Festival
director takes on challenge of Crim, children and
fitness
Sherlynn Everly came to the Crim in April 1999, after two years as director of the Michigan Renaissance Festival in Holly, an event which attracted 233,000 patrons over 15 days and generated record income in 1998.
Before that, she worked 20 years for the State of Michigan. Her final four years with the state were spent as an administrative officer at the Family Independence Agency in Pontiac.
Everly left after directing six races, when her contract expired in December 2004, to complete a master's degree in public administration from Oakland University and serve as president of the Holly Chamber of Commerce.
She also planned to delve into a new project aimed at getting children and teenagers more active.
Involved with national nonprofit organizations Afterschool Alliance and RunningUSA, Everly joined their effort to put together a pilot program called Running Rocks Afterschool.
"We can help kids get out and start running and hopefully have some impact on childhood obesity and instill some good habits early in life," she said.
When hired, Everly was not a runner and has never been associated with the Crim, although she's been aware of the event since its inception in 1977.
``I really like event management,'' she told The Journal in 1999. ``I know the Crim is a very prestigious event for the City of Flint. The fact it's nonprofit and its goal is to promote healthy living styles and the City of Flint all went into the decision.''
There were more than 40 applicants for the job. The Crim board of directors interviewed six finalists.
``She is an experienced event planner with a strong community focus,'' said Joe Baessler, president of the Crim board. ``I know she will be a great leader for our organization.''
When she announced her leaving, she told a Journal reporter:
"I've probably been struggling with this for at least nine months. I love the organization and everything it stands for and I have met such wonderful people. That makes it very hard to step away, so I say I'm stepping back, not totally away."
Everly has devoted most of her waking moments, and some in her sleep, to the Crim for more than five years. The Crim has continued to thrive in that time, drawing runners from all over the world and becoming a huge event for downtown Flint.
"From May on, the race is all-consuming," she said. "I wake up in the middle of the night and think of things like, 'Did we order the cups?' "
The Crim is more than just a one-day racing extravaganza. The organization has year-round programs promoting healthy lifestyles, adding to Everly's own busy life.
Though she said she's not burned out, Everly is looking forward to more free time to play golf and kayak with her husband, Jim.
Sherlynn Everly came to the Crim in April 1999, after two years as director of the Michigan Renaissance Festival in Holly, an event which attracted 233,000 patrons over 15 days and generated record income in 1998.
Before that, she worked 20 years for the State of Michigan. Her final four years with the state were spent as an administrative officer at the Family Independence Agency in Pontiac.
Everly left after directing six races, when her contract expired in December 2004, to complete a master's degree in public administration from Oakland University and serve as president of the Holly Chamber of Commerce.
She also planned to delve into a new project aimed at getting children and teenagers more active.
Involved with national nonprofit organizations Afterschool Alliance and RunningUSA, Everly joined their effort to put together a pilot program called Running Rocks Afterschool.
"We can help kids get out and start running and hopefully have some impact on childhood obesity and instill some good habits early in life," she said.
When hired, Everly was not a runner and has never been associated with the Crim, although she's been aware of the event since its inception in 1977.
``I really like event management,'' she told The Journal in 1999. ``I know the Crim is a very prestigious event for the City of Flint. The fact it's nonprofit and its goal is to promote healthy living styles and the City of Flint all went into the decision.''
There were more than 40 applicants for the job. The Crim board of directors interviewed six finalists.
``She is an experienced event planner with a strong community focus,'' said Joe Baessler, president of the Crim board. ``I know she will be a great leader for our organization.''
When she announced her leaving, she told a Journal reporter:
"I've probably been struggling with this for at least nine months. I love the organization and everything it stands for and I have met such wonderful people. That makes it very hard to step away, so I say I'm stepping back, not totally away."
Everly has devoted most of her waking moments, and some in her sleep, to the Crim for more than five years. The Crim has continued to thrive in that time, drawing runners from all over the world and becoming a huge event for downtown Flint.
"From May on, the race is all-consuming," she said. "I wake up in the middle of the night and think of things like, 'Did we order the cups?' "
The Crim is more than just a one-day racing extravaganza. The organization has year-round programs promoting healthy lifestyles, adding to Everly's own busy life.
Though she said she's not burned out, Everly is looking forward to more free time to play golf and kayak with her husband, Jim.
"From
May on, the race is all-consuming. I wake up in
the middle of the night and think of things like,
'Did we order the cups?' "
