Our Team
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Rob Evans, Founder and CEO
Rob, currently residing in Boise, Idaho, brings over two decades of cycling industry experience to the company as well as many years of cycling event management expertise. He is a former competitive cyclist that has raced on four continents and nearly every small town in the United States. He has professionally managed cycling venues such as the Dick Lane Velodrome in Georgia, and was an operations director for competitive and professional events ranging from the Tour of Utah and US PRO to Haute Route. Additionally Rob has managed operations for large cause related cycling events such as Patrick Dempsey Challenge, Velosano and Obliteride among many others which have cumulatively raised over 10 Million dollars each year for cancer research with over 10,000 participants collectively.
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Ally Petrilla, Director of Rad (AKA Operations)
Ally comes from a wide range of experience in all things related to health and bicycles. After several years coaching cycling and fitness classes, she earned a Master's of Public Health at Emory University and found her home in the cycling community in Atlanta, where she continued to coach and participate in events from alleycats to the velodrome. In 2015 she joined the ranks at Trek Travel as a guide leading vacation cycling tours around the globe, including tours in Mallorca, Texas Hill Country, and our very own Blue Ridge Parkway to name a few. As an expert of guest experience and tiny details, she helped design, coordinate, and execute dozens of luxury vacation tours over the course of her career as a professional guide. She now resides in Idledale, CO at the jumping off point of some of the best local riding in the Denver metro area.
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Fred Russell, Director of Government Affairs
Fred has over 40 years of public sector management experience, working for both local and state governments and two institutions of higher learning. He served 10 years as the City Administrator of Augusta, GA, home of the world’s largest Half-Ironman and the Masters golf tournament. Fred has consulted for the largest cycling events in the US, such as the UCI World Championships, Tour of California, and more. Fred brings a unique perspective on the impact of special events on communities and government resources. He is enthusiastic about developing long term economic growth in your community.
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Samson Large, Director of Marketing
Samson is our in-house Gen Z translator, jack-of-all trades marketer who grew up in the Rocky Mountains of Central Idaho where he spent his days mountain biking, skiing, cliff jumping and much more. Samson Graduated from University of Idaho in Moscow with a Bachelor of Science in Marketing Analytics and Certificate in Entrepreneurship. During his college years he was very active on the Executive board of his fraternity, acting as Recruitment Chair, as well as several terms as Social Chair, going on to be elected to VP of Public Relations for the Interfraternal Council on campus.
Graduating in spring of 2020 meant the job market for new grads wasn’t looking so hot. So Samson went back to the ski industry having already been there for 10 years.
He then made the transition to the corporate world in 2021, once the market was regular. After two years at a marketing agency in Boise, he got tired of the corporate droll and took a chance with freelance marketing and web design and hasn’t looked back since.
When he’s not skiing, skating, biking or somewhere else outside, you’ll find him on stage performing stand-up comedy all over Boise, ID and the Northwest.
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Robbie Bennett, Director of Community Development
Robbie is an economic developer with 19 years of experience making deals with big deal companies. He works with businesses of all shapes and sizes, from helping small businesses trying to get by, to negotiating with Fortunate 1000 companies. His efforts have supported the creation of more than 10,500 jobs. While creating jobs and investments had consumed his life, in 2018 Robbie realized that life is best lived focused on God, family, and health. At 295 lbs, he had one choice - start moving and get healthy. Despite growing up loving bikes as a kid, he lost this enthusiasm as an adult. But, in 2019 his health journey led to cycling thanks to a little care and a bike given by a dear friend. Today, Robbie credits cycling with saving his life and mental health. Through saddle time and diet (vegan-ish), he has lost nearly 90 lbs and loves a good race. Though there is much growth to achieve, he is proud that he has competed in several gravel races and completed Ironman 70.3 North Carolina, feats that a few years ago were impossible. Robbie joined Cycling Quests hoping to bridge his skills of working with businesses and government and his passion for health and cycling to make a difference in local communities and grow the gravel community.