Our Crew

Holly Meyer - Crew Chief

Holly has been living in Minneapolis , MN for the past five years. She moved there from her small hometown of Kaukauna , WI to attend the Aveda Institute for Cosmetology and Massage Day Spa. She has a deep-rooted enthusiasm for exercise and the outdoors and has run several long distance races including a full marathon last summer, which took place in San Diego , CA . Holly is the type to dive head-first into any experience and has relished the adventures she’s had and the friends she’s made while participating in RAAM. This will be Holly’s third year on team JDRF and she looks forward to the new challenges she will face as crew chief.

Alex Sotelo

My name is Alex Sotelo. I’m 38 years old. I was born and raised in Southern Cali. I just celebrated my 17th wedding anniversary. We have one daughter named Olivia. I consider myself a pretty active person and love participating in pretty much any sport. I love to snowboard and surf but my favorite hobby is photography. I love foods with red sauce and hate vegetables. I enjoy walks in the park and my favorite movie is The Notebook. (Just kidding on the last part)

Maureen Caragao

At age 4, Maureen rode tandem with her dad in the Tour of Palm Springs (2 day 125 miles). A few double centuries followed and age 10, Maureen rode the Light House Century which was her first solo century finishing it 6:30 hours. She also crewed that year at the Furnace Creek 508 and continued to ride while growing up. At age 15, Maureen retired to focus on the adventures of high school while still supporting her dad on various rides, include the 508 with intentions of returning to cycling in the future. Maureen has been crew chief at the 508 the last three years. She is a senior at CSUB graduating the fall of 2010 in Psychology and Business, and is excited about the adventure of crewing for her dad and others during RAAM this year.

Dan Rae

Loving husband and father of two teenagers.

Committee member and volunteer for Boy Scouts of America, two local long distance trail runs, my local church and school. Active in the outdoors with monthly scouting activities including: camping, hiking, backpacking, biking, rock climbing and canoeing. Attended Philmont and Boundary Waters high adventure scout camps.

Looking forward to this awesome adventure!

Ryan Hess

I am so excited to have been asked to be a part of the Team JDRF RAAM crew. I'm sure it will be an unforgetful experience for everyone including myself. I have been cycling over three years now, and look forward to many more. I got started in mountain biking to help heal a knee injury from distance trail running, and it has turned into a real addiction. I use cycling for about 75% of my cross training for ultramarathon trail runs, and it has really made in difference in how I feel and approach distance training. I now commute more often on a bicycle, and look forward every day to riding somewhere at least. I have been doing bike mechanics for two years now, and I am also getting ready to upgrade my WEMT up to a paramedic.

Thom & Veronica Dyson

We are long time avid cyclists. Veronica has completed 6 Doubles, while Thom keeps his riding to more reasonable efforts. Thom drives SAG or works at rest stops for probably 8 or 10 Doubles. We are looking forward to this adventure and being a part of the team.

Thom is an IT Consultant and Veronica is a school teacher.

Robert Arreguin

My name is Robert Arreguin. I am an IT Systems Administrator for a workers’ compensation law firm in Woodland Hills. I am very excited to contribute to this event in any way that I can. I hold diabetes research very near and dear to my heart since my fiancé faces the many challenges that come along with having type 1 diabetes. In the past, I have run relay races for Minimed, helped raise funds for the Big Bear Hike for Diabetes, and volunteered at the “Kids Rock the World” American Diabetes Association event.
As far as hobbies are concerned, you never have to ask me twice to go snowboarding or wakeboarding. When I'm not doing that, you can find me at a Dodger baseball game or walking Kong, my threatening menacing pinscher.

Anny Beck