While Annie’s Locker is funded by donors and inspired by YOU, we are 100% run by a committed volunteer board of directors and countless volunteers — we do not have a paid staff!

Meet our 2015 board of directors!

JEFF WILMARTH
JEFF WILMARTHPresident
A transportation and logistics professional by day, Jeff is a family man with a passion for running and helping others realize their athletic ability. He’s been involved with Annie’s Locker since its inception, thanks to his running understudy Carol Bingley. He loves volunteering for Annie’s Locker because it’s given him the opportunity to see the light in people’s eyes, the joy in their hearts, and the hopelessness vanish because of the hope we offer.
TERRI ODELLVice President of Operations
Terri Odell, owner of FitnessWorks, Inc. Personal Training and Pilates Studio, specializes in multi-tasking. Empowered by her self-diagnosed A.D.D., Terri offers her time and talents to many Rockford charities. Annie’s Locker is her number one passion. As a competitive runner, Terri has completed several marathons since turning 50, including the 2014 Boston Marathon. Terri utilizes her broad connections from growing up in Rockford to assist in her projects with Annie’s Locker. Terri and her husband Mike have raised 2 sons: Drew who works at PEAK Sports Club, and Corporal Matthew, USMC. Their two dogs round out the family.
SHANNON TEUNISSEN
SHANNON TEUNISSENVice President of Finances / Treasurer
Shannon works in government contract at UTC Aerospace Systems in Rockford, IL. An avid runner and road racer, she has competed in many races from the 5k to the marathon. Her favorite race to compete in is the half marathon. In her spare time, Shannon teaches group fitness classes at Peak Fitness and volunteers for Annie’s Locker. Shannon is married to Tony Teunissen and has three beautiful and active step-children. She enjoys the outdoors and being active with her family.
TRACY RICHTER
TRACY RICHTERSecretary
A financial professional, Tracy gives her time and talent to a few charities that are near and dear to her heart. Serving Annie’s Locker has combined her love of running and giving back to others in a meaningful way. Never athletic and only running 5ks until she took the challenge to run a half marathon during her 40th birthday party, a spark for longer distances was ignited. Tracy has completed two half marathons and has a goal of completing her 2nd Chicago marathon in 2015. When she isn’t running, she enjoys spending time with her husband, golfing, and manages to squeeze in time to pursue her Certified Wealth Strategist(tm) designation.
CAROL BENTHAL-BINGLEY
CAROL BENTHAL-BINGLEYBoard Member / Founder
Carol fell in love with running and fitness after the birth of her first child. Inspired by a friend who died of cancer, her passion for fitness and spreading a message about Running For Two was born. This resolve stuck with her and the vision for starting Annie’s Locker came to fruition. Carol and her husband Dan are the parents of 3 creative little girls. She is owner/graphic designer of B2 Design, and an avid trail runner. Carol’s biggest passion besides her family is to create, and share the HEART of Annie’s Locker, Running For Two. She finds great joy in witnessing the victories of our recipients. Making connections and reaching people on a personal level is what inspires her most.

DANI WATSONCommunications Chair
Dani is a Project Manager at a large local manufacturing company. Her mother Terri, also an Annie’s Locker board member, introduced her to running. Spending most of her childhood avoiding running, she learned to love it during college and has run a few marathons including Boston in 2014. Annie’s Locker has allowed her to help share the joys of running and fitness with those who need it most.
TERRI WATSON
TERRI WATSONSpecial Events Coordinator
Terri has been a sales representative for Hallmark Corporation for fifteen years. Hallmark “makes the world a more caring place by making people laugh, love, heal, say thanks and make meaningful connections with others.” Running does this. And Annie’s Locker also does this. Terri is truly honored to be on the Board of Directors and strives to get the mission and purpose out to our community. She is a New Englander at heart but has lived in Roscoe for eighteen years with her husband and beautiful daughter Danielle who is also an Annie’s Locker advocate.
TROY SKWOR
TROY SKWOROutreach Chair
Troy, an Assistant Professor of Biology at Rockford University, has a strong passion for volunteering, trail running, teaching, and research. The beauty of nature paired with running has him running the trails frequently as well as competing in 5K to 25 mile trail races nationwide. Volunteering with the homeless and addicts for over seven years, he became more involved with Annie’s Locker considering the shared vision of how physical fitness can have a positive impact on everyone’s lives. Troy has recognized the power of running and exercise in helping overcome many of his own personal challenges throughout life and therefore is a strong advocate in providing support and equipment enabling others to do the same.
JEANNE PERIANVolunteer Coordinator
Volunteering for Annie’s Locker is important to Jeanne because it inspires people to improve their health and it fosters hope. Recently she ran a 5k with a woman who has been through numerous hardships. This good friend just began running and has lost over fifty pounds. The run was tough, but as the pair approached the finish line they picked up the pace, clasped hands and raised their arms in triumph-pure joy! There is nothing more satisfying than walking, or running, along side another human being; lifting up, pushing to unimaginable victories and striving to be better together.

Previous Board Members

2008

Carol Benthal-Bingley, Founder

2009

Carol Benthal-Bingley, Founder/President

Shannon Teunissen, Treasurer

Tonya Thayer, Secretary

2010

Carol Benthal-Bingley, Founder/President

Terri Odell, Vice President

Shannon Teunissen, Treasurer

Tonya Thayer, Secretary

Jeff Wilmarth, Board Member

2011

Carol Benthal-Bingley, Founder/President

Terri Odell, Vice President

Shannon Teunissen, Treasurer

Cindy Garner, Secretary

Jeff Wilmarth, Board Member

Dani Watson, Volunteer Coordinator

Terri Watson, Race Sponsorship Coordinator

Carol Wilson, Gear Coordinator

2012

Carol Benthal-Bingley, Founder/President

Terri Odell, Vice President

Shannon Teunissen, Treasurer

Cindy Garner, Secretary

Jeff Wilmarth, Board Member

Dani Watson, Volunteer Coordinator

Terri Watson, Race Sponsorship Coordinator

Carol Wilson, Gear Coordinator

2013

Carol Benthal-Bingley, Exec board, founder/President

Terri Odell, Exec board, Vice President for Operations

Shannon Teunissen, Exec board,Vice President of Finances/Treasurer

Cindy Garner, Exec board, Secretary

Jeff Wilmarth, Exec board

Dani Watson, Board of Directors-Volunteer/Events Coordinator

Terri Watson, Board of Directors-Race Sponsorship Coordinator

Carol Wilson, Board of Directors-Gear Coordinator

Stephanie Lammi, Communications Chair

Jeanne Perian, Assistant Gear Coordinator

Kelly Galluzzo, Public Relations Assistant

2014

Carol Benthal-Bingley, Exec board, founder/President

Terri Odell, Exec board, Vice President of Operations

Shannon Teunissen, Exec board, Vice President of Finances/Treasurer

Tracy Richter, Exec board, Secretary

Jeff Wilmarth, Exec board, Community Outreach Chair

Denise Brauer, Board of Directors-Volunteer and Events Coordinator

Terri Watson, Board of Directors-Race Sponsorship Coordinator

Stephanie Lammi, Board of Directors-Communications Chair

Dani Watson, Communications Assistant

Carol Wilson, Gear Coordinator Jeanne Perian, Operations Assistant

Troy Skwor, Community Outreach Liaison

Natalie Brunson, Community Outreach Team Member

“I am in awe at how our community has supported Annie’s Locker. We have an outstanding, dedicated Board of Directors and superb volunteers. We all share a passion that has kept our vision moving forward. So many people have stepped forward and helped out in their own way, and for that I am so grateful.”
Carol Benthal-Bingley, Founder/President
“Annie’s Locker is unusual and we really keep our mission clear. Although there are other areas in Rockford that collect used clothing, ours is strictly for fitness. We are the only organization that asks for donations and personally deliver to the individuals that request a need. We hope that with the personal touch we can always be there for them in the future.”
Terri Odell, Vice President for Operations
“The importance of an organization like Annie’s Locker in the Rockford area is the encouragement we offer to people to help them exercise and become healthier. This is boosting self-esteem and motivating people who might not have thought they were able.”
Shannon Teunissen, Vice President of Finances / Treasurer
“One of the most valuable aspects of Annie’s locker is the vision that the organization has to help people realize their full potential through physical fitness. Being fit carries so many benefits to the rest of our well-being. Annie’s Locker plays a vital role in the Rockford Community as a resource for organizations and individuals young and old to challenge and change themselves to live better tomorrow.”
Jeff Wilmarth, Executive Board Member