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Charles Sterling, EdD
Chairman Emeritus, Youth Initiatives
Charles joined Dr. Kenneth Cooper’s organization in 1980, serving as the Executive Director of the renowned Cooper Institute, and as President of The Cooper Enterprises. His leadership resulted in international acclaim for both organizations. In 2001, he founded eStealth, Inc., a health information portal for physicians, plus Cool Zebra, a movement education DVD for school-aged children.
Charles is best known professionally as the founder of the widely-used FITNESSGRAM®, a health-related testing and feedback system for youth. Since it began, Fitnessgram has become the test of choice in the U.S., being used in all 50 states and 20 countries. It is currently in 85,000 school districts and mandated for schools in California, Texas, Georgia, and New York. Over 14 million students were assessed in 2009.
Currently, Charles serves as Chairman of Youth Initiatives at The Cooper Institute in Dallas. He provides visionary leadership for FITNESSGRAM worldwide, FITNESSGRAM NFL Play 60, Nutrigram, and the Healthy Zones School Recognition Program. He is also Chairman of the FITNESSGRAM Board of Trustees, an esteemed group of experts specializing in tests and measurements, kinesiology, behavioral science, and other pediatric disciplines.
He has been the recipient of many awards and recognitions, including the Brace Award, Texas AHPERD’s top award. Charles served as AHPERD's President in 1981. Charles and his wife Susan live in Dallas, and enjoy their five grandchildren.
Don Disney, MS, MA
Director of Youth Initiatives
FITNESSGRAM National Program Director
Prior to coming to The Institute, Don was the Director of Health and Wellness for El Paso ISD where he led the implementation of FG in EPISD schools well before it was a Texas requirement. Don has had a long, successful history of making a difference in the health and wellness of youth which began in Maryland as a teacher and administrator. As a young PE teacher, he was inspired by Dr. Cooper’s aerobics movement to create a precision jump rope team called the “Kangaroo Kids” (kangarookids.org). The team became fitness ambassadors across the country, have performed worldwide, and still exist today as a school based/parent organization. Don’s many achievements over the years attest to his passion in this area. Most recently Don received the Congressional Recognition Award for his leadership in health initiatives for the city of El Paso, and the EPISD was named a finalist in the Healthy Living Innovation Award sponsored by the Dept of Health and Human Services. EPISD also participated in our NUTRIGRAM pilot program.
On a more personal note, Don is married and has 4 children now living in different parts of the US. He works out avidly, and loves outdoor activities such as hiking, golf and tennis. He is also the only man to be inducted into the Women’s Athletic Hall of Fame in Maryland.
Marilu D. Meredith, EdD
Director, Perot International Youth Data Center (PYDC)
At the Institute since 1982, Dr. Meredith has served in numerous capacities including Director of Operations and Director of Information Technology. Her primary responsibility has always been the direction of the national FITNESSGRAM project.
Prior to joining the staff at the Institute, Dr. Meredith was employed as a physical educator. She was in the Richardson I.S.D., Richardson, Texas for a 10-year period serving in various capacities, including Director of Health and Physical Education. She also taught at the Austin State School for the Mentally Retarded and the Lockhart I.S.D.
She is a member of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance and Texas Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (TAHPERD), having served TAHPERD as vice-president of the Physical Education Division, chairperson of various sections, and chairperson of the TAHPERD Board of Trustees.
Dr. Meredith has been an integral member of the FITNESSGRAM staff since the program began in 1982. She has been involved in every aspect of the FITNESSGRAM program including designing software, authoring manuals, developing awards systems and publishing materials. She has presented FITNESSGRAM to groups at national, district, and state conferences plus worked with thousands of teachers conducting teacher in-service meetings. Dr. Meredith has been a member of the FITNESSGRAM Scientific Advisory Board since its inception in 1987.
During leisure time, she enjoys cycling, walking, sewing, needlework, and working two of her four Labrador Retrievers in Animal Assisted Therapy.
Nancy Beasley, MBA
NutriGram Project Manager
In 2010, Nancy Beasley began her career as NutriGram Project Manager at The Cooper Institute - fully overseeing the $1.86M NutriGram initiative, funded by the Texas Department of Agriculture. The nutritional component of FitnessGram, NutriGram strives to empower children to make healthier eating choices through education and awareness. Nancy has overseen the website creation (NutriGram.org), video game development (The Quest to Lava Mountain) and a successful 2011 pilot program in local schools. She believes, "It's encouraging when children make even small changes like learning to ask for water or milk instead of soda. We're all role models whether we believe it or not. Children watch what we eat and drink, and then pattern their behavior after us. If we start the conversation of how to make a school or organization healthier, it's amazing the change that can take place. Communities will change for the better."
Prior to joining the Institute, Nancy worked at JP Morgan Chase in the Global Private Bank Internet Product Development group. In her career at Chase, she was the project manager for the first web-based account access application on Chase.com. In her spare time, she teaches art to children, is a recognized National artist (represented by 6 galleries), and travels as often as she can to Taos, New Mexico with her son and their two papillions.
Nancy received her Master of Business degree in Marketing from The University of St. Thomas in Houston, and her Bachelor of Arts degree from Texas A&M University.
Norma Candeleria, MS
Healthy Zone School Program Manager
Norma Candelaria, MS, began her career at the Cooper Institute in 2008 as a Lab Tech/Research Coordinator in the Exercise Lab. She moved into the Youth Initiatives division in 2009 as the Youth Fitness Project Coordinator, where her primary responsibility was to help physical educators implement health and activity promotions in 19 schools throughout the Dallas – Fort Worth area. She is currently managing the Healthy Zone School Recognition Program, a 6-year, two-tier program in which she will be assisting 70 schools throughout the Dallas Metropolitan area in becoming Healthy Zones.
Norma graduated received her bachelor’s and master’s Degrees from The University of Texas at El Paso, where she served as a Teaching Assistant for Biomechanics and a Research Assistant for numerous projects involving running and strength training. She is a member of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance and Texas Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. During her leisure time, she enjoys running, watching sports, and shopping.
Monika Faltiss, BA
Youth Initiatives Administration Coordinator
Monika is the newest member in Youth Initiatives and works with the team on various projects including NFL PLAY 60 FITNESSGRAM and NUTRIGRAM. Prior to joining the staff at the Institute, Monika worked at the American Cancer Society in Atlanta, GA in the Health Promotions department. She worked with the journals group on their flagship journal, CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians. She has also worked for McGraw-Hill as a project editor in their computer books division. In her spare time, she enjoys tennis, cycling, and traveling within and outside the US.
Julie Stefko, MS
Youth Fitness Project Manager
NFL PLAY 60 / FITNESSGRAM Project
Julie Stefko has been the Youth Fitness Project Manager for The Cooper Institute since 2007. Her main responsibility has been to manage the NFL PLAY 60 FITNESSGRAM partnership that began in the fall of 2009. Educating communities, schools, parents, teachers, and students about the Healthy Fitness Zone and the importance of “playing” 60 minutes are key components to this partnership. This partnership will also allow more schools to benefit from FITNESSGRAM, launch new research efforts, and support continued developments of FITNESSGRAM. Before this role, she oversaw the development and implementation of a youth physical activity research project called the FITNESSGRAM “Centers of Excellence” project.
Prior to coming to The Cooper Institute, Julie was employed by the McKinney Independent School District where she taught physical education and health and took on a variety of coaching roles that included serving six years as head volleyball coach for the McKinney High School Lionette Volleyball program. In 2003, she was honored by the City of McKinney with the Commissioner’s Award for her valuable contributions toward the betterment of McKinney’s youth. Before her move to Texas, she worked for the University of Minnesota Volleyball program under the direction of the head coach, Dr. Mike Hebert.
Julie received her Master of Science degree with an emphasis in adapted physical education from Texas Women’s University and she completed her undergraduate work in physical education at the University of Wyoming. She is a member of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance and Texas Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance.
She enjoys taking long walks her husband, Michael and their goldendoodle, Cabby, playing golf, volunteering, traveling, and staying in touch with friends and family.
Javier Valladarez, MS
Youth Initiatives Project Coordinator
NFL PLAY 60 / FITNESSGRAM Project
Javier recently began his career at The Cooper Institute in January 2011, as the Youth Initiatives Project Coordinator. His primary responsibilities are to assist in the coordination of the NFL Play 60 FITNESSGRAM project, school recruitment, training participants on FITNESSGRAM, monitor participation, project evaluation, and organization of the NFL PLAY 60 FITNESSGRAM exhibit.
Prior to coming to The Cooper Institute, Javier was a public school teacher for nine years. He taught bilingual fifth grade math and science for four years, and elementary health and physical education for five at the Garland Independent School District. He has been a professional fitness trainer for over ten years, and is the sole proprietor of Superior Fitness Solutions®, a private fitness training and consulting business.
He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology, and recently earned a Master of Science in Sports Science. He hopes to continue his education by pursuing a doctoral degree or post master’s certifications. Javier is a member of the National Association for Sport and Physical Education, the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, the Texas Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, the American College of Sports Medicine, and IDEA Health and Fitness Assocation.
He enjoys spending time with his family and friends, working out, reading, traveling, and helping others achieve their personal physical fitness and wellness goals.
Gregory J. Welk, PhD
Iowa State University
Scientific Director
Gregory J. Welk is the Director of Clinical Research and Community Outreach with the Nutrition and Wellness Research Center at Iowa State University as well as an Associate Professor with the Department of Kinesiology at Iowa State University. Dr. Welk completed his Masters degree (MS) at the University of Iowa and his Ph.D. at Arizona State University. Prior to coming to ISU, Dr. Welk worked at the Cooper Institute for Aerobics Research where he directed the Childhood and Adolescent Health Division. He was responsible for the scientific direction of FITNESSGRAM and has continued to serve as the Chair of the FITNESSGRAM Scientific Advisory Board. His research interests focus on the assessment and promotion of physical activity and fitness in children. Dr. Welk is an active member of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD), the Society for Behavior Medicine (SBM), and the Society for Public Health Education (SOPHE).
Kirk J. Cureton, PhD
University of Georgia
Kirk J. Cureton is Professor and Head of the Department of Kinesiology, and Director of the Metabolism and Body Composition Laboratory at the University of Georgia in Athens, where he has been on the faculty since 1976. Dr. Cureton is a member of the American Physiological Society, and a Fellow in the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and the American Academy of Physical Education. He was Vice President and member of the Board of Trustees of ACSM, and a past President of the Southeast Chapter of ACSM. He has received the AAHPERD Mabel Lee Award, a Scholar Award from the Southeast Chapter of ACSM, a Distinguished Alumni Award from the Department of Kinesiology at the University of Illinois, and a Citation Award from the American College of Sports Medicine. He has been physiology section editor for the Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport and associate editor of Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise. He has published approximately 100 articles in professional journals and books related to exercise physiology, human performance and physical fitness.
He is particularly known for his research on the effects of body composition on metabolic responses to exercise and physical performance and on validation of field tests of aerobic capacity in youth. Dr. Cureton has been a member of the FITNESSGRAM Scientific Advisory Board since 1987 and developed the FITNESSGRAM criterion referenced standards for aerobic capacity.
Scott Going, PhD
The University of Arizona
Scott Going, PhD, is a Professor in the Department of Nutritional Sciences and in Physiological Sciences and the Director of the Center for Physical Activity and Nutrition at The University of Arizona. His research interests include development of methods and models for body composition assessment, changes in body composition during growth and development in children and with aging in older adults, and the effects of exercise and diet on bone, soft tissue composition, functional capacity and health. His research is funded by The National Institutes of Health (NIDDK, NIAMS and NICHD), the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Department of Education, and the Science Foundation of Arizona.
Current projects focus on the development of body composition standards for youth and adults, school-based integrated physical activity and nutrition programs, sarcopenia, hip geometry and fractures in postmenopausal women, and the effects of exercise interventions on skeletal development and health in children and patients with knee osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Baker Harrell, PhDc
Founder and CEO: ACTIVE Life
Baker Harrell’s background and expertise in new media, social movement theory and health marketing drive the initiatives of the not-for-profit organization, ACTIVE Life, and its initiative, IT’S TIME TEXAS. Prior to founding the organization, Baker completed a Master’s in Health Education with a specialization in childhood obesity. His philosophy of empowering people to initiate social change is demonstrated throughout AL’s efforts and supported by Baker’s interdisciplinary work as a Ph.D. candidate specializing in the intersection of social movement theory, health marketing and new media.
Dolly Lambdin, PhD
The University of Texas, Austin
Dolly Lambdin, EdD, is a clinical professor in the Department of Kinesiology & Health Education at the University of Texas at Austin. She has 16 years teaching experience in public and private schools grades K-8 and 34 years in teacher preparation at the university level for many years teaching mornings in the public school and afternoons at the university. She has supervised over 100 student teachers visiting thousands of public school classes and learning from scores of fabulous “cooperating teachers”. She teaches undergraduate teaching methods courses and Technology in Physical Education, Analysis of Teaching, and Current Issues in Physical Education in newly formed masters and doctoral programs in the Department of Curriculum & Instruction at UT Austin.
Dr. Lambdin is the recipient of the Texas Exes Elizabeth Shatto Massey Award for Excellence in Teacher Education (2009) and the National Association for Sport and Physical Education Physical Education Teacher Education Honor Award (2009), Texas Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance College Teacher of the Yearin 2008.
Dr. Lambdin served as President of the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) from 2004-05 and on the writing teams for the Texas Physical Education Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) in Physical Education, the National and Texas State Physical Education Beginning Teacher Standards, and NASPE’s Appropriate Practices Guidelines.
Dr. Lambdin has co-authored several texts including Putting Research to Work in Elementary Physical Education with Lawrence F. Locke, Fitness for Life Middle School, and Fitness for Life Middle School Teacher’s Guide with Chuck Corbin and Guy LeMasurier. Also just released in March 2010 is the next program in the series Fitness for Life: Elementary School , a comprehensive guide for school-wide support of physically activity and physical education which includes guides for classroom teachers, physical education teachers and the school wellness coordinator (Corbin, Lambdin, LeMasurier, & Greiner).
Matthew Mahar, EdD
East Carolina University
Dr. Mahar is a Professor in the Department of Exercise and Sport Science and Founding Director of the Activity Promotion Laboratory at East Carolina University. His research focuses on the promotion and measurement of physical activity and fitness in youth. He has expertise in the measurement aspects of physical activity and fitness and has extensive experience conducting school-based research and intervention programs for overweight children. He has experience teaching both elementary school and high school physical education. He has served on the Science Board of the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition, the Board of Trustees for Be Active North Carolina, the Editorial Board for Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, as chair of the Examinations Committee of the American College of Sports Medicine, and as chair of the Measurement and Evaluation Council of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance. Dr. Mahar is a Fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine and a Fellow of the Research Consortium of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance. He has won awards for his teaching, research, and service contributions, including the prestigious North Carolina Board of Governors Award for Excellence in Teaching. He exercises, walks his dogs, and tracks his steps every day.
James R. Morrow, Jr., PhD
University of North Texas
James R. Morrow, Jr. is a Regents Professor in the Department of Kinesiology, Health Promotion, and Recreation at the University of North Texas. His background is in research and evaluation methodology, having conducted research on fitness testing and taught measurement, research, and evaluation courses for more than 30 years. He has published more than 130 manuscripts, chapters, and 3 textbooks. His co-authored measurement text, Measurement and Evaluation in Human Performance, is in its 4th edition. He presents his research annually before national and international audiences. He has served on the FITNESSGRAM® Advisory Committee for more than 20 years. He previously served a 4-year term on the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports Science Board as member and then Chair. Morrow is a Fellow in the American College of Sports Medicine, the American Academy of Kinesiology and Physical Education (for which he was President in 2003-2004), the AAHPERD Research Consortium, and the North American Society of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, Sport and Dance Professionals. He has received numerous state and national awards for his research and service activities. Honors include the AAHPERD McCloy Lecturer, David K. Brace Award, SDAAHPERD Scholar, TAHPERD Honor Award, and the AAHPERD Research Consortium Writing Award (3 times). He has been Principal or Co-Investigator on national research awards funded for approximately $8,000,000.
Sharon Ann Plowman, PhD
University of Northern Illinois –Emeritus
Dr. Sharon Ann Plowman a professor emeritus from the Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education at Northern Illinois University. She taught in higher education for 36 years including classes in personal fitness, exercise physiology, stress testing and exercise bioenergetics. She has published over seventy scientific and research articles in the field as well as numerous applied articles on physical fitness with an emphasis on females and children/adolescents.
Dr. Plowman earned her earned her Ph.D. at the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign under the tutelage of Dr. T. K. Cureton, Jr. She is a Fellow emeritus of the American College of Sports Medicine, and served on the Board of Trustees. She is a Fellow emeritus of the American Academy of Kinesiology and Physical Education. She is a Life Member of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. Dr. Plowman has received the Excellence in Teaching Award at NIU, the Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Illinois and the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports Honor Award.
Dr. Plowman was part of the original professional committees that developed the Health-Related Physical Fitness concept and has served on the Scientific Advisory Council for FITNESSGRAM® since its inception in 1987.
During leisure time, Dr. Plowman enjoys traveling, exercising, volunteering at a local therapeutic horseback riding program and making pottery.
Judith J. Prochaska, PhD
University of California, San Francisco
Dr. Prochaska is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) and a member of the UCSF Comprehensive Cancer Center. Dr. Prochaska’s research centers on developing effective and innovative behavioral treatments for promoting health including physical activity adoption, healthy diet, and smoking cessation. Dr. Prochaska has evaluated computer-delivered behavioral interventions with youth and adults in schools and medical settings. Her science is trans-disciplinary – bridging the fields of clinical health psychology, medicine, public health, and the quantitative sciences – and translational – including intervention development, efficacy trials, and studies of dissemination and adoption.
Dr. Prochaska’s current funding includes a K23 mentored career development award from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), an R01 from the National Institute of Mental Health, and a Research Award from the California Tobacco-Related Disease Research Program. She also leads a component in the NIDA P50 San Francisco Treatment Research Center. She has authored 70 peer-reviewed publications, in 2007 was the recipient of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco Jarvik-Russell Young Investigator Award, and in 2010 received NIDA’s Division of Clinical Neuroscience & Behavioral Research Outstanding Early Career Investigator Award.
Dr. Prochaska completed her doctoral training in the UCSD/SDSU Joint Doctoral Training Program with Dr. James Sallis as her major professor. Her expertise and training includes self-reported and objective physical activity measurement, analysis and interpretation of physical activity data, and computer-delivered behavioral interventions.
Dr. Prochaska lives in the hills of Marin and enjoys hiking, running, and skiing (in Tahoe) with her husband and two young children.
Georgi Roberts, MS
Fort Worth I.S.D.
Georgi began her teaching career as an elementary PE teacher in Fort Worth, Texas. She taught 7 years and then became the Director of Health and Physical Education for the Fort Worth I.S.D.
Her primary focus has been to build a strong, standards-based program for the district of 80,000 students with focused professional development for teachers and meaningful assessment. She has been successful at obtaining several large federal and local grants to facilitate obtaining resources and training for the teachers.
Very active in local, state, and national organizations that support teachers and student health, she is currently the chair of the Texas Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (TAHPERD) Legislative Affairs Committee and member of the National Association of Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) PE steering committee. In 2008 she received the TAHPERD K-12 Administrator of the Year Award; in 2010 she received NASPE’s Channing Mann K-12 Administrator of the Year Award.
Georgi has been a member of the FITNESSGRAM Scientific Advisory Board since 2008 and is passionate about the ideals of health-related fitness and its impact on student learning and wellness. Her current goal is to expand the district’s Coordinated Health Program as well as to work with other districts in doing the same.
Her passion is travel and she often combines regular visits to Austin, the State Capitol, to lobby for legislation that supports strong physical education programs for children with her love for cycling and walking wherever she goes.
Weimo Zhu, PhD
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Dr. Zhu is a professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Community Health at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. An internationally known scholar in Kinesmetrics (Measurement and Evaluation in Kinesiology), Dr. Zhu’s primary research interests are in the study and application of new measurement theories (e.g., item response theory) and statistical models/methods (e.g., equating) to the field of Kinesiology, especially the impact of body-mind exercises on health. His research has been well supported by external grants, including NIH and RWJF. He was the section editor of the Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport between 1999 and 2005 and is the associate editor of Journal of Physical Activity and Health and. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Kinesiology and Physical Education, American College of Sports Medicine and Research Consortium of AAHPERD. He was a member of the Scientific Board of the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports between 2005 and 2008 and has served on the FITNESSGRAM/ACTIVITYGRAM Advisory Committee since 2002.
Steve Blair
Charles B. Corbin, PhD
Harold Falls
Tim Lohman
Robert Pangrazi, PhD
Russell R. Pate
Sarajane Quinn
Margaret J. Safrit
James Sallis
