Preserve
The FOC intends to leverage funding for the purpose of supporting and sustaining Outdoor Chattanooga’s initiatives.
Promote
Through education and programming we aim to communicate an attractive, healthy, and distinguishing lifestyle for Chattanooga’s residents and visitor population, which, in turn, will maintain and enhance the value of the region’s resources, and help grow the region’s economy.
Protect
We are an organization that allows like-minded outdoor enthusiasts the opportunity to support and conserve our recreational facilities.
FOC BOARD MEMBERS
Lynette Carlson
Lynette Carlson, DHS, ATC, is a certified athletic trainer who enjoys working with all sports and people of all abilities – from the weekend warrior to professional athletes. She has her own athletic training practice focused on Active Release Techniques®, physiotherapy, and concussion management. Lynette is also an adjunct professor at UTC and is passionate about education and adult learning.
Lynette was raised on a farm in Northwest Illinois and found herself in Chattanooga as a graduate student at UTC. After living in Chicago for 10 years, she was drawn back to Chattanooga by the rich outdoor activities in and around the city. In her free time, she enjoys sport rock climbing, hiking, biking, camping, kayaking, canoeing, SUPing, and boating. She’s excited to be a Board Member of Friends of Outdoor Chattanooga and looks forward to furthering the Mission!
Rob Simmons
Officer Rob Simmons has been with the Chattanooga Police Department since 2003, where he has served on Bike Patrol and as Public Information Officer. He is a IPMBA Certified Police Cyclist Instructor for his department.
As the popularity of cycling increased in Chattanooga, the number of injuries and deaths of cyclists on the roadway increased. Noticing this trend, Officer Simmons implemented and coordinated a Safe Bicycling Initiative through the Chattanooga Police Department, which successfully resulted in a dramatic decrease in vehicle/bike crashes citywide in just one year. During this initiative, Officer Simmons helped develop a new device that aids in the enforcement of Tennessee’s “3-Foot Law” regarding the distance a vehicle needs to pass a cyclist. This device received nationwide media coverage and is now being sold to law enforcement agencies across the world. The Chattanooga Safe Bicycling Initiative is now in use across Tennessee and is being considered as a potential National Initiative through the NHTSA.
Philip Pugliese
Philip Pugliese was selected as Chattanooga’s first bicycle coordinator and was housed within Outdoor Chattanooga from 2005 until 2015. Actively engaged in bicycle and active transportation policy and planning since 2002, he has served as technical staff to the Chattanooga‐Hamilton County Regional Planning Agency, and now to the Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority. A founding board member of Bike Walk Tennessee and Friends of Outdoor Chattanooga, Philip has worked to advance regional bicycle networks through public and private partnerships. To further promote research, policy, and practice, Philip developed the Active Living & Transportation Network to leverage private, public, and academic resources in the community. A graduate of Georgia State University, Philip also holds a Master’s of Business Administration degree from the University of Tennessee.
Melony Collins
Melony Collins is a Graphic Designer in Chattanooga, TN with a background in Fine Art. She has found one of the ways to her heart is to not bind it up. So beyond art, Melony allows her sense of curiosity to explore other areas like music, language, math and science which in turn influence and refresh her work. But lately, physical activity and being outside have become welcome partners to the arts, helping her find balance by bringing a renewed sense of peace, well-being and rejuvenation. This journey has led Ms. Collins to meet many new friends and participate with local groups such as the Tennessee River Gorge Trust (TRGT), SPARC and Outdoor Chattanooga, by which she became an Outdoor Ambassador. Her love of both beauty and imagination have brought her appreciation for creativity and nature together to captivate her attention for years to come.