We’re All Family

Angie Pattengale is chief executive officer and co-owner of the National Federation of Professional Trainers, where she works behind the scenes on relationship building, advertising, policies and procedures, test development and delivery, certification accreditation and growing the business. She joined the company in 1994 after her dad, NFPT founder Ron Clark, convinced her to leave her waitressing job and come stuff envelopes for him. Angie has worked for NFPT as office manager and as director of certification, leading the five-year effort to become accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies. Angie was instrumental in evolving the company’s image to include casual fitness enthusiasts, not just body builders, and making certification accessible to all. Angie earned a bachelor’s degree in business management from Purdue University’s Krannert School of Management in West Lafayette, Ind., in addition to her studies in economics, human resources and psychology. Angie likes to hike national parks — the Grand Canyon is on her bucket list — and enjoys cycling with her husband and walking her dogs. Read Angie’s take on NFPT and the fitness industry in general in the Director’s Corner.

April Pattee is co-owner of NFPT and oversees relations with NFPT’s employees, vendors and independent contractors as director of human resources and customer service. She knows the inner workings of the entire NFPT system and enjoys finding the answers for the NFPT trainer family and partners. April started working for her dad, NFPT founder Ron Clark, in packaging and distribution.  She earned a bachelor’s degree in organizational leadership and supervision from Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind. April is a hard-core soccer mom who also plays the game. She runs 15 minutes a day and likes to play basketball and camp with her family.

Jason Pattee oversees the NFPT distribution department. Jason came to NFPT at the request of Director of Human Resources April Pattee, his wife, for what he thought was a temporary assignment and he’s still here, more than a decade later, sharing his fine attention to detail and consistent focus on the trainer’s perspective. He has previous experience in construction and the maintenance of large industrial machines. Jason earned an associate’s degree in business management from Vincennes University.

Andrew Meyer has been responsible for the management, strategy and execution of IT infrastructure for NFPT since 2013. He has experience as a programmer, project manager and freelance web designer. Andrew’s lifelong love of computers was nurtured by his father, who taught him how to use the DOS operating system before he could read the words he was typing. By age 10, he and his dad were building computers together. Andrew earned an associate’s degree in computer information systems with a minor in web management from Indiana’s Ivy Tech Community College.

Michele Rogers manages, coordinates and publishes educational blogs and social media content for NFPT. She’s been a personal trainer for 20 years with a lifetime passion for all things health and fitness. Her mission is to raise kinesthetic awareness and nurture a mind-body connection, helping her clients more profoundly reach their health and fitness goals. After battling a chronic lower back condition and becoming a parent, Michele has shifted her training approach to emphasize corrective exercise and pain resolution. Getting strong with power lifting is her favorite way to work out. Read Michele’s NFPT Blog posts and follow her on Instagram to be inspired by her passion for pull-ups! Michele earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Loyola University in Maryland and a master’s degree in applied health psychology from Northern Arizona University. Contact Michele if you’d like to contribute to the NFPT Blog.

Certifications: National Federation of Professional Trainers, Evidence-Based Fitness Academy Barefoot Training Specialist

John Marcy joined the extended NFPT family in 2014 as web developer, serving as a consultant and managing periodic changes and two site redesigns. As owner of the design firm 3HORN MEDIA, John serves clients large and small from as far away as Hong Kong. Wearing many hats himself, including graphic designer and marketing manager, John through his virtual agency brings in outside talent to match his clients’ specific design needs. John gets most of his exercise — and it’s a lot — wrangling his puppy, Dudley. John earned his bachelor of science degree from Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind., focusing on technical graphics, CAD drafting, technical illustration, desktop publishing and graphic design. Having built websites since before the internet was cool, John continually expands his expertise through the simple motto, “there is nothing I can’t do, only things I haven’t done yet.”

Erin Nitschke directs, develops and supports NFPT Education Partner initiatives in colleges and universities nationwide. She has taught college courses in health and human performance for more than 15 years. Erin also is a fitness blogger, regular columnist and contributing author for NFPT, the American Council on Exercise, The Sheridan (Wyo.) Press, the Casper (Wyo.) Star-Tribune’s LiveWell magazine and the IDEA Health & Fitness Association. She holds a doctorate in education, a master’s degree in kinesiology and health and a bachelor’s degree in exercise and sport from the University of Wyoming. Erin believes in the power of a holistic approach to healthy living. She loves teaching her clients and students to find an equilibrium between all dimensions of wellness with focused skill development that ultimately supports body harmony.

Certifications: National Federation of Professional Trainers, National Council on Strength & Fitness, Health Coach and Fitness Nutrition Specialist, American Council on Exercise; Level 1 Coach, Precision Nutrition

Ron Clark founded the National Federation of Professional Trainers in 1988, with a mission to make personal training careers available to fitness enthusiasts who want to turn their passion into their livelihood. Ron has retired from personal training and stepped down as CEO but will always be the father of NFPT. His career included service in the U.S. Marine Corps as a staff sergeant and 20 years with the Lafayette (Ind.) Fire Department as a firefighter and emergency medical technician. As a full-time competitive bodybuilder, Ron won the following titles: Hoffmeister, Mr. Indiana, Mr. Purdue, AAU and National Physique Committee. Before NFPT, he founded The Fitness Clinic, a Lafayette private personal training studio, and published Personal Trainer Today magazine. His work has appeared in Iron Man, MuscleMag, Muscular Development and Men’s Health magazines. Ron studied biology, anatomy, physiology and applied nutrition at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo, Calif., and at Indiana’s Ivy Tech Community College. Learn more about Ron and NFPT in the Director’s Corner.

Felix Doval created and operates the workshop division for the National Federation of Professional Trainers and leads NFPT’s Certification Council and Board of Education. He is founder and president of and senior education developer and consultant for Global Fitness Educators in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., which provides hands-on and continuing education in classroom and health club settings. Felix is an independent consultant for health club facilities and has partnered with international leaders in personal trainer certification. He earned a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology and exercise science from Broward College in Broward County, Fla.

Certifications: Master Trainer, National Federation of Professional Trainers; Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, National Strength and Conditioning Association

Felix Doval created and operates the workshop division for the National Federation of Professional Trainers and leads NFPT’s Certification Council  and Board of Education. He is founder and president of and senior education developer and consultant for Global Fitness Educators in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., which provides hands-on and continuing education in classroom and health club settings. Felix is an independent consultant for health club facilities and has partnered with international leaders in personal trainer certification. He earned a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology and exercise science from Broward College in Broward County, Fla.

Certifications: Master Trainer, National Federation of Professional Trainers; Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, National Strength and Conditioning Association

Charles DeFrancesco has been creating continuing education courses with NFPT for more than 15 years. He founded and owns Fit and Functional in Westchester, N.Y., and co-founded Greenwich (Conn.) Sports Medicine. Charles serves as a consulting partner with public and private training and rehabilitation facilities, including New York’s Pure Fit Club, Westchester Sports & Wellness and Phoenix Fitness. He earned a bachelor’s degree in health and wellness from Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind.

Certifications: National Federation of Professional Trainers, National Academy of Sports Medicine, USA Wrestling (Olympic lifting), Equinox Fitness Group Prenatal

Dr. Robert Inesta is co-author of NFPT’s training manuals. He is clinical director of Westchester Sports & Wellness in Harrison, N.Y. Robert graduated from New York Chiropractic College and has extensive post-graduate training in functional rehabilitation, functional soft tissue therapy and biomechanics, clinical neuropsychology and electrodiagnosis and nutrition.

Certifications: Chiropractic Sports Practitioner, Strength and Conditioning Specialist, Active Release Technique provider, Graston Technique clinician, Kinesiotaping, Licensed Acupuncturist

Dr. Richard Weinstein, MBA, is an orthopedic surgeon at White Plains Hospital Physician Associates. Richard is a former associate chairman and director of sports medicine at Lincoln Hospital Center and former director of sports medicine at Our Lady of Mercy Hospital Center, both in New York City. He is a Golden Gloves ringside physician, a member of the board of the American Association of Professional Ringside Physicians and a New York State Athletic Commission panel physician. He graduated from New York University School of Medicine.

Certifications: American Board of Orthopedic Surgery; Diplomate, National Board of Medical Examiners