Meet The 2026 Board of Directors
The Above the Mean Triathlon Club is led by a dedicated Board of Directors who help keep our club running smoothly and our community thriving. Each board member was selected for their passion, energy, and commitment to supporting our athletes. They volunteer their time generously to plan events, manage operations, and ensure every member has a positive and rewarding experience. Our board is here for you—so if you have questions, ideas, or just want to get involved, we’d love to hear from you!
Vince Jones
President + Treasurer
Vince has been competing in triathlon since 2000. Since then, he’s completed 36 half Ironman distance races and 15 full distance races. Besides also competing in countless local TBF events, he’s also earned his coaching certification through Ironman University. Seeing a niche that needed to be filled, he started Above The Mean Triathlon Club with the vision and support of Tara (current Vice President) in order to bring a positive attitude and inclusive dynamic to the sport in the Sacramento area. Since it’s inception, ATM has proven to be a fun group of supportive athletes that truly understand the goal of wanting to set big goals while enjoying the process along the way.
Besides being married to fellow ATM triathlete, Lisa, for over 30 years and raising 4 incredible kids, Vince plays ice-hockey poorly for the Puck Hogs at Skatetown in Roseville, CA. He has been teaching mathematics for over 20 years, and is currently a full-time professor at American River College in order to help finance his triathlon addiction. He loves what he does and is always willing to help out a fellow athlete.
Beverley Abbs
Training & Group Workouts Director
Bev joined ATM in late 2024, inspired by her husband Alan's dedication while training for Ironman California. Determined to tackle triathlons, she decided it was time to embrace this new challenge.
Who says you can’t teach an old dog new tricks?
Bev has been a competitive athlete most of her life, from high school cross country and track to bodybuilding, road cycling, mountain biking, and adventure racing. More recently, she focused on ultra marathons. As a certified personal trainer and running coach, Bev is passionate about sharing her love for athletics with others. Despite her athleticism, she steadfastly avoided triathlons due to her inability to swim.
At ATM, Bev discovered a FUN and supportive community that helped her overcome many of her swimming challenges. With their encouragement and assistance, she not only completed Ironman California 2025, but earned herself a coveted spot at the Ironman World Championship in Kona, HI.
Bev holds two Master’s degrees—one in Evolutionary Biology and another in Environmental Science. She also has a Teaching Credential in Science and Math. Recently retired from her role as an environmental and data scientist with the California State Water Quality Control Board, she continues to engage with her passion for environmental issues by tracking and sharing water data.
Despite the common belief that retirement would free up her time, Bev has found her schedule busier than ever, now filled with training for her next exciting adventure in triathlon.
Tara Maffeo
Vice President + Marketing
Tara helped form ATM in 2024 alongside Vince Jones, and helps support all marketing and sponsorship efforts.
Tara ran cross-country growing up and took a break for many years to horseback ride competitively. After getting back into running and completing her first marathon in 2023, she was ready for the next big thing and decided to give this “triathlon thing” a go. She’s been hooked ever since!
When she’s not training with the ATM crew, she leads the store experience and operations for all US Sephora stores. If you need skincare and haircare tips to keep up with your training schedule, she’s got your back.
Tara loves how FUN the ATM group makes training, and is fortunate to have met so many fast friends. As a fairly new triathlete, she knows how intimidating the tri world can be, and how a supportive group can make all the difference.
When she’s out training, you likely won’t find her without her partner in crime, husband, and #1 competitor - Nathan. The two *might* be a little competitive (ok, a lot).
Katie Kreps
Events & Clinics Director
Katie is ATM’s Events Director and Board Secretary and has been a part of the club since 2024.
Katie’s found the sport of triathlon through Team In Training for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in 2010. She started with a local TBF sprint race and then an Olympic at Pacific Grove that season. Although swearing she would never do anything longer, this eventually turned into a few 70.3, century bike rides and other adventures. Katie worked for Team In Training managing the marathon, run, ski, hike, cycle and tri programs - loving getting anyone and everyone into the endurance world. While Katie now works full time in real estate, she still loves supporting & convincing people to try new adventures in the endurance world.
Above the Mean has been the club that the Sacramento region has been dreaming of. The energy and community in the group is unmatched. Katie loves the journey and growth of the club and can’t wait to bring more triathletes into the fold with the best people around. Whatever your goals are, this is the group for support, encouragement, challenges and the best vibes in town.
Outside of the club, you can find Katie working with Ironman water safety crews and volunteering in the community. Katie currently serves as the Foundation President for the Cordova Recreation & Parks Foundation as well as working with wish Kids through Make-A-Wish. She spends as much time as possible on the water or with friends & family. If you hang around too long – she will 100% rope you into a random adventure!
Ramy Hindiyeh
Membership Director
Ramy is ATM’s Membership Director and has been part of the club since 2025.
New to triathlons, Ramy found the sport after helping a client map out their finances for racing abroad. Ramy loves how triathlons mirror life: give steady effort, trust the plan, and celebrate the payoff when it all comes together.
With a Ph.D. in Engineering and an MBA, Ramy brings a strong background in analysis, planning, and problem-solving to the board. Before transitioning into financial advising, he ran a project management consulting firm helping large organizations solve complex problems and achieve ambitious goals.
Ramy values the sense of belonging that makes Above the Mean so special. He still remembers walking to the start line at a local race and being greeted by a sea of friendly ATM faces, a welcome change from racing alone.
When he’s not training, you’ll find him geeking out over ride data, spending time with his wife and kids in Elk Grove, or researching the next race to sign up for.
Dave Pires
Swag & Gear Coordinator
Dave is ATM’s Swag & Gear Coordinator and joined the club with a passion for both competition and community.
With 12 years as a high school Biology teacher and the last 8 years as a Vice Principal, Dave brings deep experience in organization, logistics, and planning to his role. Before his career in education, he worked as a Marketing Analyst at Road Runner Sports in San Diego, an environment that surrounded him with adventurous people and fueled his love for challenges and the outdoors.
Dave’s introduction to triathlon was baptism by fire. He completed his first sprint in 2001, having never swum across a pool or ridden a road bike before he started training. After a 10-year break from triathlon and looking for a new post-COVID adventure, he was "tricked" by Vince into signing up for his first Full Ironman. After the cancelled 2021 IM California, he successfully completed IM Cozumel in 2021.
Dave is the epitome of a Weekend Warrior athlete: competitive, but primarily focused on having fun. He values training and racing with like-minded teammates who share this blend of effort and enjoyment. When he's not planning the next piece of great ATM gear, you’ll find him challenging himself outdoors or enjoying the camaraderie of the club.