The Board of Directors meets quarterly to review grant applications (March, June, September, and December).
Christopher Carmody
Board President
Chris was born and raised in Orlando, Florida. He graduated from Bishop Moore Catholic High School in 1998. Four years later, he received his undergraduate degree in political science from the University of Florida, with a minor in human nutrition. While at UF, Chris was active in student government activities and regularly attended both football and basketball games. In 2005, Chris graduated from the University of Florida Levin College of Law. During law school, Chris interned at the Florida Supreme Court for The Honorable Raoul G. Cantero. He also researched under Dean Jon Mills in the Center for Governmental Responsibility. He was a member of the Justice Campbell Thornal Moot Court Board and in his final semester served as president.
Betsy Ryan
Board Vice President
A native of Stone Mountain, Georgia, Betsy Ryan has actively contributed to the Central Florida community for the past 25 years. Her journey began after she graduated from the University of Florida, when she relocated to Winter Park to be with her college sweetheart and now-husband, Andrew. In 2002, they embarked on their first marathon together, igniting Betsy's enduring passion for running. Betsy's dedication to running remains unwavering, and she has made significant contributions through her involvement with the Track Shack's Marathonfest program. For several years, she served as a dedicated (sometimes singing) group leader. Betsy's running journey has been marked by countless short races and an impressive tally of over 30 marathons, including seven appearances at the prestigious Boston Marathon, Marine Corps Marathon, Kona Marathon, and a noteworthy victory as the first female Masters at the 2019 Tomoka Marathon. When she's not hitting the pavement, Betsy is deeply committed to her community. She volunteers in the College and Career Center at Winter Park High School and actively participates in the activities of the First United Methodist Church in Winter Park. In addition to her role in the student ministry program, Betsy shines as the volunteer race director for the Inua 5k, a position she has held since the race's inception in 2016. This event supports Inua Partners in Hope, a ministry of FUMCWP, and has raised over $200,000 for this noble cause over the past 8 years. Betsy and Andrew are proud parents of three daughters and share a love for family travel. Betsy's youngest daughter is also a runner, driven by the goal of one day outpacing her mother on the racecourse.
Bryan Crist
Board Trustee
Bryan is the owner of Horizon Graphics, Inc., a national fleet and retail branding company focused on the production and installation of vinyl graphics. He is also an owner of ProLogo Branding, a garment decorating company located in Orlando. Bryan is married to wife, Stephanie, and father of three daughters. He started running with Track Shack Marathon Fest in 2001 and became fully engaged in the transformative impact of running on health and life. He has run 30 marathons including 8 Boston Marathons but loves to race at any distance. Having become a student and evangelist of the sport and training, Bryan started coaching and served as the Head Boys and Girls Varsity Cross Country and Distance Track at the First Academy Orlando from 2012 thru 2020. Bryan and Stephanie are members of First Orlando Baptist Church.
Claire Pagán
Board Trustee
Claire is a dedicated educator and coach currently serving as a Physical Education teacher and the Track and Field and Cross-Country coach at Orangewood Christian School. Claire has designed impactful health and wellness programs for AdventHealth employees and led notable sporting events for the Greater Orlando Sports Commission. She has served as the Tournament Director for NCAA golf tournaments and the Race Director of the Daytona Beach Half Marathon. Her work with the Orlando Magic Youth Foundation, organizing grant committees and achieving over $1 million in community donations, stands out, along with her role as Campaign Manager for the Northern & Central Florida Chapter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team in Training showcasing non-profit leadership. As a Valencia Promise Mentor, Claire has guided and inspired students from 8th to 12th grade for over 14 years. She has a heart for youth and the community, making her involvement with the Track Shack Youth Foundation a perfect fit. An active athlete in CrossFit and running distances from 5Ks to ultras, Claire's favorite race has been the Boston Marathon. She’s currently focused on training for the NYC Marathon while aiming to earn her third World Marathon Major star. An active member at WaterStone Church, Claire serves in the children's ministry and co-created the church's run club, Feet to Faith. Married for 13 years, she has two children, a 10-year-old daughter and a 5-year-old son, and a long-haired mini dachshund named Sky. A book nerd, Claire is often found with her nose in a book when not working out or spending time with family.
Catherine Chevalier
Board Trustee
Catherine Chevalier is retired, having worked in public service for two municipalities in California, including Financial Services, Legal Services, and Parks and Recreation, over 32 years. Catherine received her Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration from the University of San Francisco, and her Master’s degree in Public Administration from California State University, Hayward. Catherine relocated to Florida from California in 2015, and joined the Track Shack community in 2016, finding real joy in the camaraderie in the running community here in Florida. Catherine has been a runner since participating in high school cross country and track. She is honored to be a member of Team Track Shack for two years after serving as a Track Shack Ambassador. She has completed three marathons (including Disney and Chicago), three 70.3 distance triathlons and one century ride. She has volunteered for various non-profit organizations in both California and Florida. Catherine resides in Winter Park, and is an avid traveler, baker, and lover of the outdoors. Her passion for travel is only second to her love for her husband, Russ, and two children, Brian and Sara.
Ralphy Perez
Board Trustee
Ralphy serves as the Senior Field Marketing Manager for Spectrum Reach, the advertising division of Charter Communications. On his day-to-day, Ralphy along with his Field Marketing team develops and executes the marketing strategy for the Central Florida Market, focusing on lead generation, brand awareness, marketing activation, and customer retention. An Orlando native and proud alumnus of the University of Central Florida, Ralphy’s journey with Track Shack started in 2011 when he started training with Marathonfest. From there, his love for the sport and the running community amplified. Running on Team Track Shack since 2019, you can always catch him at the start line of a Track Shack race. If don’t see Ralphy at the start line, you’ll most likely see him volunteering at the kid's race, pacing and motivating the next generation of athletes.
Katie Norris
Board Trustee
Katie was born in Titusville, Florida and grew up going to Track Shack with her father, whom she gained her passion for running from. She was a member of the Titusville High School cross country and track team and has continued running to this day. She received her undergraduate degree in Political Science from the University of Florida, with a minor in Mass Communications. In 2017, Katie graduated from the University of Florida Levin College of Law. During law school, she interned on Capitol Hill for a Florida Congressman and for the Brevard County Attorney’s Office. Katie and her husband Donnie wed in 2024 and enjoy spending time with their pug Walter, traveling, and watching Florida sports, especially the Orlando Magic and the Gators.
Gregor Alexander
Board Trustee
Dr. Gregor Alexander was born in Colombia, South America in 1947. He grew up in Cali and Bogota, where he received his medical degree. Gregor came to the United States at the age of 25 to pursue his career in medicine. His passion for babies led him into the field of neonatology. Eventually, Dr. Alexander's career path took him to Orlando in the late 1970s, a city that was experiencing explosive growth. He befriended golf legend Arnold Palmer and his wife, Winnie, and with the support of others their collaboration led to the creation of the Arnold and Winnie Palmer Hospitals. Dr. Alexander served as medical director of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Chairman of Pediatrics and Chairman of the Palmer Hospital Foundation. During his 40-year-plus career with his partners and staff he cared for more than 45 thousand babies. The neonatal unit was named after him. Gregor has 4 children and 4 grandchildren and lives in Winter Park. He remains involved in medical missions, neonatal consulting and teaching.
Jodi Thorp
Board Trustee
Jodi is a Consultant with The FOCUS Group (https://thefocusgroup.com/), a major donor fundraising firm that specializes in capital and annual campaigns. Jodi has extensive experience coaching nonprofit executives in management, major gift fundraising, marketing and communications. She has a heart for serving those who are disadvantaged and underserved, and she has a lifelong history of volunteerism in many areas within the community. A native of Baton Rouge, Jodi received both her Bachelor’s and Master’s in Public Administration from Louisiana State University. Her love for running began in high school through cross country and track. She continued to run around the LSU lakes in college but running became her main activity after the birth of her children. She has participated in nearly every half marathon in Central Florida, and even discovered triathlons for a season, which she found to be another incredibly fun sport. Jodi enjoys the outdoors and anything on water, especially paddleboarding. She is the proud mom of a middle schooler and two college aged children.
Tonja Williams
Board Trustee
Tonja Williams is a Nursing Administrator with One Blood, Inc., a prominent community-based blood center, and the CEO/Founder of Mission To Health, LLC, a company which provides CPR certification, OSHA training, Zumba fitness, and health lectures. Fulfilling her calling as a Registered Nurse for over 29 years, Tonja obtained her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from the Florida State University School of Nursing in 1993. A native of Lake Wales, Florida Tonja’s fervor for improving health earned her a trip to the White House in 2013 as the first prize winner of former First Lady Michelle Obama’s Communities on the Move Video Challenge. Tonja’s zeal for fitness also catapulted her into the national spotlight as the featured Zumba instructor for the 2016 National Council of La Raza Latino Family Expo, 2016 Allstate Tom Joyner Family Reunion, 2017 Tom Joyner Foundation Fantastic Voyage, and the 2022 PepsiCo Move As One Wellness Celebration. Tonja discovered her passion for running as a freshman on the Lake Wales High School track team. She is currently a Run Coordinator with Black Girls Run Orlando and has completed the Selma to Montgomery 51 Mile Relay, 6 half marathons, as well as numerous 10Ks and 5Ks. A member of Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church of Eatonville, Florida, Tonja serves as Faith Community Nurse and Health Ministry Co-Chair. She is a board member of the University of Central Florida College of Nursing Advisory, Florida S.A.G.E. Council and is former Vice President of the Central Florida Black Nurses Association. Tonja also volunteers her time with Family Promise of Greater Orlando, Black Nurses Rock Orlando, and is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. Tonja enjoys music, outdoor adventures, and traveling. She is the proud mother of one son, Channing, and resides in Lake Mary with her loving husband Lavon.
Victor Hung
Board Trustee
Dr. Victor Hung has been involved with the Central Florida running community since 2009, beginning with the inception of his weekly ritual of training with the Track Shack Five & Dime Program. Between 2011 and 2019, he served on the Executive Board of the Orlando Runners Club, including four years as President. In 2019, Victor was invited to become a Team Track Shack member and in 2020, he joined the Track Shack Youth Foundation Board, two groups that he is very grateful to be a part of. A Lake Mary High School ('98) and Carnegie Mellon University (BS '02, MS '02) graduate, Victor concluded his educational aspirations at the University of Central Florida with a Ph.D. in Computer Engineering. He is a Research Scientist at Soar Technology, a provider of artificial intelligence software to government organizations. While Victor appreciates his share of logging long runs and pontificating about A.I., he and his wife, Amy, enjoy visiting tropical destinations, spending time with family and friends, and supporting the local arts. They currently reside in the College Park neighborhood, where there is a very good chance you will spot Victor getting in his daily mileage.
Kendra Douglas
Board Trustee
Kendra is a team reporter with the Orlando Magic and two-time Edward R. Murrow Award winner. In her current job she serves as a sideline reporter on Bally Sports Florida telecasts as well as a correspondent for the team’s social media channels. Kendra previously spent time as the weekend sports anchor and reporter at WESH 2 News in Orlando, Florida. At WESH, she covered former Quarterback Tom Brady's years playing for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the team’s Super Bowl run as well as Brady's return to the New England Patriots. She has covered the Orlando Magic from its time playing in the bubble to Paolo Banchero winning Rookie of the Year to now. Kendra won an Edward R. Murrow Regional award for her story on former NFL player “HaHa” Clinton-Dix sharing how the town of Eatonville helped shape him into the person he is today. She covered the Tampa Bay Rays, both the NWSL and MLS in Orlando and a range of other teams in Central Florida.
Paul Gidus
Board Trustee
Paul Gidus is owner of PSG Construction, LLC, a custom home and renovation company he started with his brother in 1987 when they were in their early 20’s. PSG Construction has received numerous local, regional, and national awards for its work. It has also been featured in numerous local, regional, and national publications for consumer and industry professionals. Most recently, Paul received the 2018 Florida Home Builders Association Remodeler of the Year Award, and received the 2016 Remodeler of the Year Award from the Greater Orlando Builders Association. His company was chosen by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) to renovate the first-ever Renewed American Home® near Lake Eola in 2007. Committed to supporting his community and giving back to those in need, Paul volunteered as a project manager on numerous occasions for Project Mexico, a home building non-profit located outside of Tijuana, Mexico. Most recently, he managed the renovation of a donated house for Bithlo Transformation Village, turning the structure into an after-school haven for the children of the underserved community of Bithlo. Paul is also a long-time member of St. Stephen’s Orthodox Church where he serves on its parish council as Building Chair. In his spare time, Paul loves to participate in 5Ks, has run in 25 marathons including the Boston Marathon, enjoys collecting wine, and loves to travel with his family. He resides with his wife, Tammy, of 30 years, in a home he built across from Lake Sue. They have three adult children.
Stephanie Vanos
Board Trustee
Always active, but never a runner, Stephanie discovered running after becoming a mother. Since then, she has enjoyed running many races, from the 5k to the marathon. Stephanie grew up just outside of Chicago and graduated from Northwestern University. She attended law school at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and practiced law for several years at Lowndes in downtown Orlando. Stephanie served on the board of directors for the Pace Center for Girls, as well as Girls on the Run Central Florida where she was Board Chair for two years. She is currently the co-chair of the Education Committee of the League of Women Voters of Orange County.
Mark Fugett
President Emeritus
Mark Fugett is the President for Managed Services Group Inc., a Technology as a Service (TaaS) consulting firm in Maitland that offers support to varying organizations to successfully navigate the maze of today’s business technologies. Mark obtained his Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration (B.B.A) at Florida Southern College and his Master of Science in Communication from Northwestern University. The Chicago native stands by the values of honesty, integrity and loyalty. Mark carries a heart of compassion for others and serves as an adviser and mentor to many in his community network. He believes that the lessons he has learned in his life has equipped him with the tools to stay true to his word and embody a vessel of good in the Lord’s name. A husband to Carrie and father of two boys, Tyler and Jacob, Mark still makes the time to volunteer his time and resources for the greater good of his community, as well as in his church. His passion for sports and adventure has originated from an early age. He’s competed in numerous marathons and triathlons, plus qualified and ran in the historic 2013 Boston Marathon! He has a passion for athletics and knows a holistic mind and body are the key to success. As a lead cyclist for Track Shack’s EMMI, Mark has also offers his time to manage Track Shack Events. It was only natural for Mark to evolve into a Board Trustee for Track Shack Youth Foundation.