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. At the American Council on Exercise, 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 ACE’s 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 then 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. He lives in San Diego, CA with his wife, Barbara and has two children.
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.
Graham Melstrand — Vice President, Operations
Melstrand is responsible for daily operations of the organization including directing the educational services, resource center and commercial accounts departments. His role also includes serving as an advisory board member to the Medical Fitness Association and he is an active committee participant for the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), the Committee on Accreditation for the Exercise Sciences (COAES) and NSF International, Joint Committee on Health Fitness Facility Standards. He has been with the organization since 2000 and previously served as Director of Educational Services where he was in charge of continuing education and certification. Melstrand joined ACE as a Field Sales Manager, where he was responsible for the development and execution of the North American sales plan including key accounts, Federal Government and military, Universities, trade association partnerships and specialty retail. Melstrand has a strong background in fitness. He was an athletic trainer for the Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine Institute in Costa Mesa, Calif., and at University High School in Irvine, Calif. He holds a bachelor’s degree in physical education/athletic training from California State University, Long Beach. He was a nationally ranked cyclist between 1981 and 1991, a participant in the 1984 and 1988 Olympic Trials, and a member of the U.S. National Team Development Program from 1983 to 1990.
Rachelle Deal — Vice President, Marketing
Deal is responsible for the continued strength and management of all marketing and corporate communication initiatives, strategies and messages. Excellence in corporate strategy and planning, customer relationship management, brand management, advertising and promotions are all skilled elements that Deal brought to ACE in early 2006. She most recently served as director of marketing for the Water and Power Community Credit Union in Los Angeles, CA. Prior to working with the Credit Union, she led the marketing team for PADI Americas, the Professional Association of Diving Instructors, of Rancho Santa Margarita, CA for several years. She holds a bachelor’s degree with a double major, marketing and international business, from California State University, Long Beach and is a certified PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor.