2019 COGGS Lifetime Achievement Award Winner: Pam Schmitt
Photo ©Hansi Johnson
For the folks who did not make it to our 2019 Duluth Traverse Gala, one of the highlights was recognizing Pam Schmitt, one of Duluth's very best, with the 2019 COGGS Lifetime Achievement Award.
Pam first discovered a passion for mountain biking and Duluth while she was attending UMD. After graduating, she became a regular on the trails and at COGGS events, and showed a knack for improving everything she came across. In 2014, COGGS approached Pam with the idea of filling a vacant board position. After months of 'thanks but no thanks' and subsequent begging on the part of the Board, COGGS finally secured her as our Director of Fundraising, and she took off from there.
During her tenure as a COGGS Board member, Pam left an epic impact that will live on as long as the Duluth Traverse itself:
Pam organized and formalized our corporate donor program, securing donations from over 100 local businesses, industry leaders, and corporate sponsors
She took on leadership of the Duluth Traverse Gala - transforming it into a landmark community event
Between the donor program and gala, Pam spearheaded an effort that led to over $900,000 of private dollars invested into our trails
Pam has been the leader in getting COGGS to higher level of organization that set the table for all of the successes we are able to enjoy today
Pam has taken on several coaching and leadership roles with youth and women to help grow Duluth's bike community and build a foundation for COGGS' future
You may not directly see any of these things on your next trail ride, or at the next COGGS event, but it goes without question that nobody has meant more to COGGS' organizational success in the past 5 years than Pam Schmitt. Her tireless approach and her enthusiasm for her community have been infectious and inspiring to those around her. Next time you see Pam out on the trails, be sure to stop and give her a well deserved thank you.
Pam joins Adam Sundberg (2017) and Hansi Johnson (2018) as recipients of this award.
