Meet the Riders

Glen Galloway
Glen Galloway

Glen Galloway

Born in Chicago and growing up in the working-class suburb of Elk Grove Village, Glen learned that hard work and an ethical approach will help overcome any challenge. One of Glen’s favorite quotes is from his Father, “Sometimes you have to plow your own field.” And after 15 years of success in technical sales for a leading power equipment company, Glen did exactly that.

In 1999 he cashed in his entire nest egg and purchased Bema Incorporated, a well-known, but struggling flexible packaging company. In the first 10 years, Glen transformed Bema from a commodity product provider to a leader in quality and packaging innovation. In the next 10 years, Bema’s growth led to hundreds of new jobs and a reputation in the industry as the “benchmark for how it’s done.”

Glen’s inherent commitment to the community has followed him throughout his life. Both before and after his business grew, Glen contributed whatever he could to help people help themselves.

In 2006, Glen was lucky enough to marry Debra Frahm who “strongly encouraged” Glen to take up biking. For Glen, biking has become more than a passion, it is a way of life, and now a means to help kids with cancer. “It is great to write a check for the Cal’s Angels kids,” says Glen, “now let’s see if we can back that up by leaving some blood, sweat, and tears on the road!” 

Curt Hurst
Curt Hurst

Curt Hurst

Curt was born into a large “Texas-sized” family in the refinery town of Port Arthur. After working through high school with an eye on going to Texas A&M, Curt still needed to find a way to fund his college education. Curt saw an opportunity to serve and at the same time, earn his way through college. After 5 years as a Navy Corpsman, Curt graduated from Texas A&M in 1984.

Curt spent some time succeeding where very few had – in the savings and loan business. He saw first-hand how some bad actors can impact people’s lives. Because of this he left that industry and started his own home building company with a focus on building quality homes with integrity. With the help of Anna, his wife of 32 years, Curt worked multiple jobs, built his business and together they raised 3 kids.

The business became so successful that it was acquired by Lennar, one of the country’s largest home builders. Lennar recognized his talents and kept Curt on to manage their entire Chicago division. Through business and personal relationships in the Chicago area, Curt learned to give back and adopted a philanthropic approach to life and business “My father was a warrior, fighting Parkinson’s for much longer than the Doctor’s predicted.” Stated Curt, “He inspired me to stay healthy. Now we can do something to help the kids and their families fight the war on cancer.”

Sammy Radi
Sammy Radi

Sammy Radi

Sammy Radi was born in Jerusalem where cycling was taught to him by his father at a very young age. Cycling has always been a huge passion for Sammy. In 1982, Sammy moved to the US to continue his college degree but his love for cycling never faded. In 1987 Sammy opened his first family bike shop in Wheaton, IL.

For 20 years, Sammy would teach the art of cycling to all his customers, making sure they all left with the same joy he feels when riding a bike. “There is something about cycling where it makes such an improvement to your health, not just physically but mentally as well. It truly touches your mind, body, and soul in the most amazing way”.

In 2007 Sammy opened Sammy’s Bikes in St. Charles, IL. Sammy found that cycling is not only a great sport, but also help others in need, through charity rides, donations or biking events. Throughout his life, Sammy has focused on using cycling to help others. Some of his most recent charitable rides have included BikethePike, BikeMS, and MadiStrong.

A dream that Sammy has had for some time now is to be a part of a cross-country ride for charity. By teaming up with Cal’s Angels, Sammy is able to fulfill that dream and use biking as a way to help children fight their battle with cancer. “If you can help someone through pedaling well… nothing beats that.”

Randy Sutton
Randy Sutton

Randy Sutton

Randy Sutton was born in 1956 and raised as a third generation Arizonan. Early in his schooling Randy showed an aptitude for engineering and drafting. In high school he recognized that Arizona was growing fast and needed energy. Randy didn’t waste any time and started his career right out of high school as a draftsman in the burgeoning energy industry.

In 1980 Randy saw an opportunity to use his technical expertise to help a new company grow. He took a position as a Sales Engineer at Young Power Equipment. As the company grew so did Randy’s responsibility. Ultimately Randy acquired the company and has been its leader as President since 1996.

Randy is quick to point out that his success in life is in large part due to his incredible wife Connie. Randy and Connie have four successful children and four beautiful grandchildren. “My husband will say just about anything to get a rise out of people.” Connie stated. “But when cycling he seems much quieter. So we keep him on the bike!”

Randy is involved with helping kids overcome asthma as a board member for Team Winded; a junior road race cycling team. “The WAR on Wheels ride will be something special,” says Randy. “Every dollar we bring in can make a big difference for these families.”

James Bailey

James Bailey was born in Bozeman, MT, but grew up in Colorado Springs, CO. James grew up in a disciplined military family and would go on to serve in the US Army reserves for 8 years as a Medic, which taught him about being part of something and contributing to his community.

James graduated from Pepperdine University in Malibu, CA with a degree in Theatre Arts. For several years James worked in local theaters directing, producing, and acting in theatrical productions. In 2003 James came to Chicago, IL on vacation and met his future wife, Colleen Bailey, who thankfully has supported him throughout their marriage in all his endeavors and dreams.

James remained in the Chicago Area and got hired as a Police Officer for the City of Elgin, which was a wonderful chapter of his life. He was able to directly able to contribute to his community and make it a better place for all.

In 2010 James walked into Sammy’s bike shop in St Charles, IL and met a friend for life in Sammy and biking. Biking has become a passion and love for James.

James has recently retired from the police department and now lives with his wife and two outstanding children, Grace and Patrick in Cedarburg, WI. James stays at home and takes care of his children, which is a blessing and also one of the hardest jobs he has ever had, but he enjoys every moment.

James has always wanted to make his community better, which is why he has chosen to ride across America for “Cal’s Angels”. James has lived a blessed life and believes “Cal’s Angels” gives children the chance to live theirs through their constant battle of fighting Pediatric Cancer, which is why he will endure the pain, suffering, and glee of traveling 2,499 miles on a bicycle. “I’ve be given so much in life, but the true gift is to give something back to life.”

Dr. Azmi Nabulsi

I was born and raised in the Middle Eastern city of Nablus, and attended university in Cairo.  Then to escape the heat, I continued my medical education and early academic work in Minnesota at the University of Minnesota. My early research work was in cardiovascular disease.

In the early I990’s I joined the pharmaceutical industry starting out with Burroughs Wellcome, then moving to Abbott Labs, and finally joined Takeda Pharmaceuticals from which I just retired this fall after 14 years.  My career has been dedicated to discovering and developing new medicines with the aim of providing meaningful difference to patients in multiple disease areas including oncology, neuropsychiatry, gastrointestinal, and cardiovascular diseases among others.  During my career, I had the fortune to bring multiple new medicines to approval globally, and I continue on this path to date.

Outside of professional work, I enjoy traveling to different parts of the world with my family. My wife and I also enjoy hiking, sailing, and cycling; these are all sports that use simple technologies in order to harness power from nature which are then augmented by our own physical abilities and continuous learning.

We were fortunate to meet Sammy upon moving back to the States from  Japan in 2009.  We found his passion for the sport to be contagious, and have enjoyed keeping in touch with him over the years.  It was upon a visit to Sammy’s shop in late summer that he connected me with this ride.  In timing with my retirement, this is truly a fantastic opportunity for me to join teammates in an effort that combines my interest in both the sport and the effort to help patients in a meaningful way. 

Brad Beetham

Brad is welcomed to the team as a member of Cal’s Angels Executive Board. This will be Brad’s second physical fitness endeavor on behalf of Cal’s Angels after completing the Chicago Marathon for Team Cal’s in 2016.  Brad has also been involved in many Pediatric Cancers Rides in the past, but nothing close to this magnitude!!

Brad knows pediatric cancer all too well. His daughter, Madi, was diagnosed with Stage 4 Lymphoblastic Lymphoma in 2014 and as of 2017, finished her 3 year battle against this horrible disease with a good outcome. Brad carries an extreme passion for the pediatric cancer world and the families and kids fighting this battle.

Brad is currently the President of Midwest Restoration Services in Batavia, IL helping people through residential mishaps in their homes. Brad earned his Bachelors of Science degree in Exercise Science from Aurora University. Brad enjoys his family, staying fit, and coaching and developing kids in his free time. Brad lives in Yorkville, IL with his wife, Jeni, and their 5 kids.

Dr. Robert Maganini

Dr. Bob Maganini is a surgeon and breast cancer specialist with an incredible and diverse team of dedicated individuals at AMITA Health. The strength, courage, and perseverance of people diagnosed with cancer and that of their families is phenomenal. I am privileged to bear witness to this every day and honored to serve these amazing people.

 

Cycling has always been a big part of Bob’s life. In college he bought a used French road bike and became hooked for life. “Cycling continues to provide me a healthy outlet for the frustrations and challenges of modern life.” States Bob. “ I often wonder if the benefits are more emotional or physical.”

 

Like many of us, cancer made a personal visit to Bob’s family when his brother, Rich, was diagnosed with malignant brain tumor. Like most people afflicted with cancer, Rich was an incredible, brave, and gracious individual. He was Bob’s motivation for his first cross country cycling fundraiser. In 2010 Bob  raised $50,000 for the Susan B. Komen Foundation. “Rich will be in my thoughts as we ride for these Cal’s Angels  kids and their families!”

Jeff Haye

Jeff was born in Chicago and grew up in the suburb of Elk Grove Village.  As the son of a truck driver and a nurse, Jeff learned early on that hard work and treating people “right” are two major keys to success.  Jeff took up biking in high school, and still owns the 1986 Schwinn LeTour that ignited his love for the sport.  Although he always had a love for the open road, Jeff’s parents convinced him that college might be a better path forward than following in his father’s footsteps as a trucker.  Jeff received his undergraduate degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1994, and later earned his MBA from Purdue University in 2003.

Jeff has spent his entire professional career in the food and agriculture business.  He moved around the Midwest as a trader and broker in the agricultural sector before making the move back to Chicago to enter the food business.  Jeff is currently Chief Procurement Officer for TreeHouse Foods, Inc. in Oak Brook, IL.

Through is relocations throughout the Midwest, Jeff met his wife Kristine in Indianapolis in 1999.  Thankfully, the world did not end with Y2K, and the couple married in 2001.  They have had the pleasure of raising two lovely daughters, Emma (15) and Molly (10).

Jeff has competed in several triathlon and distance biking events over the past five years, and has also been able to give back through BikeMS and Madistrong.  Although they hail the same hometown, it was not until last year that Jeff and Glen met through the sport of cycling.

“This is such a great opportunity to partner with Cal’s Angels to make a difference in the many lives of children fighting Pediatric Cancer.” Stated Jeff.