MEET THE TEAM
Rachael Ferguson
Director
Rachael is the Director of the Air Force Marathon. Rachael oversees the team and multiple aspects of the event. She works closely with the logistics of the course and the emergency management, as well as contracts for the event. Rachael began working for the Air Force Marathon in 2014 as the Office Administrator. She then moved up to being the Events Manager in 2018, to the Assistant Director in 2019 and became the Director in July of 2022.
Rachael is passionate about the Air Force Marathon, promoting running and fitness alongside of the Air Force. Her favorite distance is the half marathon, but she runs for the accomplishment, not for speed. She received her Race Director certification in 2013. Rachael has an associates degree from Sinclair Community College in Modern Languages and Global Studies, and is currently studying at Wright State University for a bachelors in Spanish and International Studies.
She has 2 children, her son serving in the Air Force and her daughter studying Equine Management. In her free time she enjoys reading, playing games, spending time with her family, and doing non-profit mission work with the country of Colombia.
Jill Huffman
Assistant Director
Jill Huffman is the Assistant Race Director and newest member to the Team. Her role is to be the ‘Jill of all Trades’ before, during, and after our events. If you see Jill running by on race weekend, think nothing of it. She is most likely headed to the finish line to congratulate everyone for crushing their goals!
Jill graduated from Purdue University in 2000 with a Bachelors in Political Science and a double minor in History and Public Relations. She holds fitness certifications from AEA, MaddDogg Spin, Yoga Warrior, HydroPilates, BogaFit, and Water Personal Training. Jill has worked for RunTheBluegrass (Athlete Services Director), Hamilton NightGlow (Director), and LifeTime Fitness (Director) in race capacities. She is a volunteer pacer for The Flying Pig, ShePower Half, and the Queen Bee.
When not running, Jill can be found cheering on her two teenagers in their sports and activities. She loves to spend time with her friends, reading, and cooking.
Jordan West
Logistics Coordinator
Jordan West is the logistics coordinator for the Air Force Marathon organization. As the logistics coordinator, Jordan oversees and coordinates all the components of the course from traffic control plans to medical and hydration stations. He works closely with the different entities on base to bring this event together. Jordan also trains active duty personnel to provide security and safety at stations along the course on the day of the marathon.
His passion and involvement in the marathon began back in 2010 when he served on orders through the Air Force Reserve. The atmosphere and camaraderie on marathon day was so infectious that Jordan sought out a more permanent role with the marathon in 2015.
When not on the job, Jordan serves in the 87th Aerial Port Squadron at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. He has been a part of the squadron for fifteen years and currently works in the passenger terminal section. He lives in Kettering with his wife, Libby, and golden retriever, Minnie. In his free time he likes to travel and spend time with friends and family.
Jasmine Redman
Events Manager
Jasmine Gwin is the Events Manager for the Air Force Marathon. Jasmine coordinates and executes all ancillary events surrounding race weekend; Health & Fitness Expo, Gourmet Pasta Dinner, and Finish Line Festival. She also oversees the sustainability program by working closely with the Council for Responsible Sport.
Jasmine graduated from Bowling Green State University in 2015 with her bachelor’s degree in Sport Management and again in 2017 with her master’s degree in Sport Administration.
In her spare time she enjoys hiking, reading and hanging out with her husband, son and their three dogs.
Rachel Nipper
Registration & Volunteer Coordinator
Rachel Nipper is the Registration & Volunteer Coordinator for the Air Force Marathon. She manages the registration platform/database for all events and she assists with all aspects of volunteer recruitment, management, training, and retention.
Rachel has been with the Air Force Marathon since 2019. Rachel graduated from the University of South Florida with a bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Social Sciences and previously worked in the volunteer services department at a non-profit in Florida. She also completed a graduate certificate in May 2022 in Orientation & Mobility from Ohio State University.
In her free time Rachel loves to bake, travel, play D&D and spend time with her husband, Quentin, dog, Kartoffel, and cat, Val.
Chris Meister
Sponsorship Coordinator
Chris Meister is the Sponsorship Coordinator for the Air Force Marathon organization. He oversees the sponsorship program for all AFM events.
Chris graduated from Ohio University in 2013 with a bachelor’s degree in Sport Management. In May 2020, Chris earned his Master’s of Sports Administration from Ohio University as a graduate of their PMSA program. He joined the Air Force Marathon team in 2021.
A native of Springfield, Ohio, he now lives in Centerville, Ohio with his wife, Lisa. In his free time, Chris enjoys soccer, running, cycling, writing, and spending time with his family.
Alexandra Hausfeld
Marketing Coordinator
Alex Hausfeld is the Marketing Coordinator for the Air Force Marathon organization. Alex oversees various marketing aspects such as social media, advertising, external communications, design, and website content.
Alex has worked in the marketing industry since graduating from Miami University in 2011 with a bachelor’s degree in Marketing. She began her career at the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago before moving overseas where she worked for the 88th Force Support Squadron at Ramstein Air Base. Alex has been with the Air Force Marathon team since 2017 where she started in the sponsorship role before transitioning to the marketing role in 2019.
When she’s not on the job, she enjoys hanging out with her husband and two daughters, spending time with family and friends, and reading a good book.
Matthew Crooker
Operations Coordinator
Matthew Crooker is the Operations Coordinator of the Air Force Marathon organization. Matthew turns team thoughts into reality, creating plans and layouts for team members, and solving complicated issues as they arise.
Matthew graduated from Cincinnati State Technical and Community College in 2013 with an Associate’s degree in History, and the University of Cincinnati in 2016 with a Bachelor’s in History. He graduated Cum Laude from both Cincinnati State and the University of Cincinnati. In 2019, he graduated with a Master’s in History from Wright State University, and wrote his Master’s Thesis: “Cool Notes in an Invisible War: The Use of Radio and Music in the Cold War from 1953 to 1968.”
He was featured in the Strava film, “Becoming a Marathoner,” and ran his first marathon, the New York City Marathon, in 2019. In his spare time, he bowls (he has bowled a 300), listening to music (especially from the 60s and 70s), and loves spending time with his fiancée Mackenzie and Mom.
Lisa Morriss
Office Administrator
Lisa Morriss is the office administrator for the Air Force Marathon. In this position she assists with all aspects of the AFM administrative duties.
Lisa has an Associates of Applied Science in Visual Communications from Sinclair Community College and a Bachelor of Fine Art from Wright State University. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, reading, traveling, and taking photos. She joined the Air Force Marathon Team in 2022.