Press Room

INCOMING ADVISORY PANEL MEMBERS TO HELP ACE GAIN ALLIES IN FIGHT TO END OBESITY EPIDEMIC

Posted: Aug 05, 2013 in

SAN DIEGO, Calif. (Aug. 5, 2013) – Five new additions to the American Council on Exercise (ACE) Industry Advisory Panel will help steer the nonprofit organization in its new efforts to build relationships among leaders in health care, corporate America and government.

The panel, comprised of experts in business, education, health care and fitness, serves as a critical asset as ACE continues to make progress in its mission to eliminate the obesity epidemic by 2035.

“We know tackling the obesity epidemic requires collaboration and that the fitness industry has much to offer in the fight as we build bridges with health care, policy and workplaces,” said ACE President and CEO Scott Goudeseune. “The advisory panel plays a big role in reaching out to other industries and getting people invested in this mission. Aligning our efforts with those of government leaders in Washington, fitness facilities in Europe, academic institutions across the country and new health care initiatives, will determine whether we succeed in making a difference long term.”

New IAP members include:

• Fred Hoffman, M.Ed., of Paris, France, the 2007 IDEA Fitness Instructor of the Year, has 30 years of experience in health and fitness. A registered respiratory therapist, he has held director positions for Batuka and Club Synergy Group. Hoffman has worked with Reebok in several capacities since 1991, and continues to serve as a Master Trainer for BOSU^®, Lebert Fitness and TRX^™. He has appeared as an expert at more than 200 industry events. 

 

• Rick Mayo, owner and operator of North Point Fitness in Roswell, Ga., opened his business in 1992. In addition to serving as president of North Point Personal Training Systems, he has been featured as an expert source in several national publications including Men’s Health, Woman’s Day and O, The Oprah Magazine. A partner in The National Fitness Business Alliance, Mayo also sits on the board for Georgia State University’s Exercise Science Department. 

 

• Kevin McHugh, COO of The Atlantic Club in Manasquan, N.J., has more than 20 years of experience in the health and fitness industry. He has served as a multi-faceted executive in the consumer products and customer service industries, holding senior positions in sales, marketing, finance and human resources. McHugh holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Manhattan College.

 

• Bryan O’Rourke, CEO of Integerus in Covington, La., is an experienced strategist and adviser who helps organizations and professionals solve their biggest challenges. His expertise and consultancy extends to a number of disciplines and industries. O’Rourke holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of New Orleans and master’s degree from Southeastern Louisiana University.

 

• Amy Boone Thompson, national director of Personal Training Services at Wellbridge in Denver, Colo., helps personal training managers and fitness professionals integrate and retain members. She has been a presenter and author for the past two decades, lecturing on leadership, management and health. Thompson holds a bachelor’s degree in physical and health education from George Mason University, and multiple national certifications.

Incoming members will join Robert Brosmer, COO of the YMCA of Central Maryland in Towson, Md.; Bonnie Castro, health educator for WebMD in Surf City, N.C.; John Graham, MS, of St. Luke’s University Health Network in Bethlehem, Penn.; Steven Trotter, assistant director of fitness at the University of North Carolina in Wilmington, N.C.; and Antonio Williams, PhD, assistant professor at Indiana University in Bloomington, Ind.

“This group comes with a wealth of knowledge and real-world experience,” Goudeseune said. “They were selected because of the success they’ve demonstrated in their own fields, and we look forward to the insight they’ll provide to our organization. Their contributions will be invaluable as we align ourselves with leaders in other industries and facilitate relationships among them that can help us collectively end the obesity epidemic.”

 

About ACE
Since 1985, American Council on Exercise (ACE) has evolved from a small nonprofit dedicated to educating people about proper fitness to a 50,000-strong network of certified Personal Trainers, Group Fitness Instructors, Health Coaches, and Advanced Health and Fitness Specialists. As the largest NCCA-accredited nonprofit fitness certification organization in the world, ACE provides quality continuing education to professionals and conducts independent science-based research to protect all Americans from unsafe and ineffective products. Our goal is to inspire people to live their most fit lives through free fitness resources including workouts, nutrition information and expert advice. For more information, call (800) 825-3636 or visit ACEfitness.org.  AMERICAN COUNCIL ON EXERCISE, ACE and ACE logos are Registered Trademarks of American Council on Exercise.

 

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