RACE GUARDS MANAGEMENT TEAM

Andy Voggenthaler, Founder

Andy bring his expertise in brand development and strategic partnerships, having developed long-term licensing and business ventures for many companies including General Motors, Nabisco, Hang Ten, DuPont-Teflon, Pebble Beach, and AIG American General   As the key business development executive at Matrix Direct, Andy was responsible for developing a complex yet extremely successful joint venture with AIG American General, which ultimately led to AIG acquiring Matrix in 2007.  Today, Matrix is the leading direct marketer of term life insurance in the country.

An endurance athlete for over 20 years, including competing in the Ironman World Triathlon Championships in Kona, Hawaii, Andy has a passion for sport.

Dr. Laura Dowd, Race Guards Medical Director, Certified American Heart Association Instructor

Dr. Dowd has been in practice as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine for the past 27 years. She leads a veterinary practice in San Diego, CA.

Dr. Dowd is a founding member of Race Guards and, as the Medical Director and Certified AHA Instructor, Laura trains and certifies Race Guards throughout the country.  Laura also leads Race Guards initiatives on “best practices” and in-race first aid protocol on the race course.  

Dr. Dowd is an endurance athlete having competed in race distances from the half marathon to Half Iron Man Triathlons. Race Guards perfectly blends her passion for running with her passion for medicine and teaching.  

Brandon Saxon, Director Legal

Brandon Saxon is a partner in the Employment and Environmental practice groups in the San Diego office of Gordon & Rees.

Mr. Saxon's practice focuses on a wide range of civil litigation matters including the defense of companies and employers in environmental and employment related actions. He has litigated a number of matters to successful resolution in both state and federal courts, and has experience in a variety of heavily regulated practice areas. In 2008, 2009, and again in 2010, The San Diego Daily Transcript honored Mr. Saxon as among the top young attorneys in San Diego, calling him a "rising talent in San Diego County's courtrooms."

Brandon has provided legal counsel to Race Guards since its inception in 2012.  Brandon also serves as a Race Guards team member at races throughout California. 

Patty Mas, Director, Race Guards Foundation

Patty Mas has been running and doing ultra-distance events and triathlons for the last 20 years. She is a spinning instructor at the YMCA, as well as a Marriage and Family Therapist and Professor at Cal State San Marcos. She has completed 4 Ironman distance triathlons and has twice finished the infamous “Death ride” in the Sierra Mountains.  Patty also enjoys sprint triathlons and training with friends, whether it’s on the run or in the ocean. Patty has discovered that her real passion is helping others reach their goals, so Race Guards is a perfect fit. “Getting someone to the finish line is the most rewarding race experience for me”.

Rich Heine, Race Guards Expo Manager

Rich grew up in New York,  just north of New York City.  After serving 4 years in the United States Navy, Rich became a Firefighter/EMT for the Larchmont Fire Department, filing many roles within the department as; CPR/First aid Instructor, Training Officer, Lieutenant, and retiring as Chief of Department after over 20 years of service. Rich also served in the Naval Reserve as a Navy Corpsman being mobilized and deployed on two combat tours with U.S. Marine units in 2003 and 2005-6 putting to use his training and experience as an EMT, Surgical Technician and Corpsman.
In his short time with Race Guards, Rich has participated in over 35 events and has become a regular at the Race Guards booth at the Health and Fitness Expositions held at many of the Race Guards supported events. Rich has become very knowledgeable on the array of Race Guards’ sponsors products and helps runners find the best solutions to stay healthy and reach their running goals. Rich is always ready to lend a hand, whether out on the course, manning the expo booth or preparing a team for race day.  Look for Rich at one of our many Race Guards expo booths across the country.  

CONTACT

Andy Voggenthaler
Founder
andyv@raceguards.org

Dr. Laura Dowd
Medical Director
AHA Certified Instructor
laurad@raceguards.org

Brandon Saxon
Director, Legal
brandons@raceguards.org

Patty Mas
Director, Race Guards Foundation
pattym@raceguards.org

Rich Heine
Race Guards Expo Manager
richh@raceguards.org