Bike Walk Mississippi's Board of Directors

Catherine Lee

Jackson, MS

Geneva Dummer

Biloxi, MS 

Jim Foster

Biloxi, MS

Wade Grant 

Clinton, MS

Ken Seawright

Brandon, MS

Michelle Williams

Ridgeland, MS

Meg Henderson

Ocean Springs, MS

Allen Richard

Natchez, MS

Scott Rone

Hernando, MS

Heather Isonhood

Jackson, MS

Our Team

Melody Moody Thortis

Executive Director

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Melody Moody Thortis served as the full-time Executive Director at Bike Walk Mississippi from 2010 - 2017 and as its part-time director since 2017. Melody holds a Masters degree in International Development, Advocacy and Human Rights from Eastern University, a graduate certificate in Creative Placemaking from the New England College of Art & Design and is originally from Kingsport, Tennessee. Under her leadership, Bike Walk Mississippi gained a national reputation for its work in bicycle and pedestrian advocacy.  Bike Walk Mississippi was recognized by the national Alliance for Biking and Walking as 2013's "Advocacy Organization of the Year" and Bicycling Magazine named Melody as 1 of 14 "Innovators using bicycles to change the world".  Melody has served as Mississippi's primary congressional advocate for the past 11 years, lobbying both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives on behalf of bicycle and pedestrian interests and her work on behalf of Bike Walk Mississippi has contributed to the Transportation Alternatives Program supporting access to bicycle and walking programs and infrastructure across the nation. Melody brings a passion of representing all people who walk or ride a bicycle by choice or by need and is passionate about using the bicycle as a tool for community development.

Check out her TEDx talk about that here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGbU9I6yS1U

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Ben McDonald

Bicycle Safety Ambassador

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Ben McDonald has served as Bicycle Safety Ambassador for Bike Walk Mississippi since 2021. Ben holds a Bachelors degree in Business Administration from Mississippi College and is originally from Clinton, Mississippi. Ben enjoys a mix of swimming, running (trails & road) and all types of cycling - whether it's a group road ride, challenging mountain bike trails or commuting to work on a single speed. Ben has is a triathlete, marathon and ultra marathon runner and has finished 3 Ironmans. Ben has also worked as a professional in the fitness industry since 2012. Ben believes that bicycles change lives, he believes that more people on bicycles in Mississippi will make our state a better place to live, work, and play. So let's share the road, change lanes to pass, and ride more!