For Immediate Release

Contact: John Stewart, Feet First Board President

March 6, 2008
(206) 465-5347
johns@feetfirst.info



The Board of Directors of Feet First is excited to announce the hiring
of new Executive Director Lisa Quinn, who will be joining the
organization on March 31st, 2008. Chosen after a thorough search
process, Lisa has over 13 years of experience in the transportation
field, bringing a wealth of experience to Feet First.

Lisa Quinn is returning to the Northwest after heading up the Regional
Rideshare program for the San Luis Obispo Council of Governments since
2005. In this capacity, she managed the region's Safe Routes to School
program, a senior mobility project, employer and youth programs, social
marketing campaigns, and an online commuter match system.

The bulk of Lisa's transportation background, however, comes from the Pacific Northwest. In Vancouver, Canada, she worked with a nonprofit organization to develop sustainable transportation programs throughout the region. In Seattle, she was the Urban Mobility Group's Transportation Manager and was responsible for managing and expanding the reach of the FlexPass program among downtown Seattle employers.

For four years she represented the University of Washington in marketing
the U-PASS program, which encouraged the use of transportation choices
among staff, faculty, and students. She also developed an award-winning
bicycle program, "Ride in the Rain," and created the University's first walking campaign, "WalkIn," which introduced Walk Talks and a team challenge.

"I am very excited to be back in the Pacific Northwest and work with an
organization that supports my passion for walkability, healthier built
environments, and active transportation," stated Quinn. Lisa is native
to southern California and graduated from San Jose State University.
After graduating with a degree in advertising, she helped in
forming the first Transportation Management Association for Santa Clara
School District, which established the first Universal Pass program encouraging the use of transportation alternatives for San Jose
State University.

"In my new role I'm looking forward to advancing the Feet First mission to increase both the number of people walking and the quality of the pedestrian environment," she said.

The Board wishes to thank Interim Executive Director Rebecca Deehr for
her hard work since March of 2007, and is pleased to note her new role
with Feet First as Policy Director. As the interim executive director
for the last year, Feet First has benefited from her landscape
architecture background, her expertise in advocacy efforts, and her
leadership to make Feet First a more effective advocacy organization.
Deehr is co-chair of Seattle's Pedestrian Master Plan Advisory Group, project director of Active Seattle, and represents Feet First on the
King County Food and Fitness Leadership Council, the Steps to Health
Leadership Team, the Aurora Avenue Action Agenda Stakeholders group, and many other committees and groups. She has been an integral part of Feet First's ongoing advocacy efforts for walkable communities.
 

About Feet First

Founded in 1996, Feet First is an advocacy organization dedicated to building walkable communities. We help people take simple steps to create better places to live, learn, shop, work, and play--a world that cares about health, community, and design.

Feet First is known around the region for its long history of
innovation. Feet First has partnered with other agencies to successfully provide a statewide Safe Routes to School program, sits on the City of Seattle's Pedestrian Master Plan Advisory Group, and is the lead agency for Active Seattle, an "Active Living by Design" program. The group continues to lead efforts that make the connection between health and the built environment, working to build a better pedestrian experience for all.

For more information about Feet First and its programs call 206.652.2310, or email info@feetfirst.info.