Kyle Helson – Conference Director
I began my athletic career primarily as a swimmer, retiring after a 4 year NCAA D3 stint. I began cycling in graduate school at Brown racing road, track, and cyclocross. While at Brown, I gained experience with running several race weekends and learning more about how the collegiate cycling conference system works as a whole. I thoroughly enjoyed my ECCC racing career and love the atmosphere within collegiate cycling. After moving to the DC area for a job, I wanted to stay involved with collegiate cycling and joining the ACCC seemed like the perfect opportunity. Collegiate cycling is a rare opportunity where new racers, national champions, and everyone in between are welcome. I want to increase the visibility of collegiate cycling and help to grow the sport with a positive and welcoming environment.
Laura Ann Leaton – Board President
I graduated from the University of Virginia in 2018 where I raced road, cross country, and cyclocross. Racing collegiately greatly impacted my college experience and has given me lifetime friends. I hope to promote the community to new and veteran collegiate races and instill sustainability in the conference racing structure. I now live in Denver, CO for work. Come visit!!
Kaleb Naegeli – Board Member
Kaleb Naegeli is a 10-year alumnus of collegiate cycling: he raced for Indiana University as an undergraduate and then Duke University during graduate school. At Duke, Kaleb was part of three ACCC Championship teams and two top-5 performances at Collegiate Road Nationals. Additionally, Kaleb was the ACCC Student Race director for two years. After graduating, Kaleb’s love for collegiate cycling drove him to stay interested in its continued function and improvement, and he previously served as the ACCC Board President. Kaleb lives and works in the Research Triangle region of North Carolina.
Blaise Schaeffer – Board Member
Blaise has been an active person as long as he can remember… riding bikes playing soccer, snowboarding, hiking, and much more. He took a short absence from two wheels when he decided to pursue a collegiate soccer career at Luther College. After graduating, Blaise completed a bucket list journey, riding his bike across American on the Northern Tier route from Anacortes, WA to Bar Harbor, ME before moving to Durham, North Carolina. Having not lost the desire to remain active and compete, Blaise though he would reenter the cycling world. He frequently rides with the Duke cycling team and all of his friends throughout the triangle. Blaise is looking forward to helping the ACCC grow in a positive, sustainable direction and is extremely excited to be further connected to the cycling community.
Austin Thompson – Board Member
I started riding bikes just after graduating from University of South Carolina. I had not considered racing until I arrived at Duke University. While completing my Master’s at Duke, I joined the Duke University Cycling Team and instantly fell in love with racing bikes. The ACCC opened the door for me into an incredible cycling community, and I hope my time on the board allows me to extend that community to others.
Chris Keosian – Board Member
