Jeff Calvert
PRESIDENT
Benjamin Mazur
VICE-PRESIDENT
Thad Will
TREASURER
George Conrad
SECRETARY
JADE OAKES
President
Jade Oakes has been running wild in the Rocksylvania mountains since before she even knew "trail running" was a thing. After entering her first race at the original Call of the Wilds, she found her people—others who love spending hours (or days) in the woods just as much as she does.
Gritty and determined, Jade is the first to remind you to stop whining and keep moving. She served as co-Race Director for Eastern States 100 in 2019 before stepping into the full Race Director role from 2021 to 2022.
Passionate about increasing female participation in ultrarunning, she founded SHEastern States Weekend, an immersive adventure that empowers and connects women to the sport. Now, as the ESTEA board president, Jade continues to bring her tenacity and dedication to the trail community.
SEAN ROBBINS
Secretary
Sean’s passion for endurance sports is woven into his active lifestyle. When he’s not practicing law as an attorney with the Governor’s Office of General Counsel at the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, he’s outdoors—running, skiing, hiking, climbing, cycling, or competing in triathlons.
A graduate of Villanova University and Penn State’s Dickinson School of Law, Sean also serves on the boards of the Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor, Luzerne County Transportation Authority, and is the President of the Anthracite Scenic Trails Association. His commitment to conservation, recreation, and endurance sports makes him a natural fit for the ESTEA board. He currently resides in Dallas, Pennsylvania.
Dr. STEVE R. PAGANO, DC, DACBSP
Director
A dedicated trail runner and sports chiropractor, Dr. Steve Pagano merges his two passions—helping athletes stay healthy and pushing his own limits on the trails. Since 1998, he has specialized in treating running-related injuries, bringing both expertise and firsthand experience to his work. Having completed over 100 trail races, including the Javelina Jundred 100-miler, Steve understands the demands of endurance running and is committed to keeping runners strong and injury-free.
His involvement with Eastern States 100 and Ironstone 100K, along with his work on the Eastern States 100 medical team, showcases his dedication to athlete health and performance. Steve joined the ESTEA board in January 2025.
LEE ARBOGAST
Director
Lee is a lifelong resident of the tiny village- Clarkstown, Pa. Lee grew up loving trails backpacking as a Boy Scout.
After many years away from the trails, he ran Hyner 25k as his first trail race in 2016. Falling in love with trail running, he has completed many races up to 100-miles.
Lee is active with the PA Trail Dogs, helping with trail work and volunteering. Lee also is involved with Pursue Your Happiness, a 501(c)(3), co-race directing the Sharp Top Trail Challenge and the Hills Creek Endurance Challenge.
Lee works as a career Firefighter/EMT for the city of Williamsport, serves on a state technical rope/water rescue team, volunteers at his local fire department, and assists in local trail rescues.
When he is not trying to visit every National Park & PA State Park with his family, he can be found running around Loyalsock State Forest and the North Central PA area with his best furry friend Blaze!
BENJAMIN MAZUR
Vice-President
Benjamin Mazur has been instrumental in shaping the trail running scene in Pennsylvania. As the Founder and President of Allegheny Trailrunners and the Co-founder and Vice President of ESTEA, he has led the organization of over three dozen races. He currently directs some of the region’s most challenging events, including Ironstone 100K and Eastern States 100, and co-directs Worlds End and Black Forest ultramarathons.
Beyond race directing, Benjamin is deeply involved in expanding outdoor recreation opportunities across Pennsylvania as an advisor to Pennsylvania’s Office of Outdoor Recreation, working to build capacity in the state’s outdoor industry.
Driven by a deep love for the sport and a vision to foster a thriving trail-running community—he is committed to preserving and growing the sport for future generations.
KATHY KOETJE-SIMIN
Treasurer
Kathy’s love for running spans as far back as she can remember. A dedicated road runner, she has completed nearly 30 marathons, including multiple Boston Marathons. In 2006, she was introduced to trail running through the Finger Lakes 50s, and from that moment on, she embraced both road and trail races, completing ultras up to 100K. Her passion for running extends beyond personal achievement—she is committed to supporting the sport and its community.
As Treasurer of ESTEA, Kathy brings her extensive background in accounting and finance, currently serving as the Financial Officer for Penn State’s College of Health and Human Development.
She values the opportunity to give back to the races that have shaped her journey, making her an invaluable member of the board. Kathy began serving in January 2025
FAITH HALL
Director
Faith’s connection to trails began before she could even walk. Growing up in a home surrounded by forest, she and her brother built their own mini trail system, unknowingly laying the foundation for her love of trail running. Though she started as a road runner, discovering the ultra community changed her perspective on competition and sport.
Faith now dedicates much of her time to trail stewardship, volunteering with organizations like John Heinz Wildlife Refuge, Friends of the Wissahickon, and Philadelphia Parks & Rec. She currently works as a Survey Statistician for the U.S. Census Bureau and splits her time between Philadelphia and her second home in the Pennsylvania Wilds. Her passion for trails and their preservation makes her a valuable advocate within ESTEA.
BLAKE COHEN
Director
Blake’s love for trail running runs deep—literally. Since 2011, he has tackled every ultra distance up to 100 miles, completing challenges like the Eastern States 100 & PA Triple Crown in 2017. A co-founder and race director of the Eagleton Trail Challenge since 2018, Blake is passionate about creating memorable race experiences for fellow runners. He joined the ESTEA board in 2024 and currently serves as Quartermaster, ensuring race logistics run smoothly.
When he’s not organizing or running ultras, Blake continues to serve the trail community through his work at Ultrasignup, the premier registration marketplace for ultra and trail running events. His dedication to the sport is as relentless as his miles on the trail.
NICK BODNER
Director
Nick Bodner has been immersed in the ultra-running world since childhood, growing up with a race director father and developing a lifelong passion for endurance sports. His love for technical, demanding terrain was cemented after running the Rock N' the Knob Marathon, one of Pennsylvania’s toughest races. In 2022, he took on the Pennsylvania Triple Crown of Mountain Running, proving his dedication to the sport and its most grueling challenges.
Based in Central Pennsylvania, Nick is the founder and Race Director of Mountainback Racing, where he focuses on creating world-class endurance events that prioritize runner experience, strategic race design, and community engagement. His military background has shaped his disciplined approach to race logistics, while his passion for storytelling and marketing helps bring more visibility to the sport.
Through his role on the ESTEA board, Nick is dedicated to preserving and expanding trail running opportunities across Pennsylvania. He strives to ensure that both newcomers and seasoned runners have access to high-quality events that celebrate the grit, camaraderie, and raw beauty of the region’s trails.