Brian Carter of Huntsville became the 10th president of the Huntsville Track Club after a membership vote Tuesday night.
Carter, 40, has been a member of the club for about 13 years. Carter’s term, as are those for other executive board positions, is for two years. About 200 club members gathered at the Jaycees Building for updates on club matters, candidates’ positions, and to vote. The 55-year-old Huntsville Track Club has more than 1,500 members. Bylaws require in-person voting for executive board seats.
“I’m very proud to be part of HTC and the Huntsville running community, and it was great to see such a large interest in our election process,” Carter told TVO. “I honored that the membership chose me to lead the club for the next two years. I look forward to working towards a more modern club with clearer policies and updated bylaws.”
Outgoing president Mica Anderson served for two years. Previous presidents were Tom Bolt (1972-79), Ray Roberts (1980), Norm Harris (1981-89), Lawrence Hillis (1990-93), Randall Roland (1994-95), Steve Rice (1996-97) and David Purinton (1998-2011) and Eric Fritz (2012-24).
Others Elected
Other board members elected for a two-year term:
- Vice President – Programs: Lindsey Shady, Huntsville (returning for second term)
- Vice President – Equipment: David Wall, Madison
- Vice President – Communications: Drew Butler, Huntsville (returning for second term)
- Treasurer: Amy Goen, Madison
- Secretary: Nicole Saizan, Huntsville
Wall, Goen and Saizan are first-time board members. Wall’s position involves maintaining club equipment such as banners, sandbags, etc., and setup-takedown for events.
Carter won the election over Griffin Gunter of Madison and Will Nevin of Huntsville, who was nominated from the floor. Carter and Gunter stepped into the candidacy on Monday, a day before the vote, after the original candidates withdrew. Dink Taylor and Suzanne Swift stepped aside after a publicly and privately contentious run-up to the election that included concerns about conflict of interest. Swift nominated Gunter to fill her candidacy; Carter stepped in after Taylor withdrew.
“I’m excited to take on this responsibility,” Carter said. “The Huntsville Track Club has been the cornerstone of the running community since 1971. I think its core mission of giving everyone in the running community a voice is vital to the continued growth and health of HTC and the greater Huntsville running community.”
The non-profit club puts on a variety of events, from annual 5Ks such as the Cookie Dash to the Rocket City Marathon and 50K ultramarathons. Its next events are the Winter Winds 2- and 4-mile races on February 8 in south Huntsville.
