Blair Dean, Chairman, Governor's Council on Fitness

A native of Jonesboro, AR., Blair Dean is in her twelfth year at Arkansas State as an Associate Professor of Physical Education. In addition to supervising student interns, Dean's teaching responsibilities include elementary and secondary methods, rhythms, and motor skill development for children. Dean has been recognized for her expertise and commitment in teaching by the Arkansas Association for Health Physical Education Recreation and Dance as Dance Teacher of the Year and has been the past recipient of the Arkansas State University College of Education Award for Excellence in Teaching. As a result of her public school and university experience, Dean has become nationally known for her expertise in physical activity integration for young children. She has shared this knowledge with colleagues internationally, nationally, regionally and in the Natural State. This scholarship recognition has led to her national consultant work in more than ten states. She is the author of several published articles on innovative physical education techniques for young children. Dean is a valued member of Arkansas' Healthy Families Coalition, The Child Health Advisory Board, and the Jonesboro Parks and Recreation Advisory Board.

An enthusiastic marathoner, she leads an active lifestyle and encourages healthy lifestyles to Arkansans of all ages and abilities.

Nash Abrams

Nash was Executive Vice-President of Sales and Marketing for the Frank Lyon Distributing Company of Little Rock and Served As President of the Greater Little Rock Sales and Marketing Association. Mr. Abrams Has Been Recognized for His Community Service, Been on the Olympic Torch Relay Team, Pikes Peak Marathon Team, Senior Fitness Television Show, Served As President of the Arkansas Senior Organization and Received the Glenn Cunningham Gold Medal Award.

Hector Antonio Mendoza

Hector A. Mendoza moved to Little Rock, Arkansas in February of 1987 after completing his studies at Texas A & M University in Exercise Technology. Mr. Mendoza was an Associate Director of the Little Rock Athletic Club from 1987 – 1995. From 1995 – 1997 he came the Program Director for the North Little Rock Athletic Club. Currently Hector is the Executive Director for the Mercy Fitness Center a division of St. Edward Mercy Medical Center in Fort Smith Arkansas.

Since moving to Arkansas Hector has been instrumental in promoting/producing several of Arkansas top endurance events. Some of the events that he has produced include Crit on the Rock, Duathlon Today for Tomorrow Kids, Little Rock Jingle Bell Run, Mercy Celebrity Classic Criterium and the Tour of Arkansas.

Presently Mr. Mendoza serves of the Boards of the Western Arkansas Ballet, United Way, Leadership Fort Smith, Park Partners, Fort Smith Greenways, Arkansas Bicycle Coalition and Team Director for the Nationally Famous Mercy Cycling Elite Team.

Linda Kyzer

Linda grew up traveling the country as a military dependent. Arkansas became her permanent home in 1974. After selling real estate and working with troubled teens at Youth Home, Inc., Linda settled into a career at Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield in 1980. As an Internal Consultant, her work ranges from process re-engineering, organizational design and quality initiatives to serving on the employee wellness committee, and managing the company's discount wellness program and Club Blue, the employee gym.

Linda is a Certified Health Consultant, Managed Healthcare Professional and served two-terms on the Arkansas Quality Award Board of Examiners. She also served three years as a docent in the Little Rock Zoo’s educational program. As one of the core developers of the Arkansas Fitness Challenge, a worksite wellness program for employers, she works to improve this program and promote its use across the state.

Known amongst friends and co-workers for promoting physical activity and healthy lifestyles, she practices what she promotes. Linda lives in Sherwood with her husband of 20+ years, where she actively cycles, hikes, walks and gardens. Her hope and focus for Arkansas is to continue to convince employers of the value of worksite wellness and to provide ways for them to promote physical activity.

Jane Mcmullin

Jane is Presently the Director of Health and Fitness for Trinity Village in Pine Bluff. She Received Her Bachelor of Science in Education and Master of Education from the University of Arkansas. Ms Mcmullin Also Received Her Physical Fitness Specialist Certification from the Cooper's Institute for Aerobic Research in Dallas, Texas. She Is the Recipient of the National Service Award for the Arthritis Foundation (1999), Outstanding Young Arkansan (1989), Outstanding Young Fitness Leader (1989), Owner of Jane's Gym in Dewitt, People With Arthritis Can Exercise (Pace) Trainer for the Arthritis Association, and Is a Consultant for Hugs, Humor and Health. Ms. Mcmullin Serves on the Planning Committee of the Arthritis Foundation and As a Board Member of the Arkansas Senior Olympics.

Ernie Murry

Ernie earned his Industrial Technology degree from the University of Arkansas. While attending college he was also a member of the Arkansas Razorback Basketball team. He currently lives in Pine Bluff where he is employed by the Pine Bluff School District as the Communities In Schools Director at Jack Robey Junior High School. Mr. Murry is presently involved with Partners for Better Pine Bluff/Youth Adult Partnership, Administrative Board of Junior Deputy of Jefferson County, and ACCESS Board for Single Parents.

Mike Perkins

graduated from Ouachita Baptist University in 1989 with a B.S. in Biology. After graduation, Mr. Perkins continued his education at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. He graduated in 1991 with a M.S. in Exercise Science. After completing his Masters degree, Mr. Perkins began working as an Exercise Physiologist in Cardiac Rehabilitation at BAPTIST HEALTH Medical Center-Little Rock. In 1992, Mr. Perkins received his Exercise Specialist Certification from the American College of Sports Medicine. From 1997-2000, he worked at BAPTIST HEALTH Medical Center-Little Rock where he served as the Health Management Center Coordinator. The Health Management Center includes Cardiac Rehabilitation, Diabetes Self-Management and other wellness and rehabilitative programs. In January 2001, Mr. Perkins became Assistant Vice President of Patient Services for BAPTIST HEALTH Medical Center-Little Rock/BAPTIST HEALTH Rehabilitation Institute. He completed his Masters degree in Health Service Administration from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock in May 2001.

Amelia W Stuckey

Amelia is a stay-at-home mother who stays active with the help of her three boys. Prior to staying at home, Amelia worked as a Special Agent with the Criminal Investigative Division of the Internal Revenue Service. As an Agent, Amelia served as the Health Improvement Coordinator for the Special Agents in the State of Arkansas and Tennessee. She has received her Physical Fitness Specialist Certification from the Cooper’s Institute for Aerobic Research in Dallas, TX and was licensed by AFAA as a certified aerobic instructor.

Amelia has been involved in her community by serving on the Wellness Committee at her children schools. She was the event planner for the Terrapin Derby 5K Walk/ Run in Lepanto, Arkansas for nine years and was coordinator for the Marked Tree Youth Soccer Organization. Also, she has been a coach for numerous soccer and baseball teams on which her boys have played.

Amelia and her husband, Fred, live in Clarkedale, Arkansas. They enjoy biking, horseback riding, swimming, and jogging with their boys, Sam, Christopher, and Heath. Amelia hopes to pass her love of an active and healthy lifestyle to her boys and other children as well.

Gina Marchese Pharis

Gina Marchese Pharis graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Radio, Television & Film from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock in 1987. A native of Arkansas, Gina has had an extensive career in event planning and production in Little Rock for 20+ years. Gina worked at Bylites as an event coordinator / marketing director for 12 years then after working in sales and promotions for several years Gina worked as the special events coordinator with the City of Little Rock and the Little Rock River Market. In 2002 she moved into the event coordinator position for the launching of the first Little Rock Marathon where she still remains race coordinator!

Although Gina had never run a marathon prior to taking the marathon job, she has now run/walked four marathons and five half marathons and has always has a love for athletics and health and fitness! Gina was a sports enthusiast as a young girl playing softball for 18 years and at 5’0” actually lettered in basketball her high school freshman year!

Gina has served on numerous boards including Riverfest, Arkansas Festival Association, American Cancer Society, Little Rock Zoo, Junior League of Little Rock, Museum of Discovery and the Human Growth Foundation. Gina is known for volunteering and asking people to volunteer . Whether representing the GCOF or another board, Gina’s encourages people of all ages to walk and exercise to keep a sharp mind and body.

David Strickland

David has been the head athletic trainer at UCA since July of 1998. Since that time, he has been directing all aspects of the athletic training program. He currently oversees a staff of 4 full-time assistant athletic trainers, 2 graduate assistant athletic trainers, is responsible for supervising and administering the medical coverage for UCA’s 18 NCAA Division I athletic teams, the medical care of over 400 student-athletes, and the operation of two athletic training facilities.

In addition to all his administrative responsibilities, David is also a clinical instructor in UCA’s Athletic Training Education Program. His hard work and dedication in working in both the clinical and classroom settings with his athletic training students was recently rewarded; as he was promoted to Clinical Instructor II in 2006. His main area of interest in teaching is with head, neck, and spine injuries. He also teaches emergency care courses, and the equipment intensive clinical class within the athletic training education program.

David has drawn from his wealth of experience in the athletic training profession to provide his current student-athletes with the best possible medical care. David spent 2 summers as an assistant athletic trainer for the New Orleans Saints—assisting in the day-to-day operations of the athletic training room during the summer and pre-season. He has also served as the Director of Athletic Training and Head Athletic Trainer at National American University (2 years), was the head athletic trainer for the Black Hills Posse Semi-Professional Basketball team (2 years), the head athletic trainer at Carlsbad High School in New Mexico (1 year), and spent one year as a graduate assistant athletic trainer at the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse working with the 1996 football team that was crowned Division III National Champions.

A firm believer in the role of athletic training and in the importance of the profession itself, David has dedicated much of his free time to being a leader. He has been highly involved in the Arkansas Athletic Trainers’ Association—serving on the Legislative Committee, the Public Relations Committee, as AATA Annual State Meeting Committee Chairperson, and was elected as AATA President in 2003. David has also served as a test site administrator for the NATA Board of Certification exam since 2000.

Volunteering has also been a big part of David’s professional career. In February of 2003, he was selected to be a member of the U.S. Olympic Committee’s Medical Staff for the Titan Games—working with Taekwondo, Shot Put and Discus. In addition to that, in April of 2001, he was selected to work at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs with the wrestling and Taekwondo teams. David has also volunteered his time for various other events, serving as the medical coordinator for the National College Finals Rodeo Championships (1998), the South Dakota High School State Wrestling Championships (1996), and the Mount Rushmore International Marathon (1996, 1997). In 1995, he assisted in hosting the NCAA Division III Men’s and Women’s Cross-Country National Championships while he was a graduate assistant athletic trainer at the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse.

David is currently a member of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association, the Southwest Athletic Trainers’ Association, the Arkansas Athletic Trainers’ Association, and the National Strength and Conditioning Association.

Chris Cothern MSPT, CSCS

Chris has a bachelor’s degree in Health Sciences and Microbiology with a minor in Psychology, a Masters Degree in physical therapy, and is currently a candidate for a Doctorate degree in physical therapy with sports physical and manual therapy emphasis. The final project for his Doctorate is on an ACL Segway program for post-surgical athletes. He is also a past Arkansas state director for the National Strength and Conditioning Association and a frequent health and fitness contributor in Vype magazine. He designed a senior fitness class for his local church and now oversees a Silver Sneakers fitness program. Chris has developed AthletiCorePlus Training, which is a program for the core muscles to assist in preventing and treating back injuries in active individuals and improving performance in athletes. Chris is the founder and owner of AthletePlus Sports Performance and Physical Therapy, located in Springdale, AR.

College and pro athletes such as Todd Day and Chrys Chukhuma have trained with Chris. With a very successful speed training program, Chris and his trainers have trained athletes that have signed with teams in the SEC, PAC-10, and many other conferences. He has also consulted with colleges on injury prevention programs.

His interests include general fitness, injury prevention and speed training for young athletes, and improving the health of all Arkansans. Chris lives with his wife, Katherine, and son, Evan, in Fayetteville.

Brenda Engle

Director of Healthworks at White County Medical Center in Searcy. Health works develops and runs the hospital associate wellness program, “Wellness Pays” for the hospital’s 1300 employees and their spouses. Health works utilizes its 13 employees in a comprehensive health promotion program for the community of businesses, industries, schools and senior centers. Brenda was previously a high school and community college physical education and fitness teacher. Brenda has always been very active with her family of husband, 2 sons, 1 daughter, 2 grandsons, water sports, camping, hiking, biking, running and walking, snow skiing, and various team sports. She and husband, Rob, recently got into HOG (Harley Owners Group) spending weekends enjoying riding their Harley Davidson. Her activity goal for the future is to snow ski with all her grandchildren, skiing with her 7 year old grandson for the past 3 years. She is active in her community as well as at work, serving her Rotary club in various offices, this year being President of the service club.

Jeff Maher

As a lifelong health and fitness enthusiast Jeff encourages and promotes wellness for all ages. He graduated from the University of Central Arkansas where he served as the Race Director for the Tour de Toad Bike race. Since then he has gone on to Race Direct the Museum of Discovery’s annual Dino Dash 5K and 1K fun run each May as well as volunteers for the Little Rock Marathon Little Rockers Kids Marathon program and a volunteer soccer coach for the Little Rock Futball club. He is an avid runner, cylist & swimmer promoting health & fitness for all ages. As a past phyical fitness trainer continues to help individuals reach their fitness goals on a one-on-one basis thru exercise & diet. He is a member of the Little Rock Roadrunners Running Club, Road Runners Club of America, Little Rock Marathon Training Group, and Chainwheel Cycling Club. He has been recognized as an Arkansas Grand Prix Series Ironman for successfully completing a rigorous year long series of various distance races across the State.

He also has a passion for serving and volunteering in the community. He serves on the Board of Director’s of the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Arkansas and the Arkansas Children's Hospital Committee for the Future.