Brad Topol
Hometown: Brad Topol
University: University of Illinois
Major: Civil Engineering
BIOGRAPHY
I graduated in 2009 from the University of Illinois with a degree in Civil Engineering. I rode for the 2008 and 2009 Bike America Teams and have acted as a Principle Director and Ride Leader for the 2009 ride. I am currently the Alumni Coordinator which was a position I suggested and have keep improving since early 2010. After the 2009 ride I noticed that some of the riders from the inagural 2007 and 2008 rides weren't being informed about current team issues and progress and that there was no real channel to contact them. On the opposite side I was worried that if the Illini 4000 didn't solidify an alumni network the charity could lose a valuable resource. Since the 2009 ride, when other venues have fallen through, Illini 4000 alums have conributed with last second stayover locations, food donations, and event planning. Currently 29 alums are acting as mentors for new riders in order to help them prepare for the 2011 ride that lies ahead of them and to reduce pressure on the Board of Directors. I currently work for the US Department of Transportation as a Highway Engineer and reside in Washington D.C.