2015-2016 Board of Directors

Fort Wayne Running Club board meetings are held the second Wednesday of each month, and ALL MEMBERS are invited to attend. Meetings take place from 7 - 8 p.m. at the Three Rivers Running Company at 4039 North Clinton St.

President - Casey Shafer

First Year and total number of years served on board: I believe I've been on the board just over 8 total years, as I was on and off from 2002 to present.
Your occupation: 3 River’s Running Company, Sales Floor Manager
Most Memorable Running Experience: I have two favorites; the first was the experience of running with my high school team. They taught me the joy of group runs and how to love training. The second is breaking 15 minutes for the 5k with post collegiate training partner Eric Ade doing so at the same meet. Both of us working extremely hard and accomplish a goal after a season of training together.
Why do you volunteer with the Running Club? It's a great way to give back to the running community and build friendships through our monthly meetings.
What is your favorite/most meaningful running experience? I have two favorites; the first was the experience of running with my high school team. They taught me the joy of group runs and how to love training. The second is breaking 15 minutes for the 5K with post collegiate training partner Eric Ade doing so at the same meet. Both of us working extremely hard and accomplish a goal after a season of training together.

Vice President - Mike Clendenen

Board Title & Responsibilities: Club Vice President
First Year and total number of years served on board 2013 is my first year
Your occupation Superintendent New Haven-Adams Twp. Parks & Recreation Dept
Are you solo or do you have a favorite group of running buddies? Both, I do enjoy solo runs to clear the head but also enjoy the Run Clubbers Wednesday Night Running Group
Most Memorable Running Experience 2008 was the 1st Fort 4 Fitness 1/2 marathon and my 1st attempt to run that far. My goal was to finish in 2 hours and my time was 1:56:09
Why do you volunteer with the Running Club? Anything I am passionate about I tend to immerse myself in such as my career in parks & rec. Running is no different. The Running Club allows me to be involved in the running community and work with the other board members to promote running and walking in our community
What does running mean to you? As I approached the age of 50 my doctor wanted me to take a pill to control cholesterol. I ask for another option and that was exercise so I chose running for health reasons but it has become much more.

Treasurer - Steve George

First Year and total number of years served on board: 2014
Your occupation: Assistant Director of the Physical Plant- Fiscal Affairs, IPFW.
Most Memorable Running Experience: Finishing my first 5K. It was about 90 degrees and 95% humidity. Talk about trial by fire.
Why do you volunteer with the Running Club? Because I am a huge supporter of the active lifestyle and running is a great way to stay active.
What does running mean to you? Running to me is like meditation while moving. Great feeling.

Secretary - Elizabeth Schloss

First Year and total number of years served on board: I've been a member since 2014. This year is my first year serving on the board.
Your occupation: Senior Sales and Assistant Event Coordinator at Three Rivers Running Company.
Most Memorable Running Experience: I have so many. The first one would be our first indoor meet of the 2011 college track season after winter break. There were no expectations for qualifying or times, but it happened to be on the anniversary of my dad's passing. I raced the 3k, won my heat, and surprised myself. My dad was not around when I became a runner so that day it was as though he was with me.
The second would be my first half marathon at Fort4Fitness in 2011, to finish in the stadium with the Fort Wayne community cheering you on is an experience.
The next memorable experiences were workouts I'd run with my friends Crystal and Crystina. Workouts with them are always a wonderful challenge. I usually fall behind in the last part but in the middle we are able to work off each other. It's always a blessing when even if I fall off, to know that I am able to help them as well.
Why do you volunteer with the Running Club? As much as I love racing myself, one of the best parts about a race is cheering everyone throughout the event. The Running Club provides a social dynamic that comes with helping set up races and events. It's amazing to see the Fort Wayne running community in action and to create post race events where participants can mingle and get to know one another.
What does running mean to you? It means family. Ever since I walked into the running community almost ten years ago, I have found a whole new family. It is also a constant evolving goal; be it chasing the next personal record, another distance, or returning from injury, your goals are always changing.

Equipment Coordinator - Michael Yann

Board Member - Marcia Kirlin

First Year and total number of years served on board:
Your occupation:
Most Memorable Running Experience:
Why do you volunteer with the Running Club?
What is your favorite/most meaningful running experience?

Board Title & Responsibilities: Board member.
First Year and total number of years served on board I've been a board member since 2013. I'm currently serving my second 2 year term. I served as the editor of The Inside Track newsletter from May of 2012 to December 2014.
Your occupation Adjunct Faculty Member at Ivy Tech Community College; freelance writer/editor
Are you solo or do you have a favorite group of running buddies? Both! I enjoy running on Wednesday evenings with a group of runners known as the Runner Clubbers and doing group long runs with various friends on the weekend. But I also do quite a bit running alone since my work schedule's flexibility allows me to get out and run at times most of my friends can't.
Most Memorable Running Experience My most memorable running experience, hands down, is my first marathon, the Walt Disney World Marathon, in January of 2015. It was truly a magical experience for me, especially since I accomplished it after suffering a broken hip training for that same race three years ago. It was the culmination of a crazy journey, and it meant the world to me that my daughter Lauren was there to cheer me on.
Why do you volunteer with the Running Club? I believe in what the Running Club has to offer. I like the fact that it's an established Fort Wayne organization that promotes running and walking in our community, sponsors a number of quality races that encourage people to be active and to achieve time and distance goals for themselves. The Club does an awesome job bringing in top names in the running world to speak at our annual banquet.
What does running mean to you? Running has opened doors for me to try new things, like RUN A MARATHON! It's brought dozens of wonderful people into my life and given me all kinds of opportunities to volunteer and give back, including coaching what could be the next generation of Running Club members as a Girls on the Run coach. Running means freedom, empowerment, accomplishment and challenge. (And a closet full of running shoes!)

Board Member - Erin Brady

First Year and total number of years served on board: 4 years
Your occupation: teacher and coach
Are you solo or do you have a favorite group of running buddies? I do run on my own, but I also run with the students I coach, and I also run the trails with a friends quite often.
Most Memorable Running Experience: Running the Indiana Trail 100 run in April of 2014
Why do you volunteer with the Running Club? To help give back to a great running community.
What does running mean to you? Running is what keeps everything in perspective.

Webmaster - Jonathon Gottschalk

Board Title & Responsibilities: Club webmaster, IT anything and online marketing promoter. Yes, I'm the guy writing what you see right here.
First Year and total number of years served on board I began volunteering as a non-board member in January of 2012. I joined the board during the course of that year and have served in this capacity ever since.
Your occupation Web Guy
Are you solo or do you have a favorite group of running buddies? You can find me running by myself, occasionally frequenting the Wednesday Night run group at TRRC, the local underground training group or scaring random people along the greenway around IPFW.
Most Memorable Running Experience? Convincing a friend to run outside with me, who always loathed running inside, and seeing the excitement in their eyes when they told me how much fun running outside really is.
Why do you volunteer with the Running Club? I would like to give back to the community using the skills I have developed in my professional life for the benefit of others.
What does running mean to you? It provides the peace and tranquility that we so often miss in our daily lives.

Board Member - David Broerman

First Year and total number of years served on the board: This is my first year on the board.
Your occupation: Jr. High science teacher.
Are you solo or do you have a favorite group of running buddies? I love having a fiancee that runs. We are able to push and encourage each other to work hard and set high, attainable goals for each other. We are able to see new places and enjoy new experiences on our runs.
Most Memorable Running Experience: The most memorable run the San Fransisco Marathon. We did not run for time but as a site tour. It was nice being able to see place together and just have fun with the race.
Why do you volunteer with the Running Club? I volunteer to give back to the running community that has given to me since I was a young kid.
What does running mean to you? Running is what creates a balance in my mental health. It helps reduce stress and allows me to stay normal with life's hectic events. It is a life long journey and a hope to be able to run for my whole life.

Board Member - Judy Tillapaugh

Board Member - Craig Bobay

First Year and total number of years served on board: Since 2008 (?), 6 years
Your occupation: Judge, Allen Superior Court
Are you solo or do you have a favorite group of running buddies? Buds.
Most Memorable Running Experience: Several, including the 2009 HUFF, Chicago Marathon, Boston Marathon, New York City Marathon, Tecumseh Trail Marathon, several 80 and 200 mile relays, and being a pace group leader at the last 2 Fort4Fitness half marathons.
Why do you volunteer with the Running Club? I believe that we lawyers have a special obligation to be involved in our communities, and my FWTC volunteer activity fits in nicely with that civic obligation and my health and personal interests. Running has been a big part of my life. Being a board member gets me involved in a different way, helping me to better appreciate all the effort that goes into planning and successfully hosting running related activities.
What does running mean to you? It is a way to achieve balance in this sometimes stressful world. Running greatly helps in maintaining good mental and physical fitness, as well as providing an excuse for me to spend a lot of time outdoors.

Board Member - Barb Richards

First Year and total number of years served on board: 2009, 6 years
Your occupation: Marketing Director, Embassy Theatre
Are you solo or do you have a favorite group of running buddies? I have two friends who changed my life with running
Most Memorable Running Experience: I ran a mini a month in 2012
Why do you volunteer with the Running Club? Birds of a feather...by hanging with these guys, I keep myself motivated about running
What does running mean to you? Running is my alone time, my relax time and my prayer time.

Membership Coordinator - Carmen Tse

Board Member - Kevin Croy

First Year and total number of years served on board: 2014, Membership Coordinator
Your occupation: Finance
Are you solo or do you have a favorite group of running buddies? I enjoy running solo because it is my time to think, to brainstorm, to set goals, and to reflect about my day and what is going on in my life. I also love running with my fiancé and my running friends.
Most Memorable Running Experience: Completing my first marathon in 2013. It was beyond my dream to have completed such distance as I was never a runner until three years ago. I ran the entire race myself and I gave everything I had that day. Preparing physically and mentally was challenging at times, but I am a competitor, so when I set a slightly unattainable goal, I will try my hardest to accomplish it.
Why do you volunteer with the Running Club? I would like to make a positive impact and give back to the community by utilizing my professional skills.
What does running mean to you? Running brings out the best version of myself; it not only challenges me mentally and physically, but also creates a balance in my busy life. I have also formed many lasting friendships and created countless memories through running.

Board Member - David Graney

First Year and total number of years served on board: This is my first year serving on the board.
Your occupation: I am a real estate agent for RE/MAX Results.
Are you solo or do you have a favorite group of running buddies? My running partners are many.
Most Memorable Running Experience: In 1995, I ran the Honolulu Marathon on behalf of the Team in Training Program.
Why do you volunteer with the Running Club? The reason I volunteer with the Running Club is just to help the cause and surround myself with self motivated, health conscious people.
What does running mean to you? Running means to me pure and simply: freedom.

Board Member - Mike Else

First Year and total number of years served on board: Newly elected for 2015
Your occupation: Retail sales and Certified Running Coach at Three Rivers Running Company.
Are you solo or do you have a favorite group of running buddies? I love running trails with fellow members of the Three Rivers Ultra Racing Team.
Most Memorable Running Experience: It is hard to narrow to just one, but I would say either my first time finishing a 100 mile ultra marathon or the first time i qualified for Boston at the Indianapolis Monumental Marathon.
Why do you volunteer with the Running Club? I have been running since 2003 and I have had so many great race and running experiences. My goal is to provide that same experience to other first time or beginning run/walkers in the Fort Wayne area!
What does running mean to you? Running has shown me that by setting goals and making small improvements each day that the sky is the limit!

Board Member - Beverly Murphy

Board Title & Responsibilities: Board member. Attending monthly meetings, helping with all of the points races, and club promotion.
First year and total number of years served on the board: 2015.
Your Occupation: Technical Services Cataloging Manager at the Allen County Public Library.
Are you solo or do you have a favorite group of running buddies? Solo.
Most Memorable Running Experience: Finishing the inaugural 2008 Fort4Fitness half marathon. I was a long-distance fast walker at the time and the exhilaration I felt at the finish line convinced me that I wanted to continue to inspire me. I wanted to improve my time so I started running.
Why do you volunteer with the Running Club? Being part of the Running Club has enriched my life in so many positive ways. I have met many amazing people that continue to inspire me. Being involved in helping others find the value and benefits that this racing community has to offer is now my focus. I look forward to helping with the points races and by participating in Running Club promotion (i.e. health and wellness fairs, etc.)
What does running mean to you? It means that I have taken my health and well-being to the best level possible. Running makes me feel strong in both mind and body. I run with confidence and determination.

Board Member - Rowland Perez

First Year and total number of years served on board: 4/5 years on board?
Are you solo or do you have a favorite group of running buddies? Run solo, not too many running groups in Auburn.
Most Memorable Running Experience: Started running as a junior in high school (1976) and have been running ever since (some years more than others) and have had TOO MANY memorable experiences to single one out! Have really enjoyed meeting new people through running and value the friendships I have made while competing on HS/College teams, road races and have loved the times spent with HS runners the last 20 years in cross country and track!
Why do you volunteer with the Running Club? I think it is VERY important to help out with something that affects so many people! We all run for different reasons and if no one took time to give assistance many people would not have the opportunity to experience the benefits of running. The Fort Wayne Running Club does many positive things for the community, and I will contribute for as long as I am in the area.
What does running mean to you? Running is a very important part of my life and I CAN NOT imagine a time when I would not take time to put on a pair of shoes and “hit the road”! I take a lot of pride that I can make the statement, “I am a runner”!