Voted “Best Marathon for Families”, the Marine Corps Marathon continues a combined tradition of dedication, sportsmanship and patriotism. Runners from all walks of life have participated in the world’s largest marathon to not offer prize money, deservingly earning the nickname “The People’s Marathon.”  For 32 years Marine Corps Marathon staff have taken pride in offering a world-class event and have established the event as one of the best-organized marathons in the world.

Rick Nealis, Director

Rick Nealis is currently the Race Director for the Marine Corps Marathon. A native of Philadelphia, PA, Nealis joined the staff in 1993.

Prior to the Marine Corps Marathon, Nealis was an officer in the United States Marine Corps. He was commissioned in May of 1975, after receiving his Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from Villanova University. His 20-year military career included duty stations like Kaneohe, HI, Okinawa, Japan and Quantico, VA. Nealis completed deployments aboard the USS Tarawa, USS Okinawa, and the USS Tripoli when he was a part of the amphibious ready group during the Iranian Hostage rescue attempt. While in the Marine Corps, Major Nealis succeeded in furthering his education earning a Master of Business Administration in Management from Golden State University and a Master of Science in Human Organizational Services from Villanova University. In August 1995, Nealis retired from the Marine Corps with a final rank of Major.

In addition to the Marine Corps Marathon, Nealis served as the Olympic Torch Deputy Caravan Coordinator for the Centennial Olympic Games in Atlanta. During this time, he had the distinct privilege to carry the Olympic Torch on its longest leg of the relay in Young Harris, Georgia on July 16, 1996. In 2002, Nealis served as a member of the security team for the Olympic Torch Relay for the Olympic Games in Salt Lake City. On December 19, 2001 he again had the honor to carry the Olympic Torch in Uniontown, Pennsylvania.

Nealis has completed five marathons (including three MCMs), and boasts a PR of 3:09:50 from the 1983 Marine Corps Marathon. He has also completed numerous half marathon, 10K and 5K road race events.

Nealis currently resides in Dumfries, VA and has four children, Kelly, Colleen, Inge, and Markarius and three grandchildren.

Angela Huff, Business Manager

Angela Huff is currently the Business Manager for the Marine Corps Marathon. A German native, Huff joined the staff in 1995.

Prior to the Marine Corps Marathon, Huff received her Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration in Germany in 1979. She went on to serve as the Marketing Coordinator for UVEX sporting goods, followed by her role the Immigration and Naturalization Civil servant in Germany. She has held several administrative positions with US Army Community Services and Family Advocacy Program and has even been an aerobics instructor! Huff received her second Bachelor's Degree in Business and Marketing in 1998 from the University of Mary Washington, VA and has participated in the United States Marine Corps’ Civilian Leadership Program.

Huff has participated in numerous 5K, 10K and similar road race distances, as well as fifteen half marathons.

Huff currently resides in Stafford, VA with her husband and her son, a high school senior. She also has a daughter, who is currently an active duty member of the US Air Force. Additionally, Huff is a member of Toastmasters International and is an active community and running industry volunteer.

Ken Delahoussaye, Logistics Manager

Ken Delahoussaye is currently the Logistics Manager for the Marine Corps Marathon. A native of St. Martinville, LA, Delahoussaye joined the staff in 2001 as the Warehouse Chief and was promoted to Logistics Manager in 2003.

Prior to the Marine Corps Marathon, Delahoussaye was a member of the United States Marine Corps. He enlisted in 1994 and received the Military Occupational Specialty of 3051 supply. His nine-year military career included duty stations like San Diego, CA, Camp Lejeune, NC and Quantico, VA. Delahoussaye also completed deployments aboard the USS Kearsarge and USS Oakhill to the Mediterranean and the USS SaiPan to Saudi Arabia. In 2003, Delahoussaye left the Marine Corps with a final rank of Sergeant.

Delahoussaye’s running career includes physical training as a Marine and his one and only 5K.

Delahoussaye currently resides in Fredericksburg

Marc Goldman, Sponsorship and Marketing Manager

Marc Goldman is currently the Sponsorship Manager for the Marine Corps Marathon. In his sixth year as Sponsorship/Marketing Manager, Goldman has overseen the tremendous growth of the sponsorship program by expanding the event schedule, adding many significant new sponsor partners, building the healthy kids initiative and welcoming mascots, Miles and Molly.

Since 1993, Goldman has been creating high profile marketing campaigns in the Washington, DC area serving as Public Relations Director for Verizon Center, the sports/entertainment arena, and, later, as Communications Manager for the Downtown DC Business Improvement District. At Verizon Center, Goldman promoted over 200 events annually including family shows, concerts and sporting events.

A native of Pittsburgh and graduate of Penn State, Goldman began his career as a late night DJ on a Pennsylvania radio station and, later, spent a year in the Pittsburgh Penguins public relations department during their Stanley Cup championship season.

He recorded his best 5k finish time in six years at the 2006 Great Race in Pittsburgh. Goldman and his wife, Sharon, have three children.

Jim Jackson, Events Manager

Jim Jackson is currently the Events Manager for the Marine Corps Marathon. A native of Hauppauge, NY, Jackson joined the Marine Corps Marathon staff in 2007.

Prior to the Marine Corps Marathon, Jackson was a member of the United States Marine Corps. He enlisted in 1981 and received the Military Occupational Specialty of 4131/4133, Marine Corps Community Services, as well as 8411, Marine Corps Recruiter. His 26-year military career took him to places such as Okinawa and Iwakuni, Japan, Kaneohe Bay, Hi, Denver, CO and New Zealand. Jackson completed deployments to the Middle East in Operation Desert Shield, Operation Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom. In August 2007, Jackson retired from the Marine Corps with a final rank of Master Gunnery Sergeant.

Jackson is a sports enthusiast who enjoys hiking and has reached the summits for both Mount Fuji, Japan and Pikes Peak, CO. He is also active in coaching sports and the Boy’s & Girl’s scouting programs.

Jackson and his wife, Jeannette, have two children, Janelle, a sophomore at Massaponax High school and James Carlos, a 6th grader at Battle Field Middle school. They currently reside in Fredericksburg, VA.

Beth Johnson, Public Relations Coordinator

Beth Johnson is currently the Public Relations Coordinator for the Marine Corps Marathon. A native of Centreville, VA, Johnson joined the staff in 2004 and was promoted to the Public Relations Coordinator in 2005.

Besides her role with all aspects of media relations for the MCM, Johnson is the MCM liaison for community relations events, the co-coordinator for the MCM VIP program and the website coordinator. She has been published in a variety of national media including Leatherneck and Marines magazines, the Connection newspapers and Washington FAMILY magazine. She has given interviews with media outlets including Good Morning America, The Washington Post, Prevention magazine and more.

Prior to the MCM, Johnson received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication from Auburn University where she was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. She also served as the Special Events Coordinator for the Jan Dempsey Community Art Center, City of Auburn, Alabama.

Johnson has completed numerous 5K and 10K road races, as well as one half marathon in 2005.

Johnson currently resides in Lorton, VA with her husband, Mike. She is an active member of both her sorority and university alumni associations and serves on the Member Communication Committee for the Junior League of Washington.

Bret Schmidt, Operations Manager

Bret Schmidt is currently the Operations Manager for the Marine Corps Marathon. A native of Mankato, MN, Schmidt joined the Marine Corps Marathon staff in 2003.

Prior to the Marine Corps Marathon, Schmidt was a member of the United States Marine Corps. He enlisted in 1980 and received the Military Occupational Specialty of 0311 infantryman. His 23-year military career included duty stations like Marine Barracks Washington, where he was a member of the Marine Corps Silent Drill Team, Camp Lejeune, NC, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii and Quantico, VA. Schmidt also completed deployments to the Middle East in Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm. In August 2003, Schmidt retired from the Marine Corps with a final rank of Master Sergeant.

Schmidt has been an avid runner for more than 30 years, beginning in high school and continuing throughout his adult life. He has run 20 marathons, including 12 MCMs, and boasts a personal record of 2:59:00. He has competed in multiple triathlons, including the 1986 Hawaii Ironman and hundreds of 5K, 10K, and half marathon road races.

Schmidt has two children, Josh, a senior at James Madison University and Cari, a high school senior. He currently resides in Fredericksburg, VA.