Maggie McNally, the Northeast Region member representative on the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) Board of Directors, has been elected vice chairwoman of the board. McNally, who has served on the board since 2009, is the first woman to hold the position.
"Maggie McNally has played an invaluable role in the leadership of the AMA," said AMA Chairman of the Board Stan Simpson. "She’s been an active member of our nominating, state chapters and awards committees. We welcome her expanded responsibilities on the board as we strive to find new ways to promote and protect the motorcycling lifestyle."
A longtime resident of Albany, N.Y., McNally is the third woman elected to the AMA Board of Directors. She follows Hazel Kolb, elected to the board in 1978, who served as secretary. Following Kolb’s death in 1990, Patty Mills replaced her on the board and later served as secretary. Mills remained on the board until early 1999.
"It’s an honor to represent individual members of the American Motorcyclist Association on the Board of Directors," McNally said. "We currently face a number of challenges to the motorcycling lifestyle — from attacks on our right to ride to an economic climate that makes it difficult for many to experience the freedom on two wheels. I hope that in my new role I can effect positive change that will improve motorcycling for all of us."
McNally was elected vice chairwoman to serve the remainder of former Director Jim Williams’ term, which runs through February 2012. At that time, McNally will need to run again to retain the post.
McNally is a longtime motorcyclist whose love for riding began when she was 11-years old and her cousin took her for a ride on a Triumph. A few years later, eager to disprove a naysayer who suggested that women don’t ride motorcycles, she got her riding permit and a 1972 Suzuki GT380. Today, McNally is an avid motorcyclist and a Motorcycle Safety Foundation RiderCoach.
McNally says one of her major initiatives for next year will be promoting the 2012 AMA International Women & Motorcycling Conference, which takes place July 26-29 in Carson City, Nev.
"Women are among the most passionate and dedicated motorcyclists and members of the AMA," McNally said. "For the 2012 AMA International Women & Motorcycling Conference, we’ll be working with some very enthusiastic individuals — those whose clubs and organizations will partner with the AMA as we work hard to make this the best women’s motorcycling conference ever."
