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Members of the nonprofit’s first advisory boards generate optimism for the future

February 25, 2019 — Los Angeles — Augie’s Quest to Cure ALS, a nonprofit committed to changing the experience of thousands living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) by investing in cutting-edge research to advance effective treatments and an ultimate cure, today announced the organization’s inaugural Board of Directors and Leadership Council.

Led by Augie Nieto, Chairman of the Board, the inaugural board members include Lynne Nieto, Board Secretary and Treasurer, Eric Affeldt, Sherri Medina, Paul Sallaberry, Bert Selva and Jim Worthington. Michael “Boomer” Wallace (1972-2018) — a devoted husband, father and friend, and successful fashion industry executive — also served as an ALS champion and board member all too briefly, having lost his own battle against ALS just weeks after participating in the board’s first meeting. It is to honor Boomer’s life, dedication to this organization’s mission, business savvy, wicked sense of humor, and hopeful optimism that the Augie’s Quest board members commit to ending this devastating disease.

The Leadership Council is comprised of individuals who have achieved remarkable success and reaped the benefits from those accomplishments to make a significant, life-saving difference in the lives of others, especially in the quest to end ALS. Inaugural members include Matt Bellina, Scott Cameron, John Duden, Philip Green, Evan Lamberg, Pat Laus, Nancy O’Dell, Bob Olson, John Ondrasik, Alberto Perlman, Larree Renda and Matt Stewart.

“The collective talent, expertise and shared passion of this dynamic group of individuals will allow Augie’s Quest to continue to grow, extending our ability to effectively fundraise, increase awareness of ALS, and fast-track effective treatments and an ultimate cure,” said Augie Nieto, co-founder of Augie’s Quest and Chairman of the Board. “I am excited to work alongside our new Board of Directors and Leadership Council, and I am so grateful to each of them for giving their time, resources, intellect and dedication to our cause. Together, we will end ALS once and for all.”

Representing decades of effective leadership across multiple professional fields, the board of directors and leadership council will advise Augie’s Quest to Cure ALS on strategic growth and impact. More information about the inaugural board and council can be found below, and online at https://augiesquest.org/leadership/.

About Augie’s Quest to Cure ALS

Augie’s Quest to Cure ALS is a nonprofit committed to changing the experience of people living with ALS by fast-tracking cutting-edge research to advance effective treatments and an ultimate cure. The organization is galvanizing thousands to join this fight, confronting ALS in an entirely new way, and driving innovative research forward, and at an accelerated pace. We are working to bring an exciting treatment, AT-1501, and many others, to market as fast as we can via our research partners at the ALS Therapy Development Institute. Augie’s Quest was founded more than a decade ago by Augie Nieto, the successful fitness industry mogul behind Lifecycle and Life Fitness who was diagnosed with ALS in 2005 and whose life story was recently chronicled in the award-winning film, Augie. With Augie’s Quest, ALS doesn’t stand a fighting chance. Because ALS isn’t incurable, it’s only underfunded. Please join our quest at www.augiesquest.org.

 

Media Contact:

Kristen Barnfield, for Augie’s Quest to Cure ALS

(323) 648-7900

kristen@ckd-la.com

 

Board of Directors

Augie Nieto, Chairman of the Board

Corona Del Mar, California Resident

Augie Nieto is the Chief Inspiration Officer and Chairman of the Board for Augie’s Quest to Cure ALS, as well as the Chairman of the Board for the ALS Therapy Development Institute. He is one of the original pioneers of the fitness industry, and the founder and retired Chief Executive Officer of Life Fitness and Life Cycle, a global leader in product development and innovation that helps people lead active and healthy lives. Currently, Augie serves as an operating advisor to North Castle Partners, a private equity firm and is on the board of Curves, Jenny Craig, and Hydromassage. His life story, and own battle with ALS, is featured in the award-winning film, Augie.

 

Lynne Nieto, Board Secretary and Treasurer

Corona Del Mar, California Resident

Lynne is the “voice’ of Augie’s Quest to Cure ALS, serving as its Board Secretary and Treasurer. She is also a board member of the ALS Therapy Development Institute. Her leadership, vision and focus on the bottom line, where her career accounting background comes into play, have been key to the organization’s success. Lynne lives in Corona del Mar, California with her husband, Augie, and dog, Rubye. They have four adult, married children and eight grand babies.

 

Eric Affeldt

Dallas, Texas Resident

Eric Affeldt is the former head of domestic and international operations for ClubCorp, the world leader in private clubs. Today, ClubCorp owns or operates more than 200 golf and country clubs, business clubs, sports clubs and alumni clubs in 26 states, the District of Columbia and two foreign countries. Beginning with Eric’s support, ClubCorp has helped raise more than $7 million for ALS research since 2007.

 

Sherri Medina

Laguna Hills, California Resident

Sherri currently serves as a founder and managing partner of Epic Ventures, a firm specializing in investments in post-acute care solutions. She brings over 30 years of experience in healthcare services having built companies in the post-acute rehabilitation sector, and one of the nation’s largest contract rehab companies with over $200 million in revenues and multi-state operations.

 

Paul Sallaberry

Menlo Park, California Resident

Paul Sallaberry is a software industry veteran with a career leading the build and operational management of organizations, such as VERITAS Software, OpenVision, and Oracle. He serves on the Board of Directors for Acquia, Calypso Technologies, Moovweb, Quorum Labs, Dataguise, Livemagic, and is Chairman of the Board of Seal Software. Paul has been a long-time supporter of Augie’s Quest, and last year hosted the inaugural ‘Quest for a Cure’ event in the Bay Area following his wife Nancy’s diagnosis with ALS.

 

Bert Selva

Newport Coast, California Resident

Bert Selva is president and CEO of Shea Homes, one of the largest homebuilders in America. Recognized as an industry leader in customer and financial metrics, Shea Homes was recently awarded the coveted Builder of the Year Award by Professional Builder Magazine. Bert is the founder of the Augie’s Quest Tradition of Hope Gala, which has raised more than $10 million for ALS research.

 

Jim Worthington

Newtown, Pennsylvania Resident

Jim Worthington is the owner of the Newtown Athletic Club. As a member of IHRSA since its inception, Jim serves as the Chair of the IHRSA Board of Directors and has been appointed to the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition. He’s also founded the Delaware Valley Alliance of Health and Sports Clubs and the NAC Have a Heart Foundation. A respected leader in the fitness industry, Jim strengthened his support of ALS research when a member of his club, and close friend, Matt Bellina was diagnosed with ALS.

 

Michael Wallace (1972-2018)

Wayne, Pennsylvania

Michael “Boomer” Wallace was a clothing industry veteran, having served as CEO of Beacon Point Outfitters, which he acquired in 2012. Previously, Michael led the sales and marketing efforts for companies such as Lilly Pulitzer and Adam Lippes. He was diagnosed with ALS in June of 2016, and created the Michael S. Wallace Foundation in the effort to find a cure for ALS.

 

Leadership Council

Matt Bellina

Southampton, Pennsylvania Resident

Matt Bellina graduated from Virginia Tech and received his commission into the US Navy to become a Naval Aviator.  Matt can no longer fly naval aircrafts after being diagnosed with ALS, and holds the rank of Lieutenant Commander (RET). He and his wife, Caitlyn, created Matt’s Mission with the Newtown Athletic Club to fund research at the ALS Therapy Development Institute. They live in Southhampton, PA with their three young sons.

 

Scott Cameron

Bothell, Washington Resident

As Co-Founding Principal of Land Advisors Organization – Washington Division, Scott leverages his 30 years in the real estate industry as a trusted advisor building relationships with a wide array of valued clients including publicly traded and private builders, developers, investors, financial institutions, private parties and family trusts. Scott lost his father to ALS.

 

John Duden

Rancho Santa Margarita, California Resident

John Duden is currently the President and founder of Occasio Residential Capital, a real estate investment firm. John has spent his 35 year career in the banking and the finance industries. He’s been self-employed for the last 25 of those years in the residential mortgage and automobile finance industries. Having been diagnosed with ALS in August of 2018, John is excited to work with this team of dedicated and purpose-driven individuals to help find a cure for ALS.

 

Philip Green

Winchester, California Resident

Phil is a graduate of the University of Washington where he was on the 1991 National Championship UW Football team. He has spent the past 25 years developing technology solutions for brands such as Sony, Hewlett Packard, and Home Depot.  A loving husband to his wife Jennifer, Phil is also a father to four wonderful children (Arianne, Hunter, Parker, and Whitney). In August 2018, Phil was diagnosed with ALS and dedicated himself to making a difference in the fight against this disease.

 

Evan Lamberg

Los Angeles, California Resident

During his time as President of North America publishing at Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG), Evan has signed or worked with such artist- songwriters as Justin Bieber, Miley Cyrus, Prince, Imagine Dragons, Carly Rae Jepsen, Mariah Carey, Childish Gambino, Craig David, Neil Diamond, Diane Warren, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Randy Newman and Gloria & Emilio Estefan.  Prior to joining Universal in 2009, Evan had over seventeen years of successful creative leadership at EMI Music Publishing where he served in various positions, including Executive Vice President of Creative, North America. Evan lost his father to ALS.

 

Patricia Laus

Manasquan, New Jersey Resident

Patricia Laus is the Owner and CEO of The Atlantic Club. She saw an opportunity to create a grassroots program that would bring together members of the fitness industry to help raise awareness and much needed funds to support Augie’s Quest and founded The Atlantic Club’s in-club fitness campaign.

 

Nancy O’Dell

Pasadena, California Resident

Emmy Award-winning entertainment journalist Nancy O’Dell has proven to be a force in all areas of her career as a host, author, producer and entrepreneur. In addition to her role as the co-host of the most watched entertainment news program in the world, Entertainment Tonight, O’Dell has contributed reports to CBS This Morning, NBC’s Today show and Dateline. Nancy lost her mother to ALS.

 

Bob Olson

Newport Beach, California Resident

Robert Olson is the founder of R.D. Olson Development, a Newport Beach, California-based firm engaged in the development of commercial properties nationwide with a specific focus on hotels and resorts. He established the company in 1997 following nearly 20 years as founder and CEO of R.D. Olson Construction.

 

John Ondrasik

Westlake Village, California Resident

John Ondrasik has certainly soared in every aspect of the music industry. From songwriting, producing, to performing, this Los Angeles native known better as Five for Fighting – a hockey penalty moniker he chose to pay homage to his beloved L.A. Kings – has been a one-man team unto himself, constantly shooting and scoring while setting the bar higher each time. Selling over 2.5 million albums, including the platinum America Town and The Battle For Everything. “Superman”, the worldwide hit single, went Platinum, was #1 on Adult Top 40, #2 on Hot AC, and in the Top 40 Top 10 while becoming an anthem for the heroes of 9-11.

 

Alberto Perlman

Hallandale, Florida Resident

Alberto Perlman is Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of Zumba Fitness, LLC, the largest branded fitness program in the world. The global lifestyle brand fuses fitness, entertainment and culture into a dance-party experience and has more than 15 million weekly participants in 200,000 locations across 180-plus countries.

 

Larree Renda

Hillsborough, California Resident

Alberto Perlman is Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of Zumba Fitness, LLC, the largest branded fitness program in the world. The global lifestyle brand fuses fitness, entertainment and culture into a dance-party experience and has more than 15 million weekly participants in 200,000 locations across 180-plus countries.

 

Matt Stewart

Laguna Niguel, California Resident

Matthew Kennedy Stewart is co-founder and CEO of National Service Group (NSG), which operates College Works Painting, Empire Community Construction, and SMJJ Investments. NSG has grown from a small Southern California-based business into an international company located throughout the United States and Canada.

Lynne Nieto joins the ‘Living Healthy’ podcast to discuss ALS.