Meet the Team
The Race
The Syracuse Half Marathon is produced by a team of professionals in the running community. Their expertise includes event management, merchandising, timing/results, marketing and creative event experience.
The Team
RICK STREETER
RACE DIRECTOR / FOUNDER - PARTNER
Rick’s passion for the success of this race and happiness of its’ participants is unparalleled. As our expert in race production and strategic marketing, Rick founded and directs the Syracuse Half Marathon. As a former competitive runner who now enjoys Crossfit & the Peloton to stay in shape, he receives most enjoyment enhancing the participant experience. Rick is no stranger to traveling as you can find him timing & scoring races all throughout the United States. At many of these events, he is able to learn from some of the most brilliant minds in the industry and bring them home to share.
Rick also directs the longest consecutively run footrace on earth, the Buffalo Turkey Trot (14,000 runners! 1896 - present). During the 2020 pandemic, Rick founded and quarterbacked the phenomenon known as the One NY Virtual Race Across NY. With over 25,000 participants taking part in these virtual races, Rick is proud to know he helped so many get through such a tough time while donating over $200,000 to charities in need.
ED GRIFFIN
DIRECTOR OF SPONSORSHIP / CONTRACTS - PARTNER
Ed Griffin founded Fleet Feet Syracuse in 2000, with his wife Ellen. They sold Fleet Feet Syracuse to Fleet Feet, Inc. in 2021 and are helping in the transition as consultants.
Ed is Race Director of the ONE NY Half Marathon and 5k, which is also owned by Upstate Event Management and was a Co-Founder of the Mountain Goat Run Foundation, where he served as President from 2005-2017.
Ed is responsible for ONCenter Operations at the Syracuse Half Marathon and compiles a weekly newsletter for the ONE NY Virtual Series.
Ed enjoys running and cross training and lives in Pompey with his wife Ellen, and their two bull terriers.
DAVE VINEHOUT
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY RELATIONS - PARTNER
MATT WERDER
RACE PRODUCTION - PARTNER
Matt has worked in the running industry since he was in college, beginning with a part time gig at Fleet Feet Syracuse, where he ended up working for over a decade. In addition to serving as the GM of Fleet Feet Syracuse, he founded the Six-Legged 5K, benefiting the CNY SPCA, and at one point served as the race director for Fleet Feet’s Runapalooza 5K. In 2020, Matt was the brainchild behind the popular One NY Virtual Race Across New York and helped over 10,000 people stay motivated during the pandemic!
Matt now works for Fleet Feet Inc., based in Carrboro, NC, but is still involved in the planning and execution of the Syracuse Half and returns to Syracuse each year for race weekend.
PAT LEONE
CO-FOUNDER / RACE PRODUCTION / TIMING - PARTNER
Pat has worked in the running event industry for over 20 years as President of Leone Timing and Results Services. He has extensive experience timing and scoring a variety of events ranging from community races up to international competitions. Pat was a co-founder of the Syracuse Half Marathon and serves on the race committee of several Central New York events. A former competitve runner, he competed in cross country and track & field while attending Cicero-North Syracuse High School and Canisius College. He has also been a long-time member of the Syracuse Chargers Track Club.
When not working, Pat enjoys spending time with his wife Laurel, and their two children, Jack and Hannah.
RUSSELL EDWARDS
CO-FOUNDER / RACE PRODUCTION
LIZZY JEWISS
VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR
Lizzy coordinates nearly 400 volunteers on race day and our packet pick-up! That's kind of hard to do!
BARB & LEN STEGER
FOOD & BEVERAGE
You know those tasty post-race eats? They're in charge of those!
MELISSA VASSENELLI
MARKETING / ADVERTISING SPECIALIST
Melissa has over 20 years experience in corporate sales with 10 of those in the advertising/marketing field. She is an expert in executing successful multi media marketing campaigns and developing strategic partnerships in the small business community.
As a former Half and Full Marathon runner, she’s enjoyed learning how much goes into the production side of race day.
PAT STAGNITTA "STAG"
JACK-OF-ALL-TRADES
There are few people in the United States who are more immersed in road racing than Pat Stagnitta. His knowledge and expertise can be attributed to his close relationships formed over the years with other timers, running stores, running clubs, coaches and race directors.
Pat holds a BA in communications and journalism from LeMoyne College where he was a standout runner. After graduation, Pat spent several years working in news as a multimedia journalist. Pat, his wife Ashley, and their amazing son Dominick and daughter Penelope can be found in Liverpool, NY with their two energetic dogs, Daisy and Pistachio. Pat enjoys playing basketball in his free time and is the commissioner of the company fantasy football league, which he takes very seriously.
TYLOR KNICKERBOCKER
VIDEOBOARDS / OPERATIONS
You know those cool videoboards at the finish line and inside the Oncenter? That's Tylor's magic!
RYAN STRASSBERGER
RESIDENT GENIUS
Ryan has handled most things Syracuse Half related; from signage, to timing & IT work, he's our go-to guy for most projects! In 2020, Ryan wrote the custom leaderboard for the One NY Race Across NY Virtual Challenge. His intuitive and attractive leaderboard paved the way for the majority of virtual events that you currently see on the market.
CHAD MALMBERG
BRANDING / SIGNAGE
Chad takes pride in making sure all 350 course signs (mile markers, directional and safety) are put out in the correct spots to make sure you have a clear and safe path on where to go!
REXINGTON & CLIO
CUTE DOGS
