The following have indicated their desire seek office with SEATA.  Please read the following biographies and then go to  https://www.SignUp4.net/Public/ap.aspx?EID=SEAT32E  to vote.  Select one candidate for each office and submit your online vote no later than midnight EDT Wednesday, October 15, 2008.  Submitted electronic ballots are confidential and go to the SEATA Elections Accountant, Jennifer Armstrong, CPA at the accounting firm of Gainspoletti & Associates for validation and tabulation.

Candidate for District Director

R.T. Floyd, EdD, ATC, CSCS

Candidates for President

Thomas L. Bair, II, MEd, ATC, LAT

MaryBeth Horodyski, EdD, ATC, LAT

Candidates for Treasurer

Jeff Hopp, ATC, LAT

Jim Mackie, MEd, ATC, LAT

Gerard White, MEd, ATC, LAT
 

• Only certified members in good standing in SEATA on September 15, 2008 are eligible to vote.

• All voting will take place between September 15 and midnight, October 15, 2008.

• All submitted ballots (online or mail) are confidential and go to the SEATA accounting firm for validation and tabulation.

• Go to https://www.SignUp4.net/Public/ap.aspx?EID=SEAT32E to vote online OR submit this ballot by mail (postmark) by Midnight EDT, October 15, 2008 to:

Jennifer Armstrong, CPA
c/o Gainspoletti & Associates
Attention: SEATA Elections
P O Box 1259
Cleveland, MS  38732

R.T. Floyd, EdD, ATC, CSCS
Candidate for District Director

R.T. Floyd is in his thirty-fifth year of providing athletic training services for the University of West Alabama.  Currently, he serves as the program director for the University of West Alabama's Athletic Training & Sports Medicine Center and is also a professor in the Department of Physical Education and Athletic Training, which he chairs.  His additional responsibilities include insurance and football travel arrangements.

He is a certified member of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association, a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist in the National Strength and Conditioning Association, a Certified Athletic Equipment Manager in the Athletic Equipment Managers’ Association, a member of the American College of Sports Medicine, the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, the American Osteopathic Academy of Sports Medicine, the Sports Physical Therapy Section, the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, and is a Licensed Athletic Trainer and a Licensed Emergency Medical Technician.  He was elected in 2004 and re-elected in 2006 by the Southeast Athletic Trainers Association to serve on the National Athletic Trainers' Association Board of Directors representing District IX.  Additionally, he is in his second term as Member Development Chair on the National Athletic Trainers' Association Research and Education Foundation Board of Directors.  He has directed the SEATA Competencies in Athletic Training Student Workshop since 1997 and has made numerous professional presentations at local, state, regional and national levels.

Floyd served on the Blue-Gray All-Star Classic athletic training staff for twenty-seven years, including twenty-five classics as head athletic trainer of the Gray Squad.  He is a 1974 graduate of Lowndes Academy, where he served as athletic trainer for all sports for four years.  Floyd received a B.S. Degree in Physical Education from UWA in 1980 and a M.A.T. Degree in Physical Education in 1982.  In 1995, he completed an Ed.D. in Human Performance Studies at the University of Alabama.

Floyd was presented the Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award by the National Athletic Trainers’ Association in 2003 and received the organization’s Service Award in 1996.  He received the District IX Award by the Southeast Athletic Trainers Association in 1990 and the Award of Merit in 2001 before being inducted into the SEATA Hall of Fame in 2008.  In 2004, he was inducted into the Alabama Athletic Trainers' Association Hall of Fame.  In 2007, he received the NATA Sayers "Bud" Miller Distinguished Educator Award.  Also, in 1996 he was presented the Achievement Award by the University of West Alabama National Alumni Association in recognition for career and civic achievements.  In 1997, the University of West Alabama Faculty and Board of Trustees recognized Floyd for outstanding achievement in scholarship, teaching, and leadership by presenting him with a Loraine McIlwain Bell Trustee Professorship.  In 2001, he was inducted into the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi and the UWA Athletic Hall of Fame.  He was inducted into the Iota Tau Alpha Athletic Training Education Honor Society in 2005.  He is also author of the textbook Manual of Structural Kinesiology.

He is married to the former Lisa Neville of Butler and they have four children, Robert Thomas, 23, Jeanna, 22, Rebecca, 21, and Kate, 10.

Thomas L. Bair, II, MEd, ATC, LAT
Candidate for President

SERVICE:  Bair’s first attended a Georgia Athletic Trainers Association (GATA) 1990 in Macon, GA.  There were 14 members and one 6 ft. Subway sandwich in attendance. His service to our profession began three years earlier in 1987 when he was elected Secretary/Treasurer of the GATA.  He was re-elected twice serving in this capacity until 1993.  This was a period of explosive membership growth for the GATA.  From 1996 through 2006 he served on the GATA Executive Committee in the capacities of Vice-President, President, and Past President.  This period of GATA history is marked by robust legislative and organizational changes and challenges.  Bair was a part of the GATA leadership team that was responsible for landmark reimbursement legislation known simply as ‘HB 93’ that dealt with reimbursement for Athletic Trainers.  Further legislative and regulatory adaptations in this period enhanced the profession of Athletic Trainers.  In addition to his Executive Committee duties since 2003 Bair has continued to serve the GATA in the capacity as Chairman of Governmental Affairs.  In 2008 he was honored by the GATA as the recipient of the Jerry Rhea Athletic Trainer of the Year Award.  Bair recently accepted appointment by the Governor of Georgia to serve on the Georgia Board of Athletic Trainers.

He has served the SEATA membership on the Executive Committee; is the Chair of the Committee on Revenue; Chaired the Meeting Review Committee, and the Georgia representative to the SEATA NATAPAC committee.  In 2007 he was recipient of the SEATA Clinical/Industrial/Corporate Athletic Trainer of the Year.

Since 2004 Bair has served on the NATA Committee on Revenue, in 2005 he was recipient of the NATA Service Award, and he served as a member of the 2006 Clinical Symposium Host Committee.  He has participated in the last 3 ‘Hit the Hill’ Days in Washington DC.

Bair has also been honored to serve on the Sports Medicine staff inside the Olympic Village during the 1996 Atlanta Olympics as well as serving as the Head Football Trainer for the South All-Star team of the Georgia Athletic Directors Association in 1991 and 1992.  He has volunteered as Athletic Trainer for both Griffin High and later Spalding High schools for a total of 18 years and was a key in both schools hiring their own Teacher/Athletic Trainers.

In addition to his volunteer work with the local high schools Bair serves his community on various local governmental, church, and educational boards and committees.  This service ranges from City of Griffin Watershed Council; Regional Youth Detention Center;  Georgia Sports Hall of Fame Screening Committee and in 2002 he was a candidate for the Georgia House of Representatives.

Employment:  Bair is a partner in an outpatient physical rehabilitation facility, The Morris Center, in Griffin, Georgia since 2004.  In 2006 he also became the Regional Director of Industrial Client Solutions for Progressive Health Aviation Service.  Prior to his current partnerships Bair was President/COO and a founder of Griffin Rehabilitation Center which was built and eventually sold in 1997.  From 1990 to 1993 Bair was the Director of Sports Medicine at Spalding Regional Hospital.  From 1989 through 1990 Bair was a Special Education Teacher/Athletic Trainer at Lowndes County Schools in Valdosta, GA and from 1987 to 89 he was a Clinical Instructor/Graduate Assistant Athletic Trainer.

MaryBeth Horodyski, EdD, ATC, LAT
Candidate for President

MaryBeth Horodyski has a long history of service to the athletic training profession. MaryBeth has been an active member of the NATA for 28 years with 16 of those years in both SEATA and ATAF.  Her extensive leadership roles include SEATA President (2006 to present), SEATA Secretary/Treasurer (5 years), SEATA Treasurer (4 years), and co-chair for the Research and Education Committee (2 years).  Nationally, MaryBeth served on the Graduate Education Committee (7 years), the Secretary/Treasurer Committee (9 years), and is currently on the Board of the NATA Research and Education Foundation.   She has also served as Florida’s Research and Education Foundation State Representative (6 years).

While serving as SEATA President for the past two years MaryBeth has led the Executive Board through several key initiatives including the revision of SEATA By-Laws and the SEATA Policy and Procedures Manual, development of monthly SEATA Executive Board conference calls (to be able respond quicker to SEATA issues), development and initial implementation of a strategic plan, initiation of the SEATA Finance Committee, development of the SEATA Annual Meeting Review Committee (to address membership feedback with respect to the meeting), as well as reviewing and restructuring many other SEATA committees.

She has been recognized for her contributions to athletic training and the community. In addition to being inducted into the SEATA Hall of Fame (2008) and the ATAF Hall of Fame (2004), she is the recipient of the SEATA Award of Merit (2006), NATA Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award (2004), the SEATA District IX Award (2002), the NATA Service Award (2000), the ATAF College/Professional Athletic Trainer of the Year Award (1997), the Bronze Gator Award for service to the community from the Gainesville Sports Organizing Committee (1997), and the Superior Civilian Service Award, a medal from the US Government (1992).

She graduated from Lock Haven University (PA) in 1982 with a BS in HPERD and athletic training.  She completed her master’s degree in exercise physiology at Iowa State University while working as an athletic trainer for the Athletic Department.  She then worked at the United States Military Academy, West Point, NY for eight years initially as an assistant athletic trainer and later as the head athletic trainer in the Department of Physical Education.  During her time at West Point she earned her doctorate in applied human physiology at Columbia University.

In 1992, MaryBeth joined the University of Florida faculty as the Director of the Graduate Athletic Training Program and as the Director of the Athletic Training/Sports Medicine OutReach Program, servicing 12 high schools, a community college, a community/industrial setting, and 2 campus locations. In August 2002, she became the Director of Research for the Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation at the University of Florida and holds joint appointments with the Department of Physical Therapy and the College of Veterinary Medicine (where she is working with faculty and residents to develop a new program for rehabilitation for small animals).

MaryBeth has served as an athletic trainer in diverse settings, including high school, collegiate in both Division I and III and in the military.  She has mentored over 130 certified athletic trainers in these arenas as well as the industrial setting.  For over 21 years, MaryBeth has served local communities in roles such as the Medical Coordinator for high school state track meets, football championships, Florida Sunshine State Games, and the Florida Special Olympics.  A published author, MaryBeth is a frequent speaker for the Student SEATA Symposium, NATA symposiums, and numerous other professional organizations.

Since her professional background spans a number of different settings, MaryBeth has a unique understanding of the needs and issues of the certified athletic trainer.  Serving on the SEATA Executive Board for 11 years has provided MaryBeth with the experience, skills, understanding and committed leadership to represent the members of our organization as SEATA President.

MaryBeth and her husband, Bob, reside in Gainesville, FL with their three children: Nicole (age 21), Bobby (age 18), and Jonathan (age 11).

Jeff Hopp, ATC, LAT
Candidate for Treasurer

Jeff graduated from Minnesota State University Mankato in 1994 with a B.S. in athletic training and was certified by the NATA in June of 1994.  After graduating, he spent the 1994 NFL season with the Minnesota Vikings as an assistant athletic trainer.  He moved to NFL Europe as the head athletic trainer for the Barcelona Dragons from 1995-1997.  Jeff found his way to Georgia in 1995 to work at Resurgens Orthopaedics as a physician extender and providing outreach coverage to local high schools.  In 2002, he took his current position as the head athletic trainer for Marietta High School.  Jeff has provided medical coverage for the 1996 Olympics and the USA national Team Handball teams at various international events.  He served as the medical coordinator for the 2007 US National Paralympic Track and Field Championships.  Jeff currently is a co-owner of Sports Performance and Athletic Training Services, a company providing contract athletic training coverage in the metro Atlanta area.  He has served the GATA as treasurer for the past 2 years and secondary schools representative for the past 4 years.  Jeff resides in Dallas, GA with his wife Julie and their 3 dogs.

Jim Mackie, MEd, ATC, LAT
Candidate for Treasurer

Jim is a graduate of the University of Florida and Eastern Kentucky University.  He was certified as an Athletic Trainer from the National Athletic Trainers' Association in 1975 & and licensed by the State of Florida in 1995.

His work experience includes: Assistant Athletic Trainer at the University of Florida 1975 – 1988; Braintree Hospital Outpatient & Sports Medicine and Brockton High School 1988 – 1992; Riverside Hospital & Baptist \ St. Vincent’s Health System 1992-1999; and HealthSouth Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine 2000- 2002.  He returned to St. Vincent’s Rehab & Sports Medicine in the fall of 2002, where he currently serves as an Athletic Trainer. He served as a volunteer ATC at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta as well as coordinated medical services for numerous events such as the GATE River Run, The Jacksonville Marathon, the PGA-MS 150 Bike Tour, Hoop It Up, and others. 

Jim has been recognized by his peers with the following: the Backbone Award from the Southeast Athletic Trainers Association (SEATA) in 1985, the Athletic Training Service Award from the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA) in 1997, the Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award from NATA in 2004, and the District Award from SEATA in 2006.  He helped to organize the Athletic Trainers Association of Florida and served as its President for 6 years and Vice-President for 2 years and was inducted into the Hall of Fame of the Athletic Trainers Association of Florida in 1999.  Currently, Jim serves as Treasurer for the National Athletic Trainers Association District 9 / Southeast Athletic Trainers Association.  He previously served for 5 years as Secretary for SEATA and has served on the Placement Committee and the Public Relations Committee for District 9 of the NATA.  In 2008, Jim was inducted into the Southeast Athletic Trainers Association (SEATA) Hall of Fame.

He and his wife, Debbie reside in Jacksonville, FL and also serve as local Program Directors for HOPE worldwide, an international charity that changes lives by harnessing the compassion and commitment of dedicated staff and volunteers to deliver sustainable, high-impact, community-based services to the poor and needy.  He has served as a volunteer with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and the 2005 Super Bowl Host Committee as well.  Jim also served 2 years on the Board of Directors for the Jacksonville Church of Christ in 2005-2006.  He was appointed by former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush to the Board of Athletic Training for the state of Florida in 2006 and continues in that capacity today.  Jim currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Jacksonville Sports Medicine Program and chairs its Public Relations Committee.  He has presented topics for numerous schools, clinics, and other organizations on injury prevention, care, & rehabilitation.   Jim and Debbie have 2 children (Shawn & Heather) and have 5 grandchildren.

Gerard White, MEd, ATC, LAT
Candidate for Treasurer

Gerard currently serves as an Assistant Professor of Athletic Training Science and Head of the Department of Allied Health Sciences at Nicholls State University and the Parliamentarian for SEATA.  He is a graduate of Northeast Louisiana University where he obtained his Bachelor of Science in Health and Physical Education with a minor in Mathematics Education and a Masters Degree in Education.

Upon graduation, he obtained his national certification as an athletic trainer (1989-present) and was licensed by the Texas Advisory Board (1989-present).  He was also licensed to practice athletic training in Mississippi (1990-91) and Louisiana (1992-present).

Gerard began his career as an assistant athletic trainer at Northeast Louisiana University (1989) and then was employed as the Head Athletic Trainer for Waxahachie High School (1990) in Texas.   In July of 1990, he became the Head Athletic Trainer for Delta State University, where he worked for two years, and then began his career at Nicholls State University.  He served as Nicholls’ Head Athletic Trainer for nine years (1992-2001) and then started the athletic training education program serving as the Program Director (2001-2006).  Then in 2006, he began his tenure as the Department Head of the Department of Allied Health Sciences.  He was elected to serve as the President of the Nicholls State University Faculty Senate (2006-present).

Gerard has served at the state, district and national levels.    In Louisiana, he has served as the Chair of the By-laws Committee and recently completed two terms as the Treasurer (1999-2007) for the Louisiana Athletic Trainers’ Association and Chair of the Financial Affairs Committee.  He continues to serve on the Financial Affairs Committee.  While serving as a member of the LATA Executive Board, he was appointed as the Louisiana Representative to the SEATA Executive Board, where he served in this capacity for three years.  Recently, he was appointed as the Parliamentarian to the SEATA Executive Board (2007-present).

He has also served on the SEATA Honors and Awards Committee for the past six years.  Gerard also served as the Registration Chair for the 2006 SEATA Educators Workshop and Symposium.  He has worked with the BOC as a Test Site Examiner for the past five years and now serves a Site Visitor for the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE).

In 1987, he was awarded the SEATA Undergraduate Memorial Scholarship and in 1989, awarded the SEATA Graduate Memorial Scholarship.   During his time at Nicholls, he has received a 15 Year Service Award and was recognized by the University Academic Council for outstanding service and dedication.  The National Athletic Trainers’ Association awarded him with their Service Award in 2006.

He and his wife, Jennifer, have one child, Megan (5) and reside in Thibodaux, Louisiana.

Go to https://www.SignUp4.net/Public/ap.aspx?EID=SEAT32E to vote.  Select one candidate for each office and submit your online vote  no later than midnight EDT Wednesday, October 15, 2008. Submitted electronic ballots are confidential and go to the SEATA Elections Accountant, Jennifer Armstrong, CPA at the accounting firm of Gainspoletti & Associates for validation and tabulation.

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