Staff and Coaches

Meet the staff and coaches that help make Asheville’s biking community fun and more accessible to all. We appreciate all that you do!

Current coaches & staff:

Meet the AOB Coaches and Staff

Mike Sule

Mike Sule, Executive Director

Executive Director, He/Him

Why do you live in Asheville?

I moved to Asheville in 2023 after a visit that left a lasting impression. The city’s eclectic energy and vibrant community felt like home, and I knew it was where I wanted to build my life.

Why do you invest in AoB?

I’m passionate about transforming public spaces and rights of way to better serve the community by prioritizing safety and dignity. AoB has a strong history of advocating for these values, making it a cause I’m proud to support.

What’s your best adventure on a bike?

I’ve been lucky to ride my bike through various cities, states, and even a few countries—each trip an adventure in its own way. But by far, my greatest adventure is being a dad. The best rides are the everyday ones with my daughter through Asheville, making memories together.

What’s your favorite place to ride in or around Asheville?

My favorite rides start from my backyard, weaving through city streets and greenways before connecting to the trails and gravel roads of Bent Creek and Pisgah National Forest. The best rides blend both built and natural environments.

What’s your big wish for Asheville?

I believe our public rights of way should support the diverse ways people move through our city with safety and dignity, and that our public spaces should offer activities for all ages and abilities.

Matty Semkowich

Matty Semkowich, AOB Youth Program Coordinator

Youth Program Coordinator, He/Him

Why do you live in Asheville?

Asheville’s small town feel combined with a tight knit alternative socially minded community drew me here over 20 years ago. Starting a family and building a community/ home outside of town in the woods, but still being able to bike to town and be a part of a larger network of amazing projects(ie The Asheville Recyclery) has kept me here. I also love how easy it is to roll out of town into nature by bike and get lost in the mountains!

Why do you invest in AoB?

I believe in living by example- and AOB is an extension of that for me; an organization that promotes multi modal transportation with emphasis on biking as a means of mobility, freedom and fun. I see AOB filling a gap in helping to make Asheville a safer and more accessible and sustainable place to move in. As the youth cycling coordinator for AOB I am thankful for the unwavering and enthusiastic support for lifting up the next generation of cyclists!

What’s your best adventure on a bike?

That’s the best part; every time it’s between my legs it turns into an adventure! Biking from Oakland, Ca. to Asheville and mixing in puppets, music, and the occasional freight train definitely heightened the adventure!

What’s your favorite place to ride in or around Asheville?

It depends on my mood; night rides through town with no real destination can do it for me. Spiraling up 151 and emerging on the Parkway to breathtaking views on the ride back to town, then waterfalling down off of Town Mountain/ Toll/ Sunset mishmash is pretty special too!

What’s your big wish for Asheville?

That it remembers why it is so special and that exponential growth and development don’t highlight it’s ‘good side’.

Brandon Priester

Youth Coach & Event Support, He/Him

Why do you live in Asheville?

I am an Asheville native, born and raised.

Why do you invest in AoB?

I enjoy biking in Asheville and getting more community involvement/participation on bikes.

What’s your best adventure on a bike?

I enjoy adventuring at the G5 Trails on my Mountain Bike.

What’s your favorite place to ride in or around Asheville?

The Greenway is my favorite place to ride in Asheville.

What’s your big wish for Asheville?

I wish that more Asheville natives were involved in city decision-making and industry.

Abby Walker

Abby Walker, Executive Assistant

Executive Assistant, She/Her

Why do you live in Asheville?

Quality of life

Why do you invest in AoB?

I believe everyone should have the right to walk or ride in our city safely.

What’s your best adventure on a bike?

Riding mountain bikes in Switzerland on a point-to-point tour.

What’s your favorite place to ride in or around Asheville?

I love riding mountain bikes in the woods.

What’s your big wish for Asheville?

That we will invest in better infrastructure for cycling and pedestrians and bring natural surface trails in town for ALL to enjoy!

Katherine Wilson

She/Her

Why do you live in Asheville?

I grew up going to summer camp near Hendersonville and made it a goal to live here as an adult. Here I am. I love the community, natural surroundings, and the general pulse of living in a mountain town.

Why do you invest in AoB?

I have been a bike commuter since I was 18. It has been a very essential part of my life and I want to advocate for others to be able to move around the city safely and with ease. My investment is fueled by the desire to live in a city where all modes of transportation are honored and celebrated.

What’s your best adventure on a bike?

I built my first bike (with a lot of help!) and took it on the train from San Francisco to Glacier Park. I rode with a friend from Glacier to Jackson Hole. It was hard!! We crossed the Western Continental Divide several times, met generous people, explored small towns, slept under the stars, encountered wildlife I had never seen, swam in the coldest of waters, and connected with the world in a way that I haven’t done for such a long stretch of time since. It was unforgettable!

What’s your favorite place to ride in or around Asheville?

Riding up Sunset, to Elk Mountain, parkway and back on Town Mountain is my favorite joy ride. I love commuting all over town and having the unexpected happen because I am out in the elements and not in a car.

What’s your big wish for Asheville?

That the infrastructure for biking and walking, would match the overall progressive nature of the city.

Rob Stefanisko

Rob Stefanisko

Events Manager & Lead Coach, He/Him

Why do you live in Asheville?

I was drawn to Asheville initially because it seemed like a cool Mountain town with great food and beer. After being here awhile I was able to find friendship, community, and livelihood. Don’t want to give that up or try to recreate those connections elsewhere.

Why do you invest in AoB?

I started volunteering with AoB to hang with like-minded people. Eventually, I started coaching Bike Club at Asheville Middle School, then working events and doing other tasks that needed to be done. Now I feel totally committed to AoB’s mission and love being a part of keeping things rolling forward.

What’s your best adventure on a bike?

My best friend from HS and I were staying at a cabin in the middle of nowhere PA to ride our MTBs. A sunny casual 2 hr ride turned into a hammering rain soaked 6 hr suffer-fest that ended with us flagging a driver down to help us find our way back to the cabin. Somehow we were able to keep our spirits high and enjoy the entire adventure and remain friends through it all. Our mud stained jerseys and blackened socks didn’t fair so well.

What’s your favorite place to ride in or around Asheville?

After years of commuting into Asheville for work and fun, and teaching middle schoolers to ride our city, downtown is definitely my favorite place to ride in or around Asheville.

What’s your big wish for Asheville?

Asheville has a huge and diverse cycling community. It’s also very walkable, but congested by motor vehicles. My big wish for Asheville is that it’s cycling and multi-modal infrastructure rises to a level that becomes safe for all users.

Want to get involved? Contact AoB today!