 and 9) who both cycle and who regularly threaten to get mom on a bicycle as well. Fahiema is passionate about membership service and assisting members with their payment queries.
Contact her on accounts2@pedalpower.org.za
Shana
General Secretary: Shana Weber
Shana joined PPA in 2010 after working in the client customer services department for a major financial institution. She has two young children (9 and 3). “It is interesting as well as challenging dealing with all the different kinds of people that make up PPA’s membership,” she says. Shana used to play hockey and enjoy picnics with her family.
Contact Shana on info@pedalpower.org.za
Tiffany
Membership Secretary: Tiffany Carolus
Tiffany joined PPA in 2010 after working at the Western Cape Education department. Tiffany used to play hockey and do athletics and would like to complete a short mountain bike event in the near future. “It’s nice when people recognise that you try hard to assist them.”
Contact Tiffany on members@pedalpower.org.za
Liz
Projects and Marketing Officer: Liz Robbins
Liz is currently on contract to the PPA to oversee the projects portfolio and keeping an eye on the projects budgets. She also assists with various events and writes great articles about what PPA is up to for the media. Liz has a background in sports science and marketing, and regularly motivates the staff to go on mid-week cycle rides.
Contact Liz on projects@pedalpower.org.za
Shane, with the PPA vehicle
Logistics/Equipment: Shane Smith
Shane has been with the Association for a number of years, looking after all the equipment the Association lends out to organisers of events on the PPA calendar; constantly cleaning and repairing boards, and making sure that the right equipment is packed for each event. Shane is also one of the Head Crew co-ordinators for events. In the past two years, Shane has become an avid jogger and cyclist, and can be seen pedalling a bicycle around the Rondebosch Common at least once a week. Contact Shane on logistics@pedalpower.org.za
Susan
Housekeeper: Susan Waterboer
Susan joined the Association in 2010. When you visit PPA House and you see how sparkling clean it is – you know who is responsible!
