Paula Burton, President

Paula Burton is an avid mountain biker, hiker, skier and trail builder. She has served in many advocacy roles and jobs including Appalachian Trail Ridge Runner, Trail Maintainer, AMC Board of Directors, President of Housatonic Valley Chapter of New England Mountain Bike Association (NEMBA), NEMBA Board of Directors, and member of the Governor’s Connecticut Greenways Council.

Joseph Dickerson, Ex OFFICIO

Joseph is a passionate advocate of adventure as motivation and revelation. As the owner of Inspired Adventurist, he supports individuals and teams in building the fitness, technique, and mindset to accomplish their outdoor bucket-list.

In his own personal adventures, Joseph is a mountain bike racer, bikepacking guide, mountaineer, fly-fisher and even spent some time avoiding arm-bars in MMA battles. He believes that our mind is what holds us back; with focused training and coaching almost anything is possible. 

With an expertise in social enterprise and consulting, Joseph formerly ran BiCi Co Community Bike Shop. He balanced the community impact mission of educating youth and adults on bicycle maintenance and safe riding, with the profit-driven imperative to reinvest profits for social impact.

R. Bruce Donald, TREASURER

Bruce is the Southern New England Manager for the East Coast Greenway Alliance, leading greenway advocacy efforts in Connecticut, Rhode Island, and central Massachusetts. He previously served as president of the Farmington Valley Trails Council, was appointed Chairman of the Governor’s Connecticut Greenways Council, and serves on many other boards. He received an Official Citation from the Connecticut General Assembly in 2016 and the Peoples’ Choice Award from Bike/Walk Connecticut in 2018 in recognition of his efforts.

Bruce is a lifelong bicyclist and alpine skier. That brought him to Middlebury College in Vermont, where he earned a B.A. in political science, followed by an M.A. in history at Trinity College. He worked for 17 years in investment brokerage, management, and banking with international companies. He also authored many financial, investment, and historical articles and a book, Manhood and Patriotic Awakening in the American Civil War. 

Mick Ferraro, SECRETARY

Mick is an avid cyclist and up-and-coming, aspiring snowboarder. A long time member of the New England Mountain Bike Association and Mid-Atlantic Off Road Enthusiasts, Mick has been racing mountain bikes since the Granny Gear 24 hour races of the mid 90’s. As a former coach in the Connecticut Cycling Advancement Program and parent of twin 11 year old boys, his passion for bikes and the outdoors is being handed down to the groms of Connecticut.

A graduate of Greensboro College (NC), Mick is the Director of Outreach and Membership for the New England Mountain Bike Association (NEMBA). He and his wife, Mia, reside in Simsbury with those twin boys, Hudson and Hendrix.

Neil Johnson, Vice President  

An active skier, cyclist and hiker who enjoys exploring the outdoor gems Connecticut has to offer. Neil is an outdoor enthusiast whose passion is helping others safely and responsibly find their place in the outdoors. Throughout his career in the outdoor industry and as the current Store Manager of REI CO-OP in Milford, CT his passion for the outdoors and the outdoor industry has given him the opportunity to inspire and educate more people than he ever could have hoped. Neil sets the standard for CORA’s work-life balance!

Jeff Shaw, EX OFFICIO

Jeff Shaw is the Senior Policy Advisor for the Connecticut Community Nonprofit Alliance, Inc (The Alliance), the state’s largest network of nonprofit organizations. Jeff has over eighteen years of experience in government relations and public policy development, providing expertise on the state budget, bonding, nonprofit trends, economic impact, public health and federal legislation. Jeff holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Connecticut and two master’s degrees, one from Fairfield University and the other from the University of Connecticut. His hobbies include skiing, mountain biking, golf and stand-up paddleboarding.