After a painstaking recount, verified by a third-party auditor, we are finally prepared to announce the winners of our 2022 club election:
President
Winning a staggering 100% of the vote, Michelle Henry was re-elected to continue as our President for another year.
Board of directors
Re-elected to another 2-year term, Brandon Beane will continue to serve on the Board.
Blair Hogg, Lisa Domeshek, Kelly Ammon, and Cody Harris were all newly elected to the Board, and they will also serve from January 2023 to December 2024.
Beth Kohl, Ellie Alderfer, Karen Rule, and Steve Vida are the remaining board members, each of whom are in the middle of a 2-year term, which will end in December 2023.
Want to do more?
Interested in taking on a leadership position with the club in 2023? There are several committees and appointed positions that could benefit from your time and energy. Reach out to Michelle or come to our January general membership meeting to see what positions you might be well-suited to.
They might not be able to stop inflation or kick the Russians out of Ukraine, but these are the folks who are ready to step up and lead the club into 2023 (and beyond).
Below is a list of who is running for Club President and the Board of Directors. (The president serves a one-year term, and the board members serve two-year terms.) A link to an online ballot will be sent to all club members on November 1st. The deadline to vote is November 10th at 5:00 p.m. Results will be announced at the monthly meeting that evening.
President
Michelle Henry
Michelle is coming the end of her first term as president and is seeking re-election. She has been a proud member of the Pagoda Pacers since 2017. In addition to being the club president, she is also co-race director for the Kris Kringle 5 Mile Run, is involved in organizing many Pacer events, and volunteers at most Pacer races. She enjoys her current role and is proud of the way the club has grown and evolved over the past year and hopes to help continue that momentum for the next year.
Board of directors (choose 5)
Cody Harris
Cody is pursuing a position on the board of directors because he feels it is time to give back to the organization that has given so much to him. He has been running for more than 20 years, and he joined the Pacers six years ago. During that time, the club and its members have helped him grow as a runner and a person, and he wants to return the favor. He looks forward to helping increase the club’s visibility in the community, encourage new membership and work on activities and events that add value to existing members. He humbly asks for your support and vote for the board of directors.
Kelly Ammon
Kelly became a member of the Pagoda Pacers shortly after moving to the Reading area about 5 years ago. She loves running and looks forward to the weekly Wednesday night runs, but what she really loves is that the Pacers are so much more than a running club. She has met so many wonderful and inspiring people through the Pacers, many of whom she is now lucky enough to call friends. If you had told her 15 years ago she’d be training for ultramarathons, she’d have said “no way,” but she found support and encouragement within the club. As a board member, she will continue to build a strong community and welcome new members, just as she was welcomed years ago.
Blair Hogg
Blair has been a Pacer member for 15+ years. He is co-race director for Run for the Ages, and he volunteers at every race he can make. He has been running on and off since high school cross country and track, but he won’t say how long ago that was (because he’s old and vain).
Brandon Beane
Brandon learned of and started running with the Pacers about 7 or 8 years ago. He has run Shiver by the River and Blues Cruise, participated in group runs, and volunteered at many races/events directing traffic, sweeping courses, making awards, etc. He is also one of our Army Corps of Engineers certified chainsaw operators for Blue Marsh. He thinks that the organization is a great group of people to surround yourself with for a multitude of reasons from learning to run races of varying distances, giving back to the community, and just making great friends. Running for Brandon has become more than just an activity to keep physically fit; in fact, it’s become more of a way for him to stay mentally healthy. He’d like to continue helping to build a strong and healthy running community and club as a returning board member.
Lisa Domeshek
Lisa has enjoyed serving as your Pagoda Pacer Vice President this year. It has been an honor and a pleasure for her to support Michelle and the club as we continuously try to improve for our members. Some of the great things she has seen the Pacers accomplish this year and would like to continue to support are community outreach at local events, new social events, and new charity opportunities. She is running for a position on the board of directors so that she can help represent your interests in decisions affecting the club and continue to give back to an organization that means a lot to her. She co-owns and operates Fabric Mart in Sinking Spring and has served as a long-term board member and treasurer for the Sinking Spring Public Library. Both of these positions have given me valuable experience that I hope to bring to the Pagoda Pacers’ Board of Directors.
The deadline to nominate yourself as a candidate for this year’s club election is Friday, October 28th!
Elections will take place online during the first ten days of November.
We are inviting candidates for the following:
Club President
Board of Directors (5 positions)
To be eligible, you must be a current member of the club in good standing, and you must have been a member for at least one year.
To nominate yourself, please send an email to Matthew.L.Brophy@gmail.com with your name, the position you would like to run for, a picture of yourself, and a brief paragraph describing your involvement with the club and why you are running.
It’s almost that time again! Club elections are just a little over 2 months away. There will be 5 open board positions for the upcoming election as well as the position of President of the Pagoda Pacers Athletic Club. If you are interested in stepping up and taking on a leadership role in helping to shape the club’s future direction, please consider nominating yourself for one of the open positions. To be considered for any of these positions a candidate must be a Pagoda Pacer member in good standing for at least one year. If you are considering stepping up to either of these opportunities but want to know more, I encourage you to reach out to any of the current board members or current President Michelle Henry over the next month to find out how their experience has been.
More details will be given, and nominations will be accepted in October, but this is just your nudge to start thinking about the impact you can have on the club if you were to be elected for one of these open positions. Be on the lookout for more info next month.
It’s time to vote for a NEW club president and for several (4) positions on the Board of Directors.
A link to an official online ballot will be emailed to all current club members on Monday, November 1st.
Please complete the online ballot no later than 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 11th.
Results will be announced at the General Membership Meeting that evening.
Please read below for information on this year’s candidates.
Please also thank Steve Maguire for his outstanding service as President during the past three years.
Candidate for President
Michelle Henry
As a proud member of the Pagoda Pacers since 2017, Michelle has been involved in many Pacer happenings from volunteering at races, helping to organize the Christmas party, and most recently becoming co-race director of the Kris Kringle 5 Mile Run. Michelle has quickly grown to love the support, encouragement, accountability, and camaraderie that comes from being a part of the local running community. As president, Michelle aims to breathe new life into the Pacers through furthering community engagement, membership expansion, and building upon the successes of past presidents. Michelle looks forward to the potential challenge of leading the Pacers into the future.
Candidates for Board of Directors (4 positions available)
Karen Rule
“I’ve been a member of the Pagoda Pacers since 2008. I love this club for not only helping me in reaching running achievements, but also as an avenue for meeting new people and exploring other activities. This club is more than running and other athletics. It’s charity, it’s community, it’s friendship, it’s a support system. I enjoy being a part of a club that has given me so much. I look forward to helping the Pacers shape their future direction. For these reasons, I am excited for the opportunity to continue serving on the Board of Directors.” –Karen Rule
Ellie Alderfer
“Thank you for your consideration. I have been a Pacer for 10+ years and the club secretary for over 3 years. I am running for re-election to the executive board. This is a wonderful group of people who continually propel me to do better things in my life, including running my first virtual marathon a few weeks ago. My inspiration to continue in an executive position is to maintain the mission of the club that calls for fun, community, and fellowship. And running. I offer the club several years of experience in management, leadership, and service to others. I am a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, a registered nurse, and nationally certified in leadership and management by the American Hospital Association. I understand how organizations should run to maintain smooth operations, be fiscally responsible, and strategically plan for the future. I have enjoyed my current position as club secretary and an executive board member and want to continue the strong work already completed by our members.” –Ellie Alderfer
Beth Kohl
Beth is a long-time member of the club and one of the founding members of the Board of Directors. As a strong runner, practicing lawyer, and active community member, she has offered indispensable guidance and leadership, from multiple perspectives, during her tenure on the Board. She is looking to serve another two-year term in this leadership capacity.
Lisa Domeshek
“I have been a Pagoda Pacer member for a few years and more recently an assistant race director for the Kris Kringle Run. I am running for a board position so I can continue to give back to the club. I have met many new friends through the club and feel like running with the Pacers has made me a stronger runner and enjoy running even more. I co-own and operate Fabric Mart in Sinking Spring and also have served on the board of the Sinking Spring Library as treasurer for the last eight years. Both of these positions have given me experience and skills that I think could help serve the Pacer board. I would love to see the club continue to grow and appeal to athletes of all abilities.” –Lisa Domeshek
Larry Drogo
“I have been a runner for around 50 years. The last 30 years I have been doing races in the area. My involvement with the pacers has spanned about the last ten years, with stints as the president and a member of the board. I and my wife Missy volunteer at most of the races and events. The reason I am running for the board is to help focus the club on more events for the members. I hope to get your support in my election.” –Larry Drogo
Steve Vida
“Reading resident and member of the Pagoda Pacers since the year Polly was president. From my first Wednesday Night Run until now, the club’s impact on me continues to grow: the running, the social events, the relationships. I appreciate the company of active people doing fun and challenging things. I am pursuing a position on the Board of Directors because I want to help keep the good times rolling, both for long-time members and for members of the future. My priorities are to: promote the general Welfare, form a more perfect Union, insure domestic Tranquility, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity. I will not be attempting to establish Justice or provide for the common defense, but one board member can’t do it all.” –Steve Vida
Each fall the club holds an election for members of the Board of Directors and the Club President.
Members of the Board of Directors serve 2-year terms, and the President serves a 1-year term.
This year, we must elect 4 members to the Board of Directors and 1 Club President.
While Steve Maguire has been an awesome president for the past 3 years, he is hopeful that someone new will step up to take on that role. So please consider nominating yourself for this important officer role if you are willing to make the commitment.
If you are interested in running for the office of President or for a seat on the Board, please email Matt Brophy at Matthew.L.Brophy@gmail.com to nominate yourself.
The deadline for nominations is October 29th.
In the November newsletter, candidates will have an opportunity to share some information about themselves and their commitment to the club.
We will conduct the election online this year, like we did last year. Voting will take place in early November. Instructions for how to vote will be forthcoming at the end of October.
Directions to complete an online ballot will be emailed to all members on Sunday, November 1st. Voting will end on Thursday, November 12th, before the General Meeting. Below is a list of candidates and the positions they are running for.
CLUB PRESIDENT
Steve Maguire
Steve has been President of the Pacers for the last two years and is running for a third, one-year term.
Board of Directors (five positions open)
Brandon Beane
Brandon learned of and started running with the Pacers about 5 or 6 years ago. He has only ever run one Pacer race (Blues Cruise), but he has participated in group runs and volunteered at many races/events directing traffic, sweeping courses, making awards, trail maintenance, etc. He thinks that the organization is a great group of people to surround yourself with for a multitude of reasons from learning to run races of varying distances, giving back to the community, and just making great friends. Running for Brandon has become more than just an activity to keep physically fit; in fact, it’s become more of a way for him to stay mentally healthy. He’d like to continue helping to build a strong and healthy running community and club as a board member.
Matt Brophy
Matt has been on the Board of Directors since 2017 and is running for another 2-year term.
Tom Chobot
Tom has been on the Board since 2017 and is running for another 2-year term.
Jon Durand
Jon has been on the Board since 2017, and is currently also serving as Vice President. He is seeking another 2-year term.
Sue Jackson
Sue has been on the Board since 2017 and is seeking another 2-year term.
Each fall the club holds an election for members of the Board of Directors and the Club President.
Members of the Board of Directors serve 2 year terms, and the President serves a 1 year term.
This year, we must elect 5 members to the Board of Directors and 1 Club President.
If you are interested in running for a seat on the Board or the office of President, please email Beth Kohl at bethauman@gmail.com to nominate yourself.
The deadline for nominations is October 29th.
In the November newsletter, candidates will have an opportunity to share some information about themselves and their commitment to the club.
This year, due to COVID, we will conduct the election online. Voting will take place in early November. Instructions for how to vote will be forthcoming at the end of October. You will be able to vote anytime from November 1st until November 11th.
Note: Nine club members serve on the Board of Directors, and each is elected to serve a two-year term. Five or four of the Board positions are up for election each year. The members of the Board who are currently in the middle of their terms, and will be up for re-election next year, are Larry Drogo, Tom Chobot, Sue Jackson, Jon Durand, and Matt Brophy.
The remaining Board members would like to thank outgoing Board members Phil Lechner and Ken Seale for their service to the Board and the club.
Be sure to come to the November General Meeting to vote for 4 members of the Board of Directors as well as our Club President.
The meeting will take place at the Blind Hartman’s Tavern on Thursday, November 14th. Dinner is served at 6:30pm, and the meeting starts at 7:00pm.
Candidates for the Board of Directors
Ellie Alderfer
Thank you for your consideration. I have been a Pacer for about 10 years. This is a wonderful group of people who continually propel me to do better things in my life. My inspiration to run for an executive position is to maintain the mission of the club that calls for fun, community, and fellowship. And running. I would bring several years of experience in management, leadership, and service to others to the board. I am a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, a registered nurse, and nationally certified in leadership and management by the American Hospital Association. I understand how organizations should run to maintain smooth operations, be fiscally responsible, and strategically plan for the future. I have enjoyed my current position as club secretary, and would like to bring more to the organization by serving as a board member.
Beth Kohl
Beth is completing her first term on the Board of Directors and seeking re-election.
Karen Rule
I’ve been a member of the Pacers since 2008. I’ve held the position of race results coordinator for a majority of that time. I can’t exactly remember which year, ages ago, I was asked to start scouring results and become comfortable with excel spread sheets… my eye doctor will surely blame my failing vision on this… So, after many years of watching the club grow and improve, I’d like to be a part of the Board of Directors so that I can help our club continue our positive projection into the future.
John Thompson
John is seeking his first term on the Board of Directors.
Mike Yoder
Mike is completing his first term on the Board of Directors and seeking re-election.
Candidate for Club President
Steve Maguire
Steve is completing his first term as Club President and seeking re-election.
Pagoda Pacers News 