Scaling the Summit-- Radio Gold

Darlene Kluka is currently consulting sport management programs and will be faculty in residence at Southeastern Louisiana University this fall.

Prior to her retirement, Darlene was Dean of the School of Human Perf. & Leisure Sciences at Barry University in Miami Fla.
Before serving as Dean at Berry, Darlene taught at the Univ. of Pretoria in SA, Kennesaw State, LA Tech, LSU Shreveport, Grambling, and UCO among others.

Darlene's K-12 experiences included teaching and coaching for 9 years at three high schools. Coaching included: volleyball, field hockey, gymnastics (boys and girls), softball.

Her service in numerous capacities includes President of the International Association of Physical Education and Sport for Girls and Women and President of the National Association for Girls and Women in Sport (NAGWS).

Darlene also served as Deputy Delegate for AAHPERD to the United States Olympic Committee and served as a member of Women’s Sports Foundation. In 2001 The Women’s Sports Foundation established The Darlene A. Kluka Women’s Sports and Physical Activity Research Award as the Foundation’s way of respecting her leadership, vision and desire to create a legacy that acknowledges the outstanding performance of researchers.

Darlene has been the recipient of numerous awards including the NAGWS Honor Award, Women’s Sports Foundation President’s Award, ICHPERSD Scholar in Sport and the Olympic Movement, NAGWS International Pathfinder Award.

Without Sandra Sumner, thousands of physical educators across this country would not have had the quality professional development opportunities that were provided during Sandra’s tenure at AAHPERD and SHAPE America.

From 1987 to 1999:, Sandra served as the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD) Convention Program Coordinator

• Provided key support to the Director of Conventions for this organization that promoted and supported leadership, research, education, and best practices in professions that support creative, healthy, and active lifestyles, ensuring the successful planning, production, and execution of the Alliance’s national convention and exposition, Leadership Development Conference, and other events.
  

From 1999 to 2017, Sandra served as the Convention and Event Management Director for the Society for Health and Physical Education (SHAPE America), Formerly AAHPERD

• In this role, Sandra managed contracts and RFP’s, negotiated key terms, conditions, and pricing of agreements with vendors and key hotel and convention center stakeholders providing services, venues, and goods critical to the successful execution of each event.
  
  

Gayle See currently serves as the Executive Director SHAPE Washington and the Executive Director of Oregon SHAPE. She has led a full career of professional service. She has taught physical education at all levels and coached several sports. Although she is currently retired from teaching she still coaches tennis. 

Throughout her career, Gayle has been recognized for her efforts and has received several awards, including the AAHPERD HONOR Award (2013), the National Association for Girls and Women in Sport – Pathfinder Award (2009), and the National Association for Sport and Physical Education – Joy of Effort Award (2008). 

It was a joy to have Gayle on the show.

During this episode of Scaling the Summit, you will be introduced to the leaders of the Academy.

Maria Melchionda, CEO
Charity Bryan, President
Karen J. Thomas-O'Dowd, Past President
Deb Berkey, Executive Director of the Midland Region
Carol Ciotto, Executive Director of the Eastern Seaboard Region
Hollie Newnam, Executive Director of the Southern Tier Region
Cam Kerst, Executive Director of the West Coast Region

Deb Berkey is currently the Executive Director of SHAPE Michigan and the Executive Director of the Midwest District in SHAPE America. 

She earned a masters in physical education and motor development and a doctorate in professional preparation, pedagogy and behavior analysis from West Virginia University. Deb retired in June 2018 after 33 years of service at Western Michigan University where she was instrumental in the development of the online graduate program in pedagogy. She also served as Chair of the Health, Physical Education and Recreation Department at Western Michigan from 1994-2007.

Among her professional roles, Deb has served as the President of the Midwest District, President of the National Council of Phi Epsilon Kappa, Midwest Representative to AAHPERD Board of Governors and the Midwest Representative to the National Council of Phi Epsilon Kappa.

Deb has received Midwest District and AAHPERD Honor Awards, Meritorious Service Awards and the Michigan AHPERD University Professor of the Year Award.

An avid golfer, Deb also enjoys cycling and international travel. She has traveled to the Netherlands, Italy and southern France on bike and barge trips and has been fortunate to visit Belgium, Switzerland, Indonesia, China, Taiwan, Greece, Turkey, Scotland, Germany, Australia and New Zealand.

Sister Jean Marie Craig is a Sister of the Blessed Sacrament for Native Americans and Colored People

She received her doctorate in Physical Education from the University of Southern Mississippi; her Master’s degree in Health and Physical Education from Northern Arizona University, and her Bachelor of Science in Health and Physical Education from Xavier University in New Orleans, where he has been teaching Physical Education, First Aid and CPR for almost 40 years.

In addition to serving as President of Louisiana AHPERD, Sister Jean Marie has served in many other roles for LAHPERD over the years and she has served on the Southern District AAHPERD Board as well.

Sister Jean Marie has received NUMEROUS awards in her career including the AAHPERD Pathfinder Award, the Louisiana AHPERD Pathfinder Award, the Southern District Ethnic Minority Award, the Southern District Leadership Award, the Louisiana AHPERD Honor award, and the Outstanding doctoral student award from the University of Southern Mississippi.

In addition to her awards, Sister Jean Marie has also been recognized as Outstanding Teacher of the Year in Arizona, Basketball Coach of the Year for AIA, President of the Louisiana Association for Teachers, and President of the Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society in Education.

Kim Thompson received her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Health and Physical Education from the University of West Georgia. Kim began working in the Department of Sport Management, Wellness, and Physical Education at West Georgia in the Fall of 2012 when she retired from working in the Douglas County School System (after 30 years).

She attended Florida State University where she was a member of the Lady Seminoles basketball team.

Kim has served as the Georgia AHPERD Executive Director since 2010 and is the past Chair of the Society of Association Management.

Kim is passionate about teaching and loves spending time advocating for improvements in the profession to better serve the students and teachers of Georgia.

Kim is a true leader in the profession and we were honored to have her join us!

Diana Everett retired in 2018 as the Executive Director for TAHPERD (Texas Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance).
She holds a PhD in sport administration from the Texas Woman’s University (TWU). Her Master’s degree in physical education is from Baylor University and her Bachelor’s degree, also in physical education, is from The University of Texas Arlington. Diana taught physical education, health, and biology and coached basketball, tennis, track, and volleyball at these Texas schools:  Midlothian High School, Travis Middle School (Temple ISD), San Marcos High School, Clear Creek High School and Clear Brook High School.

Diana began her association management career in 1995 as the Executive Director for the National Association for Girls and Women in Sport (NAGWS), which was allied with the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (AAHPERD) in Reston, VA.

Diana has presented at local, state, regional, and national conferences. She also has several publications and awards. Some of her most treasured recognitions are the Kitty Magee Most Promising Professional Award from Texas Woman’s University, the Meritorious Service Award from USA Volleyball, Midlothian ISD Athletics Hall of Honor, and the TAHPERD Honor Award and Distinguished Service Award. Some of Diana’s favorite activities are kayaking, golf, sailing, traveling, and reading.

It is a true honor having Diana on the show.

Danny Ballard earned her BS from the University of Houston in Elementary Education, her MEd form University of Houston in Health Education, and her EdD from Oklahoma State University. She began her career as a classroom teacher Houston and Pasadena, Texas. Danny served as an Assistant Professor at Idaho State University and a Professor of Health Education at Texas A & M. 

Danny has served in many roles in AAHPED, Southern District, and TAHPERD including: AAHPERD President, AAHPERD Board of Governors
and Southern District President.

We enjoyed our conversation with Danny and we hope you will too!

Jennifer Chandler won the Gold Medal in the 1976 Montreal Olympics at age 17 in the sport of diving.  She later attended Ohio State University on diving scholarship but had a back injury. She recuperated, then competed in the 1978 World Championships and qualified for the U.S.-boycotted 1980 Olympics. Jennifer retired from diving in 1980.

Jennifer has served in a number of roles promoting sport within Birmingham and Alabama:

• 1993-96 Executive Position with the Birmingham Olympic Soccer organization, which hosted 11 soccer matchers as part of the 1996 Olympic Games
  
• 2003-2012 worked at the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame as director of its outreach programs
  
• 2011-2021 was the development and special events coordinator for the Lakeshore Foundation, an athletic training and rehabilitation company in Birmingham.

In 1985 Jennifer was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame and in 1987 she was inducted into the International Swimming and Diving Hall of Fame.

Jennifer currently works Vulcan Park and Museum as Director of Development.