Sunday, January 30, 2011

End of one journey and the beginning of another.

The news is out, thanks to the time difference between here and the UK...

And it is true; I am moving on from Masi and joining ASI (Fuji, Breezer, SE Racing, Kestrel, Terry Precision, & Oval Concepts). I'll be the Lifestyle/ Transportation Category Manager, dealing with bikes from Fuji, Breezer, SE Racing and a few Terry Precision models. The new role will be something of a hybrid of what I have been doing for the past 6.5yrs, blended with more of a traditional Product Manager position. I'll be chasing spec- all around the globe- and working to more directly create the best possible bikes I can for the company, as well as helping to strengthen the voice of the various brands under the ASI umbrella. It's obviously a very big change in my world and one that was not taken without tons of deliberation.

Masi has been my home, my job, my love, my passion and my obsession for the past several years- and even since my childhood in many ways. Leaving the company and my friends there was not entirely unlike the gut wrenching pain and emotional chaos of my divorces. I can not thank the great friends I have still at Masi/ Haro for all of their support and encouragement over the years as we rebuilt a once great brand that had gone quiet over the years. Masi was a much smaller and relatively dormant brand when I was given the opportunity to become the steward of the brand in October of 2004. Since that time, though still a smaller brand, Masi has grown from 8 models and domestic-only distribution to a brand with over 30 models and distribution in nearly a dozen countries... and it continues to grow.

I have been blessed to work with and meet many people who I will be friends with for the rest of my life. I have been to several countries around the world and have been able to ride a bike in many of them- seeing and feeling why the bicycle is the ultimate invention. The job has brought me more joy and happiness than any one post here can possibly detail- it would take me days, if not weeks, to write it. Suffice it to say- it's been an incredible damn ride.

Like most rides though, this one has come to an end- a joyous one at that. My recent trip to Texas to meet with and clinic folks at Sun & Ski in Houston was a very bittersweet one; knowing it was my last trip as "the Masiguy" and not saying anything about the changes coming was very hard for me- the folks at Sun & Ski have become friends over the years I have been working with them. The consumers who have purchased Masi bikes from them are special to me as well. Needless to say, I had some very conflicted and powerful emotions during the trip. But, I also knew that something incredible lay just over the horizon.

The move to ASI represents many changes and challenges that I can not wait to attack with the same passion that helped me to drive and pursue the changes that helped make Masi so much more successful. I am still a race nerd and am very enthusiastic about the sport, but I've grown increasingly passionate about transportation/ commuting bikes over the years and have a strong desire to find ways to make bicycles a bigger part of people's every day lives. As I look at the world that my children will inherit, I see a greater need to get people on bikes more often- either for the environment or for their health. This new role will give me the chance to find ways to make that happen- either through the product or through the advocacy efforts of the company. ASI is one of the most active companies in the industry when it comes to cycling advocacy

I've built something of a reputation in the world of Social Media and alternative marketing strategies, and I plan to do the same with ASI. I'll have the chance to work with some incredibly talented people to help get the word out about all of the various things the brands in the company are doing. I am very excited to work with some incredible people at ASI- from the marketing team, to the product team, to the brand team... I'm going to be getting to work with some amazing people... again.

This new position gives me the luxury of working from home, when I am not in Asia or other parts of the country and world. I'll be on the road quite a lot, especially for the first year or so, but having the chance to see more of my family when I am home means a lot to me. It isn't to say that it won't have it challenges and difficulties, but it's something I feel that I am professionally ready to tackle as I grow and learn.

I'm so thankful for this opportunity- just as I was 6.5yrs ago when I was given the chance to pilot Masi. Masi will always remain a love of mine and the bikes of the past few years will always be "my babies". I am so very proud of the things we did there and I sincerely wish them the very best success in the years ahead. I'll be more than a casual observer... for the rest of my career in the industry.

But now a new chapter begins and I am every bit as excited and nervous as I was on my first day working for Masi- flying to Las Vegas for the Interbike tradeshow, reading catalogs and learning all that I could before hitting the show floor as the new Brand Manager. ASI is my new home and I am excited to get started. With that in mind, I will no longer be posting here... though I have hardly posted here in the past year anyway! I will now begin posting to Two Wheels and Half a Brain and I promise to make every effort I can to keep it alive as much as possible. It's a work in progress still, so forgive the growing pains as I finish building the new blog... it might get hectic and messy, but I'll eventually find something I like and stick with it. I hope.

I can't post this without thanking the thousands and thousands of people who have shared in my life and my world since I created this space more than 5 years ago. YOU have no idea how much you mean to me. I promise that I would be a different person without you all. And not as happy. All of you have impacted my life in many different and wonderful ways- I am so very thankful for your friendship, support and encouragement. I can never repay you enough. But I'll try by continuing to be who I am and to love what I do and share it all with you.

It's not good-bye, it's just a different venue. Same bike geek, new bike channel.

Thank you- from the bottom of my heart.

Tim

18 comments:

Frye said...

Class!

Frye said...

Class!

Reva said...

Tim, as always, you are eloquent and move me with your words. You are a gem & I can't wait to follow your new adventure!

All the best!

Al said...

Tim,

Congratulations on the new job. It is obvious from your post that it was not an easy decision. Best of luck at the new bike channel.

Midwest Bicycle Company said...

I may have to consider picking up Fuji/Breezer as a line simply because you'll be there keeping things honest.

Daniel Ransom said...

A couple years ago my father, who had ridden Bianchis all his life, converted to Masi on the advice of a road-bike-geek San Francisco mechanic. He convinced me to buy a Masi Alare too because he loved his new one so much.

Obviously it's not the highest end of the Masi spectrum but that bike has been a great ride for me and has gotten me from just being a city commuter to someone who does long weekend rides and is training for my first century.

While I haven't commented on your blog very often, I've been a reader (and a Masi fan on facebook and twitter) ever since I got my bike and your enthusiasm has always helped stoke my enthusiasm. I've drooled over the newer releases as they come out and I figured whenever I get to the point where I'd upgrade it would be to a new Masi.

So in that sense I'm sorry you're leaving Masi. I feel like you've influenced the company's sense of style and design. I hope that direction will continue in your absence. Will Masi also continue to push the envelope via how it communicates with its followers? Is someone stepping into your saddle, so to speak?

Obviously I wish you the best as you embark on what sounds like a great opportunity. I can't begrudge you that! Congratulations!

Dan O said...

Good luck with new job. I've been following your blogs for a few years now and enjoy 'em - plus gave me some incentive to start my own.

Looking forward to reading about your new adventures....

Unknown said...

Yeah man-- your MasiFans will miss your presence here, but we know you'll keep up the great work at ASI as well. Best wished on your new adventure.

Aki said...

Good luck and congrats!

Heh.

"Aussie"Guy (ASIguy)? Carleton Reid is funny.

Diablo Scott said...

So long... won't be the same. I probably won't be following you in the future so I'll just say thanks.

Your announcement comes the same day as the AEG announces that Team Kenda Pro will be riding their Cicli Masi in The Tour of California this year.

chris said...

I can honestly say that, you, a person I have never met, were pivotal in my decision to purchase a Masi last year. As a now loyal Masi rider, I feel you did a whole darn lot for that brand. Best of luck, Fuji is getting a major asset added to their ranks!

Unknown said...

Tim, Good luck with the move. It has been a lot of fun watching you mature the Masi brand. I will look forward to following your new adventures.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations, Tim, and good luck with ASI. Pat Cunane's done a wonderful job of moving that portfolio forward and it's good to see him making key hires like yours.

--rick vosper

Unknown said...

"If it was good enough for Dave Stoller in Breaking Away, it's good enough for you....." My Daughter and I have watched that video a thousand times, and a thousand times it brought smiles to our faces. Now I am positively hooked on the 2011 Gran Criterium, lugged frame.... You are a HUGE part of my decision to buy that bike in a few weeks....and you were a HUGE reason for me getting back into cycling. I feel like I'm saying "Good Bye" to an old friend... I will miss you on the Masi pages! Good Bye, and Good Luck Tim, and see you on your next endeavor!

mary Westmacott said...

Tim,
hope the new job is going well? when will you get to post again ? M x

joel wilson said...

just herd from guys at allied cycle made me sad you sold me my gran crit through ira's in arroyo grande CA.i e-mailed you after your crash told you would be back on your feet i didn't think this far but good on you.just got a 3V team issue to race on this year love it too.best wishes on your new journey we will miss you class act!10:01am 5/26/2011 thanks J.T.WILSON

bike repairs reigate said...

class

Pete said...

Just came back across this post (a few years past) and thought I'd mentioned what a GREAT ride I had again on my 3VC today. Your video explanation of the design goals of this frame convinced me to buy my first one, and my girlfriend and I have three now between us. Sure, it's a 'dated' frame by today's standards (BB30, asym, tapered headtube, skinny-ass seatstays, etc.) that really only got as best as a 'good all-rounder' interview online, but it is QUICK and COMFORTABLE - the best of both worlds for me, and I've ridden A LOT of bikes.

Keep up the good work Tim, and know it's appreciated. (Only because of you is Focus on my list of bikes to demo next).