Brittany Carlisle – Race Crew Volunteer Coordinator

I am excited to bring a lifelong love for the outdoors to the team. Growing up in Lake Tahoe and now living by the beach, I’m passionate about fostering community, adventure, and the love of nature. I’m thrilled to share the excitement of mountain biking with my 11-year-old son and help others experience the joy of the sport.

Kari Lekvold – Chief Number Cruncher & Cycling Enthusiast

When Kari’s not deep in spreadsheets or solving budget mysteries, you’ll probably find her on two wheels chasing sunshine, dirt trails, and snack breaks. As the league’s resident Number Cruncher, she helps keep our finances rolling smoothly. Whether she’s cheering at the finish line or out on a weekend ride, Kari brings energy, enthusiasm, and a serious love for all things NICA.

Evan Minogue – Operations Manager

Evan is a southern California native, father of two, and rides lots of bikes. He has been involved with bikes one way or another since he first started racing at the age of 18. Since then he has owned and operated a bike shop in Santa Barbara, mentored youth in bike programs, and worked with bicycle collectives teaching bike repair. He knows bikes have the power to change the world and the people riding them for the better.

As he joins the GoSo NICA team, he is most excited about watching future riders develop their skills and passions for cycling and the positive impact riding will have on their lives.

Ellen Powers – NICA Alumni & GRiT Coordinator

Hi! My name is Ellen Powers and I am a student living in Los Angeles, however, I grew up in Birmingham, Alabama. I first started cycling 5 years ago when I joined a local NICA team called Red Mountain Composite. I fell in love with mountain biking after just one season with the team and spent the following three years racing varsity and Cat 1. I am now part of the USC cycling team, where I primarily road bike, however, I intend to resume cross-country racing as soon as possible!

Michael Murphy – Director of Coaching

Email: michael@goldenstatesouthmtb.org

Michael Murphy, aka “Murph” is a team coach with the San Luis Obispo Composite Team and Coach Supporter for the Golden State South League. Murph moved to SLO in December 2022 after spending the previous 6 years in Asheville, NC. While in Asheville Murph held NICA positions of Coach, Head Coach, and Team Director, in addition to Coach Supporter for the North Carolina Interscholastic League. Murph was awarded the NICA, SRAM Coach of the Year in 2019.

“My wife, Lisa and I are thrilled to be in California where we are much closer to our daughter living in LA.” Michael is retired from corporate America and enjoys giving back to the community.

Nancy Eckert – League Director

Email: nancy@goldenstatesouthmtb.org

Nancy has been involved in bike advocacy, education and promotion throughout her adult life. Prior to joining NICA, Nancy spent years working with the Santa Barbara “Safe Routes to School” program. By building that program to include 2nd, 4th and 6th grades throughout the county, training PE teachers, getting schools set up with bike fleets, and creating curriculum, she saw more kids than ever learning to ride for the first time and falling in love with life on 2-wheels. Later, Nancy advocated for the use of electric bikes in lieu of cars for transportation, setting up lending libraries and organizing events for e-bike trials. Working with NICA combines her skills and passion of “more kids on bikes” with many years of coaching youth softball, including 15 years of club teams.

Nancy holds a Teaching Credential, a Masters in Education, and is a diehard for all things bike related. She enjoys seeing the progress that kids make, both on and off the bike. She believes that the lifelong skills learned from challenging oneself goes far beyond the dirt. Furthermore, the positive impact that NICA has on parents, families, bike shops, sponsors, staff and communities as a whole can not be overstated.

Madeline Micklinghoff – Social Media Coordinator & GRiT Coordinator

I am originally from Northern Illinois. I have been mountain biking since I was in middle school and competed in the Wisconsin Cycling League from 2019 – 2023 and got to race varsity my senior year while also being a GRiT Ambassador. I loved riding so much that I knew after high school I wanted to return the favor. After high school I joined the Air Force and am currently assigned to a base in central California. I am excited to give back to the sport I was raised through and to inspire kids to enjoy this lifelong sport.