BoD Candidates 2020

Jason Asbury resides in Red House, West Virginia with his beautiful fiancé Ashley and there 2 and half year-old Australian Shepheard Crosby. Jason is a graduate of West Virginia University with a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Landscape Architecture and he currently serves as a Vice President of TERRADON Corporation a civil engineering firm located in Poca, WV. Jason has been active in the community currently serving on the Putnam County Planning Commission, as well as the Current Chairman of the West Virginia Chapter of the Associated Builders and Contractors. Jason has been active in the running community for about eight (8) years and is a lifetime member of the West Virginia Mountain Trail Runners. Jason typically runs in The Frozen Sasquatch 25k, Haulin in the Holler 25k, Canary in the Cave as well as other non-club sanction runs around the tri state. Jason states that fitness and running is a lifestyle and passion that is near and dear to his heart and who he is. Jason has stated that he is seeking election to our board of directors for the following reason: “This club was my introduction to running 8 years ago, I was extremely nervous and scared to come and run a race due to feeling not on the same level as so many of our accomplished runners. However, I quickly realized that this group is extremely welcoming and caring and put all of my fears at ease and welcomed me from day one into this community. This group has given so much to me, that I feel that it is time for me to offer to give back and use my skills and personality to continue to promote a healthy lifestyle in the mountain state and continue to promote our organization and provide my time and leadership skills to our board of directors and most importantly our members. It would be my honor to serve you on this board of directors if you would have me.”

Derek Barnhart is a native West Virginian and became a member of the WVMTR in the best year for running, 2020! He has been serving in the U.S. Air Force for the past 20 years, currently assigned to Fort Bragg, NC and will be retiring in 2021. He and his daughter reside in Red House, WV where she runs cross country for GW Middle School. He has had a love/hate relationship with running throughout his military career and has spent the past three years developing the running skills of future Special Warfare operators. “Being away from the state for so many years has given me an appreciation of all the great things our state has to offer. Being able to serve in the WVMTR in any capacity gives me the opportunity to give back to the state and build awareness for just how awesome Mountaineer Pride is!”

Stewart Caldwell is the former race director of the Canary in the Cave 25k and lives in Fayetteville with his wife Lila and their 2 year old son Oliver. He first became acquainted with WVMTR while participating in the second annual Highland Sky 40 Miler back in 2004. Stewart began volunteering at WVMTR races the following year and eventually spent six years as race director of the Canaryin the Cave race. Now that he is no longer directing that event, Stewart wants to serve the club in a different way. He states, "WVMTR has given me so much over the years in terms of lifelong friendships, unforgettable memories, and some of the most rewarding physical and emotional experiences of my life. Joining the board will allow me to discover new ways to give back to this amazing club that has given me so much.

In 2012, I ran my first trail race at the Kanawha Trace 50K. Since then, whether running or volunteering, my family and I have been introduced to the best places and people in the Mountain State through WVMTR. Over the years, I have sought opportunities to give back to the trail community. My wife, Rachel, and I attended WVMTR's Timer training and can be found volunteering at many of the Kanawha Trace Night Races. I have also served as a member of the Kanawha Trace Trail Committee, which stewards the local trail system. Joining the board of directors is a great opportunity to continue giving back to the trail running community. COVID-19 highlights the importance of the WVMTR mission to encourage the "healthy, positive qualities that running encompasses." Now more than ever, that mission rings true. If selected to the board, I look forward to contributing to WVMTR's efforts across the Mountain State.

I am a current member of WVMTR and have been virtually running trails with all of you this year! I live in Lexington, VA where I coach high school cross country, track and assorted other jobs. I also coach at a running camp in Michigan in the summer. I love to make running fun- and when my high school team suggested a “Hot Dog Mile”, I did it enthusiastically while cheating, so I wouldn’t really have to eat 4 hotdogs! (picture included) I have felt connected to WVMTR because of the amazing races they put on and the family atmosphere they have created through this club. I came to my first WVMTR race, the Helvetia 10K, 19 years ago- when we moved to Virginia from New Mexico. It immediately was my home away from home. I would like to serve on the board to support our club as we encourage runners to find the beauty of the trails and the close knit community within WVMTR.

Daniel Todd is the current WVMTR Club Secretary and resides in Charleston with his wife Tracey and two daughters. Daniel is the co-race director (alongside Tracey Todd) of the Dirty Dog 15K Trail Run. As a founding member of WVMTR, Daniel is committed to the ongoing success of the club. His goals for the club are to support its mission to encourage running and provide transparency to the membership of the board's actions.

Hi! I’m Charlotte Johnson Wales, and I live in Davis, WV with my husband Jeff. I’ve been an active member of WVMTR for five years. Running is a passion for me. It has brought many positive changes to my life, and I have seen it have the same effect on others as well. People needs challenges in their lives in order to grow and thrive. WVMTR holds many races and events which offer people those challenges, as well as a community of support along the way. If given the opportunity, I would be honored to serve as part of the leadership of this club, assisting with it’s goal of encouraging running and the healthy, positive qualities that running encompasses.

Lauren has been attending WVMTR events since she was 7 years old. The daughter of Bill & Lydia Young, Lauren is a CPA in Summersville, WV where she lives with her husband Aaron Beam & black lab Lucy. Lauren states, “I would love to join the WVMTR board of directors because I feel like this organization and it’s members modeled healthy living and perseverance for me growing up. I feel very passionate about bringing physical and mental wellness to the people in my state and running is the perfect way to do both. I would love to volunteer my time to such a worthwhile organization.”

I was born and raised in West Virginia and my family and I are lifetime members of WVMTR. I've served on the board for the past six years and have been the club's treasurer for five of those years. I'm running again because I'd like to serve another term and make an orderly transition to a new treasurer before making room for another worthy candidate to have the privilege to serve. I love our club and our races and the fine folks that participate in both and have consider it an honor and privilege to serve.