The Derry Rail Trail Alliance was officially registered with the State of New Hampshire on October 31, 2007 as a non-profit organization for the purpose of completing the rail trail on the former Manchester and Lawrence branch line of the Boston and Maine rail bed through Derry. We are a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization, our EIN (Federal Tax ID) is 26-1251090.

The seven member board of directors is comprised of area residents who are dedicated to seeing this project completed and maintained for the benefit of the Greater Derry Community. Here is some background information on each of our board members.

If you are interested in taking an active role in the success of the Derry Rail Trail Alliance, please contact any of our board members (by clicking on their name below) or send email to info@derryrailtrail.org.

Erich and his family have lived in Derry since 1996 and he is originally from the Monadnock region of the state. He is currently the treasurer of the Bike Walk Alliance of New Hampshire, member of the Granite State Wheelmen, and captain of a cycling team dedicated to raising money for the Jimmy Fund with the Pan Mass Challenge organization. He earned Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Electrical Engineering from the University of New Hampshire and has been working in engineering for 18 years and is currently employed by the MITRE corporation in Bedford, Mass.

"I started the Derry Rail Trail project because I saw an opportunity to turn a small piece of town land into a recreational resource not only for the residents of Derry but as a regional recreation destination. Hundreds of people have taken to the Windham Rail Trail and we're providing an extension for them right into downtown Derry and vice versa. We have parks, shops, and restaurants accessible to users of the trail because it connects to the existing Derry Bike Path and all of downtown. This is a project for the entire community."

Mark, his wife Karen and their 3 children relocated to Derry from Chelmsford, MA in 2004. Mark decided to join the DRTA after a couple of family bike rides on the Derry Bike Loop Path and Windham Rail Trail this past summer and fall.

As Mark states "I didn't even know these wonderful trails existed until we stumbled upon a bike route sign one day and decided to follow them around town. After enjoying rides on the Bike Loop Path and newly paved Windham Rail trail we encountered the difficult and unmaintained 2-mile section of rail trail between Windham's Rail Trail and the Derry Bike Loop Path - not a fun ride with 3 small kids! Upon learning that the town had no immediate plans to upgrade this section I decided to join Mr. Whitney in forming the DRTA in order to help generate community interest and support in linking these two great bike paths. I am excited and encouraged by the support of the town leaders and community to date and look forward to soon being able to ride a paved trail from the Salem line all the way up to and around the town of Derry!"

I've been in practice in the greater Derry area since 1988. I was the founder and currently the Medical Director of Granite State GI Consultants in Derry. As a physician in town I can appreciate the many health benefits of a paved trail that can be accessed year round, and see this as a development that can add to the outdoor recreation opportunities and overall quality of life here in town. As this area grows in population and density these tranquil outdoor areas will become even more valuable to us.

We were formerly living in Windham and recently moved to East Derry. We very much enjoyed using the Windham Rail Trail and have seen the immediate success this was to that town, and I would like to see the same happen here in Derry. As an avid bicyclist (member of Granite State Wheelmen), hiker (AMC member) and cross country skier, I have used the Windham Rail Trail many times when I needed some fresh air and did not have a full day to travel elsewhere.

John Taylor and his wife Elisabeth, have lived in Derry for 21 years and have two children. John has a Bachelors of Science degree in Biology from Kalamzoo College and has worked in residential construction for 25 years. He currently works as a project manager for a design build firm in the North Shore area of Massachusetts.

"I became interested in the rail trail for many reasons. I think the rail trail will bring visitors to Derry and enhance the many improvements taking place downtown. Also, as a lifelong visitor to Cape Cod, my family and I have enjoyed the rail trail there and feel it is a tremendous asset to that community. Finally, once the Derry section is complete, I would like to see more trails in the region expanded. My hope is that in addition to the obvious recreational resource, the trail would be used by commuters."

John grew up in Wisconsin, and has been a family physician at Derry Medical Center for 14 years, residing in Londonderry. He attended college at Harvard, got his medical degree from the University of Wisconsin, and attended residency at Brown University, where he rode his first rail trail along Narragansett Bay. He presently serves as chief of staff at Parkland Medical Center, and also serves on the board of Community Health Services in town. He has been a member of Rails-to-Trails Conservancy for 12 years.

"I predominantly biked to school or work from age 12 to age 28, so I appreciate the benefit of a flat, paved, traffic-free path for getting around town. I discovered the rail trail as a fabulous running path, albeit a little uneven. As an avid biker, runner, and cross-country skier, I believe the rail trail offers limitless recreational opportunities for all ages. As a physician, I believe the rail trail will improve the health of the community, by inducing more people to get out and walk or bike. As a father, I am looking forward to biking with my young children on a hill-free route away from cars. And as a long-time member of Rails-to-Trails, I look forward to making one happen in my own community"

Gerry is a retired elementary school teacher and she brings her organizational skills to the group to help us run programs.

Mary Watson has a degree in education from Keene State College; she has lived in Derry for the past 5 years. Mary enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband and 2 young children and working in nearby Hampstead at the local Sylvan Learning Center. After organizing a small Trike-A-Thon fundraiser last fall, Mary realized she wanted to do more raise awareness of the Railtrail & Bikepath system and to encourage Derry families to spend time outdoors together. This Fall she will be joining forces with Derry Parks & Recreation and the Derryfest committee to bring a Move-A-Thon event to Derryfest!

Dave Topham has been actively involved in group cycling and bicycling education since 1971. As one of the founders of the Granite State Wheelmen (GSW) and taking an interest in the then League of American Wheelmen's Effective Cycling program, in 1980 he became one of the first LAW (now LAB) certified bicycling instructors in the country. Since then he has conducted many classes and given presentations to major corporations. For some years he helped cyclists in four states attain their certified instructor status within the League. He remains active in the GSW as a ride leader and Membership Chairperson, having been on the GSW Board in some position every year since the recreational bike club was formed.

Dave lives in Salem, NH and enjoys helping to "push the paperwork" as well as the pedals. His 40+ years of computer background assist in the overhead of keeping both the GSW and BWA-NH computers and databases in order. Over the years Dave has made many contacts with bicycling organizations in the New England area. In 2003, efforts with the NH Department of Safety resulted in the state Drivers Manual being revised to incorporate more about "bicycling awareness" plus 25 bicycling-related questions were provided for the State of NH computerized driver's exam. He is presently a member of the NH Department of Transportation's Bicycle-Pedestrian Transportation Advisory Board and the Safe Routes to School Statewide Advisory Committee. Plans are underway to offer multiple bike-ed courses and presentations for kids in grades 3-5 through comprehensive adult-level classes during the year.

okay, okay here's a bit about me........retired. Long career as money manager at kidder, peabody; tucker, anthony, and leerink, swann. founding managing director of KCM a long/short hedge fund, co-founder of boston based athletic apparel company that supplied virtually all colleges and university's throughout the US. I was also an on air wall street reporter, WBCN boston, ma, among others.

"I immediately recognized the DRTA as an opportunity for me to assist in the development of a unique, indigenous, greater derry regional asset. This project is well positioned to both significantly contribute to our sense of community goodwill and to add to our regions overall economic vibrancy. Having been involved in a number of successful start-ups, I can say from experience that there is no greater satisfaction than to contribute time, talent, or funds to a worthwhile collective effort and watch it take flight. The DRTA is exactly the kind of community project that has proven time and again it's ability to pay dividends for years and years to come, far exceeding it's initial costs."

I have also been involved in: Youngsville AAU baseball coach, Derry little league coach and BOD, Derry recreation basketball coach, Derry planning board, Town administrator designee