She
trained, she walked, she promoted - now Kiertzner
directs Crim races
Being involved in the Crim Festival of Races' training program gave Deb Kiertzner of Flushing a first-hand look at the positive effects the Crim can have in the life of an individual.
Once a participant in the Crim's programs, Kiertzner became a driving force behind them when she was named the Crim's race director in January 2005. She replaced Sherlynn Everly as race director and serves alongside Gerry Myers, who was named chief executive officer.
Kiertzner had been the community relations director for WNEM (Channel 5) for nearly 20 years. She organized Flint-based community projects such as "Just Say No to Drugs" rallies and a "Taking Pride in Flint" campaign.
"I'll be back into the same association with the community and people of Flint," Kiertzner told Flint Journal reporter Bill Khan in January 2005. "That was mainly what interested me. I've walked the Crim several times as a volunteer. At TV-5, we worked closely with the Crim on several promotional projects."
She also helped organize participation in the Crim among TV employees, walked in the race and volunteered with the program.
Mark Yonan, a member of the Crim's board of directors, told Khan for a Jan. 28, 2005, article that Kiertzner had the versatility to wear the numerous hats of a Crim race director.
"She has tremendous experience in event planning and extensive experience in media, marketing and promotions," Yonan said. "The person who has been second to the race director has been kind of a marketing person. Having two people there is not that different than what we had before. It's just that the roles and responsibilities have changed."
Her new role in the Crim excites Kiertzner.
"I'm a Flushing girl born and raised, so I've seen the impact the Crim has on the community," Kiertzner told reporter Rene A. Rosencrantz for an April 10, 2005, Flushing Observer article. "I'm honored to be a part of a tradition that means so much. It's exciting to be a part of that and to be part of taking the Crim in a new direction."
Kiertzner said the Crim wants to put a greater emphasis on leading a healthy lifestyle.
"There are so many statistics about obesity becoming such a problem, especially in Genesee County," Kiertzner said. "There are a lot of health issues related to a sedentary lifestyle, and we believe the Crim can make a difference with that.
"We have a new slogan, 'Fitness is a Family Value,' and that's going to be at the core of all we do as we reach out into the community. What better vehicle is there at getting that message out to the community than the Crim?"
In her own life, Kiertzner credits the Crim's training program for helping her to make changes that benefited her health.
"When I did the training program, I didn't think I'd ever run the race. But at the end of it, I finished the 8K race, lost weight and I really felt good."
As the race director, Kiertzner oversees the entire operation of the Crim, including the Festival of Races each August and year-round programs such as the training program and youth development program.
"Most people are not aware that the Crim entails a lot more than the races held the fourth Saturday of August.
"There are programs all year round in the schools. We have program for kids during the summer. There is the training program, which involves more than 1,000 people, and of course the races."
It might be hard work, but Kiertzner said she's glad to be part of an event that brings so much to the community, citing a recent study by University of Michigan-Flint's School of Management, which estimates the race gave an $8.5-million boost to the Genesee County economy in 2003.
"I was recently on vacation in Florida and I had a Crim T-shirt on and a guy stopped me and was saying how he's heard of the race," she said. "There is so much negativity out there about Flint it's nice to be involved in something so positive. The Crim is something Flint can be proud of."
Being involved in the Crim Festival of Races' training program gave Deb Kiertzner of Flushing a first-hand look at the positive effects the Crim can have in the life of an individual.
Once a participant in the Crim's programs, Kiertzner became a driving force behind them when she was named the Crim's race director in January 2005. She replaced Sherlynn Everly as race director and serves alongside Gerry Myers, who was named chief executive officer.
Kiertzner had been the community relations director for WNEM (Channel 5) for nearly 20 years. She organized Flint-based community projects such as "Just Say No to Drugs" rallies and a "Taking Pride in Flint" campaign.
"I'll be back into the same association with the community and people of Flint," Kiertzner told Flint Journal reporter Bill Khan in January 2005. "That was mainly what interested me. I've walked the Crim several times as a volunteer. At TV-5, we worked closely with the Crim on several promotional projects."
She also helped organize participation in the Crim among TV employees, walked in the race and volunteered with the program.
Mark Yonan, a member of the Crim's board of directors, told Khan for a Jan. 28, 2005, article that Kiertzner had the versatility to wear the numerous hats of a Crim race director.
"She has tremendous experience in event planning and extensive experience in media, marketing and promotions," Yonan said. "The person who has been second to the race director has been kind of a marketing person. Having two people there is not that different than what we had before. It's just that the roles and responsibilities have changed."
Her new role in the Crim excites Kiertzner.
"I'm a Flushing girl born and raised, so I've seen the impact the Crim has on the community," Kiertzner told reporter Rene A. Rosencrantz for an April 10, 2005, Flushing Observer article. "I'm honored to be a part of a tradition that means so much. It's exciting to be a part of that and to be part of taking the Crim in a new direction."
Kiertzner said the Crim wants to put a greater emphasis on leading a healthy lifestyle.
"There are so many statistics about obesity becoming such a problem, especially in Genesee County," Kiertzner said. "There are a lot of health issues related to a sedentary lifestyle, and we believe the Crim can make a difference with that.
"We have a new slogan, 'Fitness is a Family Value,' and that's going to be at the core of all we do as we reach out into the community. What better vehicle is there at getting that message out to the community than the Crim?"
In her own life, Kiertzner credits the Crim's training program for helping her to make changes that benefited her health.
"When I did the training program, I didn't think I'd ever run the race. But at the end of it, I finished the 8K race, lost weight and I really felt good."
As the race director, Kiertzner oversees the entire operation of the Crim, including the Festival of Races each August and year-round programs such as the training program and youth development program.
"Most people are not aware that the Crim entails a lot more than the races held the fourth Saturday of August.
"There are programs all year round in the schools. We have program for kids during the summer. There is the training program, which involves more than 1,000 people, and of course the races."
It might be hard work, but Kiertzner said she's glad to be part of an event that brings so much to the community, citing a recent study by University of Michigan-Flint's School of Management, which estimates the race gave an $8.5-million boost to the Genesee County economy in 2003.
"I was recently on vacation in Florida and I had a Crim T-shirt on and a guy stopped me and was saying how he's heard of the race," she said. "There is so much negativity out there about Flint it's nice to be involved in something so positive. The Crim is something Flint can be proud of."
"I'm honored to be a part of a tradition that means so much. It's exciting to be a part of that and to be part of taking the Crim in a new direction."
