Organization chart

Gord Irish - President

Gord Irish has been an avid cyclist since the 1980s and was a TBN member in the early 1990s, After a hiatus, he rejoined TBN three years ago. He lives north of Toronto near the popular starting point at Victoria Square so he usually joins the rides starting in that area, primarily County Cruises and Freedom Fridays. He was a tour leader back in the 1990s and took on that role again this year. He is currently a member of the TBN Governance committee

Martin Lansche – Past President and Technical Director

Martin Lansche is retired from IBM Canada, where he was a mainframe systems programmer and a consultant to Fortune 500 clients helping them with their websites. Martin was Co-Technical Director for TBN in 2019-2020, and Technical Director and Acting President  2020-2021. An avid cyclist since the age of 4, Martin was a TBN member in 1983-1984, and he rejoined TBN in 2018 whence he has been a Ride Leader, Sweep, Ambassador and Program Coordinator.

Catherine Newhook – Secretary

Catherine Newhook is a CPA-CMA and holds an MBA from the Schulich School of Business. She has enjoyed a 28-year career at CIBC where she works in a financial planning, reporting and analysis role. She currently works in technology project finance support. Her interest in cycling began 30 years ago when she moved to Etobicoke-Lakeshore (Mimico), where she especially enjoys riding on the Waterfront trail. For a while in the early 2000s she took an interest in mountain biking but is now back to road cycling.

Jean Dell’Agnese – Treasurer

Jean was elected to the board in 2019. She has been a professional accountant for 49 years. She is a CPA, CGA and has many years of experience in finance and auditing. She served as Treasurer of the Board of a United Way Agency for six years and for the past 24 years has organized free Income Tax Clinics to help lower income people file their income tax returns. She is an avid long distance cyclist has done self supported trips to many countries and also across Canada and 2 supported rides to the Arctic. She loves travelling, camping and the Great Outdoors.

Todd Race – Communications Director

Todd has been an avid cyclist and advocate in Toronto for many years. After almost 20 years of writing for business in numerous capacities he is now working as a freelance marketing writer, specializing in the socially responsible investment sector. When he isn't writing about windmills Todd is dreaming about riding from Vancouver to San Diego or Land's End to St John's Groat.

Dennis Szilvasy – Touring Director

Dennis has been in organized cycling in Ontario for over 40 years. He has worked with the Ontario Cycling Association, the Great Canadian Cycling Club and the Toronto Bicycling Network from its very first days. He has organized weekend trips; and organized and led Country Cruises. His goal is to promote a better group experience on the rides and to have more fun. He would welcome all new ride ideas.

Marc Giles – Social Director

After 38 years of military service, Marc Giles retired in March 2021. He spent most of his military career on the East Coast and as an avid biker, camper/hiker and swimmer, and is a longtime member of TBN. During his time down East he belonged to several Halifax Meetup groups where he planned, organized and led a plethora of hikes and bike rides.

Lora Flanagan – Overnight Trips Director

Lora has served as Overnight Trips Director during 2020 and 2021. Here’s hoping that we see fewer COVID restrictions in 2022, and more scheduled overnight trips. . On the business side, Lora is in Human Resources, Training, and Payroll. On the inspirational side, she is a career and wellness coach and a yoga and mindfulness teacher. On the TBN side, she is a dedicated board member and volunteer.

Alice Chan - Member Experience Director

Alice is a designated accountant CPA CGA. Currently she is the Financial Controller at Cooper Plating Inc in Newmarket. Alice joined TBN in 2017 and did her first century ride in the same year and since then she just cannot stop riding (including through the winter).  She was Ride for Heart Ambassador for 2 years, was active in Cyclon promotion and volunteered as sweep, and Ride Ambassador on many rides. 

Her primary goal is to grow TBN membership by bringing more memorable ride (and non-ride) experiences to TBN members. Her Motto: If you don't try, nothing will happen. If you try, something will happen. If you keep trying, something nice will happen.

Andrew Paterson - Education Director

Andrew Paterson has been a lifelong cyclist and member of TBN for 10 years and has taken part in many TBN events, including Wednesday evening, Saturday and Sunday morning rides. He has attended Cyclon twice, enjoyed numerous trips to Wolf Den and taken part in group camping trips. He has led and swept rides. He also enjoys kayaking, dragon boat paddling and x-country skiing. He is a scientist at the Hospital for Sick Children and Professor at Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto. He has served on numerous boards, including the International Genetic Epidemiology Society and the American Diabetes Association.

Robert Elvin - Director-at-Large #1

Robert Elvin is a chemical engineer with a Master’s degree from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. He has worked in the chemical industry for 30 years in three countries, most recently as business manager at Brenntag Canada in the polymers field. He has been a TBN member for more than 20 years and has been a ride leader on many rides, mostly Wednesday Wheelies and Sunday cruises. He has cycled throughout Europe. Other interests include tennis and golf. He was president of Hillcrest Tennis Club from 1999 to 2003 and has played there competitively in intercounty tournaments.

Brian Lam - Director-at-Large #2

Brian Lam, M.Sc., MBA, is a retired chemist and TBN member since 2013. His volunteer experience includes stints as a TBN ride leader, Treasurer at Hospice of Richmond Hill and  Secretary for a condo board. Since taking part in the Ride to Conquer Cancer in 2008, he has developed a serious interest in cycling.