Matthew Kellogg, executive director of Appalachian Mountain Bike Club (AMBC), was introduced to the club by Rotarian Doug Lawyer. Kellogg moved from his hometown of Chattanooga to attain a bachelor’s degree in architecture from the University of Tennessee. After graduation, he worked as an architect developing property in Knoxville. In January of 2020, he became the executive director of AMBC.
With four staff and over 700 active volunteers, AMBC is the second-largest mountain biking organization in the southeastern United States. They aim to “develop, build, and maintain trails while providing programming to increase access to outdoor recreation.” This mission is executed through the work of staff and volunteers in various ways, including digging trails, raising funds to maintain and expand these trails and the structures that support them, and providing training to the community on topics ranging from safe chainsaw operation to invasive plant species management.
A key group that supports the work of AMBC are private land owners in the South Knoxville area that have gifted easements to AMBC/the city so that the trails available for outdoor recreation enthusiasts are as connected and expansive as possible. Making up approximately 15% of the 95 miles of trail they manage, these privately owned, publicly-used trails are supported by AMBC through maintenance and insurance.
Appalachian Mountain Bike Club staff provide a daily weather update for all the trails they manage. This service is a vital resource for trail users because most trails are accessible for walking, running, and mountain biking. Spanning across 11 East Tennessee public parks, area residents and visitors access many of the trails every day of the year. The estimated economic impact of AMBC’s work in East Tennessee, including trail maintenance and expansion, is $25 million. Kellogg ended his presentation by inviting Rotary members to join AMBC on November 1-2 for their Fall Festival at Baker Creek Preserve.