The National Bicycle Dealers Association has begun searching for a candidate to replace long-time Executive Director Fred Clements, who will step down in the next few months to take a project director’s role within the organization.
 
“This has been an epic run for me personally and I am grateful for the opportunity,” said Clements, who celebrated his 25th year as NBDA executive director in 2014. “The board of directors is making a serious commitment to increase staffing. This is a critical time for bicycle dealers on many levels, and we’ll be looking for someone to take the NBDA to the next level. I’ll be here to help.”

Clements said he was not yet at Liberty to discuss the project, but it likely revolves around helping independent bicycle dealers, or IBDs, compete. Clements has written extensively about MAP policies, online competition, shifting demographics and other IBD concerns – real and imagined – on The Independent Bike Blog.
  
The NBDA has hired the Boulder, CO executive search firm T. Malouf and Company to find a “new chief staff person” to oversee the Costa Mesa, CA trade group's members services, advocacy, research and educational programs. 

“In the eight short years I’ve served on the NBDA board I’ve seen the organization increase dramatically the number and intensity of initiatives created to lead the independent bicycle retailer to excellence,” said NBDA Presdient James Moore, who owns Moore's Bicycle Shop in St., Hattiesburg, MS. “What has not always increased is the manpower needed to turn strategic plans into programs that engage and empower our membership to become better retailers. Fred Clements, having served the NBDA for over 2 decades, is like the farmer who lifted the newborn calf over the fence every day so the calf could graze on the grass in the adjoining pasture. Not realizing that every day the calf added only a little more weight, when the cow was full grown, the farmer continued to lift her over the fence.
             
“Fred has been doing more than his share of lifting as the NBDA has matured and now we look forward to allowing him to focus on the successful programs he has helped create and nurture,” Moore continued. “Seldom does an organization get the privilege of seeking new leadership while also keeping the talents of the leader who has brought to this point. I personally, and I know I speak for the NBDA board, am truly grateful to know that Fred will continue to be a vital contributor to the NBDA.”