Whitsel, Goudeseune Re-elected; IHRSA’s Richards Joins Leadership Team as Secretary-Treasurer

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Washington, DC, January 26, 2012 — Laurie Whitsel and Scott Goudeseune will return as President and President-Elect of the National Coalition for Promoting Physical Activity, the group’s board announced, with the vacant secretary-treasurer’s post to be filled by Tom Richards of the International Health Racquet and Sports Club Association (IHRSA).

The coalition’s elections took place earlier this week in San Diego, where the board met to begin writing a new strategic plan to guide its critical work as the nation’s go-to source for public policy and advocacy in support of physical activity.

“With physical activity being recognized broadly as critical to maintaining good health, avoiding preventable diseases and effective allocation of health care resources, it is important for us to maintain continuity of leadership as we transform the coalition into the premier public policy and advocacy organization for physical activity,” Whitsel said. The NCPPA president is the director of policy research for the American Heart Association. Goudeseune is the chief executive officer of the American Council on Exercise in San Diego.

The board unanimously elected Richards to succeed Alan Russell, the director of academic and governmental affairs for the National Academy of Sports Medicine, who stepped down from the secretary-treasurer’s slot at the end of his term.

Richards is IHRSA’s Senior Legislative Counsel in Washington, D.C., where he coordinates outreach for the nonprofit trade/advocacy group for fitness centers to highlight the importance of physical activity.  Richards earned a law degree from Northeastern University and a BS in Accounting from Fairfield University.

Whitsel, Goudeseune, and Richards are joined on the coalition’s executive committee by Barry Ford, NCPPA’s immediate past president. Ford is the director of education, advocacy, and public affairs for the U.S. Tennis Association.

About NCPPA

NCPPA represents a diverse blend of associations, health organizations and private corporations and is a leading force in promoting physical activity and fitness initiatives and advocating for policies that encourage Americans of all ages to become more physically active.  The coalition is responsible for implementing the nation’s first National Physical Activity Plan aimed to increase physical activity in all segments of the American population. 

For more information about the National Coalition for Promoting Physical Activity, please visit www.ncppa.org or find us on Facebook.