Our People are the Best
We are constantly pushing ourselves past limits, overcoming hurdles, and delivering our best for you. We bring boundless energy and passion to work everyday, helping each other to do their best work possible to unlock each other’s potential. We love being part of an event like the Millennium Triathlon.
Bob Karel
Race Director
Millennium Triathlon I am the kind of crazy that always enjoys a significant challenge, new idea or change. Needing a change from “only” being a runner, I looked to Triathlon to add a new level of competition in my life. Boy did it deliver. I’ve competed in (more than I want to count) Sprint and Olympic distance events….and 3 half iron distance Triathlons.
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Volunteering as Aid Station Director for the GR Marathon for 5 years allowed me to see through the window of Race Management. Having raced a few triathlons, some friends and I decided it was time to start a new “entry level” Triathlon on Bostwick Lake. Under the leadership of Sara Merritt the Bostwick Triathlon was born in 2006. Learning from my Bostwick experience I led the development of two more races in the west Michigan market: The GR Triathlon in 2011 and the Michigan Titanium in 2012.
Having always had a passion for helping kids in West Michigan, I left Race Management in Jan 2013 and joined the Hand Up Fund board to assist the founders of that non-profit to realize our vision for helping kids in West Michigan reach their God given potential. This stage of my life has been an amazing journey as we’ve seen our efforts impact organizations, families and kids with incredible results. In this arena there is always more to do, and money is always tight, so when Jim Conner asked if we would be interested in taking over the Millennium Triathlon as the major fund raiser for kids in West Michigan….the Hand Up Fund said yes and I found myself back in Race Management!
What I want you to know about me is that I’m grateful. Grateful to have you do the Millennium Triathlon and grateful for what your participation means not only for the event, but for others. This event is a pure non-profit and all proceeds go to Kids in West Michigan. So…have fun, challenge yourself and feel good about how you are spending your “competitive dollar”.
~ Bob
Bob Karel is also the “Lead Listener” at CQL Corp. A Software company helping organizations realize their potential in the areas of custom software, digital marketing, eCommerce, business intelligence, mobile solutions and product ventures. (and much more!) He also serves on the boards of the Better Business Bureau and the Kent County Parks Foundation.
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Mandy Strayhorn
Director of Kids Triathlon and Family Night
Millennium Triathlon I was asked to join the team because of my passion for working with kids and my love for event planning. I may not know triathlons, but I really know kids!
I am a recent graduate of Aquinas College, with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. I work for Centria Healthcare as a
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behavior technician, working with children and teens with autism. Through the years, I’ve traveled all over the world doing mission work, and I am actively involved in my church. I also spend a lot of time hanging out with my family. When I’m not working our hanging out with my family, I love watching baseball, baking, traveling, exploring, crafting, baking, and reading. Did I mention baking?
I am pursuing my Master’s in Counseling from Grand Rapids Theological Seminary.
Someday, because of my love for baseball, I hope to make it to every Major League baseball stadium to watch a game. I also want to visit at least 6 out of the 7 continents. 3 down, 3 to go!
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Jon Oldfield
Bike Course Coordinator/Transition
Millennium Triathlon I became involved with MilTri because I enjoy competing in races and thought this would be a great experience to see the other side of it.
I have completed in 18+ 70.3 and 6 Ironman races along with being an Ultraman Florida Finisher. I recently completed my first, hopefully many more, 100 mile running races. I have no children therefore I have plenty of time to compete in ultra distance events.
Goals: To learn something new every day and be the best person that I can be.
Jason Smith
Swim Course Coordinator
Millennium Triathlon My wife married me for my body when I was training for a full distance triathlon so maybe helping with this one will give me motivation to swim again.
I am married to a beautiful woman who will tandem mountain bike with me when we get the chance. We have 2 young boys and a dog.
My goals are to have God say at the finish, “Well done good and faithful servant.” Also, to win a race in the A’s at the Grattan Cycling Race Series.
Jim and Deb Oldfield
Director of Finish Line Experience and Packet Pickup
Millennium Triathlon Jim and Deb Oldfield have been racing and supporting the triathlon sports in West Michigan since 2005. Beginning with Jim’s heart attack and subsequent bypass surgery, Deb and Jim have changed their sedimentary lifestyles to one of healthy exercising and competing.
Deb, as a member of the MIL TRI Board, is the Director for Packet Pickup. show more She brings 10 plus years experience with volunteering and racing throughout West Michigan and wants to be sure to give the MIL TRI participants the best service. Jim, also a member of the MIL TRI Board is the Director for the Finish Line Experience. As with his wife Deb, 10 plus years of volunteering and racing gives him a unique and highly focused perspective of what athletes want in their races. MIL TRI is another way for Deb and Jim to give back, to the TRI community that they enjoy! show less
Sean Murphy
Director of Social Media
Millennium Triathlon Sean Murphy professionally works in Commercial Banking. But his passion is helping in the community. He currently serves on 3 Boards all focusing on helping people in the local community. show more Although not a Triathlete, he does run every year in The Michigan State Police Fallen Trooper Fall Color Run to honor his good friend Trooper Paul K Butterfield II. He also enjoys weight training. show less
This is Sean’s first year on The MilTri Board. He has been handling social media, helping find vendors, and will be volunteering in both MilTri events.
In his downtime Sean enjoys spending time with his family, reading, art, and catching up with good friends.
Kevin Wolf
Creative Director
Millennium Triathlon I had the opportunity to work alongside CQL and Brightly in the development of the new MilTri website. After a successful launch, I was asked to join the team to maintain the brand standards and make sure the web experience continues to run smoothly.
I’m happy to be working with great people and learning more about our community
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as I recently moved to Grand Rapids with my lovely girlfriend and our two boxer monsters.
I enjoy anything design, photography, and traveling the country!
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Brian Morehouse
Volunteer Coordinator and Co-founder of the Hand Up Fund
Millennium Triathlon Since being introduced to Special Olympics by my coach in 1987, I’ve had a passion for assisting those who need a hand. Six years ago, my wife Liz and I partnered with Eric and Tracy Lanning to form the Hand Up Fund. Recently, we’ve added the energy, ideas, and enthusiasm of the Karel family! The Hand Up Fund provides resources to youth in
show more West Michigan who are physically, mentally, or socio economically in need of assistance in reaching their full potential. It’s been one of my greatest thrills in life to see the Hand Up Fund grow from idea to reality. Recently we’ve been blessed with the opportunity to partner with the Millennium Triathlon and work together to resource youth in West Michigan. In my other job…I lead the women’s basketball program at Hope College. I’ve been fortunate to develop the Hope College women‘s basketball team into one of the nation’s elite in 20 seasons. In 20 seasons, we’ve accomplish a record of 205-76 and made 14 NCAA Division III Tournament appearances, winning the 2006 national title and reaching the national semifinals twice. Four times in mycareer, (2001-02, 2002-03, 2008-09 and 2015-16), I’ve been voted the Regional Coach of the Year by the Women‘s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA). In addition, I’ve been named the Michigan Collegiate women’s basketball coach of the year by the Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan three times in my career (2001-02, 2007-08, 2011-12) and am ranked among Division III’s top active coaches by winning percentage (.863). I also serve as director of the college’s Dow Physical Education and Health Center and DeVos Fieldhouse. show less
Angelique Gaddy
Assistant Volunteer Coordinator
Millennium Triathlon In general, I‘m really into athletics, and although I have never participated in a triathlon, I’m passionate about getting others to reach their goals and have fun. I’m also a Grand Rapids native and I love to get involved in positive events in the city like the MilTri.
I‘m the youngest of 3, I attended high school at South Christian and I am currently entering my senior year at Hope College.
show more There I am double majoring in Business Management and Communication and I also play for the women’s basketball team. Fire Up Dutch! Simply, be the best I can be at whatever I put my mind to. Whether it’s academics, basketball, or an internship, I want to be as successful as I can be. The route to that outcome plays out differently for each event, but with careful planning, a good attitude, and confidence in yourself and team, goals can be obtained. show less
Eric Lanning
Co-founder of the Hand Up Fund
Millennium Triathlon I’m a Grand Rapids resident, business owner, husband to an incredible woman, father of three awesome sons; a road cyclist, photographer, fisherman, and Tigers fan.
I am blessed to have been born and raised in West Michigan, and I’ve witnessed the stunning blossoming of Grand Rapids over the past few decades. This is thanks in no small part to the contagiously benevolent mindset of
show more countless folks who selflessly give of their time, talents, and resources to make positive impacts in the community that we all love. As co-founder of the Hand Up Fund, I‘m committed to investing in West Michigan’s future and leaving it a better place than I found it. Many young people in our community, for whatever reason, do not encounter opportunities for success. By using our resources to connect them with those opportunities, we can give them a “hand up”…and put them on the path to reach their full potential. These young people will mature into thriving achievers, contributing to the West Michigan of tomorrow and returning the investment that was made in them – many times over. To the many folks that contribute to the success of the MilTri, from board members to volunteers to athletes to spectators, I give my heartfelt thanks. You are not only an integral part of a premier athletic event that further enhances the West Michigan scene; you are also directly impacting the lives of kids in your community. show less
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