February 5, 2012

Nominees for 2009 Elections

Chapter Officers

President: Lucia Kaestner

Location: Charlottesville
# of Yrs as CMT: 10yrs
AMTA Experience:

Current Chapter President
Piedmont Unit Vice President
Piedmont Unit Secretary
Before becoming the Chapter President I was, and still am, an active member of the Piedmont Unit. I served as a volunteer on the refreshment committee, organizing speakers, Secretary and as Vice President.

Career Experience:

I am involved in Hospice, SARA (Sexual Assault Resource Agency), SHE (Shelter for Help and Emergency) and work on the oncology floor at our local hospital. I am also on the PAC team at the Virginia School of Massage. I have been trained in medicinal aromatherapy, reflexology, cranial sacral, hot stone and several other modalities.

2nd Vice President: Cynthia Parsons

Location: Leesburg
# of Yrs as CMT: 12 yrs
AMTA Experience:

Current Northern Virginia Unit Secretary
Current Editor of Virginia In Touch (5yrs)
Current Education Committee Chairperson
Current Delegate Committee Chairperson
President of Northern Virginia unit (5yrs)
Chapter Delegate (4yrs)
I have been an active member of AMTA since 1996, holding the office of President of the NoVA Unit for five years. I also took on the editorship of Virginia in Touch at that time and continue in that capacity today. Last year, I received the Chapter Distinguished Service Award for service as editor. Currently I am the Chapter’s Education Chair and Secretary of NoVA Unit. I have been four times a delegate to the House of Delegates, and am Delegate Chairperson coordinating the delegates, ensuring that they understand and all have the information needed to carry out their duties. I was appointed Chapter Third Vice President in 2007. Now I am seeking to be officially elected as Third Vice President.
For 12 years, I have been instrumental in steering the Unit to hold regular meetings. I have insisted that we have quality educational seminars and along with our BOD, I have been planning such seminars, recruiting qualified speakers, and securing venues.

Career Experience:

I run a full time, six days a week, home office practice that includes both relaxation work and orthopedic and medical modalities. Postural correction and breath work are a key focus of any session. I have taught an exercise class for over 15 years and continuing. I also teach couples massage classes and stretching classes at Ida Lee Recreation Center in Leesburg. Prior to certifying as a massage therapist, I was a journalist and researcher for 25 years and prior to that and some times contiguous with journalism, I have worked as a physical therapist.
My special interest is classical, bel canto singing and will be touring Egypt this October with an English group called “Scratch: The Big Chorus”, singing, among other choral works, the Triumphal March from Verdi’s Aida, an opera set in Egypt.

Treasurer: Rich Rieger

Location: Alexandria
# of Yrs as CMT: 14 yrs.
AMTA Experience:

Current VA Chapter Treasurer (3yrs)
AMTA National Board of Directors – Member-at-Large (2yrs)
AMTA National Communications Committee
House of Delegates Operating Committee
WVA Chapter President
WVA Chapter 2nd Vice President
WVA PR Committee chairperson
I have been a Massage Therapist for 14 years. Before moving to VA, I was active in the WV Chapter, serving as 2nd VP and President (which included chairing the PR Committee). Just before moving to VA in 2000, I was elected to the AMTA National Board of Directors and served two years as Member-at-Large. I have also served on AMTA’s National Communication Comm and as a member of the House of Delegates Operating Committee. After leaving the National Board, I volunteered with the National Certification Board, serving as a member of the Continuing Education Committee and Chair of the Leadership Development subcommittee. I have been serving on the chapter board of AMTA-VA as Treasurer since 2005.

Career Experience:

My practice includes running Apple a Day Onsite – a business that provides seated massage for events in Northern VA and the DC metro area. I also do table massage at an establishment in Alexandria and I get to practice my Craniosacral work at the Kaplan Clinic in Arlington. The Kaplan Clinic focuses on a holistic approach to pain management that includes Osteopathy, Acupuncture, Massage Therapy, Craniosacral Therapy, PT and Chiropractic work.

Unit Officers

Northern Virginia

President: Bernadette Elizabeth Binns

Location: Leesburg
# of Yrs as CMT: 3yrs
AMTA Experience:
Career Experience:

I find it truly important to build strong relationships and identify a person’s creative energies, strengths and purpose in life to make them prosper in the world. Spiritually, my immigrant Caribbean parents encouraged a life of compassionate service and they were hopeful that their children would prosper further in their lives. I completed my Bachelor of Arts degree at Georgetown University in Washington, DC and my Masters of Science degree at Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, VA. The two degrees of art and psychology prepared me for a career of cultural awareness, personal development, healing education and connected services. Currently as the Program Development Manager of Residential Services of Loudoun County Mental Health, I enrich the lives of staff and clients that I support. My career in mental health lead me to body work by seeing the significance of the mind-body connection in the in case that I manage. Prior to obtaining my certification in massage therapy, I was hired as a desk agent at The Spa at Lansdowne (and subsequently started as a massage therapist). The 7 years of employment at the spa created a new appreciation of customer service, marketing, and health care.
Becoming the president of the NOVA chapter of AMTA, will allow me to broaden the connection with the massage therapists in the region. In the 3 years I have spent practicing massage, I have been privileged to supervise students at my alma mater, AKS Massage School of Herndon, VA, provide in-service training via the NOVA Unit training series, and discuss the value of massage therapy with family, friends, colleagues and new comers to the business. For 2 years after completing my massage certification, I practiced massage at a local health food store. There I worked with other massage therapists, herbalists, naturopaths, acupuncturists, and other oriental medicine practitioners. The knowledge I gained while practicing this quaint establishment expanded my discipline to new heights. I place value in my abilities, in strength in healing, in my connection with others and in the growth of the profession.

Treasurer: Linda MacDonald

Location: Alexandria
# of Yrs as CMT: 16 yrs
AMTA Experience:

Current treasurer for Northern Virginia Unit
2008 Delegate Committee member
2007 Delegate

Career Experience:

My training at the Baltimore School of Massage gives me a solid background in anatomy, physiology, Swedish massage, deep tissue massage, and myofascial release. In addition, the Baltimore School of Massage provided opportunity to explore more subtle forms of “energy healing.” Ongoing continuing education balances mechanical dynamics with attention to deepening presence. My current favorite “specialties” are Lypossage and facilitating Breath – Our Birthright. Home Economics (Virginia Tech, BS, 1975), continues to inform my interest in the interrelationship of environment, nutrition, human development and human relationships.My life path has included belly dance, yoga, kung fu, qigong, meditation, metaphysical studies and single parenting.

Piedmont

President: TBD

Treasurer: Dee Walsh, CMT, CRRN

Location: Charlottsville
# of Yrs as CMT: 7yrs
AMTA Experience:

Member since 2001
Current Piedmont Unit Treasurer

Career Experience:

RN since 1982; 20 years inpatient at the UVA Medical Center (Spinal Cord Injury/Burns/Orthopedics)
7 years as CMT with an independent practice specializing in care for persons with injuries and disabilities
21 years as a proud mother of two
I am a healthcare professional with national certifications both in rehabilitation nursing and therapeutic massage. I graduated from the UVA School of Nursing in 1982 and the Virginia School of Massage (Charlottesville, VA) in March of 2001. In addition to various continuing education courses taken locally, I have also studied the basics of Tuina – a form of Chinese manual therapy – at the China Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Beijing, China. I practice therapeutic massage in the local (Charlottesville, VA) area, and incorporate Swedish (relaxation) massage, deep tissue massage, joint mobilization, and myofascial release techniques as appropriate to meet the unique needs of individual clients. I focus on the care of persons with physical disabilities, but welcome all people who seek the beneficial restorative and preventative powers of therapeutic bodywork.
I have been active with the local AMTA Piedmont Unit for several years, and am currently the Unit Treasurer. I will also serve as a Delegate at this year’s National Convention. For further information, please visit www.deecompression.com.

Richmond

President: Aisha Oxendine

Location: Richmond
# of Yrs as CMT: 6+yrs
AMTA Experience:

Current Richmond Unit Vice President
Chapter 2nd Vice President
2003 National Convention Planning Committee

Career Experience:

I have over six years of experience as a Massage Therapist and volunteer. My volunteer work during my training at the Boulder College of Massage Therapy in Colorado included massage at a battered women’s shelter, school for youth with behavioral challenges, and equine massage at a Therapeutic-riding center. I began volunteering for AMTA during the planning for the 60th anniversary 2003 national convention held in Richmond. After the convention my enthusiasm for volunteering and support from members of the AMTA led me to join as a professional member and serve as 2nd Vice President of the Virginia Chapter.
I am currently serving as Vice President for the Richmond Unit and work full time in my private practice. I practice an integrative approach to massage using several modalities such as lymphatic drainage, myofascial release, deep tissue, trigger point, shiatsu, and energy medicine. I am certified in prenatal, postpartum and fertility massage. I am also a ceramic artist, member of the Seal Team Physical Training, Inc and am becoming certified as a birth assistant.

Treasurer: Kathy Worley

Location:
# of Yrs as CMT: 5yrs
AMTA Experience:

Member since 2003
Current Richmond Unit Treasurer

Career Experience

I absolutely love helping others through Massage. It’s the most rewarding work that I have ever done. I got into massage because of my own pain to find out more about the body. I intuitively knew that my years of pain could be relieved through manual therapies. This has undoubtedly been proven to me and being a therapist has given me the opportunity to give back. I have worked as a CMT and owner of The Right Touch Massage since February 2003, in the Short Pump area of Richmond, Virginia. I have been an AMTA member since 2003. I got involved with the AMTA as a member early on in my massage career and was excited when the Richmond Chapter opened with quarterly meetings. The AMTA gives an opportunity for each therapist to network, sharing valuable information and it helps the community to be more conscious of massage benefits. I am happy to represent the Richmond unit as Treasurer. The AMTA has wonderful dedicated/talented individuals that work hard to provide a platform for other like professionals to bond and it’s all on a volunteer basis.
CMT Commonwealth of Virginia since November 26, 2002, License # 0019003695
Myofascial Release with John Barnes (MFR I, II, Undwinding, Rebounding, Skill Enhancement,
Cervical Thoracic, Fascial Pelvis, Women’s Health) (2/2006-12/2006)
Reiki I and II with Rosa Jimenz-Varques 12/2003
Reflexology with Claire Marie Miller 2/3/2003
Body Memory Recall I, II with Jonathan Tripodi, 11/2006-3/2007)
Body Talk 1,2,3,4,6,7,9 with Dr. John Veltheim, Ernesto Fernandez (2003-2005);
Mind Scape – Kris Attard, 05/2003;,
Break Through I, II - Esther Veltheim, Family Constellations – Jeannette Bevilacqua 7/2005;
Orthopedic Evaluation – Kerry D’Ambrogio, 9/2005.
Lypossage 1,2,3 with Mercedes Jordan, 04/2005
American Red Cross Instructor for CPR/AED/First Aid, #17726
Medic First Aid Instructor for CPR/AED/First Aid, #113541
Esthetician Commonwealth of Virginia since 6/30/2008, License #1261 002061
Associates Degree in Computer Science, Durham Technical Institute, Durham, North Carolina 1988

Shining Star

President: Bea Wilcher

Location:
# of Yrs as CMT:
AMTA Experience:
Career Experience:

Treasurer: Brenda L. Clark, B.S., CMT

Location: Roanoke
# of Yrs as CMT: 8yrs
AMTA Experience:

Member for 9 yrs.
Current Shining Star Treasurer (2yrs)
Refreshments Coordinator (2yrs)

Career Experience:

Bachelor of Science Degree, Radford University; Health and Physical Education NK-12, and Drivers Education 1980
610 Medical Massage Therapy Program graduate of VA School of Massage, Blacksburg 2000
VA School of Massage Administrative Coordinator, Blacksburg 8/99 – 5/02
Massage Therapy Instructor, VA Western Community College, 2002 – 2003
Massage Therapy Instructor, Daniel’s Institute of Massage and the Healing Arts, 2004 – 2005
Ajunct Instructor, Dabney S. Lancaster Community College, 18 and 32 credit hour Massage Therapy Program 2002 – 2005
Massage Therapist with Good Samaritan Hospice 2008 – present
Massage Therapist with On Location Spa Services, Hotel Roanoke 2008 – present
Sole Proprietor, Norwood Massage 2000 – present; offering relaxing Aroma Stem Therapy and Massage in 30, 60 and 90 minute sessions. Certified in Swedish, Deep Tissue, MFR, Pregnancy Massage, and IAIM-US Certified as an Infant Massage Instructor (CIMI).
Continuing Education Training; Reiki I and Reiki II, Thai Massage, Pre- and Peri-Natal Massage, Healing Stone Therapy, Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy (AOBT), Natural Facial and Foot Spa, Healthy Breast and Mastectomy Massage, Aromatic Bodywork: Essential Oils, Kinesio – Massage I, and Ethics & Standard V Roles and Boundaries in Massage Therapy
Professional Affiliations: Southwest VA Massage Therapy Association (SWVMTA)

Shenandoah

President: TBD

Treasurer: TBD

Tidewater

President: TBD

Treasurer: TBD

Delegates

Cynthia Parsons
Linda MacDonald
Aisha Oxendine