RRCA National Office Staff
The RRCA maintains a small administrative staff of Jean, Mike, Erica & Andy. Please email the appropriate staff member below to schedule a call to review questions. Most questions can be addressed by email, so please include your questions in an email to staff. If a call is needed, you will be provided a scheduling link from the staff person you contacted.
Who should I contact for membership and insurance questions?
Club leaders and event directors should email questions to Mike at [email protected] about membership, insurance, nonprofit status, and music licensing. Email Mike to schedule a time to review questions over the phone.
I’m a Certified Coach, who should I contact?
All RRCA Certified Coaches should contact Erica at [email protected] with questions about renewing membership, insurance, coach’s listing – only after reviewing/following information about maintaining certification.
Prospective coaches should review the Coaching Program information on the website.
Who should I contact for other needs?
Andy at [email protected] manages the Race Director Certification, Championship Event Series, and more.
Erica at [email protected] can assist with Kids Run the Nation Questions.
Jean at [email protected] for leadership, governance, and sponsorship questions.
Please allow 72-hours for staff to respond due to the volume of emails received from members.
CEO – Jean Knaack : [email protected]
Jean Knaack is the Chief Executive Officer of the Road Runners Club of America where she has served in the role since 2005. She is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin at Green Bay with a Bachelor’s of Science in Human Nutrition. She earned a Master’s of Public Administration with a concentration in nonprofit management from George Mason University. She has extensive skills in organizational and financial development, board and member relations, and program planning and implementation. She finished the inaugural Ironman Louisville (2007), Ironman France (2009), Ironman Coeur D’Alen (2010), and DNF’d Ironman Maryland (2017).
Membership Manager – Mike Webb: [email protected]
Michael graduated from The Ohio State University in 2012 with a Bachelor’s degree in Education and Sports Management. He earned his Master’s degree in Sports Industry Management from Georgetown University in 2015. Michael is responsible for the day-to-day interactions with RRCA members. He counsels prospective members, manages insurance inquiries, maintains the RRCA’s nonprofit group exemption list with the IRS, and manages the annual renewal process.
Youth and Coaching Program Manager – Erica Gminski: [email protected] or [email protected]
Erica completed her Masters in Sports Industry Management at Georgetown University in 2014. She earned her Bachelor’s degrees in Marketing Management and Spanish in 2005 from Virginia Tech. Since embracing the sport in her late 20s, she has completed numerous ultramarathons, marathons, half marathons, and 5ks. Erica is responsible for all things Kids Run the Nation and she handles the administrative side of the Level I and Level II Coaching Certification program.
Program Manager – Andy Smith: [email protected]
Andy has a background in sports communications. He earned his master’s degree at Georgetown in 2009 in Communication, Culture and Technology and his undergraduate degree from Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, NY in American Culture. He is responsible for coordinating all activities related to RRCA programs including Championship events, Race Director Certification, Runner Friendly Community, National Running Awards, RUN@WORK Day, and much more.
Phone calls: We encourage people to email the appropriate staff person about questions and for scheduling phone calls. 703-525-3890
Board of Directors
President: Lisa Rippe – Minneapolis, MN
Lisa served as the RRCA State Representative for Kentucky (2005-2007) and Minnesota (2011-2018) before joining the board in 2019. She is an RRCA Certified Coach and Race Director, as well as a member of the Northstar Running Club. She coaches adults training for marathons and shorter distances, and she enjoys running and pacing numerous events every year. She has completed over 145 marathons, including one in every US state, each of the seven continents, and the world majors. Lisa has over twenty years of experience in sales and marketing.
Treasurer: Barb Jewell – Racine, WI
Barbara has held leadership positions with the Badgerland Striders and the Racine Area Running Club including president, treasurer, and race director. She became the RRCA Wisconsin State Rep in 2007. In her role as a member of the RRCA Finance Committee, she had the opportunity to learn about the financial operations of the RRCA prior to being elected as Treasurer. Barb retired in 2017 after a 40+ year career in accounting. She is now a full-time Assistant Professor of Accounting and Finance at Carthage College. She has a B.S. in Accounting and an MBA in Finance.
Eastern Region Director: Mickie Sanders-Jauquet, Ithica, NY
Mickie has been an active member of the Finger Lakes Runners Club since 2014, holding board positions such as President and VP of Roads. Mickie is an RRCA-Certified Race Director and RRCA-Certified Coach. She directs two FLRC races and sits on race committees for two others while volunteering as needed for many other FLRC events. Mickie has been the New York State Rep since 2017 and received the Outstanding State Rep of the Year Award for 2021. Mickie has spent the last 15 years in the field of philanthropy as a board member/officer for various nonprofits, donor advisor at several foundations, and founder of the Ujeni Foundation.
The RRCA Board has appointed Mickie as the Vice President in accordance with the RRCA Bylaws.
Southern Region Director: Sarah Kozul – Lakeland, FL
After running her first half marathon and moving to a new city, Sarah got involved in her local running community. She joined the Galloway run/walk/run program, and after her first training cycle, she became a pace group leader. In 2013, she was selected as the program director, organizing the weekly group runs and growing the program. She became active with the Lakeland Runners Club (LRC) middle school cross-country team in 2015 and became head coach in 2016. In 2017, she was elected to the LRC Board of Directors where she has served as: Vice-President, President, Secretary, and Treasurer. Sarah is an RRCA Certified Coach and Certified Race Director. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Engineering from the University of Missouri and worked as an engineer with Anheuser Busch for 10 years.
Central Region Director: Bonnie Sexton, Kalamazoo, MI
Bonnie Sexton resides in Mattawan, Michigan and serves as Board President of the Kalamazoo Area Runners (KAR). She is an RRCA Certified Coach and race director of the Kalamazoo Klassic. Bonnie was selected as the 2013 RRCA Outstanding President of the Year and received the 2011 Star Community Leadership Award. Bonnie has run 46 marathons including the Boston Marathon 5 times. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Human Resources Management from Liberty University, and a Master of Science in Human Resources Management from Mercy College. She is currently employed as the Director of Human Resources and Community Relations for MRC Industries, Inc. a non-profit organization providing services for individuals with disabilities.
Western Region Director:Tim Bentley – Tucson, AZ
Tim Bentley is a passionate run coach, mentor, and community organizer with a unique perspective on the sport. With two distinct running careers – one in high school and college and one following an 18-year ‘retirement, he has a unique perspective on running. Tim has served as the Arizona State Representative since 2017 and was the Chair of the Board Development Committee in 2023-24 and committee member 2022-2023. As a Stage IV cancer survivor, Tim firmly believes that running provides the tools necessary to overcome life’s greatest challenges. His personal triumph over adversity has fueled his dedication to inspiring others through the power of running. Tim resides in Tucson with his wife and their grumpy but lovable dog, Baxter.
At-Large Director: Gabriella Garza
Gabriella serves as the RRCA Representative in Florida – North and she is an ambassador of the RRCA Championship Event series having recruited a variety of races as hosts along with running in RRCA Championship Events and representing RRCA. She served on the Board Development Committee in 2024. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Pensacola Runners Association as Vice President and Race Director. She directs several races for the club. She is an RRCA Certified Race Director and Coach. Gaby has run over 70 marathons and is a World Marathon Majors Six Star Finisher. Locally she leads a Boston Marathon training program, and she has completed the race 8 times. She regularly paces events around the US.
At-Large Director: Al Hernandez
Al Hernandez is an RRCA Level I and Level II Certified Coach who has coached hundreds of athletes at all levels. He currently coaches a middle school track program and cross country program. He is an avid endurance athlete that has completed over 500 marathons and half marathons and 40 Ironman events. He qualified for the Olympic Trials in the Steeplechase in the early ‘90s. He is the Executive Editor and Managing Director of Marketing and Communications for a national publishing group. He brings marketing and outreach experience with a focus on small business development, public/private policy advocacy,
At-Large Director: Bertrand Newson
Bertrand “Coach B” Newson is a dedicated and accomplished running coach and community leader based in San Jose, California. As the founder of Too Legit Fitness, Bertrand has built a supportive and enthusiastic running community. He also serves as the Community Engagement Manager for the Big Sur Marathon Foundation. Bertrand holds certifications from RRCA, USATF, and 80/20 Endurance. With a personal record of over 400 timed events, including more than 75 marathons, Bertrand’s experience and passion for running inspire and guide athletes of all levels.
At-Large Director: Marcus Grunewald – Dallas, TX
Marcus has been associated with the Dallas White Rock Marathon for over 25 years, starting as a volunteer on the course and working his way up to his current position as the paid Executive Race Director. He’s been active with the Dallas Running Club for decades, having served on their Board of Directors from 2015 – 2020 as head of their Race Director team. He was instrumental in the local management of the 2016 RRCA National Convention in Dallas, and he’s served as the North Texas RRCA Rep from 2015 to the current date. While Marcus’s passion is running, he has a background is financial management, having been a Wall Street investment bank contractor/consultant from 1986 – 2007.
The RRCA Board has appointed Marcus as the Secretary in accordance with the RRCA Bylaws.