Name: Adrienne McCray
Board Position: President
Email: amccray@triunify.com
Current Location: Washington, DC

Biography:

Adrienne McCray is a Landscape Architect working in Washington DC, specializing in commercial, mixed-use and neighborhood design. She has been involved in the sport of Triathlon since 2005, competing in Sprint and Olympic distance races some of which include: The New York City Triathlon, the St. Croix Sprint Triathlon, and the Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon. Prior to entering the sport, she was a 400m hurdler and competed for The Penn State Track and Field team. Her 2010 goals include: swimming a mile under 40 minutes, breaking 22 minutes in a 5K and completing a Half Ironman.

Name: Otis D. Hopson
Board Position: Vice President
Email: ohopson@triunify.com
Current Location: Laurel, MD

Biography:

Otis Hopson is the owner of a Software Development Company and a Senior Software Developer working in the greater Washington, DC metro area. He desire to become a triathlete spans 10 year. He finally took the plunge in 2005 when he joined a local triathlon club who helped him train to compete in his first sprint distance. Since that time he has competed in Sprint to Half-Ironman distance races. Before his triathlon career, Otis was a varsity basketball player in high school, and a 400 meter and 800 meter distance runner on the Tuskegee University Track and Field team. His 2010 goals include: competing in the 4 mile Chesapeake Bay Swim, at least one 100 mile bike ride, a marathon, and my first ironman.

I am running for the Vice President / Acting IT Director of Tri Unify because I strongly believe in the mission of this organization to inform, educate and build a community of minority triathletes. My background in IT and Web Application Development makes me strongly suited to bridge athletes across geographic regions. In addition, my focus during my tenure will be keep Tri Unify members aware of the latest triathlon related information (e.g. training, race schedules, health and nutrition, etc.) as well as make available technologies and services to ease this process. As one of the co-founders of this team, I have a personal stake in the success of this organization and I will do everything in my power to see that it does.

Name: Richard Lockley
Board Position: Treasurer
Email: rlockley@triunify.com
Current Location: Washington, DC

Biography:

Richard Lockley completed his first triathlon over 20 years ago and was hooked ever since. He has raced around the world including the Ironman World Championship in Hawaii and Ironman Canada. His favorite triathlon race is the NY Triathlon because it’s fast swim current and finish line in Central Park. Richard will be concentrating his 2010 training on achieving a personal best in the 70.3 and Olympics distance races.

Richard is currently Treasurer of Tri Unify and would like to continue as Treasurer. His goals for the new term is to increase the visibility of Tri Unify, increase its funding and increase its membership of people of color throughout the country. The sport of triathlon has been wonderful to me and I would like to give back by helping Tri Unify expand its reach.

Richard is a native of Chicago, IL and currently resides in Washington, DC. He has an MBA from University of Chicago. He is also an avid snowboarder.

Name: Trudy Hutcherson
Board Position: Secretary
Email: trudyhutcherson@yahoo.com
Current Location: Washington, DC

Biography:

I have been competing in Triathlons off and on for the past few years. Watching the Ironman triathlons on television inspired me initially. I couldn’t get through the program without tearing up. But until Triunify, it was a pretty solitary, and sometimes lonely endeavor. Triunify has been a revelation. This organization has meant camaraderie, motivation, and inspiration. This past triathlon season was a break through season. I completed three triathlons and finally completed an Olympic swim distance with confidence. It was truly exhilarating.

I would like to serve as Triunify’s secretary for the upcoming year because I want to contribute to an organization that has been such a gift. This organization has an important mission and great future. Exposing people of color to the sport of triathlon is an introduction to a healthy lifestyle and an opportunity to experience a fantastic sense of accomplishment. The founder’s of Triunify have great vision. I want to be a part of the team that helps realize that vision.

Name: Zena Gholston
Board Position: At Large
Email: zgholston@aol.com
Current Location: Detroit, MI

Biography:

I have been married for 18 years and a mother of 5. I have worked for the University of Michigan Hospitals for 23 years in Pediatric Cardiology. I have been a member of Tri Unify since May 2009. I consider myself a "Newbie" in the sport of triathlons. I competed in two events this past season, St Croix Sprint Triathlon and the Novi Island Lake Triathlon in Michigan. I also volunteered for the Nation Triathlon 2009 - Tri Unify Waterstation. I am mainly interested in increasing the Tri Unify community by starting an affiliate chapter in Michigan. I believe the Metro Detroit area could benefit from such an organization as Tri Unify, by bringing multisport athletes of color together to both train and compete.

Name: LaFrenchie Jones
Board Position: At Large
Email: happy2blsj@gmail.com
Current Location: Philadelphia, PA

Biography:

LaFrenchie is an MBA employed as a Senior Financial Analyst with a pharmaceutical distribution Company; her professional career has been in the healthcare industry. She has held positions as a Corporate Senior Accountant, Assistant Director of Operations of a hospital business unit and a Business Manager of a Pharmacy.   LaFrenchie is also an up and coming triathlete.  In three years, she has completed seven races. During 2009, she placed twice in the Athena Division for Sprint Distances and completed her first Olympic Distance.  Currently, LaFrenchie is training to run half of the Philadelphia Marathon as a participant in the Run to Stop MS program.  She also enjoys hiking, gardening, taking cooking classes, attending cultural events or enjoying the company of friends. 

I am interested in obtaining an At Large Board of Director position.   I believe I would be a great asset to the Board because triathlons have improved my health and quality of life; it would be a pleasure to give back by promoting and upholding TriUnify’s goals of improving the health and wellness of the black community.

Four years ago, my Physician warned me about all of the potential health problems I was at risk for developing based on my weight and lifestyle. That news scared me and I resolved to change my life, which involved eating better and becoming active. The journey that ensued took me to the world of triathlon. I learned to swim, lost weight, got a mentor, purchased great gear and became hooked.

During the past three years of racing, not once have I ever considered quitting. I have become passionate and enthusiastic about the sport and love to share my experiences with others. This past year I mentored, encouraged and inspired three triathlon newbies. Everyone completed their first triathlon and two are looking forward to racing again next year. In addition to bringing my experiences as a triathlete and mentor, I have great interpersonal and communication skills. I’d like to use these assets to build cohesion not only amongst members in my region but all club members regardless of where each of us live.

Name: Tony Covington
Board Position: At Large Board Member
Email: tcovington2@yahoo.com
Current Location: Washington, DC

Biography:

Born and raised in Winston-Salem, NC before attending the University of Virginia. Graduated with a BA in Rhetoric and Communication Studies in 1990. Played in the NFL for 5 seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Seattle Seahawks. I've been working in non-profit for 10 years as a fundraiser. I moved to the Washington, DC area 3 years ago and have 2 daughters who are the loves of my life. I've been running for 10 years and have done 3 full marathons and 13 half marathons. The triathlon is the next evolution.

I'm interested in getting more people into exercising. It keeps us young and healthy and I see it as a tremendous stress reliever. We as a race don't excercise the way that we should and I honestly feel that if we could have an audience where we could present the benefits of excercise and the way to do it through various disciplines, we could create a healthier lifestyle for a number of different people. It begins with instruction and education and then it grows from there. If a worthwhile cause can be associated with it then all the better.