BOARD
From complete beginners to competitive age grouper, we have the resources and community to help you achieve your goals and have fun doing it!
Steve Doinidis
Jeff Byard
Anthony Sicola
our board:
.jpg)
Calvin Men
President
Calvin Men has been racing triathlons since 2008 and a proud member of the Santa Cruz Triathlon Association (SCTA) since 2016 — long enough to have witnessed the club grow into something truly special. What began as a place to train has become a community he deeply loves and cherishes, which is why he stepped up to join the Board in 2022.
Calvin knows firsthand what it feels like to train alone, and the profound difference that comes from being part of a club community. SCTA has given him not only training partners willing to take on the craziest challenges, but a genuine sense of belonging.
As a continuing board member, Calvin is focused on creating a supportive environment where every member can grow into the best version of themselves year after year. He is proud of how far the club has come and remains committed to building on that momentum for years to come.
Tamar Semerjian
Secretary
Tamar Semerjian joined the Santa Cruz Triathlon Association (SCTA) in 2022 on the recommendation of friends who told her it was the right "vibe" — and they were absolutely right. After years of training on her own and coming from a strong cycling background, she found in SCTA the teammates and encouragement that had been missing from her athletic life.
Tamar focuses on sprint triathlons and 10K trail racing, and this year reached the milestone of completing her tenth triathlon. She also discovered that the 70.3 Ironman is a far more enjoyable experience as part of a relay team — a testament to the power of doing hard things together.
What Tamar loves most about SCTA is the way elite athletes and newcomers genuinely support one another. As a board member, she is dedicated to preserving that welcoming atmosphere and ensuring that everyone — regardless of experience or ambition — feels at home at SCTA.
Leonard George
Treasurer
Lenny had always been drawn to the idea of triathlon — but like many first-timers, he assumed there was simply too much he didn’t know to get started. Then a three-line Nu2Tri promotion in the classifieds changed everything.
That small ad opened the door to a sport and a community that has stayed with him ever since. Now one of triathlon’s most enthusiastic advocates, Lenny finds deep inspiration in watching others toe the start line of their very first race. He knows exactly what that moment feels like — the nerves, the uncertainty, and the quiet courage it takes — and he is passionate about helping new athletes navigate that journey and reach their goals.
For Lenny, being part of the SCTA board is about more than governance. It is an opportunity to give back to the community that first welcomed him into this sport and showed him what was possible.
BJ Snider
Nu2Tri Coordinator
BJ Snider's introduction to the Santa Cruz Triathlon Association (SCTA) came by chance — spotted on a small poster while searching for an inexpensive road bike. What he found was a fantastically inclusive group of people passionate not only about triathlon, but about fitness and health in general.
With the encouragement of his SCTA friends and teammates, BJ has gone on to complete numerous Olympic and Sprint distance triathlons, Ragnar Road and Ragnar Trail races, half-marathon trail races, 50K Ultra races, a Half Ironman triathlon, and the Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim — more than once.
What started as a search for affordable equipment turned into a life-changing connection with a community that continues to inspire and challenge him. Now a proud board member, BJ brings that same spirit of gratitude and enthusiasm to everything he does for SCTA, committed to giving back to the community that has given him so much.
Perian Fein
Social Coordinator
Perian Fein began her triathlon journey in 2015, competing alongside her daughter Amanda. As her passion for the sport grew, she joined the Santa Cruz Triathlon Association (SCTA), hoping to expand her training community — and found so much more. What she discovered was a group that is inclusive, supportive, competitive, and incredibly inspiring, with membership ranging from Santa Cruz County's top triathletes to those brand new to the sport.
Now a proud seven-year member of SCTA, Perian serves on the Board with a focus on social events and community engagement. She deeply appreciates the way members celebrate one another's accomplishments and marvels at the variety of events they tackle together. What she loves most about SCTA is its welcoming spirit — whether members are in it for fun, competition, or personal growth, there is a place for everyone, and Perian is committed to keeping it that way.
Helen Chambers
Membership Coordinator
Helen Chambers is the first to admit she is not a natural swimmer, cyclist, or runner — and she is perfectly fine with that. What she lacks in natural ability she more than makes up for in enthusiasm. Just check the race photos: Helen is always grinning, genuinely grateful to be out there competing.
In 2020, Helen made a life-changing decision to swap pandemic-era habits for triathlon training and never looked back. With no local club or training partners nearby, she spent her first three years in the sport going it alone. A move to Santa Cruz in 2023 brought her to SCTA — a discovery she counts as one of the great bonuses of relocating to the area.
From day one the club welcomed her unconditionally, and Helen believes her journey is proof that SCTA truly is for everyone. As a board member, she channels that same infectious enthusiasm into helping the club grow and welcoming every new member with open arms.
Geoff Drake
Geoff Drake has belonged to many teams and clubs across the country over the years, but he counts the Santa Cruz Triathlon Association (SCTA) among the most fun and welcoming — and as a board member, he is committed to carrying on that tradition.
Endurance sports have been both Geoff's passion and his profession for decades. He served as editor of VeloNews and Bicycling magazines, traveling the world to cover marquee events including the Tour de France. He is a Cat 2 road racer and Cat 1 mountain biker, a professional bicycle mechanic, a USCF certified coach, and has taught classes in both bicycle maintenance and urban riding.
His triathlon roots run deep — Geoff completed his first tri back in 1981 in Olympia, Washington, an experience he describes as memorably frigid. These days he competes happily at the Olympic distance in the masters category, bringing decades of multisport experience and a trademark sense of humor to the SCTA board.
Jamie Fend
Jamie Fend joined the Santa Cruz Triathlon Association (SCTA) in 2021 through the Nu2Tri program, drawn in initially by curiosity about the sport — but it was the people she met along the way that truly sealed the deal. To this day, she enthusiastically tells anyone who will listen that SCTA is the best group of people in Santa Cruz, and worth every penny of membership.
While Jamie is less focused on racing, she is a passionate advocate for anything that brings people together outdoors and keeps them active. That community-first spirit is exactly what motivated her to join the SCTA Board, where she hopes to help create more shared experiences for athletes of all levels.
Jamie brings practical governance experience to the role, having served on other boards previously. With those commitments now complete, she is eager to channel her energy and enthusiasm into helping SCTA continue to grow and thrive for years to come.
Gerd Mueller
Gerd Mueller joined the Santa Cruz Triathlon Association (SCTA) nearly six years ago after relocating from Germany to Santa Cruz to work as a scientist at UC Santa Cruz. At the time, he was a passionate runner, a solid cyclist, and a self-described terrible swimmer with zero triathlon experience — and more than a little intimidated by the idea of joining a triathlon club.
That hesitation quickly dissolved. From day one he felt welcomed, learned enormously, and eventually crossed the finish line of his first triathlon. Since then, he has forged some of his closest friendships and found a genuinely supportive community to call home.
What Gerd loves most about SCTA is its ability to serve athletes with big goals and serious training ambitions alongside beginners who are just finding their footing. As a board member, he is committed to preserving that balance and the welcoming, inspiring environment that makes SCTA exceptional for everyone.
Jules Ribeiro
Jules Ribeiro joined the Santa Cruz Triathlon Association (SCTA) in 2023 through the Nu2Tri program. Having picked up indoor spinning and pool swimming during the COVID-19 pandemic, she was excited to bring the sports together — and discovered far more than she anticipated. Growing up playing team sports, Jules had stepped away from that world after college without fully realizing how much she missed the camaraderie and shared knowledge that come with it. SCTA changed that, and the club has quickly become a cornerstone of her social life in Santa Cruz.
Having seen firsthand what goes into making SCTA thrive, Jules knows it is something genuinely special — a safe, welcoming space where members push their comfort zones and grow. She personally loves the motto, "challenge + support = growth," which she believes perfectly captures her experience with SCTA. Grateful for everything this community has offered her, she is committed to giving back and helping sustain that spirit for everyone.
Tony Sirois
Tony Sirois joined the Santa Cruz Triathlon Association (SCTA) in 2025, found his people, and hasn't looked back. Training with the SCTA crew has transformed early morning swims and long weekend rides into something he genuinely looks forward to. Fueled by peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, gummy bears, and great company, Tony is passionate about being part of a community that takes training seriously while never losing sight of the fun along the way.
Although relatively new to the club, Tony brings an infectious energy and a deep appreciation for what makes SCTA special — the combination of shared commitment and genuine camaraderie that keeps members coming back day after day. As a board member, he is committed to giving back to the group that welcomed him so warmly and to ensuring that the club's famously good vibes remain very much intact for every member who joins the SCTA family.
Annie Warr
Annie Warr is an accomplished triathlete and certified coach who brings competitive excellence, technical coaching credentials, and professional expertise in marketing and communications to the SCTA Board. As a USAT Certified Level 1 Coach and TrainingPeaks Level 1 Certified Coach, she is well positioned to advocate for athletes at all levels while helping the club grow and strengthen its community presence.
Annie's competitive credentials are extensive. She is a three-time Ironman 70.3 World Championships qualifier and participant, a four-time Team USA World Championships qualifier and participant, and a five-time US National Championships qualifier and participant. She has completed three full Ironman events and was honored as SCTA Athlete of the Year in both 2023 and 2024. Her athletic pursuits extend to ocean sailing, alpine skiing, marathon running, and open water swimming.
Beyond her achievements, Annie is a compassionate mentor committed to accessibility and growth for athletes at every level — values that align perfectly with the welcoming spirit of SCTA.