Meet the Board of Directors
Officers
President
Brian Pessolano
Elected 2021 & 2023
I found a love for running late in life. In 2016 I decided to work on my health and set a goal to run my first half which ended up being the Blue & Gray Half. After that I had caught the bug and in 2017 ran my first full at Marine Corps.
I have 3 grown kids and live in Fredericksburg.
I am also the race director for the Great Train Race.
Vice President
Vic Barthelemy
Elected 2021 & 2023
I truly enjoy running and the benefits I receive from a healthier lifestyle. I started running at age 55 because of a challenge from my superior at work. I fell in love with running and been running ever since. I have accomplished things that I would never would have thought possible, running many marathons including the New City Marathon and 120th Boston Marathon. I have also accomplished running at least a Half Marathon in all 50 states. All these were made possible by the support from my wife and running family.
I moved to the Fredericksburg area in 2016 and joined FARC in 2018. FARC has been the connection I needed to continue to enjoy and improve my running. To me running is more than just putting one foot in front of the other, it’s the family you build around running. I came to my first Saturday Group Run and felt a true sense of family. It was not long and I knew this was the group I needed to belong to.
I hope to be able to run for a long time and continue to support the running community of Fredericksburg for as long as I live here. – Running the Good Race –
Secretary
Tracy Lloyd
Elected for 2024 and 2025
I’m married and have a grown son and daughter. I started running in the summer of 2021 by doing the Couch25K program and ran my first 5k that October. I then trained for a 10k and was hooked! In March 2022, I joined FARC and their new runner training program, which culminated in my completion of the Marine Corps Historic Half. Through FARC, I’ve met amazing people who have challenged, supported, and cheered for me in ways I never thought possible and I’m very grateful to have these running sisters and brothers in my life! I’m excited to be able to give back and serve this running community!
Treasurer
Tony Luna
Elected for 2024 and 2025
I never considered myself a runner; I had always been involved in various athletic pursuits, but running was never my forte. My disdain for those early morning runs during my time in the Marine Corps only solidified my aversion to it. When I transitioned out of the military, physical activity took a back seat, and I packed on over 100 pounds.
The wake-up call came when I found myself winded after just a few minutes of playtime with my kids. Realizing the need for a change, in 2022, I embarked on a journey to shed the excess weight. Opting for a stationary bike and a commitment to a healthier diet, I began to see progress. However, burnout loomed, and motivation waned.
It was during a visit to Clean Eatz for a protein drink that I stumbled upon a flyer for the Marine Corps Marathon Series. Seeing this as the perfect motivation, I embraced the challenge. The races not only provided a goal but ignited a renewed sense of purpose in my fitness journey. The weight continued to drop, and my newfound energy led me to discover RunSignUp, where I eagerly signed up for more races.
Then, fate led me to the Fredericksburg Area Running Club on Strava, where I took on the Grand Prix races, further fueling my passion. In 2023, I joined FARC, setting an ambitious goal to conquer all Grand Prix races, Marine Corps Marathon events, and the challenging 3H Trail races. The running bug had firmly taken hold, and I had no intention of slowing down.
A remarkable transformation unfolded as I shed 120 pounds, and what was once a dreaded activity became a source of joy. Running has not only become a physical endeavor but a powerful force that propels me forward, one race at a time.
Directors
Jeff Haber
1 Year Director elected for 2024
I am another late starter who began running several years ago when my long history of walking for exercise had reached its limits. As a solo sport, I found running and walking to be mentally refreshing but also felt compelled to join others from time to time for a change of scenery, some education, and companionship. So after achieving a running distance of 1.25 miles through my own efforts, I joined FARC in December 2021 and began attending the Saturday runs as a run/walker.
It was at that point where rewarding growth began. FARC’s new runner training program was about to begin so I joined it and ran a 5K late that winter. That rolled straight into FARC’s intermediate training program where I trained for and completed the Marine Corps Historic Half Marathon that spring. Later in the summer, FARC’s Social Committee chair needed to vacate the position and I was asked if I would be interested in filling it. I agreed as I was interested in performing a community service.
The growth continues. Recently, I accomplished a previously unthinkable goal, which was to complete a full marathon in October of 2022. Additionally, I am honored to be newly elected to FARC Board of Directors as well as continue as the Social Committee chair.
I am very happy to be part of the FARC family where I have made many, many friends as fellow runners encourage me and constantly help me to be a better runner and vice versa.
I look forward to running with you!
Rebecca Ivester
Elected for 2024 and 2025
I began running in 2013. I always admired the discipline of runners (both within and outside of their sport) and wanted to become one of them. Too intimidated to join track or cross country, my brief stint running in high school quickly fizzled out. In college, I began running here and there on my own (and only when the weather was good) and even signed up for the occasional race. I started to figure things out . . . slowly, and in 2017 I ran my first marathon in Edinburgh, Scotland. For the next three years, I (somehow) remained committed and continued to improve. I discovered Hal Higdon’s free training plans, found a few friends to run with, and raced more frequently. However, it wasn’t until I moved to Virginia and joined FARC (late 2020) that I began to understand running and appreciate the running community. Running was no longer strictly about discipline; running became my opportunity to meet people and make dear friends, it became my motivation to get outside (even in the cold), it became my way to explore new places and to connect with people wherever I go. I am honored and excited to get the opportunity to serve this amazing community and I hope that I can help running bring joy to others as it has brought joy to me.
David Lovegrove
2 year Director – elected 2023
Running is very important to me, and I am also an art teacher, artist, and lover of live and vinyl music. I have been a FARC member since its inception in 1995 and have been on the BOD since 1999. I have been running since 9th grade when everyone ran on a cinder track and wore 1/2″ spikes. I have completed the Grand Prix series many years and we are fortunate to have a series of its kind in our city. For me now, running is equally about the health, a physiological need, and the social aspect. FARC continues to be an amazing asset to Fredericksburg.
Will Triplett
2 Year Director elected 2023
I have been a member of FARC since 2015 when I moved back to the Fredericksburg area for the third and final time for my final tour in the Pentagon. Originally from Baltimore, I found the area great to settle in for the long haul as we raised our daughter here (off and on) for the past 21 years, and it is close to home and a plethora of relatives that live in the DMV. I am a retired naval officer who now works as a consultant in the pharmaceutical industry. I really picked up the sport of running while stationed in Everett, Washington and became a member of a running group out there. So when we moved back to the area, I was happy to find FARC and meet such warm and inviting people who are a pleasure to be around and who share the same passion. It is my high honor to be your newsletter editor and I hope to keep you informed and entertained as we embark on this new chapter.
