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The Alliance for Biking & Walking is pleased to announce that Mary Lauran Hall will join us as our new Communications Manager in January of 2013.

Mary Lauran comes to the Alliance from America Bikes—the coalition of national bike advocacy organizations working together for bicycling in federal legislation and policy—where she organized press outreach, social media, web site development, and strategic communications.

Mary Lauran has played many important roles at America Bikes, including some important coordination with state and local leaders and organizations on the Federal transportation reauthorization and subsequent education and guidance. As a board member of America Bikes, I have worked closely with her and seen how well respected she is by the leaders of our national partners, as well as many leaders of Alliance member organizations. It’s clear that Mary Lauran has gained a strong appreciation for the work of the Alliance and our members in making improvements on the ground and influencing national campaigns. Her communications skills, social media savvy, analytical experience and passion for our movement all have stood out to me and I am delighted that Mary Lauran will be joining our staff team.

Indeed, Mary Lauran shares: “I am delighted to have the opportunity to support communications for this essential network of biking and walking leaders and organizations.”  She adds: “While working on communications for federal policy issues, I learned that members of Congress are very sensitive to the needs of their constituencies, especially local leaders. When biking and walking organizations are individually strong and collectively networked, we can win at the local, state, and federal level. I’m excited to be a part of the movement for safer, more accessible streets.”

“One of Mary Lauran’s main tenets has been that we better connect with local advocacy, ensuring that we are communicating and working in sync,” said Caron Whitaker, Vice President of Government Relations at the League of America Bicyclists (formerly Campaign Director at America Bikes.) “I am pleased to know that her passion and savvy will stay with the bicycling and walking movement as she moves over to the Alliance. I am personally thrilled that Mary Lauran and I will continue to work together as part of the America Bikes coalition.”

Mary Lauran will continue to do some work to support America Bikes with communications and other coalition coordination.

More and more communities are realizing the benefit of creating great places to walk and bike, and the People Powered Movement continues to grow. Going forward, the Alliance will continue to foster, strengthen, and unite advocacy leaders across North America. With Mary Lauran’s support, we will also continue to collaborate well with partners on the national level in order to create a truly united national biking and walking movement.

Welcome, Mary Lauran!