Our favorite, obscurely named grass roots bike coalition, the Thunderhead Alliance, has a new supreme leader. Jeff Miller, former Executive Director of the Bicycle Coalition of Maine, has been named President and CEO for the Thunderhead Alliance.

I got to know Jeff during his regular calls to Planet Bike HQ to hustle free lights as premiums for Bike Maine’s membership drives. Never have I felt so good to hand over so much. Jeff’s powers of persuasion no doubt helped him grow BCM from 200 members in 1996 to more than 6,000 members today. And now they serve Thunderhead.

Best known for conceiving and piloting the Lobster Bike, Miller’s accomplishments at BCM include passage of a landmark 2007 safe passing law; working with MaineDOT on bicycle safety education and trail development; and sponsoring the Maine Lobster Ride & Roll, Great Maine Bike Swap, Women’s Ride for Heart Health and Maine Bike Rally.

I’m psyched to see Jeff’s talents shifted to national bike advocacy. Given that Planet Bike gives over $100,000 a year to the Thunderhead Alliance, I’m looking forward to getting even more bang for our advocacy buck.