Executive Team
Scott Goudeseune — President and Chief Executive Officer
Goudeseune has more than 20 years experience in extensive operations, sales and marketing for fitness and consumer based companies. He oversees all aspects of operations and provides extensive leadership and direction for all business activities. Goudeseune is continuously updating and streamlining all methods and procedures within the organization to leverage the latest technologies and health and fitness training and educational offerings.
He has spearheaded the development of our effort to establish and enhance an influential, powerful and unified political voice for the fitness industry. Focused on increasing the number of ACE-certified fitness professionals who actively participate in grassroots advocacy, he is committed to work to pass laws that will help affect societal changes toward a more fit America.
He previously served ACE as Vice President of Sales & Business Development. In 2003, he was assigned the Vice President of Operations position, and most recently served as Chief Operating officer. During his tenure with the company, ACE has earned accreditation by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), and expanded key business relationships with leaders inside and outside the fitness industry.
Prior to joining ACE, Goudeseune was the vice president of U.S. sales for Reebok CCS Fitness in Aurora, Colo., where he was responsible for commercial and specialty retail sales of Reebok's fitness equipment line totaling $18 million annually. Before joining Reebok, Goudeseune worked as the manager of learning and development of U.S. sales for Coors Brewing Co. in Golden, CO.
In his free time, Scott pursues his favorite passion - gourmet cooking. His primary residence is in Littleton, Co. with Barbara, his wife of 24 years, and their two children, Chris and Amanda.
Robyn Stuhr — Executive Vice President
With more than 20 years experience in health promotion, business and occupational health, sports medicine and cardiac rehabilitation, Stuhr is directly responsible for the overall success, development, management and execution of the ACE Academy department including all educational components of ACE workshops, seminars, programming and products.
Stuhr came to ACE after working as Program Director at the Center for Sports Medicine, Saint Francis Memorial Hospital in Corte Madera, CA. Prior to her work with Saint Francis, she was Director/Exercise Physiologist of the Women's Sports Medicine Center at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York, NY, one of the top-ranked orthopedics hospitals in the country. The Women's Sports Medicine Center was the first sports medicine program in the US dedicated to the treatment of active and athletic women.
Stuhr has lectured extensively about a variety of fitness and health topics including exercise for bone and cardiovascular health, weight management, body image, the female athlete triad, exercise and menopause and motivational strategies to exercise adherence. She has written several book chapters and articles on exercise and fitness.
She has served as a host and consultant for the DVD series "Keeping Fit in Your 50's" and several Healthy Learning educational videos. She also has been a contributing editor to the ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal, a health and safety consultant to the Girl Scouts of the USA and advisory board member to ClubLife magazine.
Stuhr was an "on-air" fitness specialist for the CBS television affiliate in Seattle, WA and has been quoted in a variety of magazines including Vogue, Allure, Runner's World, Health, More, Family Circle and Golf for Women. She has led warm-ups for events such as the 1999 Avon Running Global Championship in New York and the 1998 National Osteoporosis Foundation American Walks for Strong Women in Washington D.C.
Stuhr has a master's degree in exercise physiology from the University of California Santa Barbara. She played collegiate tennis and volleyball, was the first YMCA National Women's Handball champion and has won numerous regional racquetball and squash championships.
Alex Mirnezam, MBA — Chief Financial Officer
Alex Mirnezam is responsible for all financial and administrative functions at ACE and plays a critical role as a member of the senior executive team.
Mirnezam brings more than 16 years of experience in finance and accounting to ACE. He has served as the CFO and Corporate Controller for both public and private organizations.
Prior to joining ACE in April 1999, Mirnezam spent nearly 10 years in a variety of senior finance positions with Coverall North America, Inc. in San Diego, Calif. Coverall North America is an international franchise company with more than 4,500 franchisees, and is ranked as a Fortune 500 company. Mirnezam was responsible for leading the accounting and finances for the company, with $150 million in annual sales. Mirnezam also played a major role to acquiring several related companies and as a result increasing sales by 40%.
His extensive background includes the franchise and service industries, including Jenny Craig International and Thrifty Oil Co. Mirnezam holds an MBA from National University (San Diego, California).
Cedric X. Bryant, Ph.D. — Chief Science Officer
Cedric X. Bryant, Ph.D., joined ACE as chief exercise physiologist and vice president of educational services in 2001. Prior to joining ACE, Dr. Bryant served as a senior vice president for StairMaster Health and Fitness Products Inc., where he was responsible for research, development and design of all StairMaster product lines. In addition, he led StairMaster's Sports Medicine and Technical Service areas. Dr. Bryant's experience also includes serving on the exercise science faculties of the United States Military Academy at West Point, Pennsylvania State University and Arizona State University.
Dr. Bryant has taught university level courses on Applied Cardiovascular Physiology: ECG Interpretation, Case Studies in Exercise Science and Cardiac Rehabilitation, Exercise Prescription, Fitness for Life, Physical Fitness Appraisal/Exercise Testing, Strength Training: Physiological Principles and Training Techniques, Physical Activity and Chronic Diseases, and Exercise Programming for Special Populations. He has also received and directed numerous grant projects, including: The effect of exercise training on HDL-C content and concentration; the effects of physical fitness in blacks and whites on reactivity to and recovery from psychological stress; exercise training and peripheral vascular occlusive disease; and the relationship between physical activity status and walking patterns in the elderly.
Dr. Bryant lectures nationally and internationally on many topics related to exercise, fitness and nutrition. He is an accomplished writer, having authored, co-authored, or edited 21 books, 7 book chapters, and over 200 articles and columns in magazines including
ACE Certified News, ACSM’s Health & Fitness Journal, Fitness Management, IDEA Personal Trainer and
Shape, as well sports medicine and exercise science journals such as the
Journal of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation, Angiology, Strength and Conditioning, Biomechanics, and Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise. Dr. Bryant also serves as a health and fitness expert for various media including the
USA Today, Washington Post, New York Times, Parade Magazine, Wall Street Journal, Health Magazine, Reader’s Digest, Consumer Reports, Fox News, and
CNN Headline News.
Dr. Bryant earned both his doctorate in physiology and master's degree in exercise science from Pennsylvania State University. As a community leader, Dr. Bryant shares his knowledge of exercise physiology and athletics as a youth sports coach in baseball, basketball, and soccer. He and his wife, Ginger, reside in Redmond, WA with their four, very physically active sons.