Founder, President, U21 Mentor, Masters Rider Bio: Robert “Polo” Fernandez, of Cleveland, OH, is the Founder of the Cleveland Cycling Academy (“CCA”). Polo has been a licensed member of USA Cycling since 1990 at the age of 21. His love of the sport is beyond being a competitive cyclist. It was his father, Bob, a former competitive cyclist for the Cleveland Wheelmen and professional soccer player who introduced him to cycling at the age of 10. Polo has competed in events nationally and internationally, and has won over 20 races in his career. With 25+ years and 500+ races, Polo is more than equipped to share his vast knowledge of successes and failures that will benefit other youth cyclists.Robert grew his cycling experience and skills racing on local teams in his 20s and 30s such as M&Ms, Team Akron, FLP presented by Immke and Team Parillo. He then transitioned into operating successful local teams such as Cleveland Clinic/RGF Solutions presented by Felt, and Panther/RGF Solutions. Polo is also a business owner. He started his own boutique executive research and recruitment company RGF Solutions in 2005 and had managed approx. 30+ employees and 40+ clients through the years. Robert has a cycling and business mindset, which is why he is successful at both racing and managing teams from an operational and financial standpoint. Robert has experience coaching youth athletes. As a parent to two sons who were active in sports growing up, Robert coached their youth soccer teams for many years. He was also a member of the Fathers & Sons Committee at St. Ignatius, volunteering with his son in the Cleveland Community. Currently, Polo is a Researcher for one of the largest technology companies in the world. When not cycling, you can find him practicing yoga, walking his dog, hiking in the MetroParks, sharing time with his two adult sons and family or at his favorite local Cleveland restaurants with his fiancé, Shelly. Robert’s Role: Robert is wearing multiple hats and working endlessly to ensure this program is successfully launched and developed. Robert’s responsibilities include:
- Overseeing all activities and programs of the CCA.- Gathering steller individuals to be part of CCA’s Board of Directors.- Collaborating with BODs on rider identification, conducting interviewing and recruitment for both teams.- Collaborating with BODs on training programs for youth riders.- Collaborating with BODs on race schedule and traveling logistics for both teams.- Collaborating with vendors on designing custom team clothing.- Oversee accounting and financial activities (all following 501(c)(3) codes).- Collaborating on annual CCA Operating Budget and 501(c)(3) codes. - Creating press releases to announce new team members and sponsors.- Collaborating on social media posts.- Networking to gain sponsors, partnerships and donors.
