Hermes was founded in 1981and has built a reputation as Northeast Ohio's premier race management group. Throughout the Greater Cleveland and Columbus areas, Hermes has produced and managed programs on behalf of the Cleveland Indians, the Cleveland CAVS/Rockers, the Cleveland Browns, FOX Sports Net, the "Race for the Cure" in Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio and Baltimore, Maryland. Additionally, as event manager of the 1999 AAU Junior Olympic Games, Hermes oversaw more than 25 events at over 40 different venues throughout Northeast Ohio.

Hermes is named for the winged-footed messenger god of classical mythology.

We are a company that emphasizes teamwork- the link between event sponsors and participants. That's just part of the "Home Team Advantage": Hermes commitment to Northeast Ohio's athletes, organizations and business community.

Neal Neroni
Neroni is president of Hermes and has been a partner with the organization since 1993. Neroni has worked on hundreds of events in the northern Ohio area since his graduation from Bowling Green state University in 1988. He began his sports management career as an intern for the Cleveland Cavaliers. Later, he joined the Cleveland Indians as an account executive. From 1989 to 1993, he worked in sports and operations for the Ohio Sports Festival, which was the first statewide amateur sports "State Games" in Ohio, assuming the director's position in 1991. From 1993 until 1999, he was the director of Sports and Operations for the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission, helping to bring several events to the city and guiding their management.

Nick Swingos
Swingos is Hermes' financial manager and is responsible for the company's technological advancements and producing client websites. Nick also heads up the division responsible for managing the popular Susan G. Komen for the Cure Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Nick is a graduate of Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.

Andrew Kraemer
Kraemer serves as Hermes’ Director of Event Operations.  He is responsible for the planning and operations of Hermes Sport & Social, LLC and the Cleveland Corporate Challenge events.  A graduate of Bowling Green State University with a degree in Sports Management, Kraemer joined the Hermes team in 2006.  Prior to Hermes, Kraemer served as the Assistant Director of Football Operations for the Bowling Green Athletic Department.

Abigail Wolfe
Wolfe serves as Hermes’ Race Manager.  A graduate of Notre Dame College with a degree in Sport Management and a four year dedication to the women’s fast pitch team, Wolfe joined the Hermes team in August, 2008.  Prior to Hermes, Abby worked with the Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation summer program and then interned with South Euclid Lyndhurst Recreation, assisting in the success of their youth summer programs.  A native of Fort Wayne,  Indiana, Abby is responsible for the planning and operations of Hermes’ races.  

Christine Grapo
Christine Grapo serves as Hermes’ Race Director and brings with her many years of marketing, communications, and promotions experience. Before joining Hermes in 2010, Christine spent several years with CBS Radio planning and executing station events and contests. She graduated with a B.A. in Communications from the University of Dayton.

Gary Easter
Easter, along with Lawhun, started Hermes Race Systems in 1981. At that time, the first race of the organization was the First Turkey Trot which was held in the Metroparks and had 600 runners. He was President of the Cleveland West Roadrunners from 1979-1981, and President of the Athletic Congress in 1984. Gary was Chairman of the Long Distance Running Division of the Athletic Congress from 1982-1984. He has completed 22 marathons, and is married with two children. Gary is currently a police officer in Lakewood, OH.

Rich Lawhun
Lawhun, along with Easter, started Hermes Race Systems in 1981. Lawhun now serves as Hermes Logistics Manager. Lawhun graduated from Ohio University where he ran track and cross country.  Prior to Hermes, Lawhun coached cross country at St. Joes Academy and completed 10 marathons. He resides in Lakewood, Ohio and is married to wife Kathy. They have 3 daughters, Sarah, Beth and Anne.

Kyle Wilson
Wilson serves as Hermes' Database Specialist and Timing Technician. A graduate of of Bowling Green State University where he played 4 years of club hockey and earned a degree in Sports Management, Wilson joined the Hermes Team in 2009. Prior to joining Hermes, Wilson served as student intern.