As the saying goes, “the only constant in life is change”, and the Local Motion team is seeing a couple of changes.
We are sad to see three of our deeply respected staff members depart, to be closer to and/or support their families – Jonathon Weber, Programs Director is off to Massachusetts; Susan Grasso, Complete Streets Senior Specialist is off to Michigan; and Keith Wight, Bike Smart Van Driver is off to Maine. This award winning team has accomplished so much over their time with Local Motion.
Jonathon started way back in 2017 as our Logistics Coordinator and worked his way up through the years to his leadership position as Programs Director. Most recently leading our statewide advocacy efforts, it was Jonathon’s tireless efforts that helped pass the required four foot passing law as well asother bicycle and pedestrian safety policies.
Susan joined the Local Motion team in 2022 and quickly became the highly regarded point-person for several walk-bike groups across the state, especially in Shelburne, South Burlington, Winooski, Saint Albans, Williston, and the newest group in Colchester.
Keith joined us in 2018 and has been an essential component of the Bike Smart program, by delivering the trailers all across the state and solving all sorts of random issues that can pop up!
We are grateful to Jonathon, Susan, and Keith for their work and contributions to making Vermont a safer place to walk, bike, and roll. All will be dearly missed.
And while no one can truly be replaced, we are simultaneously thrilled to be bringing in two new staff members to the Local Motion team - Richard Amore as Programs Director and Marcie Gallagher as Complete Streets Specialist.
Richard is well-known in many corners of Vermont for his long standing work in placemaking and community development. With his deep experience from the Vermont Department of Housing and Community Development, we are confident that he will lead Local Motion’s Program Team in sustained and new directions across the state.
“I’ve long admired Local Motion’s leadership in making it safer, more accessible, and more fun for Vermonters to walk, bike, and roll,” said Richard Amore. “It’s an honor to join this passionate team and help grow our impact, especially in small towns, where better walking and biking infrastructure can foster mobility, belonging, and a stronger sense of place.”
Marcie brings a strong skill set in community organizing and advocacy from her time with VPIRG and together with her love for bikes as transportation, we are certain that she will continue to strengthen the relationships and actions of our walk-bike groups across the state. Local Motion welcomes Richard and Marcie to the team. Both will start on June 23, 2025.