2024 Board of Directors

Jason Ward, President
Shawn Conley, Vice President
Michael Wiggins, Club Captain
Sasha Marie Henderson, Club Secretary
Michael Bradley, Treasurer
Patrice Harris, Membership Manager
James Davis, Events Manager
DR. Ed Dixon, Advocacy

Jason Ward, President 2019-present

Jason is an active rider and serves the needs of riders through education, participation, and advocacy. Since he began his journey in 2013 to cycling fitness he has participated in a multitude MTC3 rides and events. Jason’s goals are to share the sport of cycling with everyone and more generally to support others to attain a healthy lifestyle by their definition.

Jason brings more than 16 years of advisory experience on corporate management, risk management, strategic planning, leadership and organizational development to Major Taylor Cycling Club Chicago’s Board of Directors. Jason is the Chief Operating Officer for Carousel Checks Inc., a privately held entity that prints secure documents for financial institutions. Jason firmly believes that passionate people choosing to collaborate and serve for the common good can make the changes in our society that are beneficial and long-lasting.

This is Jason’s fourth (4th) consecutive year serving in the role of President of the club since 2019. His position on the Major Taylor Cycling Club Chicago is his second official board assignment. In 2016-2017 her served as the club Secretary. Jason has also assisted the club with board development and strategic planning support. Jason is looking forward to engaging members of the cycling community to ensure MTC3 meets their sporting needs. He aims to assist members and friends of the club with the opportunity to strengthen their minds, bodies and character through the sport of cycling to build healthy, active cycling lifestyles and relationships that will last a lifetime.

Shawn Conley, Vice President

Shawn A. Conley is a Chicago native who is a graduate of Holy Angels Elementary School, St. Ignatius College Preparatory High School, and Louisiana State University. Shawn began cycling in 2009 in an effort to get back in shape on his 1988 Schwinn Sprint. He was asked by his neighbor to ride with Smokin’ Spokes, a local cycling club on the southside of Chicago. On that 50 mile ride, Shawn was dropped on a climb, and vowed that it would never happen again. So, Shawn purchased a 2010 Trek Madone, and began riding. Shawn claims that he has never been dropped on a climb on a Smokin’ Spokes ride since. After riding with Smokin’ Spokes exclusively for a couple of seasons, Shawn began to ride with other clubs in the area. He was introduced to MTC3 on the Victory Ride in 2011. Shawn officially became a member of the club soon after, and even began leading rides.

In 2013, Shawn was asked to consider becoming leader of MTC3 because the then-chairman had moved to Texas. Shawn accepted the challenge and began leading our fine club as of January 1, 2014. As chairman of the club, Shawn focused on growing the club, establishing and nurturing relationships with our cycling partners, and oversaw the design of our current logo.

Now, Shawn functions as our Club Captain. He is passionate about riding and loves the camaraderie of group cycling. Additionally, he travels several times per year to cycling events around the country. And, he looks forward to continuing to serve the members of our great club!

Mike Wiggins, Club Captain

Coming soon !

Sasha Marie Henderson, Secretary

Bio coming soon…

Michael Bradley, Treasurer

Bio coming soon…

Patrice Harris, Membership Manager

Patrice Harris began recreational cycling in her youth when she would spend many days on the Lakefront Trail as a resident of the South Shore area in Chicago. After moving to the south suburbs, she began cycling the Forest Preserve trails where she first encountered MTC3. During a solo weekend ride in the morning, a group of cyclists passed her on Old Plank Trail. As they passed, each cyclist either gave her a “Good Morning” greeting or offered quick words of encouragement. After finding out about MTC3 and participating in a few rides as a guest, Patrice became a member of Major Taylor Chicago in 2020.

Patrice brought to the club previous leadership experience as a former member of Toastmasters International (MJM Speakers Circle) where she served as Vice-President of Public Relations, Club President and Area Governor. She is currently a participant in the 2025 Park Forest Civic Leadership Academy. Patrice currently serves as Membership Manager in her second consecutive term during which time she has helped to move the club to the use of digital membership cards.

After being sidelined during the 2024 cycling season because of knee challenges, she is looking forward to a 2025 cycling season full of fun and fellowship and service to the members of MTC3!

James Davis, events Manager

As an early teen James organized groups of neighborhood kids to ride bikes from his West Chatham neighborhood to Rainbow Beach and back. James rode a pink girls bike with a purple banana seat that was discarded as trash. James became good at popping wheelies and many neighborhood adults referred to him as a “bad kid” for boldly showing off his skills. Those criticisms became complements as he’d often be asked by those same neighbors to demonstrate his self-taught talent.

James(or Jimmy) depending on where you know him from, attended Mendel High School, and Western Illinois University where he took his Schwinn Le Toure to get around campus. After graduation he purchased his first real bike, a Trek Composite 2100 that cost nearly $1000. This was his go-to bike for Bike the Drive, The Late Rides, Red Black and Green, Apple Cider Century, Boulevard Lakefront Ride etc.

In the fall of 2015 James attended Two Rivers Century in Kankakee. After unloading his bike for a solo ride he noticed a group of 30+ people in Major Taylor kits posing for a pre-ride group photo. Amazed at how cool they looked James watched with admiration. Although James was wearing a Trek Jersey Shawn Conley invited him over to join the photo shoot and the rest was history.

James did his homework; He learned about Major Taylor, researched the club, understood the Mission Statement and the club’s commitment to Health and Fitness.This was something he wanted to be a part of.

James(aka JD) is a dedicated ride leader responsible for creating fun and all-inclusive rides such as: The Donut Ride, The Taco Ride, The Sammich Ride, The Big Ring, and The Ultimate Big Ring. JD’s secret sauce is creating rides that everyone can ride with multiple start points and distances all leading to the same destinations. These rides usually include food, fellowship, and shenanigans.

James proudly serves as

DR. Ed Dixon, Advocacy

Long ago, Dr. eD Dixon was “Member #1” for the Major Taylor Cycling Club of Chicago. Back in 2005-2007 Keith Holt, the south side advocate for The Bike Federation of Chicago (now the Active Trans Alliance-ATA) was haranguing eD and several others to take the plunge and organize a Major Taylor Club to carry on the tradition and memory of this premier athlete and to advocate for cycling on Chicago’s south side. The club’s purpose was to serve as biking exemplars, advocates, recruiters into more active lifestyles, and giving back to the community. In October of 2007 eD and seven others each donated $100 as charter members of the new club. After establishing Tax ID and 501-(c) 7 status, the club began meeting around a 6 foot picnic table in an upper room at Blackstone Bicycle works. Among the club’s first expenses was membership in the Major Taylor Association in Worcester MA.

eD served as the initial Chair of the club for two years and has since held several offices, always in support of the club’s growth, health, and mission of service.

In eD’s other life he is a full professor of Management at Robert Morris University where he teaches management, computer science and college-to-career courses. eD is the freshmen mentor for incoming CPS students and the faculty adviser for the Morris Men/Women groups at the university. eD’s personal experiences in entrepreneurship, grant-writing, and non-profit management have informed his teaching philosophy and the careers of thousands of students over the past 14 years of college instruction. eD is happiest when he is facing an auditorium of graduating seniors or 10