Meet the Idaho Walk Bike Alliance Team

John Bengtson | President | Boise, ID

John is an educator and community organizer who has worked as a teacher and guide, leading students of all ages on the wild rivers and public lands in Maine, Montana, Idaho, Colorado, Chile, and Idaho. He moved to Cascade in 2016 to teach high school English, and has lived in Boise since 2022. He currently works with Conservation Voters for Idaho helping make government more accessible to conservation champions across the state.

John is passionate about the role that transportation plays in creating strong communities and healthy environments. His skills and professional experience revolve around helping people better understand and participate in complex systems, and is excited to support IWBA’s educational programming and advocacy efforts.

Ted Hallisey | Executive Director | Blackfoot, ID

He is passionate about IWBA and our mission to promote healthy, safe and reliable active transportation throughout Idaho, and to Educate, Advocate and Celebrate the creation and expansion of safe pathways to walk, bike and roll in Idaho communities. He is an avid walker and bicycle enthusiast and hikes and walks daily with his two miniature labradoodles. Ted earned a Master of Education degree in Health, Physical Education and Recreation and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication.

Also known as Cowboy Ted – He has hosted school wellness programs for over 275,000 kids and hosts a weekly online video show for rural kids and families at www.cowboyted.com. Ted previously served as Executive Director for three non-profit programs. He served as an educator too – serving as an elementary school PE teacher, high school coach and college communication instructor. He has also served as a media personality for radio stations in California, Missouri and Utah and served as a rodeo announcer, journalist and radio host for over 20 years and has covered the National Finals Rodeo and Pro Bull Riders Finals. Advocacy for healthy and inclusive communities is a lifelong passion. He was the National spokesperson for the Tobacco Free Rodeo program and is proud to have helped persuade the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association to drop tobacco sponsorship in 2010. Ted called Utah home for 27 years before moving to Idaho in 2025.

Chris Staley | Treasurer | Idaho Falls, ID

“Every time I see an adult on a bicycle, I no longer despair for the future of the human race.” So said H. G. Wells. While Chris may not totally share H.G.’s optimism, he is passionate about cycling – any kind! If it has two (or three) wheels and two pedals it’s all good. His bucket list is made up of roads and trails he’s yet to ride. Chris wants to inspire and enable others to re-discover the freedom and joy of cycling, and maybe in the process, save a little of the planet.

Chris was fortunate enough to attend college in one of the premier bicycle-friendly campuses and towns – University of California, Davis. At the time, he didn’t appreciate how far ahead of its time Davis was. The campus was large and closed to cars, so bicycling was a necessity – the campus was laced with multi-use paths and even had roundabouts! It was during those years he got his first decent road bike and became a serious road cyclist. Since then, cycling – all kinds – has been his favorite sport and hobby.

Chris realizes how much work needs to be done to improve active transportation; hence his involvement in pedestrian/bike advocacy. In 2007, he was part of a small group who formed a non-profit called Idaho Falls Community Pathways. Today Idaho Falls is making significant progress in addressing infrastructure needs. Though this group certainly can’t take full credit for their city’s awakening, they most certainly had some impact in nudging the city forward.

Mark Pemble | Secretary | Caldwell, ID

Mark Pemble is a native Idahoan and has explored almost every city in Idaho on his skateboard and bicycle.

Mark serves as the president of the Friends of the Caldwell Library, Co-President of the Caldwell Young Professionals, Secretary of the Caldwell Train Depot, and is on the board of MING studios.

Mark has guided regional bicycle and pedestrian path planning for nearly 15 years. Mark also holds the record as the first person to bike the entire Boise River Greenbelt system from start to finish in one day.