Honorable farewell to pioneering figures and arrival of new board members and roles
The Triathlon Holten announces various board innovations. Maintaining a full-fledged board is essential for the sustainability of the organization. This also applies to ensuring variation and renewal within the board. In recent times, the entire board has consciously and successfully worked towards fulfilling these aspirations.
Martin Pieters is handing over his chairmanship to Anita Brinks, along with the change that Mieke Akkermans is appointed as vice-chair. Within the organization, this handover has been known since the beginning of this year. The same goes for the departure of Anja Wansink, who hands over her role as secretary. Her successor, Jessie Muller, joined the board at the start of this year. Finally, Hendri Markvoort will also pass on his baton to sitting board member Martin Kemper.
The board is pleased to have been able to welcome new members and to have added extra disciplines to the board. Triathlon Holten pioneers Martin Pieters, Hendri Markvoort, and Anja Wansink will hand over their roles on July 3, the day the Triathlon Holten 2021 was scheduled, on their own initiative. We are grateful for everything they mean and have meant to the event.
Handover of the chairman’s gavel
Martin Pieters hands over the chairman’s gavel to the duo Anita Brinks and Mieke Akkermans. Pieters, like Hendri Markvoort, has been involved with the organization of the Triathlon Holten for no less than 37 years, the last 14 of which as chairman. Anita Brinks has been active as a board member since 2016 and was responsible for organizational development and medical affairs until now. Mieke Akkermans joined a year ago as a general board member. Together, they will take on their new role as co-chairmen starting with the 2022 edition.
Pieters explains: “The Triathlon Holten is a beautiful and unique top-level sports event with a national reach, and it must remain so. For that, you also need to dare to change and innovate. I have contributed to the event with great pleasure—together with the block heads, 950 volunteers, fellow board members, and the support of suppliers, authorities, and sponsors. I naturally wish Anita, Mieke, and the new board members a lot of fun and success in the future.”
Brinks and Akkermans express their enthusiasm for the new challenge: “The Triathlon Holten is an event that stands strong. The contribution Martin, Hendri, and Anja have made to the triathlon is enormous. Unfortunately, we cannot make the handover during the 2021 triathlon. With the well-oiled machine that the departing board members leave behind, we hope to organize a fantastic Triathlon Holten in the coming years.”
Pioneers Wansink, Pieters, and Markvoort not retiring from triathlon yet
Besides Martin Pieters and Anja Wansink, pioneer Hendri Markvoort, sponsor manager and organizational jack-of-all-trades, has also announced he will step down from his current board position. His tasks as sponsor coordinator will be transferred to entrepreneur Martin Kemper, who recently joined the board for that purpose. Other commercial and organizational tasks will be distributed among colleague board members.
“For 37 years, I have worked with immense love and passion together with many volunteers, suppliers, authorities, and sponsors,” says Markvoort.
The three departing board members have transferred their tasks and responsibilities over the past few months and will officially leave the board as of July 3. Then, a triathlon retirement for them does not seem likely for the time being. They all express a strong commitment to the Triathlon Holten and intend to remain involved with the event in one way or another.
Ready for the future
The board innovations aim to ensure continuity and stimulate further professionalization and innovation towards the future. That is why various board members and disciplines have already been added over the past two years. For example, in 2019, Folkert Visser was brought in, who, with his medical background, brings the expertise to further elevate the focus on the theme of health, sport & fitness. Board members Gerdien Dekker and Gerrit Aanstoot have both been part of the board for a long time. This provides the board with a great mix of people and experience. The entire board, including retiring members Martin Pieters, Anja Wansink, and Hendri Markvoort, has played an important role in the innovations. The organization is delighted with the developments and looks forward to a flourishing future for the Triathlon Holten with confidence.
In the coming period, we will introduce everyone to the different board members and their activities. Keep an eye on our social media channels for that. We also look forward to organizing the Triathlon Holten of 2022 together with you!
Warm regards,
The entire board of the Triathlon Holten
