Chris Fondulas
Chris Fondulas graduated from Johnson State College in Vermont, earning his B.F.A. in studio arts with a concentration in printmaking, photography and sculpture. Shortly after graduation, Chris traveled to New York City to accompany his dog Max, who was cast in an independent film. This serendipitous trip inevitably led Fondulas to his career in film.
Having worked in the film industry for nearly a decade, Chris has earned his living primarily through sound recording, but he continues to pursue his passion for shooting, directing and editing. With several sound credits to his name, Chris splits his time between film (Transamerica, The Ten, The Hottest State, among others) and television (Comedy Central's Stella and NBC's 30 Rock, where he and his sound colleagues garnered a 2008 Emmy Award for Sound Production).
With regards to the Bike the Vote project, it was clear to Fondulas and his three colleagues that the 2004 excursion needed to be documented. Chris proudly took on the challenge of shooting, directing and editing his first feature length film.
For additional information on the filmmaker, please visit www.imdb.com and search 'Christopher Fondulas'.
Jessie Hoyt
Jessie's love for cycling began at an early age. She and her father took short touring trips around New England for several summers during her childhood, and for many years Jessie wanted to cross the country by bicycle.
In 2004 Jessie grew increasingly more passionate about social and political issues in the U.S, the environment, women's reproductive freedom, healthcare, education and the war in Iraq, among others. She realized she had to take action - before the 2004 presidential election - to ensure that a greater number of people cast their votes in November of 2004 than they did in 2000. She had an idea: pedal across the country, stop in small towns and big cities, link with local and national organizations, and register people to vote. She teamed up with Chris (then her filmmaker boyfriend, now her husband) and decided to make it happen.
She began to do some research and quickly found two like-minded women in New Haven doing the very thing she'd been planning. The four joined forces, sharing their ideas and enthusiasm about restoring democracy, and took the trip across together.
Jessie has a background in education, the arts, media and design, and a love for adventure, activism, riding with no hands, cooking, recycling and gardening.
After the bike trip, Jessie joined Pandiscio Co., a boutique creative agency in New York, as Project Director and Producer. She took time off this summer to take classes at the Rhode Island School of Design and help Chris with the documentary, and is now back in New York, freelancing as a producer.
Jessie's advice: Vote. Get your friends to Vote. Get your friend's friends to Vote. Every vote counts. And you better believe she seeks out the opportunity to vote in every local and national election.
Ali Brundige
Ally Brundige is a 28 year old woman who believes in change and the power of individuals to collectively effect such change. She grew up exploring the world around her-- that which is often unjust as well as that which is beautiful and awe-inspiring.
Following the amazing annals on a bike, Ally returned to her beloved New Haven, CT to direct a youth development program for LEAP (Leadership, Education, and Athletics in Partnership). She then traveled to South Africa, where, as Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar, she worked with a youth development and gender empowerment organization and Abahlali baseMjondolo, a movement of shackdwellers mobilizing for land and housing. Currently, she lives in Wichita, Kansas where she is a youth organizer for Hopestreet Youth Development.
If the Superbowl's any predictor, Ally believes 2008 will be a kickin' year. Just to make sure, during primary season, she made two trips to Iowa, door-knocked in Kansas and made plenty o' phone calls to Barack the Vote. Looking ahead, she's returning east this August for divinity school, planning many a trip to Pennsylvania and New Hampshire until November, and counting the days until Inauguration. Yes we can. (in 2008 and beyond).
Vanessa Herald
Vanessa Herald always wanted to bike across the country, but never had quite the right opportunity. One evening her house mate arrived home with the inspiration to bike cross-country with a mission to register and engage voters for the 2004 election and suddenly Bike the Vote was born. The mission of Bike the Vote spoke to the heart of Vanessa's values about community engagement and social justice, as well as her never-ending quest for adventure.
The Bike the Vote experience left Vanessa with a greater love of her country and a lifetime of memories. The ability to meet so many fellow Americans and engage in open dialog about participating in our democracy has been a highlight of Vanessa's life. The adventure served as a heart-opening experience in the unique challenges and situations faced by each person in this country and serves as a constant reminder that our voices are louder and stronger when we join together.
Infected with the campaign bug after Bike the Vote, Vanessa remained in Portland through November 2 to work with the No on 36 Campaign to prevent a state constitutional ban on gay marriage. After more traveling, Vanessa eventually settled down and made Portland her permanent home. Vanessa became passionate about sustainable agriculture, food policy and food justice issues, which might be what happens when you bike through the bleak environment of America's corn and soybean monocultures. She apprenticed two seasons on an organic farm in Portland and now coordinates the Garden of Wonders school garden program at a public elementary school. Vanessa currently lives with her dog, Fierce, in North Portland, where she relishes her 14-mile bike commute, tends her flock of backyard hens, practices yoga and eagerly awaits the 2008 presidential election. Vanessa dreams of owning a small farm and of a president who treats food security with the same importance as homeland security.