Officers
 President, Web Team
Tom and his wife Lorraine are long-time runners and have done many races, from 5Ks to marathons, where they have lived in New York, Pennsylvania, Dallas and Omaha. They have also ventured afield as well, completing the Big Sur, Disney World and Taos, New Mexico marathons and the Bloomsday race in Spokane, Washington, among others. Their current goal is to obtain a race number from every state. Tom has been active in running clubs and race management in Pennsylvania, Dallas and now in Omaha, as well as currently serving as the RRCA state representative for Nebraska and South Dakota. Tom retired as Senior Assistant Corporate Secretary at Union Pacific Corporation in 2010 and is devoting more time to ORC activities and learning electronic race timing. Tom and Lorraine are the parents of two grown daughters and have lived in Omaha since 1999.
 Vice-President and Marketing
I grew up in rural northeastern South Dakota and moved to Omaha four years ago for a career opportunity doing civil engineering work, and yes, the warmer weather and lack of snow is a lot nicer for outdoor training. I am employed by Thompson, Dreessen & Dorner, Inc. I have volunteered to be on the board to help increase the number of events that welcome the new and non-completive runner to participate. My favorite thing about running events is meeting new people. I participated in track and cross county in High School and have since completed a number of marathons over the past few years. This year my goal is to break the 3 hour mark.
 Treasurer
I have been active in running events for approximately eleven years. "It" started as a power walking experience, grew to an occasional road race and now has turned into a passion. I moved to Omaha in 2000, and immediately found the Omaha Running Club. I was truly amazed to find competitive events nearly every weekend during the spring and summer months. Along with races, I've been active with Ladies of the Evening, Step Into Running and the weekly running groups. In October of 2007, I completed my first marathon and now my goal is to run a marathon in every state and become a member of the 50 state club. I am currently a bronze level member of the Marathon Maniacs and do hope to conquer all levels along the way. I am originally from St. Paul, Nebraska and while I grew up there, my heart was not aimed at athletic endurance. But I've learned through the years, that once an individual makes a decision to run, the support of the Omaha Running Club can allow that person to achieve their determined goal. I look forward to serving on the ORC board and hope to see and meet many of you at the upcoming running events.
Secretary
I grew up in southeast Kansas and moved to Nebraska in 1998 to attend college. After loving the city life, I decided to make Omaha my home.
In 2004, I volunteered for the Omaha Marathon for what I thought was just one time. My one-time event turned into joining the Omaha Marathon race committee the next year doing whatever I could to help. After several years, I finally became actively involved with more ORC events. Although I am not a runner, I volunteered to be a part of the board because I wanted to be even more involved with the club. My favorite part about the Omaha Running Club is all the friends I have made.
When I'm not working at my daytime job or helping at an event, you can find me nannying for a family with four (soon to be five!) children, spending time with friends or traveling to Kansas to see my family.
Directors
 Volunteer Coordinator
John Hall has been with the Omaha Running Club for many years. He has held the position of Volunteer Coordinator for 8 years. "Running is my passion and I enjoy helping others getting involved with the sport so they can enjoy it as much as I do," said John. His running career ignited in San Francisco during the 1970's. And his first road race was the San Francisco Examiner Bay to Breakers-12K (Wild and Krazy) in 1979. He ran numerous other races (5k and up) including 8 marathons since then. He enjoys early morning runs around Lake Zorinsky especially during the snow season. John is originally from Portland, OR and retired from the Union Pacific RR in 2003. His railroad career has given his family the opportunity to live in San Francisco, Houston, Los Angeles and Omaha. He's married with 3 grown children and 4 grand children. John is looking forward to continuing his post as volunteer coordinator for the ORC during 2012. Hobbies: Running, Road Racing and Running Interests: Swimming, Biking, Travel Favorite Road Race: San Francisco Examiner Bay to Breakers Most Challenging: Omaha Marathon-2004 Goal for 2012: To get in shape and run some races!
 Omaha Marathon Director
Susie is a native Nebraskan who grew up on a farm and has been running since inheriting her brother's first hand-me-down Keds. She has competed in 50 some marathons and actually places pretty well. Her passion for running and community runs deep and has compelled her to take advantage of the opportunity to serve as race director of the Omaha Marathon Weekend. She would like to run a marathon in every state, but is finding that possibly just running "a race" in every state will suffice to accomplish that goal. Hobbies/activities include running, ultimate Frisbee, biking, painting, music, traveling, organizing charity events, entertaining friends, riding RAGBRAI, etc. Susie is a nurse who educates individuals on how to live healthier, more fulfilling lives. She owns her own business and works as an Occupational Health Nurse for Union Pacific RailRoad. One day she dreams of her Knight in Shining Armor lifting her onto his horse (or swanky car), presenting her with a pair of the "Newest version of Saucony Running Shoes" and heading to Hawaii to run in a marathon. With an alias like Tigger, that dream will surely come true.
 Run The Magnet Director, Web Team
Run The Magnet Director, Trail Clean-Up Organizer I have been active in running events for most of my life – from high school sports, to road races, and several marathons to date (thanks to several summers with the ORC Marathon Clinic). One of my favorite running events is with the Ladies of the Evening group. These monthly gatherings include running, socializing and – best of all – sampling great food! I am originally from Brainard, Nebraska (commonly referred to as “The Bohemian Alps” – It’s really peaceful to run on those hilly gravel roads!). My husband, Chris, is also a runner. Even though we do not share the same training philosophies, I feel fortunate to have someone who shares my running passion – though he may beg to differ on that point… I enjoy outdoor activities in general, and can often be found these days pushing (jogging) or pulling (behind my bike) my son Calvin to the park or around the Omaha trails. I enjoy working with the Omaha Running Club to promote and support events for all ages and abilities. I value the people I’ve met through the club, and appreciate the many friends I’ve made through the club’s social and athletic opportunities. Lake Wehrspann 10K Director
Maverick Stampede Director
 Boxer 500™ Race Director
This is where all kinds of wonderful things will be said about Kelli. Things like how she is so dedicated to promoting the Omaha Running Club and how she took it upon herself to set up the ORC Facebook group which has become so very popular with our members... things like how enthusiastic she is about the Boxer500™ and what a successful race it has become because of her outstanding direction. Really, there is not enough room on this page to talk about how wonderful Kelli is, so you will just have to use your imagination. Think about the most cheerful friendly person you will ever meet and multiple that feeling by a hundred billion. That's Kelli Sweet!
Board Advisors
 Technical Coordinator
Liason for the ORC relating to finish line, race services, etc. Lifetime member of ORC. Married, 1 daughter and 1 son. I enjoy helping other groups succeed in putting on events. My current employer is PayPal Inc. Hobbies: Certifies course measurments through USATF, Hunting. ORC Board: Active with the club since 1985.
Newsletter Editor
I enjoy working with the Omaha Running Club to promote and support events for all ages and abilities. I value the people I’ve met through the club, and appreciate the many friends I’ve made through the club’s social and athletic opportunities.I'm in my second tour of duty as editor of the ORC newsletter. It truly is a labor of love. My other love -- running -- dates to the fall of 1979, but I didn't get serious about racing until late 1982, when I trained for my first marathon, the 1983 Lincoln Marathon.
I ran Lincoln again in 1984, followed that fall by the Omaha Marathon, where I set my PR of 3:18. I waited 18 years for my fourth and final marathon in 2002 -- the Baltimore Marathon with my oldest son Gerry -- before knee surgery ended my running days. But I'm an avid walker these days and plan to speed walk the 2012 Baltimore half.
After I was let go by the World-Herald in 2008, I've been working as a super sales associate at Peak Performance. Come see me when you're ready for new shoes!
 Membership and Race Management
Alan ran middle distance and XC in High School and College. He started running again in 1993 after his father lost his leg to diabetes. He has run over 22,000 miles since, including 10,489 miles in a string of 1,234 straight days! His running tapered when he switched careers and moved to Omaha in mid 2002. He has run less than 1000 miles since injuring his back and neck in an automobile accident in 2004. Alan spent 9 years on the Omaha Running Club board of Directors as an at-large member, Director-elect and Director and Marketing Director. He has served as the Membership Coordinator for the ORC since 2004 and assists Stan Shirk with the scoring of Omaha Running Club events. He was a Lincoln Track Club Board Member for 5 years and served as the Computer/Results Coordinator for the Lincoln Track Club Board from 1998 to 2004. He still assists in the scoring of Lincoln Track Club events. He also times events for ChampionChip Minnesota (www.championchipmn.com). He is a member of the Planning Committees for both the Omaha Marathon and the Lincoln Marathon and served as the volunteer Cross Country Coach for College View Academy High School in Lincoln from 1998 through 2003. He also coached Lincoln Youth Track and Cross Country from 1994 through 1997. He has met many lifelong friends through running.
 Hall of Fame
Lou has been running for 24 years. A staple at local road races, he has finished more than 1,200 road races over that period. Lou was on the Plains Track Club Board of Directors in the mid 1980's and was part of the transition from the Plains Track Club to the Omaha Running Club. Lou is a professor at Bellevue University and lives at Beaver Lake, NE. He is currently researching the history of organized running in the Omaha area - and is publishing his findings in an ongoing series of articles in the ORC newsletter that also reside in the ORC History section of this website.
 Photography
I have had an interest in running for most of my life. In high school, I ran on the Mesa High School (Mesa, AZ) cross country and track teams. More recently, I have run in the Boys Town Memorial Day Run, Omaha Corporate Cup, Omaha Marathon, Lincoln Marathon and Illinois Marathon. Additionally, I have run in many fun runs in the Omaha metropolitan area. My running plans are to run in marathons and half marathons in a variety of locations in the United States and foreign countries. Running in races at a variety of locations will involve some interesting travel and excellent exercise. I joined the ORC in May 2005 and participated in the Distance Training Clinic in 2005. In subsequent years, I have continued to train with them occasionally. I enjoy training with the group. They provide training challenges for me and they are interesting people. Photography is a hobby of mine. Taking photos for the club is a way for me to practice my hobby. |
