SPS Board of Directors 2012

Skaters for Public Skateparks (SPS) has updated our Board of Directors for 2012. SPS now has nine directors which oversee the daily activities including research projects, consultation and fundraising.  Each director brings their own unique experience to the table to make SPS a more effective organization. Our ultimate goal is to see more quality skateparks being built and working with local governments to reach this goal.

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Carter Dennis- Executive Director

San Antonio, TX

Carter Dennis frontside air at the LBJ Skatepark in San Antonio.

Carter Dennis was one of the founding members of SPS in 2004, and also heads up the San Antonio Skatepark Association. Carter has been skateboarding since 1987 and likes to ride all terrain including street, vert, bowls, mini ramps and backyard pools. Carter started advocating for public skateparks in 1998, and has helped countless communities in getting public skateparks built. Over the years Carter has dedicated a great deal of time researching siting, design, construction and stewardship issues involving public skateparks. You can contact Carter at skateparkinfo@gmail.com

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Chad Balcom- SPS Secretary

Portland, OR

Chad Balcom going over the hole at the McMinnville skatepark in Oregon.

Chad Balcom is a founding member of SPS and has worked with numerous cities on developing public skateparks. Chad started his advocacy in the Midwest and now works with cities throughout the Northwest in developing quality public skateparks.

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Mike Leeds- SPS Treasurer

Wenatchee, WA

Mike Leeds 5-0 grind on a backyard ramp.

Mike Leeds is a married father of four who started skateboarding in the early 80′s. In 2007, Mike founded the Wenatchee Valley Skateparks and completed their first small DIY skatepark in July of 2010. In early 2010, Mike was adopted into the Skaters for Public Skateparks Non-Profit Organization as a Wenatchee Chapter.

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Chris Gilligan- SPS IT Director

Whitwell, TN

Chris Gilligan at the Mt. Hood bowl in Oregon.

Chris Gilligan runs a web hosting business from the backwoods of Tennessee and has helped us maintain a website since 2004. Chris is a founding member of SPS and we would not be where we are today with out Gilligan’s expertise.

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Mark Conahan- Director of Skaters for Portland Skateparks

Portland, OR

Mark Conahan with a frontside air above the flames in a backyard bowl.

Mark Conahan is a skateboarder, illustrator and graphic designer. Mark and his wife Carolyn live in Portand, Oregon and have two daughters. Mark has been skateboarding for 38 years. His proudest achievements in skateboarding are helping Skaters for Portland Skateparks to get the Pier Park Skatepark built, putting a bowl in his backyard with the help of his friends and family, and the frontside invert. Mark frequently wears a helmet and has been on the board of SPS subchapter Skaters for Portland Skateparks since 2004.

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Ben Wixon- Director of Development-Programming & Instruction

Portland, OR

Ben Wixon with a frontside ollie over the doorway at Pier Park in Portland, Oregon.

Ben Wixon is an educator and published author with over 25 years of skateboarding experience. As a skater Ben has endorsed various shop and factory sponsors, competed in international competitions, helped to design and build numerous skateparks, judged contests, and performed in public demonstrations. He has taught and managed skate camps and programs in Tempe, Chandler, and Phoenix Arizona, Maui Hawaii, as well as Portland and Mt. Hood Oregon. In 2009, his book Skateboarding: Instruction, Programming, and Skatepark Design was published internationally by Human Kinetics. Ben is our director for the Drop-In Skatepark Accreditation Program, promoting safety and mentoring skills for skateboarders.

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Bob Chandler- Director of Skaters for Eugene Skateparks

Eugene, OR

Bob Chandler heads up the Skaters for Eugene Skateparks in Eugene, Oregon.

Bob Chandler is the co-owner of Tactics Board Shop in Eugene, OR. For the past few years Bob has been heading up the SPS subchapter Skaters for Eugene Skateparks. Their goal is to get a large, covered, flagship skatepark built under the Washington-Jefferson Bridge.
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Ashley Mott- Director of Research and Development

Denver, CO

Ashley grinding over the stairs at the bowl in Bennett, CO.

Ashley Mott has been a member of SPS since 2005 and also founded the Colorado Coalition for Public Skateparks (CCPS). Ashley has been skateboarding since 1992 and enjoys riding Colorado’s many skateparks and backyard spots. She has advocated for several skateparks along the Front Range of Colorado and headed up the Bennett DIY Skatepark project. Ashley also publishes a skateboard zine called Bad Egg.
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Teresa Waters- Content Coordinator

Victoria, TX

Teresa Waters skating at the park in Conroe, TX.

Teresa Waters started skating in 2010, and enjoys vert, bowls, and slalom. Teresa also has six years experience as a State Chairman for USAG and comes with experience in working with a large nonprofit sports organization.

She has worked with various cities to improve skateparks in Virginia and Texas, as well as to promote safety awareness and public relations
between skaters and the cities they live in.