about us

our team

	Heath Fossen, Director of Product Development With interests in bike touring, commuting, trail riding, back country exploration, camping, rock climbing, and a plethora of other outdoor sports, Heath's weekends are packed with what he calls "product testing." This works out well for both Heath and Planet Bike since he directs product development and takes every opportunity to indulge in product field testing. Heath comes to Planet Bike with 12 years in the bicycle industry; dabbling in everything from sales to national bicycle advocacy work, product development to working in a shop and building trail. "Cycling has always been a big part of my life starting with my first bike, a 16 inch fixed wheel bike my dad retrieved from a muddy river bed," says Heath. "Whether it's hitting the trail, going to work, or going to the grocery store, sustainability and my impact on the environment are top priorities for me. I'm proud to be a part of Planet Bike where these priorities are both shared, and promoted."
	David McMurray, Director of Sales and Marketing Before working for Planet Bike, Dave's lifelong love for bikes was stoked by living in Crested Butte, CO for the better part of a decade. As an avid cyclist and a regular bike commuter, the move back to Planet Bike was like coming home. Dave oversees the day-to-day operations of the company and is the Director of Sales and Marketing. He is proud to be part of a company that proves business can be an agent for social betterment. "It's great to be a part of a company that makes great products for cyclists and also supports important efforts to improve America's communities and environment through bicycle advocacy. My hope is that Planet Bike can continue to build a network within the bike industry that is committed to an alternate corporate purpose."
	Mark LaLonde, Warranty Manager/Sales & Marketing "As a kid I always wanted some sort of motor bike, instead my parents got me a bmx bike. It wasn't long before I was losing skin all over town trying to race anything I could," says Mark LaLonde Planet Bike's newest employee. "I still race bike, but that is just a small part of what the bike means to me. Bikes are my transportation, exercise and fun. Hell, I even met my fiance on a bike." Besides handling our warranties, Mark is still racing, now as part of Planet Bike's elite cross team. A dyed in the wool single speeding big wheel rider, Mark also races for the Planet Bike / Gt Mountain Bike Team. "I'm happy to be working at Planet Bike because my fellow employees and the company itself embody what the bike is really about."
	Jay Ferm, Advocacy Director Jay grew up in Rock Island, IL. After graduating college with a degree in Physics, he moved to Madison. Passing through careers in woodworking and cabinetmaking, which he loves, and IT management, which got boring, Jay finally decided to put his money where his mouth is and helped fund and start up Community Car, Madison's car sharing business. From Community Car, Jay came to Planet Bike as Advocacy Coordinator, operations guy and policy wonk. "I wanted to work for Planet Bike because I believe in the mission and the people are some of the most creative and driven I've known," Jay says. In addition to being a means from A to B, for Jay the bike is a medium for solving problems. "When I'm noodling on a problem, riding my bike allows me to reflect and to get to a clear state of mind."
	Chris Follmer, Shipping and Facilities Manager Growing up in North Prairie, Wisconsin, there wasn't much for a kid to do but rip around on his bike with his buddies in the Kettle Moraine area. For the newest member of the Planet Bike crew, there is still a great enthusiasm for bikes because of his concern for the environment and desire to live simply. His experience in warehouse management and furniture making also makes him a welcome addition to the company. He is excited and proud to be on the Planet Bike team and looks forward to assisting other bicycle enthusiasts. Aside from playing disc golf whenever possible and keeping our warehouse running smoothly, Chris can be seen around Madison commuting, touring on his Long Haul Trucker or hauling groceries on his Xtracycle.
	James LaLonde, Warranty / Sales & Marketing After a 5-year stint in Milwaukee completing college while working for bike shops and messenger companies James relocated to Madison to join the Planet Bike Team. James previously comes from a car dominated city but that didn't stop him from commuting by bike regularly. "It's so much easier to commute in Madison with the abundant paths and bike lanes," James added. "Not only that, but I firmly believe the daily commute contributes to the success of competitive cycling." James currently races on the Gary Fisher 29er Mountain Bike Team and the Planet Bike Elite Cyclocross Team. At Planet Bike he joins forces with his brother Mark in the Warranty, Sales and Marketing Departments. "I'm very happy to be a part of Planet Bike while embracing their bicycle advocacy values to make the world a better place."
	Mr. Helios, Director of Power Helios powers our photo-voltaic array, keeps us warm, and helps grow our crops. Each morning, he rises at dawn from the ocean in the east and rides in his chariot, pulled by four horses - Pyrois, Eos, Aethon and Phlegon -- through the sky, and descends at night in the west (So technically he has a non-auto commute to work). He also sees and knows all, and goes by the name Sol.
	Bob Downs, Owner In November of 1996, Bob founded Planet Bike after a successful 8 year career at Trek Bicycle as Accessories Product Manager. He is an avid cyclist who has ridden up to 15,000 miles a year, most of which were commuting miles. He races competitively on road bikes, mountain bikes and cyclocross. Bob also enjoys touring and leisurely rides on his 1960s vintage Schwinn single-speed. All of this cycling experience helps Bob develop some of the best, most user-friendly bicycle products you can buy today. Bob's passion for combining bicycles and the principles of corporate social responsibility can best be summed up by one of his favorite quotes by Gandhi: "Be the change you want to see in the world."