Election Results are InThe following have been elected to the Mystic Runners board and took office on January 1st, 2024 President: Ken O’Brien (incumbent)  Vice President: Katie Cronin (incumbent) Treasurer: Dave Parziale (incumbent) At-Large Board Members Erin Ward-Dirks (incumbent)John Archibald (Empty position)These newly elected and re-elected candidates join with Secretary Jen Panacopoulos and board members Everett McBride, Troy Brogan, and Oscar Dirks, who are serving terms they were elected to last year.

Current Board of Directors 

Current Board as of January 1, 2024

President:  Ken O'Brien 

Vice President: Katie Cronin

Treasurer: Dave Parziale (elected last year to a two-year term)

Secretary:  Jen Panacopoulos

At Large Directors:  Everett McBride, Troy Brogan, Oscar Dirks,  Erin Ward-Dirks,  John Archibald and Christian Brackett.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:

Mystic Runners Board of Directors: Are you interested in getting more involved with the administration of the club? Do you want to know more about what happens behind the scenes to make us the best club around 😉? At the end of the year, we will have our Board of Directors elections. Our monthly board meetings are open to all active members and we welcome you to stop in and see what that is all about. We would love to see more participation from our club members in our administration, event planning, volunteerism, etc. Just ask any of the board members for more info

Ken O'Brien

President
Since joining the Mystic Runners Club five years ago, I am truly blessed with what a positive effect it has had on my life. I originally joined just to find a 5K race I could run on a Wednesday night, and along the way between all the 5k races, the long runs, the 10K’s, half marathons and marathons, I have found a “second family” of running and non-running friends I never would have met without joining the Mystics.
 
I am also glad I was able to fill a vacancy position on the Board as an at-large Board member over the past 5 months. I was able to witness firsthand how passionate and caring the current Board members are in improving the Mystic Runners Club for all members. I am running for the Board President so we can keep this momentum going. I want the Mystic Runners Club to continue to be a healthy, safe and friendly environment to allow any runner to feel proud and comfortable to be a Mystic member, whether the goal of the member is to run a 5k once a week or train for a marathon

Katie Cronin

Vice President
Club Volunteerism: Lake Q, B.A.A. Events, Eastern States Finish Line, banquet committeeServed on the BOD as an at-large member for one year before beingnominated as Vice President.I joined the Mystics in May 2017 after I had been running for a year. I participate in the Grand Prix, the Lake Q 5k and relay races. I have been on the banquet committee for the last five years. I have volunteered for the Boston Marathon packet stuffing, BAA Half Marathon water stop, BAA 10k bib distribution, Eastern States finish line, the Mystic Classic and the weekly Lake Q 5k. In May 2021, I became Grand Prix director.
 This year I am co-directing the Santa Dash Classic 5k.

Jen Panacopoulos

Secretary
Mystic member since January 2012I served as secretary of the club in 2015. I have volunteered in various capacities for the club. at Mill Cities, Boston Marathon packet stuffing, the banquet committee and the Lake Q races. 
The past couple of years have been challenging with Covid and my goal is to help theclub to continue to navigate through these ever changing times while contributing in a positivemanner to help the club give support to its members

Dave Parziale

Treasurer


Dave was elected Treasurer in 2019.  Dave has been running since 2009 and joined the Mystics in 2016.
 You can usually find Dave either running or volunteering at the Q on Wednesdays, training at Track on Tuesdays, running at the Reading Depot on Thursdays, as well as participating in Grand Prix races each month. 
Dave has volunteered at our annual Mystic Classic and is now in charge of Club Merchandise.

Oscar Dirks

2 Yr BOD At Large 
Oscar will have a voice in the growth of the club. Many businesses and clubs are struggling still.  I look back at the work a select few did to keep the club viable during Covid. I often think the club may not have made it if it weren’t for their passion. I would like a more active role in the success and growth of the club. 
Club member:  6 years approximately possibly little longer
Prior club officer: None
Club Volunteerism:  Wednesday night Q run, sweep, snack table, finish line; Marathon bag stuffing, run to remember water stop, Participant Q run, Mill cities, Track, Grand Prix, Oyes
Oscar brings 30+ years of experience with sales, budget, manage cost, payroll, hiring firing, managing 40-60 employees from his background in the local restaurant industry.

Troy Brogan

2 yr BOD At Large 
I began running in 2015 and  quickly came to appreciate the sport and the running community. In the fall of 2015 I joined the Mystic Runners and immediately felt the support and encouragement in pursuing new goals and opportunities.Additionally I’ve appreciated the opportunity to befriend some very amazing people through our shared interest in running and affiliation with Mystic Runners.
After being a member of club for several years it became my privilege to serve on the Mystic Board of Directors these past two years. It’s been an honor to serve the Club with my fellow Board of Directors and I’m excited to continue our work in 2023 and beyond.
Recognizing that our special run club isn’t here by accident but rather is the result of much collaborative hard work involving many individuals over years of time, leaves me feeling a special sense of purpose in continuing to promote the club as we execute a stewardship role on the Board.

Everett McBride

2 Yr BOD At Large
A Mystic member for eight years,Served 2 terms as president
Took measures as President to bring the Mystics through the exceedingly difficult years of 2020 and 2021 and the COVID-19 Pandemic. 
The Board of Directors created a reopening committee headed up by Alan Foulds to review all aspects of our weekly run at the “Q”. The reopening committee reported back to the BOD with their recommendations, and we were in touch with the Town of Wakefield to determine when we could reopen at the “Q”. We reopened the run at the “Q” in June 2021 as the Pandemic subsided. 
As President working with your Board of Directors, we have tried to keep everyone motivated. Although we were separated, we worked to stay connected. We currently have a weekly group run out of Reading Depot on Thursday nights. I’ve made it my personal mission to keep motivation levels high! I am proud of the board for reflecting our enthusiasm. 
I want Wednesday nights to be: A place where U can go to forget all your troubles, forget all your cares, make new friendships, build camaraderie, and take a trip around the “Q”!
It was a very difficult 3 years but I wouldn’t have missed it under any circumstances. We came through a difficult time, rebuilding the club one member at a time! 
 In closing I leave you with a Quote from my good friend Bethany Mayo:Positive Vibes, Negative Splits, Mystic Pride! WOO!
Finally as I always say: Miss U all, Love U all, Seen U all soon bye for now!Be Safe
Thank you, coach Dave, for keeping our track stars motivated with your weekly plans!  A big shout to David Parziale for taking over as race director for the weekly Q!

Erin Ward-Dirks

2-year BOD At Large 
Erin joined the Mystic runners in 2017 and has become more actively involved the past 2 years. Since joining the Mystics, she has volunteered at Lake Q on Wednesday evenings, at packet pick up for the Mystic Classic, water stop for the Run to Remember, Banquet committee and the Santa Dash. Erin can be seen most Wednesday nights at the Lake Q races, both as  runner and as a volunteer,.  She has participated in  track, 26X1, Mill Cities and Grand Prix races.Erin states, "Over the past few years, I have seen all the great things the club does for the running community through volunteerism, the local community with the high school scholarships but most importantly the support and encouragement for club members of all abilities. I joined the club hoping it would push me to run more never expecting to make so many memories and great friends". Her goal is to help the club continue to move forward welcoming new members to join and get involved. She says "The club has had such a positive impact on my life, and I want to give back with the goal of helping the club grow." 

John Archibald

2-year BOD At Large 
My objective is to support the club to be the best it can be. To further the joy of running and the camaraderie we feel as Mystic Runners. In my career in health care, I have held many leadership positions (two of which were director positions) and have been part of leadership groups that work on initiatives, offer opinions and mentor.Currently, I am a member of the Reading Lions and sit on their Road Race committee.   The Journey for Sight is a Mystic favorite.  Being in both clubs, I may be able to work out some incentives for the club for that race next year.   I recently made a proposal to the Lions to create a committee on inclusivity and have been asked by their board to chair the committee.  I imagine the Lions committees may run similar to a Mystic Board meeting. 
Club Volunteerism:  I have volunteered a few times at the lake and attempted to volunteer for Boston Run to Remember (although got COVID)

Christian Brackett

2-year BOD At Large 
Objective:  I am a lifelong runner and enjoy the camaraderie developed through running and competing with others.  My goal is the help the club grow its membership by encouraging and welcoming runners of all abilities, ages and backgrounds.  I have extremely enjoyed running and socializing with so many great Mystic members since joining the club and want to help expand that opportunity to others.  I have held many leadership/managerial positions in my career where I recruited, trained, mentored and supported others in my field.  I would like to use those skills to encourage members of the running community to join our club, offer opportunities to train together and develop lifelong friendships.  Volunteerism: I am a regular at Lake Q on Wednesday nights and have volunteered to be a guide runner for Team Verge so they can experience the enjoyment of being part of the club.  I would like to increase my volunteerism over the next year to help with the goals and needs of the organization.