Amy Mortimeyer
President
Amy is a quiet, yet powerful and capable addition to the board. She is in charge of Registration, or keeping 7000 runners organized, which takes patience and skillful organization under fire. She assisted behind the scenes for a couple years, and eagerly stepped to the front. She lends her talents to help grow running in Northwest Arkansas, which is a passion second only to family; Ray, Kendra and Spencer. She’s a self described recycler, volunteer and iron chef in her kitchen creating masterpieces for the family. Amy is a UA Track Official, Registered Arkansas Volunteer Coach working with Middle School runners in Rogers, and also a Dental Assistant…so smile when you see her corralling all those registration packets!
Tom Dougherty
Vice President
Tom has been a resident of Rogers, Arkansas since 1994. He retired from Walmart in August of 2017 as a Vice President in the apparel buying office. Tom and his wife Vicki raised their two daughters, Megan and Allie, in NWA and have enjoyed running with them. Vicki and Tom also love to travel the world and have done so extensively since Tom’s retiremen. Although he has always liked running he did not become a “runner” until 2013. His favorite race has of course been the Chile Pepper. “If you love running you will love this event. It is fun to participate, fun to watch, and supports young cross country runners throughout NWA.”
Matthew Downs
Executive Director
Matt joins the Chile Pepper team with a wealth of knowledge and skills in track and field, cross country, and meet operations. He is in his ninth season as the director of operations for the Arkansas men’s cross country and track and field program. As the Razorbacks’ director of operations Matt is charged with complete oversight of the team’s administration and responsible for coordination of travel, meet operations, student-athlete eligibility, team equipment and gear along with assisting with the promotion of the program. Matt came to Fayetteville from Eugene, Oregon, where he was employed in a similar capacity with the Oregon Ducks for four years (2012-16). With the Oregon program Downs was instrumental in the production and coordination of four NCAA Outdoor Championships at Hayward Field. In addition to home meet oversight Downs played an integral role in the Ducks day-to-day operations, acting as the team’s athletic department liaison with compliance, eligibility, meet operations, finance, marketing, promotions and public relations. Prior to Oregon, Downs spent three years (2009-12) as the director of track and field operations at the University of Virginia. In addition to his role as home meet director for the Cavaliers, he also assisted with the program’s alumni relations and with the planning, fundraising, and development of Virginia’s $7 million track and field facility.
As the new Executive Director, Matt is excited and ready to help move forward the Chile Pepper Festival.
Tiffany Hoover
Secretary
Tiffany is an avid runner and brings over a decade of race planning knowledge to our Chile Pepper team. As the Assistant Recreation Superintendent for Fayetteville Parks, Natural Resources, & Cultural Affairs her nine to five duties include organizing several community running, cycling, and multi-sport events. Her twenty-four seven duties include being an awesome wife and mother of two young children. Tiffany enjoys running, biking, and playing in lakes and rivers. Hailing from Wisconsin, she is a fan of cheese, ice hockey, the Green Bay Packers, and snow. Fayetteville has been home now for over 12 years.
Jon Bitler
Board Member
Jon brings a can do spirit and humor to the organization. “I’ve run the Chile Pepper for many years, and now it’s my turn to help. Actually, Steve McBee (former Chile Pepper Board Member) tricked me into it.” Jon is one of the best runners in the area and enjoys trail running, ultimate frisbee, and townie cycling. He is an Engineering Manager at Kennametal. Jon claims to be a transplanted Yankee, and has lived in Fayetteville since 1995. Jon’s most adamant requests of serving on the board are that Chile Pepper does its best to recycle and that he can run the 10K Open. He has also earned the moniker “Parking Czar” for his command of this challenging task on race day, and served as President from 2015 thru 2020.
Reuben Reina
Board Member
“I got involved with the Chile Pepper Race to give back to the sport that has given me so much in life, and to help the next local kid to have the opportunity to reach his or her dreams in the sport.”
Reuben’s accomplishments are legendary. He was on a John McDonnell coached team for the University of Arkansas and graduated as a Razorback. During his career he was an 8 Time All-American, 2 Time NCAA Champion and a 1992 USA Olympian. He is the Head Personal Trainer at Fayetteville Athletic Club, who coaches several athletes in the local area. He helps coordinate over 300 Volunteers to support the event.
“I’m a big running fan, and love the outdoors. One of my favorite hobbies is fishing.”
Shenan Boit
Board Member
Shenan joins the Board as an experienced program manager. She’s worked on program development for fitness clubs, Walmart, and Arvest Bank. Shenan specializes in bringing all types of events and ideas to life. For example, she has started adult dodgeball leagues, launched Walmart associate learning programs, and built financial mobile applications. Outside of work, you will find Shenan coaching soccer, watching her husband run, or taking her daughter golfing or biking. Growing up Shenan ran track and cross country and participated in the Chile Pepper. She is excited to give back to a race, and a sport, that gave her so much.
Justin DeFreece
Board Member
Justin is a NWA native and a devoted father and husband. He has an active family with a marathoner wife and wo girls who love bikes, soccer, and gymnastics.
“I have always been active and competitive in team sports, but didn’t learn to love running until my 30’s.” It took off from there with annual participation in the Bentonville Half Marathon, two Ironman finishes, three Ironman 70.3 finishes, and of course the Chile Pepper Festival. “I love the challenge and process of training and there is no better experience than race day!” Justin can’t wait to give back to the running community and help support young athletes learn to love running.
Dave Bass
Board Member
Dave came to Fayetteville, Arkansas in 1995 and has been here ever since. He started working in the service industry in the late 90’s and now owns multiple establishments on Dickson Street. Dave has a beautiful wife, Brittany, who makes sure all things in life run smoothly (lucky guy!) and who also loves running. They have two daughters, Haylee who resides in Knoxville, TN and is studying to be a teacher, and Ava who will be a junior at Fayetteville High School in the fall of 2022 where she is a member of the varsity dance and track teams.
Through the years Dave has grown a true passion for the sport of running in all capacities. “It enhances the health, character, and mental well-being of all who participate.” Chile Pepper has always been one of his favorite running events to attend and the last two years have been extra special as he was able to watch his daughter run in the event.
Kurt Eifling
Board Member
Kurt Eifling is a Fayetteville native who joined the board in 2023. It seemed everyone else was pretty cheerful and energetic, so he was placed in charge of negative thinking. In particular, he is thinking about supporting the health and safety of the thousands who are present for the festival. He is a practicing emergency medicine physician with a background in kinesiology, field camp support, and fellowship training in wilderness and environmental medicine. His research activity is mostly focused on the prevention and management of heat illness outside of the hospital setting and mental health stress in first responders. Though he was a track athlete in college, he only took on long-distance running later in life, now preferring half marathon and longer distances. He can often be found running on the trails near his childhood home on Mt Kessler.
Wes Bates
Board Treasurer
Wes is often asked why he moved to Fayetteville, and though it’s sometimes difficult to put into words, the answer is that Fayetteville combines the best aspects of the places he’s lived.
Growing up in Colorado instilled in Wes a deep appreciation for the outdoors. It’s where he learned to ride a road bike and ran his first marathon. His passion for running began in high school, and he often reflects on how he wished he had the structure of a cross country team during those formative years.
Attending school in Indiana introduced Wes to the world of competitive cycling and deepened his love for college towns. A summer spent in Birmingham, Alabama, gave him firsthand experience with Southern hospitality. During that time, Wes trained for two separate cross-country bicycle rides, spending countless hours riding through the southern Appalachians.
Living near Nashville, Indiana, showed Wes that great mountain biking and trail running opportunities exist beyond Colorado. It’s where he bought his first gravel bike and learned to value the adventures waiting just outside his door.
The home he and his wife shared in Nagoya, Japan, was their first together. It was there that they realized the importance of community and discovered the joys of exploring on foot.
When Wes takes the time to explain, it becomes clear why Fayetteville was the perfect choice for them. Since moving to Fayetteville, Wes has actively engaged with the community and is excited to be a part of the Chile Pepper Board.
Advisors to the Board
Ken Robertson
Ken has been active as a volunteer at the Chile Pepper since 2006. After running during his younger years, Ken and his wife Cathy re-engaged with the running community when their triplet sons (Brock, Quinn & Connor) began running Cross Country in the 8th grade. Ken was involved in creating a Cross Country Booster Club for his sons’ Junior High, then served as Vice President and President at their High School Cross Country Booster Club while also helping create a Track and Field Booster Club for the High School. “I love running sports and the effect they can have on our young people because everyone can participate to the best of their ability.” The Chile Pepper has always been a favorite event, both to participate in and volunteer at. “The cause of giving back to our local youth and their running endeavors is one we support strongly and the Chile Pepper is at the center of those efforts in NWA.”
Jay Lewis
A 6th generation native of Fayetteville, Jay has enjoyed running in over a dozen Chile Pepper Runs…many in costume to celebrate the event. Jay was a competitive cyclist who was the 45+ Arkansas State Road Race Champion in 2009 and has crossed the US on a bike in 32 days or less, 3 times. He also cycled crossed the US in 45 days in 2022. He loves the freedom and spirit of running, and that carried him through 9 marathons and dozens of shorter events.
“This festival is important for Northwest Arkansas and the Lewis Family has supported it from the start. My late uncle Tom Lewis, (probably the world’s most unlikely runner who was bow legged and slow), always ran with a smile. He was steadfast in his support for Joe Fennel and the Chile Pepper for 20 years, and encouraged everyone around him to get out and run. I want to carry on that tradition…maybe not the slow and bow legged part…but to support the Chile Pepper and continue the great things it provides for our community.”
Jay has been involved with local and international companies in sales, and has held leadership roles in civic, school and professional associations. He is the proud uncle of Sara Caroline Mills, the Captain of the 2013 Girls State Champion Fayetteville Cross Country Team.
Natalie McBee
Michael Bakaric
Mike Armstrong
David Swain
Mike Rush
Wanda Lanier
Bo Grimes