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.

Henry Hawk

Hengry Hawk is presently the broker/owner of Henry Hawk & Associates Real Estate in Conway, Arkansas. Mr. Hawk spent 19 years coaching track and football in high school and college. During this time he coached a state championship team and was named Arkansas Coach of the Year. He is an avid runner and has competed ten times in the Boston Marathon. Mr. Hawk set a World Record and a National Record of 5:13:38 in the 1998 USA Track and Field Indoor Championships. He is the 2003 National Champion in the 800 and 1500 meters for both the US Track and Field National Indoor Championships and the National Senior Olympics. He has served as President of the Arkansas Senior Olympics and the Women's Shelter of Central Arkansas. He is a former author of weekly fitness articles for the Long Cabin Democrat. Mr. Hawk is a member of the Baptist Health 55 Plus Advisory Group. "Well on Your Way," a fitness calendar created by Mr. Hawk and produced by Baptist Health, available since October. He serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Soaring Wings Ranch, a home for abused and abandoned boys and girls, and is a coach for the Optimist Youth Football League. He is a member of the First Presbyterian Church where he serves as an elder.

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.

Breezy Young

Breezy was born and raised in Little Rock, Arkansas, and received a Bachelors Degree in Kinesiology, with an emphasis in Exercise Science, from the Univeristy of Central Arkansas. During college, Breezy was employed with Powerhouse Gym, personal training and teaching group fitness classes. She also interned at CardioFit, a cardiac rehabilitation facility, under the late Dr. Charles P. Fitzgerald, taught water aerobics classes through the Arthritis Foundation, instructed Mind and Body classes at UCA, and also taught classes at Arkansas Fitness.

Breezy is certified through ACE, American Council on Exercise, as a Group Fitness Instructor, and is presently enrolled in the yoga teacher training program at Barefoot Stuido. She is now instructing beginner classes at the studio, and volunteer teaches at her high school, Mount St. Mary Academy. Breezy's passion for fitness and wellbeing led her to study yoga and share her experiences with others. She is also the owner of Lovingly Breezy, a custom jewelry business.

From the age of three to 16, Breezy was overweight, lacking self esteem, and a healthy lifestyle. She wants to encourage Arkansasans of all ages to learn about lifestyle changes that promote a healthy mind and body, rather than focusing on their weight or a number. It is important to teach young children and teens to be respectful of their bodies, engage in physical activity, and to manage stress in a positive way. Breezy lives in Little Rock with her husband, Paul, and rottweiler, Tank. She enjoys staying active by walking Tank, practicing yoga, strength and interval training, dancing, and climbing Pinnacle Mountain.

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.

Martha Neal

Martha Neal is resident of Siloam Springs and a 1991 graduate of the University of Arkansas. As Martha worked to attain a B.S.ED., Kinesiology, she also served as Head Manager for the Lady Razorbacks basketball team. Martha received her M.S.ED. in Sports Management in 1994. Her focus on teaching physical education was refined upon experiencing the passing of her father due to heart disease and her mother due to Type II Diabetes. Martha finds it her quest in life, after sharing as her mother’s full time care giver for eighteen months, to teach young Arkansans that physical education is about P.E.O.P.L.E. – “Physical Education Offers Participants Lifetime Enrichment.” Martha receives great satisfaction in making such an investment in the future of our state, whether encouraging students to make wise nutritional choices or simply getting off the couch to be active or recognize the need for proper rest. As she serves on the Governor’s Council on Fitness, Martha hopes to extend that quest to reach Arkansans of all ages, encouraging them to live healthy and active lives.

When Martha is not making preparations to teach her elementary physical education classes in Bentonville, Arkansas, she can be found swimming, cycling, hiking, reading, singing in her church choir, or just hanging out with her bird dog, ‘SPEKALS.

George Biggs

George Biggs graduated from Henderson State University in 1983 with a Bachelor of Science in Education and in 1984 with a Master of Science in Education. He was a teacher/coach in Texarkana, TX and Queen City, TX. He was the Athletic Director at Arkansas Baptist College. He is now the Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Jacksonville and has held that position since 1998.

Mr. Biggs is on the Board of Directors at the Jacksonville Senior Center, Advisory Board of Directors at the Jacksonville Community Bank, President of the Jacksonville Sertoma Club, and Vice President of the Jacksonville Hometown Health Coalition. He is also a member of the Arkansas Recreation Parks Association, National Parks and Recreation Association, and American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance. He is a board member for the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce and an Honorary Commander for 314th A.W. Contracting Squadron at the Little Rock Air Force Base. Mr. Biggs has had a life-long commitment to fitness.