Board of Directors
The Health & Fitness Association Board of Directors is an experienced, intelligent team of industry leaders. They are chosen to serve the association in particular and the fitness industry in general by providing guidance, strategic direction, and insight that has a lasting global impact.
Meet the health & fitness Association Board
The Health & Fitness Association Board of Directors is comprised of industry leaders from varied club types, sizes, and specialties from across the globe. Each year, two to four board positions are filled as existing board members complete their terms of service. This ensures that seasoned board members sit side by side with new ones, providing a balance of ideas that can propel our association to new heights of success.
Chair
Luke Carlson
Discover Strength
Minneapolis, MN
discoverstrength.com
Luke Carlson is the founder and CEO of Discover Strength, headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
With a focus on evidence-based strength training, Discover Strength operates over 51 company-owned and franchised studios across 12 states and the District of Colombia.
Carlson holds B.S. and M.S. degrees in kinesiology from the University of Minnesota and an honorary Ph.D. from Solent University in Southampton, England. He is an American College of Sports Medicine Certified Exercise Physiologist.
Carlson has delivered over 500 presentations on the topics of leadership, management, and strategy to audiences on five continents and has published 10 scientific studies in medical and exercise science journals.
Discover Strength
Minneapolis, Minnesota
vice chair
Al Norshivani
ALTA Technology Group and Method Gym
methodgym.com
Al Noshirvani is the Owner of Fitness Club Management, Inc., in Rockville, MD. He is also the Co-founder of Motionsoft, a leading provider of software and financial services for the health, fitness, and wellness industry. Motionsoft’s award-winning club management software and membership management solutions have helped thousands of distinguished organizations, gyms, and fitness facilities around the world.
Al is Managing Director of Integrity Square, a financial advisory and early-stage growth equity firm focused on the HALO (health, active lifestyle, and outdoors) sector. He is also an active member of Big Brothers Big Sisters, the National Iranian American Council, and Chair of the Georgetown School Hopper Fund.
ALTA Technology Group and Method Gym
Dale City, Maryland
Finance Chair
Ahmar Azam
TriFit Ltd
Pakistan
trifit.com.pk
Ahmar Azam is the Co-Founder and CEO of TriFit Limited, operator of TriFit Fitness Clubs. In addition to the HFA board, he also serves as the following:
Independent Board Member of the Audit Committee of the International Cricket Council (ICC), since 2018;
Honorary advisory board member of Tasdeeq.org – a disruptive technology platform to address crime in the blue-collar workforce, since 2020; and
Audit Committee and Rem Com Board Member of Sehat Kahani, a disruptive telemedicine platform.
Formerly, Mr. Azam served as:
An Independent Board Member of Gold’s Gym International in Saudi Arabia from 2020-2021; and
Honorary Middle East Advisory Board Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, England & Wales (ICAEW). 2017-2022.
Before establishing TriFit, Mr. Azam led Leejam Sports Company, as the CEO. He successfully led the IPO of Leejam in 2018. Under his leadership as the CEO, he helped grow the company to become one of the top 15 fitness chains in the world, with a market cap of USD $1.2 billion+.
Mr. Azam has over 25 years of professional experience. He spent the first 8+ years of his career in public accounting between the UK and the US. He is Big Four trained. Subsequently, he has served in various public-listed companies and other organizations holding key positions, such as Corporate Financial Controller for a US listed company, Head of Internal Audit for the largest listed real estate finance company in the US, EVP of an international bank in the US, and Partner in a leading finance & risk advisory consulting firm in the US. In 2011, he moved to Saudi Arabia as a CFO for a multi-billion dollar conglomerate. In 2014, he joined Leejam.
He is a Fellow Chartered Accountant from ICAEW. He also holds an Honors Degree in Accounting and Finance from the London School of Economics and Political Science in the UK.
He has been widely interviewed and published in various international magazines and newspapers: a cover story in “Club Business International”; Top CEO list in the “Khaleej Times”; and Top CEO list in Saudi Arabia by featuring in Business Year Magazine 2019. He is a frequent speaker at both leadership and fitness conferences and TV shows in Pakistan, Middle East, Europe, and USA.
He is happily married to his wife and they both enjoy spending time with their four lovely children.
TriFit Ltd
Karachi, Pakistan
Secretary
Jeff Sanders
Energy Fitness Club
New York
energyfitness.com
Jeff Sanders is the Chief Growth Officer and partner at Energy Fitness, which has five locations on Long Island, NY, and offers a unique approach to fitness. Jeff blends his various experiences with marketing, sales, business development, and finance to create and achieve business strategic objectives while also determining which strategies are not yielding results so they can be swiftly adjusted or replaced.
Jeff also serves on the board of the New York Fitness Alliance, which was instrumental in giving our industry a voice in New York and helping to bring awareness to the lives our industry impacts. Jeff has held different positions in a variety of industries prior to jumping into the fitness industry 12 years ago. His experience includes franchising, nonprofit work in more than six countries, owning a small business, operations, sales, and leadership training.
Energy Fitness Club
Long Island, New York
IPAC Representative
Bill Davis
ABC Fitness
Cincinnati, Ohio
abcfitness.com
Bill Davis joined ABC Fitness as its president in February 2019 and was promoted to CEO in July 2019.
Prior to joining ABC, Bill was the chief financial officer of Paycor, Inc., a payroll and human capital management solution (HCM) provider. Previously, he was the CFO of Blackboard, Inc., a Washington DC-based education technology company and the global leader in enterprise technology and innovative solutions for millions of students and learners around the world.
Earlier, Bill was the chief financial officer at Allscripts Healthcare Solutions, a Chicago-based publicly traded healthcare information technology company. Allscripts focused on providing solutions that advanced clinical, financial, and operational results throughout healthcare delivery systems.
Bill earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Cincinnati and his MBA from Northwestern University. He also is a certified public accountant (CPA).
Bill serves on the board of directors for Laureate Education, Inc. (LAUR), Eptura (a Thoma Bravo portfolio company), The Jack & Jill Late Stage Cancer Foundation, the Health & Fitness Association, and is vice chairman of the Board of Trustees for the University of Cincinnati Foundation. Previously, he was a board member and Audit Committee chair for the Catamaran Corporation (CTRX).
Bill and his wife, Kathy, reside in Cincinnati, Ohio, and have three boys and a daughter-in-law, Will and Sidney, Zach, and Alex.
ABC Fitness
Cincinnati, Ohio
GHFA Representative
Richard Beddie
Exercise NZ
Christchurch, New Zealand
exercise.org.nz
Richard Beddie is the CEO of Exercise New Zealand and board chief of staff for the International Confederation of Registers for Exercise Professionals (ICREPs). Previously a multi-club owner, Richard has extensive governance experience in global exercise and recreation bodies and he is currently vice chair of IHRSA’s Global Health & Fitness Alliance Advisory Council. Richard earned both a B.S. in statistics and a MBA from the University of Canterbury, specializing in the fitness industry.
Exercise NZ
Christchurch, New Zealand
NHFA Representative
Erik Lindseth
Life Time, Inc.
Chanhassen, MN
lifetime.life
Erik A. Lindseth is Senior Vice President and General Counsel of Life Time, Inc. Erik has served as Life Time’s General Counsel since 2010, overseeing the company’s legal team in areas including property development, commercial contracting, corporate governance, employment, consumer protection, intellectual property, licensing and regulatory matters, and litigation management.
Along with leading government relations at Life Time, he serves as a member on the National Health & Fitness Alliance Advisory Council, HFA’s U.S. advocacy arm, and plays a key role in leading Life Time’s Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) initiatives following its return as a public company in October 2021.
Before joining Life Time, Erik worked as an Assistant Attorney General with the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office and was an associate in private practice. Erik earned his J.D. from Harvard Law School and graduated with a B.A. from Drake University.
Life Time, Inc.
Chanhassen, Minnesota
Shafiq Ahmed
NRG Gym Limited
London
nrggym.com
Shafiq Ahmed is the founder, CEO, and chairman of NRG Gym Limited.
NRG Gym Limited
London
Cory Brightwell
Chuze Fitness
San Diego, CA
chuzefitness.com
Cory Brightwell is a co-founder and CEO of Chuze Fitness, a rapidly expanding HVLP 2.0 gym chain known for its hospitality, community-focused approach, and commitment to providing the best overall member experience. Founded in 2008, Chuze Fitness was established with the vision of creating a welcoming and supportive environment for fitness enthusiasts of all levels. Under Cory’s leadership and executive team, the company has expanded across multiple states, consistently delivering exceptional service and state-of-the-art facilities.
Brightwell holds a B.S. in Business from Pepperdine University and competed on the Men’s Baseball team from 2000-2004 serving as the Team Captain during the ’04 season. With a strong business background and a passion for health and wellness, Cory has been instrumental in shaping Chuze Fitness’s vision and driving its success. The Chuze team’s dedication to fostering a supportive and inclusive environment has made Chuze Fitness a beloved destination for its 500k+ members across its 56+ locations.
Chuze Fitness
San Diego
Debbie Fiorella
24 Hour Fitness
California
24hourfitness.com
Debbie is a highly accomplished executive and technology leader with over 25 years of experience and a proven track record of delivering large scale digital transformation programs. As Chief Technology and Digital Officer at 24 Hour Fitness, she oversees the company’s technology, digital, and marketing strategy and drives innovation across all consumer channels to enhance the member experience.
Debbie is recognized for her ability to leverage emerging technologies and data-driven insights to create competitive advantages and drive business growth. She oversees all technology and marketing functions across the enterprise and is passionate about creating seamless customer journeys through the innovative use of technology.
Prior to joining 24 Hour Fitness, she served as Senior Vice President of Information Technology for Universal Studios Hollywood where among other responsibilities, she led the development and execution of the IT strategy for the opening of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter™. Prior to that, she spent 16 years at EarthLink, Inc., managing IT Services as VP of Enterprise Planning & Operations and VP of Information Systems.
24 Hour Fitness
San Ramon, California
Maria Gonzalez
ClubFitness Greensboro
Greensboro, NC
clubfitnessgso.com
Maria Gonzalez is the CEO of ClubFitness Greensboro, a family owned business with two multi-purpose facilities in Greensboro, NC. Maria is native to Medellin, Colombia, the town where she studied Accounting. Growing up, Maria was a competitive swimmer and a water polo player, playing at a national team level. This all led her to discover her purpose of helping people live a healthier lifestyle and feel better about themselves.
In 2001, she began her career at ClubFitness in the Aquatics department as a lifeguard and swimming instructor and since has held positions as Aquatics Director, Operations/Club Manager, and Executive Director. In 2019, Maria was promoted to CEO of ClubFitness Greensboro.
Maria is an active member of her community, volunteering and taking on formal and leadership roles in various organizations. In 2018, she was awarded a Leadership Medal from Leadership Greensboro.
ClubFitness Greensboro
Greensboro, North Carolina
Ori Gorfine
OneLife
McLean, VA
onelifefitness.com
Ori Gorfine is CEO of OneLife, which operates 55 full-service health clubs in five states and Washington, DC. Prior to his time at OneLife, Ori partnered with a fellow entrepreneur to launch Balance Gym, growing it to five locations in DC. He earned a master’s degree in international security from the University of Nottingham and a B.A. in international relations and philosophy from George Washington University.
OneLife
McLean, Virginia
Mark Harrington, Jr.
Healthworks Group
Boston, MA
healthworksgr.com
Mark Harrington Jr. is president and co-founder of Republic Fitness, the new premium co-ed fitness club in Downtown Boston created by Healthworks Group, the largest local family-owned fitness company in Boston. He has played a crucial role in development of the company which currently operates four different concepts at nine separate locations today, including Healthworks Fitness Centers for Women, GymIt, Healthworks Community Fitness and Republic Fitness.
Since becoming involved in Healthworks Group, he has served as the President of Healthworks Fitness Centers for Women, and Co-Founder of GymIt. Mark has been instrumental in the company’s growth, which today includes more than 25,000 members and helps to oversee 500 plus employees.
Prior to his role as president, Mark was a project manager at Exeter Group for nearly ten years, where he oversaw the development and completion of large scale IT projects.
Mark graduated from Middlebury College with a B.A. in computer science. He currently resides in Winchester with his family.
Healthworks Group
Boston
Chyna Willman
Grit City Wellness
Tacoma, WA
gritcitywellness.com
Chyna Willman is the CEO of Grit City Wellness, a premier wellness club founded in Washington State, dedicated to optimizing health and improving quality of life through cutting-edge recovery services, fitness, and holistic care. As a Small Business Advocate and Community Leader, Chyna also serves as the President of the Waterfront Merchants Alliance and Chair-Elect on the Board of Directors, for the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce, where she champions the growth and sustainability of local businesses.
Before launching her career in health and wellness, Chyna spent nearly two decades in the automotive industry, working with globally recognized manufacturers such as Toyota and BMW. During this time, she gained firsthand experience in franchise operations, team development, and the importance of scalable systems—all of which now inform her strategic roadmap to franchise the Grit City Wellness model. Her unique perspective bridges corporate structure with community-driven service, allowing her to create business models that are both profitable and deeply impactful.
A passionate believer in the power of strong teams, Chyna prioritizes building supportive environments that foster connection, collaboration, and personal growth. Whether she’s leading a wellness initiative or advocating for small businesses, her mission is simple: to elevate the well-being and success of everyone around her.
Anytime Fitness Domestic
Woodbury, Minnesota
Richard Idgar
EoS Fitness
California
eosfitness.com
Richard Idgar’s passion for health and fitness began in 2003 when he launched a nine-year collaboration with the Gold’s Gym SoCal group in Hollywood, California. His leadership roles with Gold’s Gym helped shape his dynamic management style, sharpen his sales acumen, and foster a deep commitment to team mentorship.
In addition to his inspiring leadership, Richard is also an experienced entrepreneur. As the previous owner and operator of Fit Food, LLC, he led the company to notable success, catering for high-profile television shows and film studios such as American Idol, Glee, So You Think You Can Dance, and Warner Bros. Studios. After selling the company in 2012, he relocated to New York City to join Equinox, where he held leadership roles across both Equinox Fitness Clubs and Equinox Sports Club through 2015. During this time, he helped drive operational excellence and elevate the member experience in one of the most competitive fitness markets in the country.
Richard joined EōS Fitness in 2015 as regional vice president of sales and operations in California. Today, he serves as chief operating officer, helping to elevate the brand’s impact through exceptional hospitality, operational excellence, and a relentless focus on the member experience. Richard continues to mentor and develop leaders across the organization while advancing the company’s mission of making fitness accessible and empowering for all.
EoS Fitness
Dallas
Mel Kleist
East Bank Club
Chicago, IL
eastbankclub.com
Mel Kleist is an experienced leader with a proven record in strategic and operational roles within the health club industry. His career began in the HVLP model, advancing to a regional director position before joining the prestigious East Bank Club (EBC) in 2015. At EBC, Mel has driven significant improvements in club culture, amenities, and operational excellence. He also co-founded the Illinois Fitness Alliance (IFA), where he serves as Chairman of the Board, advocating for industry-supporting legislation such as the GYMS Act and PHIT Act. Mel is dedicated to advancing the health and wellness industry and supporting initiatives that promote its growth.
East Bank Club
Chicago
Dimple Manghnani
[solidcore]
Washington, DC
solidcore.co
Dimple Manghnani serves as the General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of [solidcore], a strength-based reformer workout with locations all over the United States. Dimple oversees all legal matters including negotiating commercial contracts, privacy compliance, M&A oversight and litigation management. She also moonlights as a [solidcore] coach. With a strong passion for the fitness industry, and an expertise in risk management, Dimple brings a strategic legal perspective to support HFA’s organizational growth and integrity.
[solidcore]
Washington, DC
Matthew Stevens
The Bay Club Company
California
bayclubs.com
Matthew Stevens has been president and CEO of The Bay Club Company (“Bay Club”) since September 2008. Bay Club is a sports and active lifestyle company that as of June 2024 owned and operated a growing collection of resort-inspired properties across 10 West Coast campuses located within the Bay Area, Los Angeles, San Diego, and Pacific Northwest markets. Each campus is made up of a combination of fitness centers, athletic clubs, sports resorts, swim & tennis facilities, golf & country clubs, and/or hotel-resorts. Bay Club’s comprehensive approach to sports & active lifestyle is founded on four points of focus: fitness, sports, family, and hospitality. With a vibrant community of 135,000+ members and a professional team of over 4,000+ associates, Bay Club is a one-of-a-kind model with innovative and exciting fitness programs, year-round options for tennis, swimming, squash, and golf, enriching family programs and Kids Camp, plus gathering spaces with classic hospitality amenities, including dining options, workplace suites, and spas. Under his guidance, Bay Club has successfully managed private equity relationships with KSL Capital (2008-14), York Capital (2014-18), and KKR (2018-present). Revenues, EBITDA, and locations have grown by over 250% during his tenure.
Prior to Bay Club, Mr. Stevens participated in a successful private equity turnaround for Brentwood Associates as President & CEO of Spectrum Clubs, based in Los Angeles (2003-2008). His original experience with private equity investments dates back to his time as VP of Sales & Marketing at Club Sports International (1994-2003) – contributing to a rollup of real estate assets that grew to fifty locations in eighteen different markets for Starwood Capital & Chilmark Partners.
Beginning his career in upstate New York, Mr. Stevens learned the ropes on the front lines at Capital and Health & Racquet Club (1995-1998), he then spent the next six years with New York Health & Racquet Club (1989-1994) before joining Club Sports International.
The Bay Club Company
San Francisco
Barry Walsh
Iconic Health Clubs
Dublin, Ireland
iconichealthclubs.ie
Iconic Health Clubs
Dublin, Ireland
Chyna Willman
Grit City Wellness
Tacoma, WA
gritcitywellness.com
Chyna Willman is the CEO of Grit City Wellness, a premier wellness club founded in Washington State, dedicated to optimizing health and improving quality of life through cutting-edge recovery services, fitness, and holistic care. As a Small Business Advocate and Community Leader, Chyna also serves as the President of the Waterfront Merchants Alliance and Chair-Elect on the Board of Directors, for the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce, where she champions the growth and sustainability of local businesses.
Before launching her career in health and wellness, Chyna spent nearly two decades in the automotive industry, working with globally recognized manufacturers such as Toyota and BMW. During this time, she gained firsthand experience in franchise operations, team development, and the importance of scalable systems—all of which now inform her strategic roadmap to franchise the Grit City Wellness model. Her unique perspective bridges corporate structure with community-driven service, allowing her to create business models that are both profitable and deeply impactful.
A passionate believer in the power of strong teams, Chyna prioritizes building supportive environments that foster connection, collaboration, and personal growth. Whether she’s leading a wellness initiative or advocating for small businesses, her mission is simple: to elevate the well-being and success of everyone around her.
Grit City Wellness
Tacoma, Washington