About Us - The Mega Volt

Dean Payne

President

“I love mountain biking, and I love our backyard trails here on the coast of BC. All I have ever wanted to do is share it with the rest of the world!”

Andreas Hestler - Dre

Director of Marketing

Taking Canada to the Olympic debut of Mountain Biking in Atlanta (1996) ranks very high as an achievement, as does representing Canada as the National Champion (x5); but building the BC Bike Race from the ground up holds a special spot in Dre’s heart as it is sharing his passion for mountain biking with the world.
“Transitioning 20 years of marketing an athlete to marketing an event was natural, while the goal to be the ‘best bike race in the world’ was also natural. Creating this event from the ground up with our combined experience has been a privilege and a passion. Getting all the cycling world to come here and allow us to guide them around on a sweet BC singletrack adventure has been a true joy and a privilege.”

Karen Stark

Marketing Communications & Retail Manager

Karen was brought up in the world of biking with a brother who raced on the circuit for years. Karen started at BC Bike Race in 2011 after 5 years of running her own clothing line. She has a Marketing Communications diploma from BCIT and 15 years of experience in the Tourism, Sports & Retail Marketing Sectors. When she’s not looking after her 3 kids you can find her riding her bike or running on the North Shore trails.

Lisa Au

Business Manager & HR Director

Lisa’s diverse background in event management, tourism and recreation and non-profit fundraising makes her an ideal fit for the BC Bike Race. She was bought onboard in 2009 and has continued to be the “calm and collected” positive smiley face of race week. When she is done trying on all the hats that come with her multifaceted role on the BCBR team, she works with other events and slides into her role as mother of two beautiful girls.

Jeff Stromgren

Director of Course Management

Jeff is a school teacher by trade and works year round developing social wellness programs and healthy living initiatives for children and families. Adding to his workload is a passion for organizing and managing adventure sport tourism events. Enthusiastic about making sure participants experience the thrills of adventure in a well designed and safe environment, Jeff assures in his work for BCBR the deliverance of consistent quality racing for our wide range of riders. He loves mountain biking with friends, food and wine, travel and adventure, and cherishes time with his family of four and two dogs.

John Kearns

Senior Business Advisor & The Warehouse Manager

John assumes an ‘All Mountain’ role with BCBR. On top of his love for mountain biking and skiing, he’s spent over 30+ years administering and managing live events. He cut his teeth with a degree in music, but he’s also a master wood finisher/restorer, & stained glass artist. Having served 2 years on the board of the North Shore Mountain Bike Association, he joined BCBR as a day vollie in 2012 then as a full-pull team member a year later and joined the core admin team in 2017.

Matt Oviatt

Production Manager

Matt has over 12 years of extensive experience in concert, theatre, and dance production, as well as managing site operations and logistics for upwards of 25 outdoor events and festivals. The production management of a bike race combines his work with a passion for the outdoors. Since starting on the BC Bike Race site crew in 2012, Matt has found an appreciation and love for mountain biking, but has always enjoyed hiking and camping, and prefers to spend his free time in the outdoors. When he is not working for BCBR, he can be found working on as many outdoor events as he can fit into his schedule or catching some downtime – either in a hammock or on a bike.

Moniera Khan

Racer Relations Manager

Moniera’s been involved with the BC Bike Race for the last 5 years trying out a number of roles before settling into the Racer Relations position. She loves outside better than inside and spends as much of her time on the trails in Squamish where she now lives. Her corporate experience in business development and client relations gives her a solid background for her Racer Relations role where her mission is to ensure race week is the best week of your life.

Jens Klett

Marketing

Originally from Germany, Jens made the move to North Vancouver in 2006 to follow his passion for bikes. With over 20 years in the sporting goods industry, and the last 10 years in the Cycling industry as a Product Manager, Jens brings a wealth of experience to the team. He's involved in all facets of the event, from Marketing to sponsorship, web-design and in-house photography. He raced the BC Bike Race in 2019 and worked on the Media Team for 2 years before joining full time in 2022.

Carmel Ecker

Communications

Carmel is new to eMTB but has been riding mountain bikes in Southern BC for 27 years. She’s a PMBIA Level 1 certified instructor and loves teaching women who are new to the sport. Every now and then she convinces her tween son to join her on the trails. She brings a background in journalism, graphic design and business to our communications team.

We are grateful for the opportunity to recreate on the lands of the Sylix/Okanagan people. This event is operated with respect and care for the land and its people.

We couldn’t put on this event without the support of the Penticton and Area Cycling Association (PACA). A portion of each registration fee will be donated to this organization that builds and maintains these amazing local trails.