Episode description

In this episode we speak with Ralph Pfremmer Executive Director of Trailnet. The organization’s mission is to “lead in fostering healthy, active and vibrant communities where walking, bicycling and the use of public transit are a way of life” through programs, transportation planning, and policy initiatives. Most recently, Trailnet weighed in on plans to repave and add bike lanes to Gravois Avenue. Under former Executive Director Ann Mack led Trailnet’s effort to oppose the South County Connector, a MoDOT road widening project also opposed by the communities through which it would pass.

Prior to joining the staff at Trailnet in October 2014, Ralph was the CEO and founder of Pfoodman Holdings, a multi-unit food service management company serving education, business/retail, and senior living sectors. He used active living and sustainability as a platform for business development, promoting his company’s culture by establishing a unique presence in communities.

The Trailnet challenge, and now Ralph’s, is to work with partner organizations – Great Rivers Greenway, East-West Gateway, Missouri Bicycle and Pedestrian Federation, MoDOT, St. Louis City, St. Louis County, and others. Ralph joined the cycling community after a health scare in 1998 that motivated him to incorporate exercise into his daily routine and begin a healthier way of life. 

nextSTL began as the St. Louis Urban Workshop in 2009. Since then, the site has continued to incorporate more voices across more platforms to tell the story, past, present, & future, of St. Louis. Now it’s time to launch the Future Great City podcast.