About The Common Wheel Meet Our Team
Chris Caldwell
Executive Director, Founder
Chris, a lifelong resident of Lancaster, is an avid proponent for bicycling as an alternative transportation option. In between traveling, being a ski bum, and working construction, Chris spent a lot of time using his bike to get around the city. He became interested in the growing cycling movement and wished to help it grow here in a concrete, hands-on manner. After learning about the community bike shop model, he researched starting one in Lancaster. Chris is responsible for designing and implementing programs and events, raising funds, and building relationships in the community. He also has been getting his hands dirty as he learns more about wrenching bikes!Read more about Chris’s involvement in starting The Common Wheel »
Adriana Atencio
Advancement & Advocacy Coordinator, since 2017
Adriana began as a Board Member of The Common Wheel, and has quickly transitioned into her role as Director of Outreach and Resources. She serves on the Board of Clare House Lancaster, and is involved in many ways throughout the Lancaster community. She loves cooking, all things Harry Potter, traveling, and hanging out with her kid and cats. Her favorite memory on a bike is when she rode through a meadow in Poland, attempting to trace the border of the country when it was divided between two “friendly neighbors”. She is excited to continue to further the mission of The Common Wheel, and get more people riding bikes.
Matthew Mendez
Program Director, since 2017
Matthew became a bike commuter in 2007 after buying a used Schwinn from Cycle Circle and riding from his house in Lancaster City to Millersville University. After graduation, he took a part-time job running after school programs for the Boy Scouts of America. These two events put him on the path that led to his current position at The Common Wheel. He’s moved around the USA (to Athens, GA, Chicago, IL, and Portland, OR), all the while biking and working for a wide variety of nonprofits. He spent two years coordinating an Earn-a-Bike cooperative in Portland called Chain Reaction, and moved across the country just to be part of the team at The Common Wheel.
Ted Houser
Director of Operations, since 2018
Ted took his first overnight bikepacking trip at the age of six and has since been living life on two wheels. With bicycles and motorcycles at the core of his existence, he began commuting in fourth grade and has spent months of his life traveling with tents and panniers strapped to his bike. Ted believes that the bicycle is a simple answer to many of the world’s challenges and is passionate about sharing the benefits of cycling with others. His personal beliefs, combined with a professional background in nonprofit and retail management, led him to The Common Wheel where he has joined the cause to make Lancaster the most bicycle friendly city in the East.Job Openings
We are a community bike shop run by a small team of young, hard-working people. Here is what we stand for:
- We’re for making a positive impact on our community and culture
- We’re for building a kick-ass urban bike community in our special little city
- We’re for helping people realize their dreams on two wheels
- We’re for providing employment training and job opportunities to the underserved youth in our city
- We’re for building awesome bikes, providing impeccable (and friendly) service, and selling great products that improve people’s experiences
- We’re for facilitating all of those small, magical moments that bikes can create
We currently do not have any job openings, but we are always happy to look at a resume. Interested in submitting? Email your materials to info@thecommonwheel.com
Our Board of Directors
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Laura Hatton - President
Katie Walsh - Vice President
Katie Walsh is an experienced nonprofit development professional with a proven track record in advising fundraising strategies and bolstering mission effectiveness. As a nonprofit development director, through aggressive outreach on behalf of nonprofit and government entities, she has secured major federal and state grants in amounts exceeding $1 million. A business development specialist, she has launched multiple non-profit organizations and private companies. Katie has been a consultant and advisor to more than ten ventures. Katie has led graduate courses in strategic planning, business analytics, and leadership. Katie holds a master’s degree from The University of Pennsylvania’s School of Social Policy and Practice with a focus on nonprofit leadership and majored in entrepreneurship at Temple University.
Larry Keating - Secretary
Chuck Waterfield - Treasurer
Marla Stauffer
Marla is self-admittedly not an avid biker but she has seen the influence they can have on lives through her family of active cyclists and is excited to see the positive impact they can have on Lancaster. After working as a social worker in Chicago and spending 8 summers helping to direct a summer camp in Oregon, she returned to her hometown and has loved living in the city every since. She is currently the Director of Logistics at WebstaurantStore.com
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Zach Love
Bernie Gallagher
Stu Smith
Savannah Thorpe
Stephanie Gromek
Megan DeMarra
Meg has devoted her career to cause-based work for a number of local organizations and is currently employed by the Lancaster General Health Foundation. She sees The Common Wheel’s mission as a double win – benefiting both people and planet, which inspired her to get involved. Meg enjoys biking to work and around the city, where she lives with her husband, Doug, and her beloved corgi. She’s an avid traveler who finds great joy in experiencing new cultures and places. Her favorite bike memory is riding through the leafy island of Djurgården in Stockholm, Sweden.