Who We Are

Matthew and Lesley Holleman- Owners

Lesley Holleman joined Fleet Feet Jackson early on and helped it become the hub for runners and walkers alike that it is today. Originally from Baton Rouge, Lesley went to Delta State and walked on the Cross Country team her senior year. An active runner and exercise enthusiast, Lesley has completed seven marathons including the Boston Marathon, Chicago Marathon, and countless area 5 & 10K's and half-marathons.

Matthew Holleman grew up in Jackson and attended St. Andrews and Jackson Prep. After graduating from Ole Miss, Matthew was introduced into running by Lesley and has been on board ever since.

What makes Fleet Feet Different? “Our focus is on our customers, our community, and service. We want to educate our customers and serve our community through running.”

Favorite Running Essential? Garmin Fenix.

Favorite Race? Lesley: “MS Blues Marathon. I’ve watched it grow from 60 people on the Trace to the Premiere Downtown Jackson Event it is today.” Matthew prefers Fleet Feet’s own: Blue Mile

Best Post-Run Food? Soulshine Pizza

Best Spot to Run? Ridgeland Multi-Use Trail. Start from Fleet Feet of course!

Lynn Williams - Receiving Manager

Lynn grew up in Indianola, Mississippi and went to Mississippi State. Her great grandparents opened up the first family shoe store in Yazoo City in 1906. When she was a teenager, she worked at the shoe store some over the summers. After her grandparents passed away, she bought the family shoe store and operated it for two years. Now she manages Fleet Feet inventory, stocking, receiving, and all sorts of other things.

Favorite local race? FF's own Turkey Day 8K!

What makes Fleet Feet unique? The customers! I love hearing customers share their reasons why they run and hike and the seeing the enjoyment they receive from it. I also enjoy seeing friends from my hometown (Indianola) and from where I live (Yazoo City.)

Favorite Running Essential? "Balega socks-They feel like soft cushioned pillows on your feet and they keep the moisture away."

Michael Harrison - RXM/Shift Leader

Michael is originally from Atlanta and went to school at UGA. He started running to stop smoking and found out that he really enjoyed it! Having worked at the Bike Rack for over 17 years, Michael can both fit you for shoes and give you some good advice on the bike. Michael also helps pace our triathlon programs.

What makes Fleet Feet Unique? The people who work there create positive vibe and the customers recognize it and appreciate it.

Training Essential? HR Monitor.

Post-Race Food? M & M (Mexican food and Margaritas!)

Nicole Aversa - Business Outreach/Social Media Coordinator

Hailing all the way from Long Island, NY, Nicole supervises all of our social media. She's never been big into running because her main focus is usually lifting weights and some cardio, but she has started running more since working at FF.

Life outside of Fleet Feet? School, studying, eating, sleeping and being a mom to the most perfect angel baby, Ella.

Favorite running essential? Definitely music. I cannot run without it!

Favorite Post-Run Food? Whatever snacks I bought for Ella for that week.

Kelsey Shumate Ray - RXM/Shift Leader and Event Coordinator

Kelsey grew up in Clinton, Mississippi, and began her running journey in 3rd Grade. Since then she has continued to love running and has become a little less terrified of the microphone thanks to our friendly fun run crowds. She's always up for a good PB & J with fresh apple jelly.

Motivation for running? Fuels the heart, gotta have a lighter to start a fire.

Favorite running essential? I'd have to say my Artiken bracelet with "BRAVEY" on it.

What is your favorite local race? 12k's for the Holidays

Jonathan Ray - Shoe Buyer

Jonathan Ray is from Jackson, MS, and went to Ole Miss where he earned a degree in engineering. He spent 5 years with the Army Corps of Engineers before deciding to dedicate all of his time to running with friends and fitting you for the perfect shoe.

What makes Fleet Feet a unique place? There is a certain energy around Fleet Feet that makes you want to be the best you can be. Working there feels like being on a sports team.

What is your favorite local race? Big butts! The heat makes this race a challenging test of endurance, grit, and nailing hydration/nutrition. It's an exciting atmosphere with lots of support from runners and volunteers.

Best running song? Christmas music.

Logan Mattox - RXM/Shift Leader

Originally from Oregon, Logan spent almost 5 years in the Army. After his time in the Army, instead of moving back to Oregon, he decided to stay in the South, where the food is better and the sun is brighter. He has his undergraduate degree in Biblical Studies from Belhaven University and is currently pursuing his Master of Arts in Teaching from Belhaven University. Go BLAZERS!

What makes Fleet Feet Different? Fleet Feet in Jackson offers a unique shopping experience by providing a personalized, one-on-one interaction. All of our staff love to help people. This isn’t an ordinary retail store, it’s a place that the customers know they are truly cared about.

Life outside of Fleet Feet? When he isn’t working at Fleet Feet, Logan is a competitive strongman. He has competed in several events throughotu the South and is highly ranked in his class.

Favorite Post-Run Food: Pasta

Kaitlyn Street - RXM/HR

What makes Fleet Feet unique? Always finding a friendly face and great customer service that is hard to find these days.

Favorite post race food? Pizza.

Best running song? Black Smoke Rising by Greta Van Fleet

Favorite running spot? The trails by the Natchez Trace starting at Fleet Feet

Life outside of Fleet Feet? I love spending time with my husband and our pets!

Jesse White - Shift Leader

Another native of Mississippi, Jesse, got into running by joining the local Victors Homeschool Track and XC Team. Becuase of the amazing friendships and bonds he had with teammates, not to mention his coaches, he decided to keep running and stay active in the sport. Jesse is studying criminal justice at Belhaven University with the hopes of pursing a career in law enforcement. He also plays the drums and loves music.

What makes Fleet Feet unique? All the amazing individuals who work here. Everyone brings their own style to the table and is allowed to thrive.

Motivation for running? "I enjoy pushing myself while running and the pleasant soreness that follows a hard run. It’s also nice having other runners to motivate me to run on days that I don’t feel like getting out."

Best running song? No Excuses by NF

What is your favorite local race? Watermelon Classic

--Fit Specialists--

Peter Davis:

A Belhaven University XC runner, Peter Davis loves running out on any trail he can get his feet on. He is the cross-country coach at St. Augustine and trains the Fleet Feet staff on any and all running products. When he's not running, Peter is off making films, writing stories, or some other sort of art project.

Favorite running spot? Choctaw Trails and Butts Park

Motivation for running? "Running is a kind of meditation for me where I can pray, plan out my day, and clear my head. The harder I run, the more focused I become."

Chuck Vrana - Training Program Coordinator & Buyer

Opinionated Yankee transplanted to Mississippi from Nebraska in 2013. Retired (2017) Finance Mgr. from Levi Strauss and Co. Likes walking, baking, and giving Peter a hard time every Friday at the coffee run.

What makes Fleet Feet a unique place? Are you kidding me? Tom Hanks would kill to work with a cast of characters like this crew!

Life outside of Fleet Feet: I’m retired which means I can ignore chores at home, travel, and pursue the 50 States Endurance Challenge - (at least before COVID).

Motivation for running? I power walk instead of run. It gets my day going, keeps me healthy, and it’s fun whether I’m alone or with a group.

Favorite There are three I do annually - The Mustard Seed’s “Racin’ for the Seed“, Good Samaritan’s “12k’s for the Holidays“, and Fleet Feet's Turkey Day 8k

Taylor Wiley

Favorite post race food? 10 piece chicken nugget meal with fries

Life outside of Fleet Feet? I have a one year old son, so outside of Fleet Feet I spend most of my time making memories with him.

Best Running Song? Coming Undone by Korn

What makes Fleet Feet a unique place? The one-on-one customer and staff interactions are what makes it such a special place!

Alex Nguyen

From Jackson, MS, Alex graduated from NWR High School in 2017. He got into running by being expected to when he joined the Army National Guard. He is a combat veteran and is married with a son, Eren Yeager.

The Fleet Feet Difference: Fleet Feet JXN sets itself apart by having a unique and welcoming staff that are more knowledgable about their products compared to other retailers.

Life outside of Fleet Feet? Anime is love… Anime is life.

Favorite running essential? Shorts with 3 inch inseams. Anything longer is basically running pants.

Markese Lee

A Jacksonion by birth, Markese has lived in Jackson his whole life and is currently attending Belhaven University, where he is an RA. Markese is part of the Army National Guard and plans on graduating with a degree in nursing.

What is your motivation for Running? To be the greatest soldier I can be. 'Merica

Best Running/Workout Song? Don't Turn away by Manifest.

Hobbies outside of Fleet Feet: Watching Anime, especially Fairy Tale.

Favorite Post-Run Food: Apples (Little known fact, Markese eats around 10 apples a day).

Emily Katherine Mattox - Apparel Buyer & Merchandising Coordinator

Emily Katerine Dacus grew up in Clinton where she fell in love with the sport of running when she started Cross Country. She graduated from MC in 2019, where she got her BFA in studio art (starving artist majors where ya at?) Random interests include running, cats, horses, running, jewelry design, running, photography, painting, and running.

What makes Fleet Feet a unique place? The people!! I don’t describe Fleet Feet as a running “store.” It’s more of a community. They take the time to address the concerns of each individual customer who comes in. There are so many opportunities to grow as a runner, (training groups, races, and coffee runs!!) so it’s just a great supportive place all-around.

Life outside of Fleet Feet? I actually spend a lot of my time making jewelry for local markets & Etsy orders! I love to make wire-wrapped rings. I also attend Chapel of the Cross in Madison, where I sing in the choir.

Erin Polzin - Event/Race Support

Best running spot? The Natchez Trace

What is your favorite running essential? My aftershokz headphones and Nathan water bottle

Life outside of Fleet Feet? When I'm not working or running I'm usually chasing one of my 3 kids!

What makes Fleet Feet unique? I love working at Fleet Feet because I get to work with a great group of people who love to do what I love to do! I've learned so much from them and they keep me motivated.