In this month's edition of Staff Spotlight, we're happy to present Wesley Reutimann, a key player in our team at ActiveSGV. Wes focuses most of his time on ActiveSGV's clean mobility programs, including campaigns to realize safer streets, organize memorable Active Streets events like ArroyoFest, and develop innovative e-bike programs. He also helps lead the organization's development and grant writing efforts, including the organization's recent EPA award with Day One and other partners to fund green schoolyards, home solar and storage, e-family bike incentives, induction stove installations, and native rain gardens for residents of high-need SGV communities. An almost lifelong San Gabriel Valley resident, Wes can be found most early mornings running or biking the SGV, his favorite way to start the day!

How did you get started working at ActiveSGV? I had been volunteering with ActiveSGV (then BikeSGV) for several years when I wrote the organization's first open streets proposal. The original '626 Golden Streets' project was too big to organize in my free time, so after it was awarded grant funding I became a member of staff and served as lead coordinator of the inaugural event linking South Pasadena to Azusa.

What do you like most about ActiveSGV? I really enjoy how ActiveSGV has evolved over the years. I never imagined we would assemble such an awesome group of passionate local advocates to take on pressing issues our region faces, including unsafe streets, urban heat islands, indoor/outdoor air pollution, and lack of access to parks/green space. Teamwork truly does make the dream work!

Favorite and memorable ActiveSGV experience: Seeing our first open streets event come to life in 2017 was one of my favorite experiences to date. We only had a few staff at the time, and some folks doubted our ability to coordinate an 8-city, 18-mile ciclovia celebrating the then 'Gold Line' extension to Azusa. Seeing Huntington Drive and other major SGV streets filled with thousands of participants, including so many local children making memories with their families and friends, is something I'll never forget! Restaging ArroyoFest in 2023 was also a very special moment. 

If a friend from out of town were to visit, which place in the SGV would you take them to and why? If my guest was outdoorsy, I'd probably take them on a hike to the Dawn Mine Trail or a ride up Brown Mountain to explore some of the San Gabriel Mountains, followed by a well-earned lunch at a small-business in nearby Altadena such as Perry's Joint. Most folks from outside of LA don't realize how accessible and spectacular our mountains are, or that LA has a decent public transit system.

What are you currently listening to, reading, watching, or digging? Reading: Ultra Processed People. Watching: LA Galaxy. Listening to: Emma Peters.

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