Rhode Island

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
Rhode Island Chapter
(401) 943-8888
Fax: (401) 943-1377

Staff

Bill Koconis, Executive Director
Bria D'Amico, Office Manager and Funds Receivable Coordinator
Kayde Wagner, Campaign Coordinator 
 

 

Running Coaches

Jim Doyle, Head Coach
Jim has been the head running coach for the Rhode Island Chapter since 1993. During the past eighteen years, Jim has helped more than 2,500 Team In Training^® (TNT) participants successfully complete a marathon. Most were first-time marathoners and many had very little running experience.

He has successfully completed nine marathons and has a personal record of 2:44.  He has served as the head cross country and track coach at Bishop Hendricken High School since 1984.  Along with coaching many all-star athletes, Jim's teams have won 40+ state championships, three New England championships and one national title. Jim is a past recipient of the Word's Unlimited Award for Rhode Island's most outstanding high school coach and was selected as the 2003 and 2008 Coach of the Year by the Rhode Island Track & Field Foundation.

You can reach Jim at coachjimdoyle@aol.com.

 

Alan Barrington,  Assistant Coach
Alan has been involved with Team In Training for more than 10 years.  He started as a participant, then a Team Captain and has now been Assistant Running Coach for 6 years.  Alan has completed nine marathons, including the Ottawa, Marine Corps and WALT DISNEY WORLD^® Half Marathon.  His personal best is 3:45.

Alan completed the Nautica New York City Triathlon last year with the team!

You can reach Alan at dabarrington@cox.net

 

Walking Coaches

Michael Hoffer, Walking Coach
Michael has been the head walking coach since 1996. He has completed 50+ marathons, including the Mayor's Midnight Sun, Marine Corps, Suzuki Rock 'n' Roll, Toronto, Bermuda and Ocean State marathons.

Locally, Mike has achieved first place in more than 80 races. Nationally, Mike placed first in the Mayor's Midnight Sun Marathon with a time of 5 hours, 10 minutes and 55 seconds.  Each TNT participant coached by Mike has completed a marathon.  He has a 100% completion rate.

Coach Hoffer has personally raised more than $108,000 for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

You can reach Mike at Hofferdlhmgh@aol.com. 

 

Bob Dagesse, Walking Coach
Bob came to Team In Training to complete his daughter's dream of completing the Mayor's Midnight Sun Marathon in Anchorage, Alaska.  With great coaching from Coach Hoffer, the marathon's finish line was not the end but rather the beginning of a quest to find the nicest course with the best time, be it a personal best or fun with his teammates.  Highlights include, second place walker in the Maine Marathon in 2007 and the Smutty Nose Half Marathon in 2008.  Bob also placed as the first male walker in the 2008 Blessing of the Fleet 10 miler.

You can reach Bob at dagbob@aol.com.

 

5K To A Cure Coaches

Cat Busselen

You can reach cat at catgick@gmail.com.

 

Andrea Herrmann

You can reach Andrea at aherrmann@gmail.com

 

Cycling Coaches

Jim Lilley, Head Coach 
Jim has been involved with the program for nine years.  First as a participant, then as a Team Captain.  He has been assistant cycling coach for America's Most Beautiful Bike Ride and head coach for the Seacoast Century Team in 2006 through 2009.

Jim has run numerous road races over a 20-year period from 5Ks to ½ marathons participated in triathlon and duathlon events. Jim has been an AFAA certified aerobics instructor and is currently a certified personal trainer and a spinning instructor at Newport Athletic Club where he has been an instructor for over 8 years. He also holds a Star 3 Spinning certification.

You may reach Jim at jimlil25@cox.net 

   

Triathlon Coach

Karen LaTona, Head Coach

Triathlon Coach, Karen LaTona, most recently coached the Rhode Island team to successfully complete the Nation's Triathlon in Washing DC.  Karen started her relationship with the Society as a Team in Training participant and is familiar with all of the challenges a participant might face.

Karen was an all state runner in high school and skipped her high school graduation to participate in the New England Championship Track & Field competition.  After marrying husband john, she was quickly converted to cycling.  Although never a competitive swimmer, she has never been far from the pool, having grown up around the Springfield College Pool, where her father was an All American Swimmer.  Obviously, because of her strong interest in all three sports, Triathlon was a natural fit.

Karen has participated in numerous races, both triathlons and road races.  Her biggest achievement to date was her completion of the Ironman 70.3 in Providence, RI in July 2008.  She also finished second in her age group in the Westchester Triathlon in 2007.

Karen indicates that as rewarding as personal accomplishments are, there is nothing like coaching participants to the finish line in their first event.

You can reach Karen at leodot1@verizon.net