The Men behind the MCM
Rick Nealis and Col. Joseph M. Murray Profiles - Official MCM Press Release
2012 MCM Staff
MCM Official Media Release
WASHINGTON, DC
Colonel Joseph M. Murray
Commander, Marine Corps Base Quantico
Born in Washington, DC, Colonel Murray graduated from Gonzaga College High School and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps in 1990 after graduating from Ohio Wesleyan University. Colonel Murray's Operational assignments have included, tours in 2D Marine Division Camp Lejeune, NC with 2D Assault Amphibian Battalion, 1st BN 2D Marines, and 2D Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion. He also served as the deputy G-3, 2D Marine Logistics Group and commanded 2D Supply Battalion during Operation Iraqi Freedom(OIF 9.1)
Colonel Murray's overseas assignments have included tours with 3D Force Service Support Group in Okinawa, Japan, Operations Officer for Landing Force Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training, Logistics Planner International Security Assistance Force (ISAF, CJ-5) and he recently returned from Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) in Afghanistan where he served as the Director of Logistics, J-4, United States Forces Afghanistan (USFOR-A).
Colonel Murray's supporting establishment tours have been as an Instructor and Staff Platoon Commander at The Basic School, Quantico, VA, Section Head Global Force Management at Headquarters marine Corps, Plans Policy and Operations (PP&O) Current Operations (POC), and more recently on the Joint Staff, J-5 Pakistan Afghanistan Coordination Cell, Mission Support Division Chief. Colonel Murray is a graduate of The Basic School, Supply School, Amphibious Warfare School, Command and Staff College, and The Marine Corps War College.
Rick Nealis
Marine Corps Marathon Director
Rick Nealis is Director of the Marine Corps Marathon (MCM). A native of Philadelphia, PA, Nealis joined the MCM staff in 1993 and has served as director of "The People's Marathon" for the past 22 years.
Celebrating its 40th anniversary in October of 2015, the MCM known as "The People's Marathon" will include 30,000 registered participants from 57 nations. Over the past 40 years, the MCM has welcomed 500,000 participants across the legendary Marine Corps War Memorial finish line while continuing a tradition of dedication, sportsmanship and patriotism.
During his time at the MCM, Nealis bolstered the Marathon from a local 26.2 mile race to a grand weekend celebration, hosted in Arlington, VA and throughout the nation's capital. MCM Weekend, annual held each October, is packed with activities for runners, spectators and fitness enthusiasts. In addition to the Health and Fitness Expo, MCM Pep Rally, Runners Conference and Carbo Dining In, MCM Weekend includes the MCM10K, which starts on the National Mall in Washington, DC with nearly 10,000 participants and the MCM Kids Run, held the day prior to the MCM with 3,600 kids ages 5 to 12 participating.
In 2008, Nealis established the Marine Corps Historic Half marathon and Historic Half Weekend of event hosted in Fredericksburg, VA each May. Also that year, he began the MCM Event Series of road races held March through November. In 2013, Nealis added a new triathlon event, the Quantico Tri, to the Event Series. All of these events held on Marine Corps Base Quantico, VA and in the surrounding communities fulfill the MCM's mission to promote physical fitness and generate community goodwill while showcasing the organizational skills of the United States Marine Corps.
Prior to the MCM, Nealis served in the United States Marine Corps. He was commissioned in May of 1975, after receiving his Bachelor's Degree in Accounting from Villanova University. His 20-year military career includes duty stations like Kaneohe, HI, Okinawa, Japan and Quantico, VA. Nealis completed deployments aboard the USS Tarawa, USS Okinawa, and the USS Tripoli as part of the amphibious ready group during the Iranian Hostage rescue attempt.
While in the U.S> Marine Corps, Nealis furthered his education earning a Master of Business Administration in Management from Golden State University and a Master of Science in Human Organizational Services from Villanova University.
In 1994, while serving on the MCM staff, then-Maj. Rick Nealis organized Oprah Winfrey's running of the 18th Marine Corps Marathon. Oprah's marathon finish remains the most famous in MCM history.
In August 1995, Maj. Rick Nealis retired from the U.S. Marine Corps, becoming Director of the Marine Corps Marathon.
In addition to the MCM, Nealis served as Olympic Torch Deputy Caravan Coordinator for the Centennial Olympic Games in Atlanta. He carried the Olympic Torch during the longest leg of the relay occuring in Young Harris, GA on July 16, 1996.
In 2002, Nealis served as a member of the security teams for the Olympic Torch Relay for the Olympic Games in Salt Lake City. On December 19, 2001 he again carried the Olympic Torch in Uniontown, PA.
In 2006, Nealis was named "Man of the Year" by the Southeast Neumann Veterans Group in Philadelphia, PA and in 2009, he was inducted into Running USA's Hall of Champions.
In 2010, Nealis was named "Race Director of the Year" by Road Race Management and MarathonFoto, receiving one of the most prestigious honors in the sport of running.
Nealis has completed five marathons (including three MCMs), and bosat a PR of 3:09:50 obtained during the 1983 MCM. He also has completed numerous half marathon, 10k and 5k events.
Marine Corps Marathon Director
Rick Nealis is Director of the Marine Corps Marathon (MCM). A native of Philadelphia, PA, Nealis joined the MCM staff in 1993 and has served as director of "The People's Marathon" for the past 22 years.
Celebrating its 40th anniversary in October of 2015, the MCM known as "The People's Marathon" will include 30,000 registered participants from 57 nations. Over the past 40 years, the MCM has welcomed 500,000 participants across the legendary Marine Corps War Memorial finish line while continuing a tradition of dedication, sportsmanship and patriotism.
During his time at the MCM, Nealis bolstered the Marathon from a local 26.2 mile race to a grand weekend celebration, hosted in Arlington, VA and throughout the nation's capital. MCM Weekend, annual held each October, is packed with activities for runners, spectators and fitness enthusiasts. In addition to the Health and Fitness Expo, MCM Pep Rally, Runners Conference and Carbo Dining In, MCM Weekend includes the MCM10K, which starts on the National Mall in Washington, DC with nearly 10,000 participants and the MCM Kids Run, held the day prior to the MCM with 3,600 kids ages 5 to 12 participating.
In 2008, Nealis established the Marine Corps Historic Half marathon and Historic Half Weekend of event hosted in Fredericksburg, VA each May. Also that year, he began the MCM Event Series of road races held March through November. In 2013, Nealis added a new triathlon event, the Quantico Tri, to the Event Series. All of these events held on Marine Corps Base Quantico, VA and in the surrounding communities fulfill the MCM's mission to promote physical fitness and generate community goodwill while showcasing the organizational skills of the United States Marine Corps.
Prior to the MCM, Nealis served in the United States Marine Corps. He was commissioned in May of 1975, after receiving his Bachelor's Degree in Accounting from Villanova University. His 20-year military career includes duty stations like Kaneohe, HI, Okinawa, Japan and Quantico, VA. Nealis completed deployments aboard the USS Tarawa, USS Okinawa, and the USS Tripoli as part of the amphibious ready group during the Iranian Hostage rescue attempt.
While in the U.S> Marine Corps, Nealis furthered his education earning a Master of Business Administration in Management from Golden State University and a Master of Science in Human Organizational Services from Villanova University.
In 1994, while serving on the MCM staff, then-Maj. Rick Nealis organized Oprah Winfrey's running of the 18th Marine Corps Marathon. Oprah's marathon finish remains the most famous in MCM history.
In August 1995, Maj. Rick Nealis retired from the U.S. Marine Corps, becoming Director of the Marine Corps Marathon.
In addition to the MCM, Nealis served as Olympic Torch Deputy Caravan Coordinator for the Centennial Olympic Games in Atlanta. He carried the Olympic Torch during the longest leg of the relay occuring in Young Harris, GA on July 16, 1996.
In 2002, Nealis served as a member of the security teams for the Olympic Torch Relay for the Olympic Games in Salt Lake City. On December 19, 2001 he again carried the Olympic Torch in Uniontown, PA.
In 2006, Nealis was named "Man of the Year" by the Southeast Neumann Veterans Group in Philadelphia, PA and in 2009, he was inducted into Running USA's Hall of Champions.
In 2010, Nealis was named "Race Director of the Year" by Road Race Management and MarathonFoto, receiving one of the most prestigious honors in the sport of running.
Nealis has completed five marathons (including three MCMs), and bosat a PR of 3:09:50 obtained during the 1983 MCM. He also has completed numerous half marathon, 10k and 5k events.