How long have you been a member of Run Muskegon? about 1 year
Briefly explain your running experience. I have ran on and off for years for various sports and with the last 1.5 to 2 years started to really commit to running as part of my fitness journey. Last year I set a goal to run at least one race every month and I made it 11/12 this year will be 12/12. What experience, education, or interest do you have for serving on the Run Muskegon board? I have a degree in information systems with minors in mathematics and business. I have very strong technical skills. I want to serve on the Run Muskegon because I love Run Muskegon I tell everyone I can about and if I meet runners who haven't heard of us I encourage them to come and check it out. Coming to run club is one of the Highlights of my week and I hope that if I am able to serve on the board that I can help share my passion with other people and they can come to feel the same way.
What special skill or knowledge do you have to bring to the board? I bring a unique combination of technical expertise and strong interpersonal skills, allowing me to solve problems efficiently while fostering collaboration and community engagement.
What other boards do you currently serve on or have served on in the past? I have not served on any boards.
What volunteer experience do you have? I do not have a ton of volunteer experience but I did volunteer for the Turkey Trot and for Girls on the Run this past year. What would be your goals as a board member? - Strength Community Engagement (Continue to help foster a welcoming environment for runners of all levels) - Enhance Communication ( Look at creating an SMS gateway to improve communications with members by sending out text reminders about location changes, cancellations due to inclement weather, and other event reminders)
Nicole Bush
How long have you been a member of Run Muskegon? 3 years
Briefly explain your running experience. I have been running for about 20 years. I started with cross country and track in high school and have been running on and off since. What experience, education, or interest do you have for serving on the Run Muskegon board? I am currently serving on the board as the treasurer and chair of the community outreach committee. I am also a member of the race committee.
What special skill or knowledge do you have to bring to the board? I am organized and love a good form!
What other boards do you currently serve on or have served on in the past? I am on the IACUC at Grand Valley.
What volunteer experience do you have? I volunteer at several races throughout the year as well as help host our Run Muskegon Races. What would be your goals as a board member? To continue to find ways to streamline the treasurer functions while capturing all of the information we need to easily manage and track purchases.
Angela Crossin
How long have you been a member of Run Muskegon? 7 months
Briefly explain your running experience. I have been a consistent runner over the years, as well as organizing and directing four prior 5K runs. My longest distance is a half marathon. What experience, education, or interest do you have for serving on the Run Muskegon board? I sat on numerous boards, as well as my current role as a board member for a NFP in Indiana. I taught corporate governance and ethics at Purdue’s satellite campus in Hammond, Indiana, for 8 years. Additionally, I taught business law and forensic accounting. All of the courses touched upon board governance and fiduciary obligations.
What special skill or knowledge do you have to bring to the board? I am a solo attorney on my small practice specializing in business organizations and estate planning. I have set up multiple NFPs and assisted start up boards.
What other boards do you currently serve on or have served on in the past? The boards I have sat on previously include: 1) Kids Alive International; 2) Women in Bloom (closed); 3) Porter County Parks and Recreation Foundation Board; 4) St. Andrews Episcopal Vestry Board; 5) Member’s Advantage Credit Union; 6) President of Thomas Jefferson PTSO Board; 7) Community Change Center/We are One; 8) Leadership Springfield
What volunteer experience do you have? I have volunteered with numerous organizations in numerous capacities including school, church, community, and athletic organizations and programs spanning all age categories and including Kiwanis, Visiting Nurses Association, Valparaiso High School Football Club, VFW, Habitat for Humanity, Kids Alive, international educational organization, PEO, Delta Theta Tau, Junior Women’s League, Memorial Medical Center, Springfield Neighborhood Watch, Leadership Springfield, and others.
What would be your goals as a board member? 1) Enlist more community members of all ages to become a part of Run Muskegon; 2) Encourage older walkers/runners to participate and focus on aging well initiatives; 3) Find new and novel ways to participate in community events; and 4) Help raise brand awareness to be viewed as the best running group in western Michigan (if not already); 5) Encourage a partnership with local veteran’s organizations via walks at the Veteran’s Park on a monthly basis, for example.
Mel Jones
How long have you been a member of Run Muskegon? 2.5 years
Briefly explain your running experience. I ran cross country and track in high school and community college. I also have run three half marathons, multiple 5k's and 10k's, and a Ragnar. What experience, education, or interest do you have for serving on the Run Muskegon board? I moved to Michigan 3 years ago and didn't know anyone except my husband. Run Muskegon is how I found positive community and friendships.
What special skill or knowledge do you have to bring to the board? I have been a runner for 17.5 years, and I have always seen running as a release for anxiety, a great way to stay fit, a way to get some sunshine and fresh air, and a great way to be surrounded by positive and like-minded people. I have had multiple injuries, but have gained knowledge on how to better prevent them, and how to listen to and take care of your body.
What other boards do you currently serve on or have served on in the past? None.
What volunteer experience do you have? I used to be a junior high girls leader at a church in Arizona for 4 years, I was a Young Life leader for 2 years, and a camp counselor at three different church camps. What would be your goals as a board member? I want to get more involved in the running community, the Muskegon community, and to build better friendships with people. I want to make people feel included and comfortable.
Nick Sima
How long have you been a member of Run Muskegon? 1.5 years
Briefly explain your running experience. I decided to try a 5K in 2019 and thought that was the extent of the running I’d ever want to do. After I trained for a 10K but never got around to actually signing up for one. Since then I’ve joined runMKG and completed my first half marathon. What experience, education, or interest do you have for serving on the Run Muskegon board? I’m a bit of a generalist. I do technical support things for work.
What special skill or knowledge do you have to bring to the board? I believe I’m a good problem solver. I can get into the weeds of technical problems and come up with a decent solution.
What other boards do you currently serve on or have served on in the past? None.
What volunteer experience do you have? I have done a ton of years working various jobs at the Irish Music Fest. What would be your goals as a board member? I’d try to learn from the board members who have been around a while and do my best to help ideas come to fruition.
Shirita Williams
How long have you been a member of Run Muskegon? 9 years
Briefly explain your running experience. I began my running journey in 2016. When I joined Run Muskegon, I couldn’t even run a mile. My first road race was the Seaway 5K that same year, where I ended up walking most of the distance. However, after the race, I was hooked—I didn’t realize it at the time, but I had drunk the Kool-Aid! A friend encouraged me to join Run Muskegon after that experience.
It took me a few weeks to actually attend a meeting because I didn’t think I could be part of such an elite group of runners. They all looked so professional in their running gear. My friend eventually found me hiding at Top Shelf and pulled me into the hallway to attend my first meeting. A few women from the group took me under their wing, showing me the ropes of running. They helped me find the right shoes, advised me on how to dress for the winter months, and reminded me that we run year-round. I felt welcomed from day one.
Eventually, I met my original running buddy, with whom I ran my first long-distance race, a 15K at the Seaway race in 2017. Being part of this running community has transformed me, boosted my self-belief, and encouraged me to step outside my comfort zone. I am not a fast runner, but I put in the training to achieve my goals. I am proud to say that I am now an ultra-runner and a triathlete.
What experience, education, or interest do you have for serving on the Run Muskegon board? I am currently on the Run Muskegon board, serving as the Chair of the Run Muskegon Gift Giving Committee and Coaching Breakout Committee.
What special skill or knowledge do you have to bring to the board? My leadership, team building, teamwork, and communication skills.
What other boards do you currently serve on or have served on in the past? I have served as the president of my church's mass gospel choir for the past six years and am a member of the wellness committee at Hilite International.
What volunteer experience do you have? I have volunteered at several race events, community events for our church, Muskegon Heights' annual festival in the park, and the Michigan Irish Festival. I am also an active member of Women Who Care. Additionally, I volunteer with the Run Muskegon Outreach Committee, which is dedicated to serving our community. Some of our activities include Adopt-A-Highway 2-mile clean-up and projects at the Muskegon Lake Nature Preserve, among others.
What would be your goals as a board member? My goal is to encourage the community to be active and promote a healthier lifestyle. Community members can achieve their goals by walking, riding a bike, or engaging in any form of movement. I aim to inform the community about Run Muskegon and how it is an excellent place to start working toward those goals.
Run Muskegon Annual Membership Meeting
Sunday, January 25th - 3pm at Pigeon Hill Join Us for Run Muskegon’s Annual Meeting and Board Election! Food will be provided! We’re excited to invite all members to the Run Muskegon Annual Meeting of the Membership and Election of the Board of Directors! This is your chance to:
Hear updates on the state of Run Muskegon.
Review year-end committee reports.
Cast your vote for the 2026-27 Board of Directors.
