Special Gram - 2023 Board Candidate Statements

November 8, 2023

2023 Board Candidate Statements

Meet the Candidates for the 2023 Board This Saturday!

Please take a moment to read the below candidate statements and please come to the Candidate Forum at Rutgers Church this Saturday, following the Fun Run, to hear directly from our candidates.

Electronic voting will begin Saturday evening, and a separate email will be sent with further instructions. Per the by-laws, members who joined before September 1, 2022 are eligible to vote during this election cycle. Paper ballots will also be available on Saturday, November 19th. Results will be announced that day at the General Meeting.

The remaining schedule for the elections is as follows:

November 12: Candidate Forum & Start of Online Voting (at 6:00 pm ET)

November 18: Online Voting closes (at 11:59 pm ET)

November 19: Paper Ballots Available at Rutgers Presbyterian Church

November 19: Results Announced

As always, please submit any questions to elections@frny.org.

Thank you,

Your 2023 Elections Officers

Lisa Teague, Richard Rainville, and Trace Otsuka

The Candidates

President: Kristopher Imperati (he/him)

Photo credit: MarathonFoto

I am humbled and full of gratitude for the opportunity to be the nominee for President of Front Runners New York for the 2023 Board.

This past weekend many of us ran the NYC Marathon. For me, it was the culmination of a lifelong dream that has only solidified into reality through the community and support of FRNY. In a world where the LGBTQIA+ community still faces a multitude of challenges, some of them becoming more present, our participation in sports gives us the opportunity to define ourselves, our lives, and our dreams on our own terms.

The past year has seen our club’s membership grow exponentially; it is still growing. Our already excellent racing teams gained newfound dominance, including our unstoppable non-binary division. We have also had hundreds of member firsts as people completed their first 5k, 10k, half, marathon, trail race, road race, track meet, triathlon, long run, etc. A rising tide lifts all ships, and we are a tidal wave.

I have been a member for a little under two years and currently serve as co-chair of the Race Captains. This is an organization that thrives off of the service of its members and I am happy to do that service, put in the work, listen to the members, and act collaboratively with the board to ensure our continued success.

In my career as a Human Resources professional I have taken great pride in helping my colleagues develop their skills, feel seen & heard, and be their best selves. I promise to bring that same spirit to the work I will do for FRNY. Our racing teams have become so strong; we can help them be even stronger. We have helped so many LGBTQIA+ find a safe place to build their communities and experience the benefits and joys of physical activity; we can reach even more. As our club grows, I am devoted to encouraging the spirit of service within our ranks, so that we may continue to provide an outstanding experience for all of our members.

If given the chance to serve on the 2023 board, I will do my best to maintain our pride in the Blue and Orange. Thank you for your consideration.

Women's Vice President: Zoe Tippl (she/they)

Photo Credit: Sarah Caputo

Howdy folks! I am honored to be running for Women’s Vice President for 2023. I joined Front Runners in 2018 after a harrowing (failed) attempt to run the NYC marathon that year. Because of that experience I wanted to run with a team that could support and encourage me as I returned to running. From coached workouts to long runs to Saturday Fun Runs, I found a community of queer people as dedicated to the success of their teammates as they were to the sport of running. Thanks to all of you, I am a happier, healthier, and (excitingly!) faster runner than I was when I first joined. And, even more importantly, I am inspired to show up for my teammates in the ways they have shown up for me.

In that vein, I am excited to take my participation to a new level in an official capacity in the upcoming year. In particular, I look forward to helping represent the club’s women and gender minorities, both of which I am proud to be. My overarching goal as Women’s VP is to foster solidarity and comradery amongst members of underrepresented identities, as well as to collaborate on efforts to expand perceptions of what it means to be a queer runner. I am so grateful to my teammates on the Women’s, Non-Binary, and DEI Committees for the leadership and persistence they have demonstrated so far. In my role as Women’s VP, I hope to channel that momentum to support and encourage the work already taking place, while looking toward teammates with those lived experiences to inform new initiatives.

Outside of running, I am a proud arts worker and labor organizer. I worked as an Exhibition Coordinator at the Whitney Museum of American Art for 8+ years before transitioning to my current role as Senior Exhibitions Project Manager at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Thanks to my career, I am an adept project manager, who excels at strategy, organization, and facilitating interpersonal communication. Additionally, I am actively involved in the labor movement in the arts and museum sector. During my time at the Whitney, I organized and sat on the Bargaining Committee for the Museum’s first wall-to-wall labor union. Transferable to a board position, this means I am excellent at recruiting, as well as meaningfully soliciting and implementing feedback. In all of my past and current roles, I aim to lead with curiosity and compassion, both of which I will bring to the Women’s Vice President position.

Men's Vice President: J.T. Ramseur (he/him)

Photo Credit: Sam LaFata

I’m honored to accept the nomination for Men’s VP. I joined FRNY in 2018 and for months only attended the Monday night swims. After Mike and Dave encouraged me to join a fun run, and Zoe Tippl convinced me to register for the Brooklyn Half, I finally found the “run” in Front Runners. Then in the spring of 2020 I stopped running entirely—not when a global pandemic shut down all the races I’d signed up for—but following the murder of Ahmaud Arbery jogging while Black. Once again, my FRNY family reached out and showed me there is a place for me in this sport and this club. I still have mixed feelings about running, but my love for this team keeps me going.

I’m proud of the growth I’ve seen with Front Runners over the last two years. While chair of the Multisport Committee, we adapted our swim policies in the face of shifting Covid guidance, implemented a new registration system, and added practice time to accommodate growing demand. We also increased participation in triathlons, notably the most represented club at the Staten Island Tri for the past two years. Working with our revived DEI Committee this year, I surveyed the membership to understand equity gaps and developed recommendations to close them. My training also benefited, from climbing up starting corrals to completing my first marathon, a distance I thought I’d never attempt. I’ve relied on my teammates for inspiration, accountability, encouragement, and perspective, and I hope to play that role for next year’s membership.

A guiding principle in my professional life is the Platinum Rule: treat others not the way you’d want to be treated, but the way they want to be treated. That only happens when we’re willing to ask questions, have difficult conversations, and both recognize and celebrate differences among us. Every Front Runner I’ve spoken with has unique goals, paired with personal challenges and individual motivations. To better understand those perspectives, I’ve tried to run with new folks at fun runs this year and share our programs and community with them. Since recovering from a sprained ankle that kept me from the Washington Heights 5K, I’ve also made a point to participate in all remaining points races and Board meetings this year. Now, with your vote, I’m looking to give back to the organization that has done so much for me.

Treasurer: Craig Nelson (he/him)

Photo Credit: Anonymous

I'm honored to be running for my second term as FRNY Treasurer. As the year comes to an end, I'm proud of the phenomenal progress we've made as a club. This year, we boasted record membership levels, healthy finances, and a variety of Board initiatives new and old. We had record-breaking Participation Fund utilization, and breakthrough performances as a team at NYRR points races. Over my first year, I learned what is expected from Board members, and the time and dedication it takes to keep the club running. Over the next year, I hope to use knowledge and confidence gained from my first term to perform my role as treasurer more efficiently, and to help guide new Board members as they navigate their first terms.

Secretary: Timothy Thompson (he/him)

Photo Credit: Johannes Lee

I’m Timothy Thompson (he/him), and I’m honored to run for Secretary. I joined Front Runners in January of 2022 with the aspiration of developing an actual running strategy and to run further distances. I showed up despite my own anxieties about meeting new people and joining an athletic club, and I’m really glad I did: Not only did I meet my own personal goals, I found in Front Runners a community of athletes that were truly rooting for me, seeing me, and accepting me for who I am and where I am in my journey. I found in myself a renewed sense of purpose.

Throwing myself into as many Front Runner activities as possible, I’ve made it a mission to get more familiar with the way FRNY operates. You may have seen me around at the fun runs, coached workouts, behind a table at the bagel brunches, or volunteered with me at water stations during races, on Pride Island, or at Sylvia’s Place. I certainly hope you’ve enjoyed reading my race reports and even hearing me recite some after the Saturday fun runs. I get a kick out of writing them, and your accomplishments keep me committed to my own training.

In this whirlwind year, I’m confronted with a staggering fact: FRNY emerges into 2023 with 1100+ members across Greater New York, the country, and world – 1100+ athletes with their own stories, goals, backgrounds, and identities. Celebrating the achievements of the individual is critical to maintaining FRNY’s mission to be a welcoming space that supports LGBTQ+ adults in the running and running-related community – a club that truly SEES and supports EVERYONE. Thus, the various committees and Board are the pillars on which this organization succeeds in its mission, especially with 1100+ members and growing.

As Secretary, I’d prioritize always making clear the communication amongst club leadership and members, and to assist where necessary with committee heads to maintain and improve the myriad of opportunities and programs FRNY extends to its members. No matter what, I will always root for you, the way you all have rooted for me. I look forward to where we will all walk, run, cycle, and swim in the year ahead, and to supporting the club where needed so we may all succeed.

Director at Large: Jacqueline Ramirez (she/her/hers)

Photo Credit: Anonymous

I am so incredibly grateful to be nominated for the position of Director at Large for the 2023 FRNY Board. From my very first fun run with FRNY I have felt incredibly welcomed and empowered by our current board, our incredible coaches and by all attending members and allies. My goal this year will be primarily to ensure others feel the same and that the 2023 board, coaches and members get the support they deserve.

A little about myself: From an early age I loved to feel a part of a team. From my elementary school years of playing Soccer to Swimming in high school and running for Queens College Track and Field and Cross Country Team, I have always loved the feeling of being able to contribute to something bigger and Front Runners have given just that.

With nearly 10 years of experience working for the Riverdale Y (a non-profit organization as well) and my role as the Aquatics Director, I have gained tons of experience with using exercise as a tool for building self esteem, rapport and community.

I am coming into a thriving team and would love nothing more than the opportunity to enhance it. If elected as one of the Director’s at Large I understand the work and responsibilities that lay ahead of me. I would come in with an open mind to learn and a heart to advocate for the club I so deeply love.

Director at Large: J Solle (they/them)

Photo Credit: Stephanie Paddock

I’m back, back, back again, and I’m ready to slay another year! Hey y’all, it’s J (they/them) and I’m so excited to be running for a Director at Large position again! It’s been such a privilege and an honor servin your 2022 Board and helping represent and navigate this fantastic organization through a period of historic growth, exciting moments, and unique challenges.

We’re ending 2022 with the largest FRNY membership ever, by over 300 people, a fantastic feat! This year we saw the growth of our Fun Runs, socials, special events, and more in ways that we haven’t experienced before - and that momentum is going to be truly so important to continue. In doing all of that, I hope to continue to keep at the forefront the vision for all Front Runners to feel welcome, included, and seen - this year, I started the Trans & Non-binary Committee with the help of Zackary Harris and have been thrilled to see the visibility of this community grow as these members now have a place to belong. We’ve also had some unique learning experiences and opportunities along the way to think about how FRNY should be interacting in the community around it, especially during Pride when many organizations want to join up with us. These learning experiences are part of our growth and growth pains - and something I know we’ll keep in mind going into 2023.

Finally, and possibly most importantly, I’m so inspired by this community of people who will go to so many lengths to support one another. After cheering for the NYC Marathon last year, this was the first time I had the opportunity to be running the blue line. The support all along the course from Front Runners was magical, both cheering and from those of us running side-by-side.

Together we can lead the way for queer athletes in sport by showing how a community can act together for one another. I’m so thrilled to have the opportunity to help lead this fantastic organization, not only one that is near and dear to me personally, but will in turn lead with pride and grace to inspire and make a difference for LGBTQ+ runners in New York and everywhere.

Run fast - sparkle bright ✨

Pride Run Beneficiaries

In Alphabetical Order

FRNY members nominated 11 organizations to be considered for the 2023 Pride Run Beneficiary, and the board has narrowed this number down to 5, which is the same number brought to membership in the past. Please find the organizations, the websites and the information the person nominating them gave.

Brooklyn G.H.O.S.T. Project (Website)