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Our Leadership

Augie & Team

Augie Nieto was the successful fitness industry mogul behind Lifecycle, Life Fitness, and Octane Fitness. He was diagnosed with ALS in 2005. With guidance from a team of friends, researchers, and medical experts, Augie came to understand the bleak reality that ALS lacked the critical support or widespread research needed to find treatment and cures, so Augie co-founded Augie’s Quest to Cure ALS with Shannon Shryne. Through events, partnerships, and cause marketing campaigns, Augie and his team raise critical dollars to fund the most promising ALS research. Augie knew his beloved wife, Lynne, could carry his torch as Chairman of Augie's Quest to Cure ALS. She took over the role in March of 2023 and has made it her passion to find a cure in honor of Augie.

As a leader in building enterprise for an industry dedicated to maintaining muscle strength and performance, it is tragic irony that Augie’s disease robbed him of the strength and use of his body. His mind and spirit stayed strong until the end. In his memory, we continue the inexorable drive to work and achieve real results in his memory. Augie paired his ALS activism with his superb business acumen and transformed the ALS space. As his close friend Chris Clawson says, “They may call it Lou Gehrig’s disease, but they will call it Augie’s Cure.”

Thanks to our friends at Paint for a Cure and StoryFile, you can get to know Augie through this incredible AI video they created:

Go To Video

About Our Team

Our team is persistent in the pursuit of treatments to halt, reverse, and cure this lethal disease. Working tirelessly to raise funds through a substantial network of national events and cause marketing partnerships, including the Cure ALS Golf Classic, the Tradition of Hope Gala, the BASH, and other widely successful campaigns within the very generous fitness industry, our global community of support that includes staff, leadership, advisors, and a network of like-minded organizations are vital to our quest to cure ALS.

Shannon K. Shryne

PRESIDENT & CO-FOUNDER

Shannon manages the Augie’s Quest team, collaborates with corporate leaders, and oversees new business development and significant cause marketing partnerships. She has over 30 years of experience in development and non-profit management, and co-founded Augie’s Quest with Augie Nieto in 2005.

Gretchen Simoneaux

VICE PRESIDENT

Gretchen oversees all large scale Augie’s Quest events (including the Tradition of Hope Gala), as well as strategic corporate cause marketing campaigns. She has 20 years of successful development experience, and has been a vital player in the success of Augie’s Quest since its inception in 2005.

Kelly Campbell

DIRECTOR OF STEWARDSHIP & DEVELOPMENT

Kelly plays a leadership role in Augie’s Quests fitness industry fundraising initiatives, signature events including the Tradition of Hope Gala, and leads the individual donor and stewardship programs. She has over 20 years of non-profit experience, and has played a significant role in the success of Augie’s Quest since 2008.

Angel Moser

DIRECTOR OF DIGITAL MARKETING & DEVELOPMENT

Angel oversees digital marketing initiatives, and Team Quest4ALS, our endurance campaign.  She coordinates all social media, and supports Augie’s Quest signature events.  She has more than 15 years experience engaging corporate donors, families, and community leaders, and joined the Augie’s Quest team in 2014.

Kelsey Storter

MANAGER OF FINANCE & DEVELOPMENT

Kelsey oversees all accounting and finance for Augie’s Quest to Cure ALS, and plays a key role in the Cure ALS Golf Classic.  She has two years of experience in a corporate accounting setting and five years in a private accounting setting.  Kelsey joined Augie’s Quest in 2019.

Board of Directors

CEO, The Experience Investment Corp.

Eric Affeldt

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.
Chairman of the Board

Lynne Nieto

Lynne is the Chair of Augie’s Quest, and a board member of the ALS Therapy Development Institute. Her leadership, vision and focus on the bottom line, where her accounting background comes into play, have been key to our success. Lynne lives in Corona del Mar, California with her dog, Rubye. She and Augie have four adult, married children and eight grand babies.
Owner, Newtown Athletic Club

Jim Worthington

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.
Managing Partner, North Castle Partners

Jon Canarick

Jonathan (“Jon”) Canarick is a Managing Partner in consumer private equity investment experience. Since joining North Castle in 2001, Jon has actively managed North Castle’s investments across a variety of Healthy, Active, and Sustainable Living sectors and across all job functions at North Castle. Jon currently sits on the Board of Directors of Five Iron Golf, Echelon Fit, CR Fitness, Encore Vet Group, The Escape Game, Barry’s, and SLT.

Paul Sallaberry

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.
Augie Nieto
Board Chairman, Emeritus

Augie Nieto

Augie Nieto was the Chief Inspiration Officer and Chairman of the Board for Augie’s Quest to Cure ALS, and the Chairman of the Board for the ALS Therapy Development Institute. He was one of the original pioneers of the fitness industry, and the founder and retired Chief Executive Officer of Life Fitness. He served as an operating advisor to North Castle Partners, a private equity firm, an Advisor for Fuscoe Engineering & Systems Paving, and was on the board of Hydromassage.
CEO, Healthbridge

Sherri Medina

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.
Bert-Selva
President/CEO, Shea Homes

Bert Selva

Bert Selva is president and CEO of Shea Homes, one of the largest, privately-held homebuilders in America operating in California, Arizona, Colorado, Washington, Nevada, Texas and Florida. Shea Homes was awarded the coveted “Builder of the Year Award” by Professional Builder Magazine and was also named one of “America’s Best Builders” by Builder Magazine.

Bert joined Shea Homes in 1996. He previously served as the president of the Colorado division, which he started in September 1996. During his tenure, he was responsible for all homebuilding and commercial development activities in Colorado. Under his leadership, the 22,000-acre Highlands Ranch was acquired and developed, and today is one of the nation’s leading master-planned communities.

Prior to joining Shea Homes, Bert was a senior executive and involved in all aspects of the start-up and business operations of the Colorado division of KB Home. He previously served as chief financial officer with Signature Homes in Orange County, California. Additionally, Bert has served as a management consultant with Arthur Andersen & Company, and as an international banker working in Hong Kong, Seoul, Korea and Tokyo, Japan.

Bert holds a Business degree from the University of Southern California and an MBA from UCLA. Bert is also fluent in Spanish.

Bert has been awarded with several prestigious awards, including:

“CEO of the Year” by Builder and Big Builder magazines.
Inducted into the California Homebuilding Hall of Fame.
Hearthstone “Humanitarian Lifetime Achievement Award”which included a $100,000 donation to the charity of his choice.
“Legend of Residential Marketing” award by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).
Inducted into the Marvin Hall of Fame for Design Excellence.
“Builder of the Year” award by the California Building Industry Association of Southern California.
Bert’s involvement on various boards/committees consists of:

Executive Committee member for the USC Lusk Center for Real Estate.
Member of the Board of St. Ignatius College Preparatory in San Francisco.
Prior Chairman of the Board, HomeAid America, Inc., (developer of housing for the transitionally homeless.)
National Vice President, MDA (Muscular Dystrophy Association)/Augie’s Quest (focused on treatments and cures for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS/Lou Gehrig’s disease).
Member of Leading Builders of America (a coalition of homebuilder CEOs supporting legislation affecting the homebuilding industry).
Member of the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO).
Bert and his family reside in Newport Beach, California.

Leadership Council

Success is great, but significance is vital. Augie called upon his peers who have achieved remarkable success and reaped the benefits from those accomplishments to make a significant, life-saving difference in the lives of others. These incredible leaders have responded to the call.

Ed Beck

Member Emeritus

Ed Beck was an effective and beloved member of the Leadership Council for Augie's Quest. He graduated from USMA, West Point Class of 1967, and served in Vietnam with the 82nd Airborne/9th Infantry. He received his Masters from the University of Colorado, and worked at IBM, where he met his wife, Cindy. He had a successful career in software finance until his retirement in 2007. Ed is survived by his wife, Cindy, and his children and grandchildren.

Matt Bellina

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 ALS TDI. They live in Southhampton, PA with their three young sons.

Scott Cameron

Principal, Land Advisors Organization - Washington Division

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.

Peggy Fort

President and CEO of California Marketing Concepts

Peggy Fort is President and CEO of California Marketing Concepts, a Newport Beach based full-service marketing and public relations firm. For over 20 years she has helped to promote restaurants, non-profit organizations, and local businesses, representing high profile clients, such as the City of Newport Beach, the Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau, the OC Marathon, Starbucks Coffee Company, McDonald’s Restaurant and over four hundred restaurants and small businesses.

A big part of her business philosophy has been to give back to the community by organizing, participating, and financially supporting charity events. Peggy feels this is one of her biggest accomplishments. It makes her so happy to be able to help others. Peggy’s long-standing commitment to her community was recently recognized by the State of California when Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris named Peggy the 2021 Woman of Distinction for the City of Newport Beach, where she resides.

In 2021, at age 54, Peggy began having difficulty running and walking and was diagnosed with ALS. Peggy has always been a great athlete. In her youth, Peggy was a pre-elite gymnast and an NCAA National Champion Springboard Diver. Prior to diagnosis, she ran 23 marathons as a charity runner – all of which was to raise money for cancer research. Throughout her career, she raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for many worthwhile charitable organizations and always prioritized giving back to the community.

Despite the diagnosis, Peggy remains courageous and hopeful, and grateful for her faith, which guides her through the difficult times. As explained by Peggy: “The day I was diagnosed was the shock of my life. I have always been so healthy and full of energy. Life is much more of a challenge now. I have always loved a challenge and am determined not to let ALS define my life.”

Peggy is much-loved and supported by her family and friends in Chicago, Orange County, and beyond. Peggy has made Augie’s Quest her quest!

Larry Green

Founder and CEO, Systems Pavers

Larry Green is the Founder and CEO of System Pavers, a native of South Africa, a serial entrepreneur, avid global traveler and a passionate advocate for the role and value of outdoor living and home improvement. Larry serves as a trustee on the board of the African Wildlife Foundation and has been a member of Young Presidents’ Organization since 1989 undertaking numerous leadership roles over the years.

Nicole Greene

Vice President, Global Legal, and Corporate Secretary of iRhythm Technologies, Inc.

Nicole Greene is the Vice President, Global Legal, and Corporate Secretary of iRhythm Technologies, Inc., a publicly traded telehealth company. In this role, Nicole is responsible for leading the legal team and overseeing legal matters for iRhythm. Before joining iRhythm, Nicole served in a variety of roles at Dexcom, Inc., including as the Vice President, General Counsel for North America, and Corporate Secretary, where she was responsible for leading the legal team responsible for supporting the commercial business for the US and Canada, corporate governance, global procurement, privacy and security. Earlier in her career, Nicole was responsible for a broad spectrum of legal affairs at Experian North America and MicroVention, Inc. (a Terumo Corporation company). Nicole began her career practicing corporate and securities law at Stradling Yocca Carlson & Rauth law firm.

Nicole received her J.D. from University of Michigan Law School and her B.A. from the University of California, Davis, where she played Division I water polo.
Nicole is a member of the State Bar of California.

Philip Green

Founder, MAD ALS & Host, I AM ALS Podcast

Phil is a graduate of the University of Washington where he was on the 1991 National Championship 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. In August 2018, Phil was diagnosed with ALS and dedicated himself to making a difference in the fight against this disease.

Pete Fisher

Principal, Fisher Entertainment Consulting

After serving on the Academy of Country Music Board of Directors for 14 years, and its charity board, ACM Lifting Lives, Pete Fisher took the helm of the Academy of Country Music as Chief Executive Officer from 2017-2019. Prior to joining the Academy, Fisher was Vice President, General Manager of the Grand Ole Opry, a post he held for 17 years. In 2020, he launched Fisher Entertainment Consulting, Inc., which aims to connect businesses, brands, TV, film and philanthropy to the power of Nashville entertainment.

Evan Lamberg

President, North America Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG)

As President of North America publishing at Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG), Evan has signed and worked with such artist-songwriters as Justin Bieber, Miley Cyrus, Prince, Imagine Dragons, Mariah Carey, Childish Gambino, Neil Diamond, Randy Newman and Gloria & Emilio Estefan.

Alberto Perlman

CEO and Co-Founder, Zumba

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

Former Executive Vice President, Safeway, and Chair, The Safeway Foundation

A former Safeway top executive, Renda was responsible for all retail strategies and a broad range of functions for one of the largest food and drug retailers in North America. Her responsibilities included retail strategy, public affairs, communications, government relations, health initiatives, human resources, corporate social responsibility, philanthropy, real estate, and more. In 2001 and 2002, she was voted one of the “50 Most Influential Women in Business” by Fortune magazine.

Matt Stewart

Co-Founder and CEO, National Service Group

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.

Fitness Advisory Council

ALS steals your muscles, and robs you of everything exercise provides. Because Augie dedicated his career to improving the physical health of others, he was able to recruit fitness industry champions to help work out creative ways to keep focus on conquering ALS.

Mike Alpert

Mike Alpert is past President of California Clubs of Distinction, and has served on Boards for the Northwest Athletic Club Association and the Medical Wellness Association. He is also past President/CEO of The Claremont Club.

Bryan Andrus

COO, US Specialty Labs

Bryan Andrus is the COO of CLIAwaived, Inc. and US Specialty Labs, where he is striving to bring healthcare and the fitness industry together through PreventTEST®, and he serves as a consultant of SportBrain, 24 Hour Fitness, FitnessFirst, IDEA, Samsung, NIKE/Apple and Seiko/Epson.

Robert Brewster

CEO and President, Alaska Club

CEO and President, Alaska Club
Robert Brewster is the CEO/President of The Alaska Club and the President of Alaska Fitness Equipment. In addition to his work with the Hotel Captain Cook and the Captain Cook Athletic Club, Robert was elected Chairman of the Board for IHRSA in 2014

Peter Brown

President, AB Media

Peter Brown and his wife Gretchen have owned the Athletic Business and ABShow for the past 30 years. After graduating from Harvard, Peter began working for Lifecycle in 1980 with Augie Nieto. Being part of the team that transitioned Lifecycle to LifeFitness was a unique and rewarding experience for Peter. In building his businesses, Peter has always summoned the experiences he learned from his early years working at Lifecycle.

Rick M. Caro Jr.

President, Management Vision

Rick Caro is the President of Management Vision, Inc. Providing management expertise to clubs, real estate developers, hospitals, hotels, resorts, and appraisers, Management Vision is widely regarded for its experience with a variety of fitness properties all over the U.S. and other countries.

Chris Clawson

Former CEO of Life Fitness and past Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Sports Fitness Industry Association whose mission is to “Promote Sports and Fitness Participation and Industry Vitality,” as well as the founder of Talon Leadership Consulting.

Chris earned his MBA from Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management and received his baccalaureate degree from San Diego State University. He also attended Newman University in Wichita, Kansas, where he was an Academic All-American in baseball and is a two-time member of its athletic hall of fame. Before joining the fitness industry, he was a professional athlete, playing for the minor-league organizations of both the Houston Astros and Atlanta Braves.

Larry Conner

CFOO, REGYMEN Fitness

Larry Conner, CPA, is the CFOO of REGYMEN Fitness. With 30 years of experience in the fitness industry, he’s dedicated his career to enriching lives through the health club experience. Larry recently served a 4 year term on the IHRSA Board of Directors.

Phyllis Dannin

Vice President of Strategic Business Development, Matrix Fitness

Phyllis Dannin is the VP of Strategic Business Development at Matrix Fitness, the fastest growing premium fitness equipment brand. She successfully managed sales teams and large national accounts during 25+ years at Life Fitness and has applied her expertise to support company growth initiatives at Matrix since 2019

David Giampaolo

Founder and CEO, Pi Capital

David is the founder/CEO of Pi Capital. As an investor, advisor and board member, David has worked with some of the most successful health companies in world, including Fitness First, 24 Hour Fitness, Zumba Fitness.

Mark de Gorter

Mark has worked with Workout Anytime Franchising Systems, Power Plate International, Walter Thompson Worldwide, Bally Total Fitness, L.A. Gear, NTN/Buzztime and Velocity Sports Performance.

Sean Gagnon

CEO, The Abs Company

Sean Gagnon is the CEO of The Abs Company based in Lakewood Ranch FL. He’s a graduate of the University of Florida with a Masters Degree in Clinical Exercise Physiology and has worked in several areas of the health and fitness field. He started his career as a personal trainer at Xercise Inc in Chester NJ before making the transition to entrepreneur in 1999. His companies have included health clubs, wellness products, and fitness equipment. Sean holds 42 worldwide patents and trademarks on equipment he’s designed, licensed or acquired. He co-founded the Abs Company in 2007 and has since gown the company to a multinational company doing business in 68 countries around the world. Sean is passionate about giving and gratitude and is always on the lookout for ways to serve and give back. He lives by the pillars of Faith, Family and Fitness!

Scott Goudeseune

CEO, American Council on Exercise (ACE)

With over 30 years of experience in operations, sales and marketing, Scott Goudeseune leads the senior management team for ACE and provides vision and direction for the organization’s strategic plans. He is committed to working with policymakers to promote changes that lead to a healthier America and help promote safe and effective physical activity for all.

Dave Hardy

President, Franvest Capital Partners

Dave Hardy is the President of Franvest Capital Partners. His current investments include Orangetheory Fitness, World Health Edmonton, and Fresh Fit Foods. David is actively engaged in the fitness industry through roundtables, trade associations, public speaking, and industry-wide initiatives.

Cher Harris

General Manager, Houstonian Club

Cher Harris serves as the GM of the Houstonian Club. She has over 25 years of club management experience, providing direction for managers, trainers, instructors, racquet sports professionals, dieticians, locker room staff, accountants, engineers, HR and IT personnel in large fitness facilities around the country. She has a Master’s Degree in Kinesiology from Indiana University and is an American College of Sports Medicine Certified Exercise Physiologist.

Ron Hemelgarn

Owner, Hemelgarn Enterprises

Ron Hemelgarn has gathered a lifetime of experience, expanding his success in health and fitness for the past 50 years into other industries such as financial, real estate, and franchises. Ron’s strong conviction to live with simplicity, honesty, humbleness, and humor are what he is best known for.

Ron Lamb

President and CEO of Club Automation and Daxko

Ron is President and CEO of Club Automation and Daxko. They provide mission-critical management software and integrated payment solutions to member-based health and wellness organizations. Ron also serves as vice chairman of the board of Pikes Peak YMCA. Ron holds a bachelor’s degree from Princeton University and an MBA from Loyola University. Ron and his wife Kristi reside in Denver and have three children.

Gale Landers

CEO, Fitness Formula

Gale Landers is Owner and CEO of Fitness Formula. In 1996, he was elected to the IHRSA Board of Directors and served as the IHRSA Board President in the year 1999-2000. In 2003 he was inducted into the Chicago Area Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame.

Paul Lunter

Founder and President, HydroMassage

Paul Lunter is the Founder/President of HydroMassage. Paul previously owned a residential and commercial construction company, and also founded Digital Chainsaw / Net Performance, an internet company that was acquired by a Paul Allen owned company.

Bill McBride

President and CEO, Active Wellness, Active Sports Clubs & BMC3

Bill McBride is the co-founder of Active Sports Clubs, Active Wellness and BMC3. He has served as Chairman of the IHRSA, President of the Mid-Atlantic Club Management Association (MACMA), as well as an advisor to the American Council of Exercise (ACE), Medical Wellness Association (MWA) and Medical Fitness Network (MFN).

John McCarthy

Founder, IHRSA

John McCarthy served as the founding Executive Director of IHRSA for 25 years. Today, he continues his service as a volunteer at Mass General Hospital and an advisor to Healthtrax & North Castle Partners. John has also been the Chairman of BASH for Augie’s Quest since 2008.

Kevin McHugh

COO, The Atlantic Club

Kevin McHugh is the COO of the Atlantic Club and has served in leadership roles for The Paddington Corporation, Moet-Hennessey and Seagram & Sons, and the Food Bank of Ocean and Monmouth Counties. Kevin is also the COO of the Clubs for the Quest team, helping us raise over 7 million dollars for ALS research.

Linda Mitchell

Director of Public and Government Relations, Newtown Athletic Club

Linda Mitchell, a fitness industry veteran since 1981, has devoted her entire career to the development and growth of the Newtown Athletic Club, a 275,000 square foot lifestyle complex in bucolic Bucks County, PA. A fine arts dance/education major brought her to the fitness industry initially, eventually mastering marketing, sales, public and government relations along with the management of the NAC Have a Heart Foundation.

Dave Mortensen

President & Co-Founder, Anytime Fitness and Self Esteem Brands

Dave Mortensen is co-founder of Anytime Fitness which has been identified as “One of America’s Most Promising Companies,” “Top Global Franchise” and “Fastest-Growing Fitness Club.” Created as an alternative to big-box gyms, Anytime Fitness offers smaller, neighborhood clubs that prioritize cost and convenience.

Paula Neubert

SVP, Corporate Operations, The Bay Club Company

Paula recently joined The Bay Club Company as the SVP of Corporate Operations. She served as President/GM of Club Greenwood from 2003 until 2023, and has been in the fitness industry since 1985. Working in various capacities from group fitness instructor to business developer and strategic planner, she built numerous facilities including medically based fitness centers, Pilates studios, and a health and fitness center designed solely for kids.

Al Noshirvani

Co-founder of Alta Technology Group

Al Noshirvani is a Co-Founder and Managing Partner at ALTA Technology Group, a management consulting firm focused on the HALO (health, active lifestyle and outdoors) industry. Prior to launching ALTA, Al was the Co-Founder, CEO, and Chairman of Motionsoft Inc from which he successfully exited.

In 2010, Al was named by the Washington Business Journal as a member of the 40 under 40 which recognizes the Greater Washington region's brightest young business leaders based on demonstrated business success. In 2014, under Al's leadership, Motionsoft was recognized as the IHRSA Associate Member of the Year. Al is also the founder of the Fitness Technology Summit an annual, invitation-only event where marketing, operations, and technology executives gather for 3 days of networking, education sessions, and insightful panel discussions. He serves as an Entrepreneur in Residence with Integrity Square, a boutique Investment Bank where he focus’ on Fitech and SaaS applications practice. Al is also the owner of a chain of health clubs in the greater Washington DC metropolitan area called Method Gyms.

Previously, Al was a founder and Executive VP of Sales for a medical software imaging company which he successfully exited from. He holds a BA and MBA. He is an avid tennis player.

Ray O’Connor

CEO, Wisconsin Athletic Club

Ray O’Connor is a co-founder and the CEO of the Wisconsin Athletic Club, LLC: the largest and most respected privately-owned athletic club in Wisconsin. The WAC has three main business units: eight multi-purpose athletic clubs, WorkingWell corporate wellness, and real estate development for their clubs and medical office buildings for affiliated partners. Ray served on the board of IHRSA from 2015-2019.

Andy Richters

Andy Richters was a college soccer player and coach with Master’s degree in Sports Medicine, when a near fatal car/pedestrian accident changed his life. With a career spanning over 30 years, his leadership earned him a role at Star Trac, followed by Matrix Fitness, and now back home for the last two years with CORE Health and Fitness’ house of brands (StairMaster, Nautilus, Schwinn, StarTrac, Throwdown, and Wexer).

Petra Robinson

Fitness Industry Adviser, Zumba

Petra Robinson is the former VP of AFAA , EVP of Healthclub.com and VP of Zumba. Using her creative talents and industry contacts, she has earned a reputation for being an industry leader capable of taking concepts and turning them into well-known brands, such as Zumba, Piloxing, and Get RIPPED!

Todd Smith

Chairman & CEO, Las Vegas Athletic Clubs

Todd brings 37 years of industry experience, including 25 years as a VP for both Bally’s Health and Tennis Corporation and 24 Hour Fitness before joining LVAC in 2006. He holds a B.S. in Accounting and Finance from the University of Utah and an MBA from Pepperdine University.

Matthew Stevens

President and CEO, The Bay Club

As the President and CEO of The Bay Club, Matthew Stevens oversees the $200 million business and its portfolio of 25+ clubs and sports resorts. His leadership resulted in the creation of various new products and the acquisition of more than 15 properties.

Emmett Williams

President and Partner, Myzone

Emmett Williams is a native Australian who has had the rare experience of being both an operator and a vendor in the commercial fitness industry, whilst also working extensively in 3 different regions of the world. Having built and owned a chain gyms on one side of the ledger, to having owned and grown the international sales & marketing company CFM International on the other side of the ledger, Emmett now allocates most of his time towards being President and Partner in the wearable technology company, Myzone. Emmett was recently awarded entry onto Fitness Australia’s prestigious ‘Roll of Honor’ for his excellence in leadership, whilst also accepting IHRSA’s ‘Ass...

Jeff VanDixhorn

Jeff VanDixhorn is entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience in the fitness industry. He started as a club owner/operator building a club business in IL, IN and WI and still owns clubs in IL and WI. In 2007 Jeff founded Club Automation, a sophisticated club management system used by facilities across the US and Canada. Club Automation joined the Daxko family of brands in 2018 and Jeff served as Chief Revenue Officer at Daxko until 2023. Jeff currently serves on the board for Daxko, oversees his club business and is launching a new venture, Pickle Haus.

Chad Waetzig

EVP, Marketing & Branding - Crunch

Chad serves as Crunch’s Executive Vice President of Marketing and Branding
and leads the brand’s marketing and communications efforts for all locations globally, focusing on strategically growing the company’s brand presence and member base while driving marketing innovation and brand loyalty. Previously, Chad served as Chief Marketing Officer for Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spas; Executive Marketing Advisor of Blink Fitness; Vice President
of Global Marketing Strategy & Planning
for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts; Vice President, Global Marketing for Disneyland Resort; Senior Vice President of Marketing, Sheraton Hotels & Resorts for Starwood Hotels & Resorts; and Senior Vice President Brand Management for Marriott International.

Past Award Honorees

Augie’s Quest is honored to have support from business and entertainment leaders in our Quest to find a Cure. Click through gallery displaying names, photos & bios of honorees from our Tradition of Hope Gala.

2022 Founders Award Recipient: John Ginger

Founder, J. Ginger Masonry

John Ginger is the owner of J.Ginger Masonry, one of the largest masonry contractors in the Western U.S. He chaired the Segerstrom Center for the Arts which opened the American Ballet Theatre William J. Gillespie School, built and dedicated new Julianne and George Argyros Plaza, and created the School of Dance and Music for Children with Disabilities under his tenure as chairman. As an avid philanthropist and good friend of Augie’s, John has also been a longtime supporter of Augie’s Quest to Cure ALS and many other Orange County based charities. John and his wife Toni have taken in over 200 foster children through the Orangewood Foundation. John and Toni live in Laguna Beach and have four children and six grandchildren.

2021 Champion for ALS Award Recipient

Musician, songwriter, composer, arranger, producer, and recording artist

“I believe that everyone gets three rounds in their life,” says musician, songwriter, composer, arranger, producer, and recording artist David Foster. “For me, two are completed and I’m on to Round Three. I think you have to change it up every round. My mantra is retreat and attack in another direction, which I’ve done twice. Now I'm going to do it again.”

Foster’s first round was as a studio musician, arranger, and recording artist. His second round was becoming one of the most successful songwriters and record producers in history — shepherding albums that have collectively sold in the hundreds of millions. This period of his four-decade career also found him creating The David Foster Foundation and volunteering his time and talent to over 400 charities, as well as becoming a household name as a performer throughout Asia where he tours annually.

For his third round, Foster is gearing up to take on Broadway with several projects. These include writing the music for a new musical about the iconic, animated character Betty Boop, which will be directed by Tony Award-winner Jerry Mitchell.

As one of the most illustrious composers of our time, Foster’s skill set of creating hits, writing indelible melodies, and building dramatic moments, has primed him for this third round. “I think Broadway and I are a perfect fit," he says. “The story becomes the co-writer. It’s a new adventure and creative outlet for me that I’ve always believed I could do and now it's become a reality. It’s also exciting because, as a producer, I've spent 35 years in a room with no windows, churning out music. Now I plan to immerse myself in New York theater culture and learn the ropes slowly, and I'm not afraid of that.”

Foster seems constitutionally incapable of resting on his laurels, and his relentless drive has propelled him throughout his career. Few other individuals can claim to have their fingerprints on more major moments in all of popular music than David Foster. He has created hit songs and award-winning gold and platinum albums for a diverse array of artists including Barbra Streisand, Celine Dion, Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Madonna, Andrea Bocelli, Michael Bublé, Josh Groban, Rod Stewart, Stevie Wonder, Earth, Wind & Fire, Diana Krall, Natalie Cole, Michael Bolton, Seal, Chaka Khan, Kenny Rogers, Dolly Parton, Chicago, Hall & Oates, Brandy, ’N Sync, Boz Scaggs, and Gloria Estefan. He has escorted singers who have straddled both pop and classical styles like Andrea Bocelli and Josh Groban into the mainstream. He has created culture-defining soundtracks for blockbuster films like The Bodyguard, Urban Cowboy, and St. Elmo’s Fire; and crafted timeless holiday classics, including perennial best-sellers like Josh Groban’s Noel, Michael Bublé’s Christmas, Celine Dion’s These Are Special Times, Rod Stewart’s Merry Christmas Baby, Andrea Bocelli’s My Christmas, and Mary J. Blige’s A Mary Christmas.

For his remarkable work, Foster has won 16 Grammy Awards, including three for Producer of the Year, an Emmy Award, a Golden Globe, and racked up three Oscar nominations for “Best Original Song.” He has also earned a reputation as a keen spotter of new talent, playing a key role in the discovery and career launches of Celine Dion, Josh Groban, and Michael Bublé.

In 2008 and 2011, Foster stepped out as performer in his own right as the host of “Foster & Friends” — two star-studded concert events in Las Vegas that celebrate the music from Foster’s unparalleled catalog. The shows were filmed for Great Performance on PBS and Foster’s Hit Man and The Hit Man Returns became PBS’ highest-rated pledge drive shows of the decade. Foster is also a household name as a performer throughout Asia where he fills arenas on his frequent tours.

In 2015, Foster became a celebrity judge on the smash hit TV show Asia’s Got Talent. Billed as the biggest TV show in the world, it is broadcast throughout Asia into 20 countries and just completed his third season. In 2019, he became the anchor judge on World’s Got Talent in China - the first international entertainer to hold a major TV position in China.

“In Asia, audiences believe that the person who writes and produces the songs is as important as the person who sings them,” Foster says. “So when you play a song that you've written and the entire 10,000-seat arena sings every word, that's pretty thrilling.”

In 2018/19 Foster started touring the US with his show ‘An Intimate Evening with David Foster’. The shows garnered rave reviews and were so successful that he will embark on a 50 city US tour in 2022. As a result of this success, Foster filmed a new PBS Special – An Intimate Evening with David Foster – which aired on PBS Great Performances November/December 2019.

An official feature documentary on his career and life debuted at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) September 2019 and was released on Netflix worldwide. David Foster: “Off The Record” is an up close and personal look at the extraordinary career of a producer, composer, and entertainer who has helped sell more than a half billion records working with some of the most successful artists of all time. Powerful and sometimes humorous, the film follows Foster’s relentless ambition, hunger, and rise to the top, as he becomes an iconic producer and songwriter.

In 2020, Foster released a simple yet complex piano solo album, Eleven Words. While Foster is primarily known for writing and producing huge, chart-topping hits for megastars, David steps back to his roots, seated at the grand piano and delivers emotional and meaningful piano melodies.

In his own words, Foster talks about his lifelong passion of the piano. “A lifelong passion began for me as a child sitting at the piano. Never could I have imagined that a kid’s passion of playing melodies at the piano, would lead me to where I am today. From a very young age, I was always drawn to the piano. I can’t think of any other instrument that captures and touches so many different emotions. It is the entire range of the orchestra at your fingertips. It was so cool, fun and even therapeutic just sitting at the piano and creating these melodies – this is me in my truest form and the piano has always been my go-to place. What I truly wanted to do with this album, is strip away the lyrics and all the production that I’m known for, leaving just the melodies….”

It’s not surprising that Foster became a consummate performer. Born in Victoria, British Columbia, he began studying piano at age four. As the story goes, his mother was dusting the family piano, hit one of the keys, and was shocked when David correctly called out, “That’s an E!”, thus discovering he had perfect pitch. The son of a maintenance yard superintendent and a homemaker, Foster has chronicled his life in the highly regarded, best-selling autobiography Hit Man.

Foster has made charitable work his life’s other priority. Meeting with a young girl from his hometown who was awaiting a liver transplant had a profound impact and led him to create The David Foster Foundation in 1986. Its mission is to provide financial support to Canadian families with children in need of live-saving organ transplants, along with a focus on organ donor awareness in both Canada and the United States. Four years ago, the Foundation had a mandate to raise $30 million for an endowment. “We’ve moved that goalpost to $50 million and I think we’ll get there within the next two years” Foster says.
He has also volunteered his time and talent to over 400 charities over the past two decades, including the annual Muhammad Ali Celebrity Fight Night, The Andre Agassi Foundation, and Carousel of Hope. Tapping into his vast network of friends and superstar artists, Foster has enabled these events to raise millions of dollars for worthy causes. “The gift of music has brought me many rewards,” he says. “What better way to honor those gifts than to pay it forward. It’s not just a responsibility, it’s a must.”

Foster has also been rewarded with professional honors, including being inducted into the Canadian Walk of Fame in 2002, The Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 2007, The Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2010, and the Songwriters Hall Of Fame in the U.S., also in 2010. In 2013, Foster received his star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame. It is located on Vine Street in front of the iconic Capitol Records building, adjacent to the stars of his musical heroes —John, Paul, George and Ringo — a thrill for the self-described “biggest Beatles fan on the planet.” The location is doubly meaningful as Capitol was the label that signed Foster’s band Skylark in 1971. Their hit “Wildflower” became a Top 10 hit and launched Foster on his unending road to success.

Reflecting upon receiving a star on the Walk of Fame, Foster says, “One hundred years from now, my great-grandchildren will go, ‘Hey, there’s my great-grandpa,’ and having a star next to The Beatles … outside the building where I first got signed … that’s perfect.”

Larry Green

2019 Founder's Award Recipient: Larry Green

Founder and CEO, System Pavers

Larry Green is the Founder and CEO of System Pavers, a native of South Africa, a serial entrepreneur, avid global traveler and a passionate advocate for the role and value of outdoor living and home improvement.

His company, System Pavers, is headquartered in Orange County, California and serves homeowners across Southern and Northern California, Oregon, Washington and Colorado and is the largest residential outdoor living design and construction firm in the USA.
Larry is constantly focused on learning and staying abreast of business changes and new technologies to drive industry disruption, scale and business modernization.

Larry serves as a trustee on the board of the African Wildlife Foundation. He’s maintained a close relationship with his native country and is deeply passionate about African Wildlife Conservation. He and his wife Debbie continue to lead trips to various countries in Africa on an annual basis, sharing some of the continent’s magic with friends.

Larry has been a member of YPO since 1989 undertaking numerous leadership roles over the years.

Larry’s advisory board roles include – Synchrony Financial, Fuscoe Engineering, SnakePharm and Ubuntu Travel Group. He also represents System Pavers as a participant and contributor on the Harvard Remodeling Futures Program.

Chris March

2018 Founder's Award Recipient: Chris Marsh

President, Irvine Company Apartment Development Division

Chris Marsh is President of Irvine Company Apartment Development Division. Chris is responsible for leading the company’s apartment development growth plan, including land acquisitions, due diligence, entitlements, product development, design, construction and delivery.

Since joining the company in 2003, Chris has been responsible for overseeing all aspects of development for commercial and residential projects for the company, including office, resort, retail and apartment properties. His achievements include the Resort at Pelican Hill, where he acted as Project Executive in delivering the world-class resort.

Chris has practiced in the field of commercial and multifamily real estate development for 30 years and has represented developers in the United States, United Kingdom and Spain. In a consultancy capacity, he also acted as third party adviser to several blue chip and institutional investors, including Société Générale, Scottish Widows and Pearl Assurance.

He lives in Corona del Mar with his wife Heather and two daughters, Alex and Grace. He serves on the Board of Trustees at St. Mary’s School in Aliso Viejo.

Matthew Stuart

2017 Founder's Award Recipient: Matthew Stewart

CEO/Co Founder National Services Group

Matthew attended the University of California at Santa Barbara, where he studied political science and history. In 2002, he won the Orange County Business Journal's Excellence in Entrepreneurship Award, and has twice been an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year finalist. Matt is a past Chairman of the Global Board for the Entrepreneur's Organization. He lives in Southern California with his wife, Jill, and their two children.
Patrick Fuscoe

2016 Founder’s Award Recipient: Patrick Fuscoe

Founder and CEO, Fuscoe Engineering, Inc.

Patrick Fuscoe is the founder and CEO of Fuscoe Engineering, Inc. and over the course of his 35-year career has been lead engineer on milestone assignments such as the highly acclaimed Village of Woodbridge; the Laguna Beach-Bluebird Canyon Landslide Repair; Orange County Fairgrounds; Ronald Reagan Federal Building and Courthouse; Dana Point Harbor Revitalization; Newport Banning Ranch Coastal Community; Tongva Park and Ken Genser Square at Santa Monica pier; and the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort and Spa. Under Pat’s able leadership, Fuscoe Engineering has transformed into a company of individuals who work as a team dedicated to quality, service and innovation as well as a company which thoughtfully integrates the built environment into the natural environment in a creative and responsive manner.

Under Pat’s able leadership, Fuscoe Engineering has transformed into a company of individuals who work as a team dedicated to quality, service and innovation as well as a company which thoughtfully integrates the built environment into the natural environment in a creative and responsive manner.

Bert-Selva

2015 Founder’s Award Recipient: Bert Selva

President and Chief Executive Officer, Shea Homes

Bert Selva is president and CEO of Shea Homes, one of the largest homebuilders in America operating in nine states across the country. Shea Homes remains the only builder ever to be named one of America’s top 50 customer service brands two years in a row by J.D. Power & Associates.

Bert received CEO of the Year by Builder and Big Builder magazines and was inducted into the California Homebuilding Foundation Hall of Fame in 2010. Bert has received several prestigious awards, including the Hearthstone Humanitarian Lifetime Achievement Award, and the “Spirit of Life” award by City of Hope National Medical Center.

Bert is currently an Executive Committee member of the USC Lusk Center for Real Estate, Board member of St. Ignatius College Preparatory in San Francisco and previously served as Chairman of the Board for HomeAid America (developer of housing for the transitionally homeless). He is also a member of Leading Builders of America, and a member of the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO). He is the Director of the Augie's Quest to Cure ALS Leadership Council.

Richard Paek

2014 Founder’s Award Recipient: Richard Paek

President and CEO, Allied Lube, Inc.

As owner of Allied Lube, Inc. Richard operates Jiffy Lube franchises. He purchased his first Jiffy Lube in 1992 after having had hands on experience by performing every job within a Jiffy Lube store. He also learned what it would take to run a store through his keen observation as a store employee and manager.

Today, twenty plus years after purchasing his first franchise, Richard owns 74 stores with locations throughout Texas and Northern California. It is his business acumen and dedication to providing outstanding customer service that has brought stable and steady growth to his business since he acquired his first store. Currently he ranks within the top five Jiffy Lube franchisees in the United States.

Ivo Tjan

2013 Founder’s Award Recipient: Ivo Tjan

Chairman and CEO, Commerce West Bank

Ivo A. Tjan is Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of CommerceWest Bank, a full service commercial bank with a unique vision and culture of focusing exclusively on the business community.
Mr. Tjan is the Founder of the company and launched an Initial Public Offering in 2001. The Bank is headquartered in Irvine, California with Regional Offices serving Orange County, Inland Empire, Los Angeles and San Diego. Mr. Tjan was named one of OC Metro’s Hottest 25 People of Orange County, California.

Mr. Tjan is an active member and board member of several social and charitable organizations. Mr. Tjan sits on the board of the American Bankers Association Government Relations Committee; he is a member of the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO), American Bankers Association, Bank CEO Network, California Bankers Association, New Majority and Pacific Club. He is also a former Board Member for the California State Fullerton University Philanthropic Foundation, Advisory Board for CASA, Marconi Foundation and the Children’s Museum as well as a former member of Western Independent Bankers Association. In addition, Mr. Tjan supports a variety of charities in Southern California, like Big Brothers Big Sisters, American Cancer Society, Orangewood, TACA, MDA, Stars and Stripes, Miracles for Kids, Canyon Acres, Taste of the Nation, Tim Salmon Foundation, United Way, WHW, local schools and colleges, and many more.

Robert D. Olson

2012 Founder’s Award Recipient: Robert D. Olson

Founder of RD Olson Construction and Development

Robert Olson is CEO, President and founder of R.D. Olson Development and R.D. Olson Construction. Based in Irvine, California, his firms represent more than three decades of experience in the development and construction of hospitality properties, office, retail, multifamily and recreational projects. The company’s client list includes Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, Ritz Carlton, Kimpton Hotel & Restaurant Group, InterContinental Hotels Group, Starwood Lodging, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Ojai Valley Inn, Universal Studios, Sony Pictures, Morton’s Restaurant Group, Houston’s Restaurants, Dave & Buster’s, Sears, The Irvine Company and Neiman Marcus.

Mr. Olson guides the strategic vision for his companies with an active, hands-on approach toward every facet of construction and development, providing valuable input for marketing, investment analysis, debt and equity structures, planning and entitlements, budgeting, constructability and end-user requirements. Recognized as a business leader and entrepreneur, Mr. Olson has been the recipient of Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year award, Construction Financial Management Association’s Construction Executive of the Year and the Orange County Business Journal’s Excellence in Entrepreneurship award.

Mr. Olson belongs to World Presidents’ Organization (WPO) and is a former member of Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO), including having served as Chairman of the California Coast Chapter. His philanthropic activity includes serving on the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of the Orange County Chapter of the American Red Cross. Mr. Olson is an MBA graduate of the University of Southern California.

Peter V. Ueberroth

2011 Founder’s Award Recipient: Peter V. Ueberroth

President of the 1984 Olympics and Co-Chairman of the Pebble Beach Company

Peter Ueberroth has been the recipient of numerous awards, including 1984 Man of the Year from TIME MAGAZINE. He has been awarded the French Legion d’Honneur, and he has received the Sports Torch of Learning Award and Scopus Laureate award from the American Friends of the Hebrew University.

Being both an author and an athlete, Mr. Ueberroth has been inducted into the National Water polo Hall of Fame, and also became a bestselling author with the release of his book, “Made In America.” In addition to being a member of the Young President’s Organization, Mr. Ueberroth served as its International President in 1981-82. He has received 12 honorary degrees from: Notre Dame, Pepperdine, Ohio University, Holy Cross, Claremont-McKenna, Lafayette, Maryland, Loyola-Marymount, San Jose State, Monterey Institute, Rensselaer Polytechnic and U.S.C.

Mark Wetterau

2010 Founder’s Award Recipient: Mark Wetterau

Chairman and CEO, Golden State Foods

A 30-year food industry veteran, Mark Wetterau has effectively served in a variety of leadership positions including: president and COO of Wetterau Inc., chairman and CEO of Shop ‘n Save, co-founder of Wetterau Associates, LLC, and chairman and CEO of Quality Beverage, among others. In each role, Mr. Wetterau led each organization to significant national growth and success, while maintaining the highest standards and ethical values.

In 1998, Wetterau Associates acquired Golden State Foods (GSF), in partnership with Yucaipa Companies, and Mark became chairman and CEO of GSF. In 2004, Wetterau Associates and GSF management purchased Yucaipa Companies’ share of ownership, and Golden State Foods became a 100 percent management-owned and run company. Under his leadership, GSF has grown from $1.4 billion in annual sales to its current $4 billion and has diversified its customer base and company offerings substantially.

Passionate about community involvement and charitable service, Mark has served on the boards of dozens of nonprofit organizations throughout the country and spearheaded the establishment of the GSF Foundation for kids at Golden State Foods in 2002, of which he currently serves as chairman.

D. Scott Olivet

2008 Founder’s Award Recipient: D. Scott Olivet

CEO, Renegade Brands; Executive Chairman, RED Digital Cinema; Director, Skullcandy Inc.; Director, Cedar Fair Entertainment; Director, Dakine

Mr. David Scott Olivet serves as the Chief Executive Officer at Renegade Brands, LLC, and as an Operating Partner at Altamonte Capital Partners. He helps source, evaluate and monitor investments broadly, with particular emphasis on consumer and retail businesses focused on the sports, action sports, outdoor, street and fusion, and culturally relevant lifestyle brands. He served as the Interim CEO of Fox Head, Inc., and was the CEO at Oakley Inc. at Luxottica Group from October 2005 to 2009 and its Chairman from July 2009 to February 2011. Past leadership roles include VP of New Business Development at Nike Inc., Senior VP of Gap, Inc., Bain & Company. He has more than 25 years experience in retail, merchandising, manufacturing, marketing, finance, strategy, technology, international business and multi-divisional general management.

Olivet serves as an Executive Chairman of RED Digital Cinema, and as Chairman of the Board of Da Kine Hawaii, Inc. and Mervin Manufacturing, Inc. HUF WORLDWIDE, Inc., and Brixton. Mr. Olivet received his B.A. in Government from Pomona College and his M.B.A. from the Graduate School of Business, Stanford University.

Alexander L. Cappello

2007 Founder’s Award Recipient: Alexander L. Cappello

Chairman & CEO, Cappello Group Inc.

Alexander L. Cappello is the Chairman and CEO of Cappello Group, Inc./Cappello Capital Corp. - Member NASD-SIPC, a global merchant banking firm specializing in Strategic Advisory Services, Mergers & Acquisitions and Finance. The firm has been active in over 40 countries, with principals who have completed in excess of $50 billion in transactions.

In addition to being a member of the USC Board of Trustees and past President of the USC Alumni Association’s Board of Governors, Mr. Cappello is the only two term International Chairman of the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO). YPO honored Alex by naming one of its most prestigious global recognition awards the “Alexander L. Cappello Annual Award” presented at its Global Leadership Conference. Alex’s current and past board memberships include: ALS Therapy Development Institute (ALS TDI),Board member of California Republic Bank, RAND Corporation (Center for Middle East Public Policy - CMEPP), RAND Corporation (Russia Forum), The Pacific Council, and Jordan River Foundation; Chairman of Inter-tel (NASDAQ), Chairman of Intelligent Energy plc., Chairman of Geothermal Resources International, and Chairman of Advanced Biotherapy, Inc.; Board member of Koo Koo Roo, Inc. (NASDAQ), CytRx Corp. (NASDAQ), and Genius Products, Inc. (NASDAQ); Chairman of Catholic Big Brothers and Sisters, Board member of Friends of Florence (Italy), Fraternity of Friends of the Music Center, Friends of the Cultural Preservation, and the Regency Club.

2006 Founder's Award Recipients: John Shea, Edmund Shea, Jr., and Peter Shea

J.F. Shea Company

The Tradition of Hope Gala was created to honor John Shea, Edmund Shea Jr., and Peter Shea in its inaugural year. They worked together to raise over $1 million for ALS research and set the bar high for all future honorees.

They were a key part of a long-running, successful family business that was started by their grandfather, a Portland, Ore., plumbing contractor, in 1881. The J.F. Shea Company is one of the largest privately held construction and real estate companies in the United States. It was involved in such landmark construction projects as Hoover Dam and the Golden Gate and San Francisco Bay bridges.

Edmund Shea passed away in 2010.

2022 Augie’s Quest Courage Award Recipient: Ed Beck

Eric is responsible for all aspects of domestic and international operations for “The World Leader in Private Clubs”. Prior to joining ClubCorp, Eric served as a principal of KSL Capital Partners, the private equity firm that purchased ClubCorp in 2006. Affeldt also previously served as president and CEO of KSL’s former golf division, KSL Fairways; vice president and general manager of Doral Golf Resort and Spa in Miami and the combined PGA West and La Quinta Resort and Club in California; and was a founding partner of KSL Recreation. In addition, Eric was president of General Aviation Holdings, Inc. He is currently an MDA Vice President and a member of the World Presidents Organization. He serves as Non Executive Chairman for the Cedar Fair Entertainment Company (NYSE:FUN). In 2010 Eric was named the most powerful person in golf by Golf Inc. magazine and was a regional finalist for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award. In 2013 Eric was awarded the prestigious Cecil B. Day Ethics Award by the Dedman School of Hospitality at Florida State University, which recognizes national leaders in the hospitality industry who live and lead based on their faith, family and respect for others. Eric is the former manager of the Belgian National Baseball team. He holds a B.A. in Political Science and Religion from Claremont McKenna College.
John Duden

2019 Augie's Quest ALS Courage Award Recipient: John Duden

President and Founder, Occasio Residential Capital

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.
José Cofiño

2014 Augie’s Quest ALS Courage Award Recipient: José Cofiño

www.beyondals.org

José Cofiño was a motivational speaker and writer who lived with ALS. He drove awareness, raised research funds and helped others overcome adversity.

As a seasoned franchising executive and successful entrepreneur and business leader, José turned to consulting and investing in emerging companies. He specialized in helping entrepreneurs grow their businesses by developing brands, processes and systems that are scalable, consistent with their concept’s core identity. A particular area of focus was franchising, where his clients included H&R Block and KFC.

José served as President and COO of ADIR Restaurants Corp., Vice President of the Disneyland Resort, President of PepsiCo Restaurants International in Brazil, and also held leadership positions at Holiday Corporation in the Harrah's and Holiday Inn brands.

José was born in Cuba, raised in Mexico City, and immigrated to the United States in 1968. He earned a BS degree in International Economics from the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service and an MBA from Stanford University.

He lost his courageous battle with ALS in 2017.

Lauren Witsenburg

2012 Augie’s Quest ALS Courage Award Recipient: Lauren Witsenburg

Owner, Hemelgarn Enterprises

LAUREN WITSENBURG, VP of Operations at Jenny Craig, lost her battle with ALS in January 2013 after an extremely aggressive case of ALS. She was a strong and courageous woman who inspired others to improve their lives and the lives of those around them. Lauren's drive to succeed was contagious, which made her a natural leader. Physical activity was a major part of her very active lifestyle, which made ALS even more difficult to accept as her muscles progressively stopped working.

Lauren's husband and son joined her in October 2012 when she received the Courage Award at the Tradition of Hope Gala for Augie's Quest to Cure ALS. Lauren remains an inspiration to remind us all that we can change the world. Jenny Craig has coordinated a campaign to support ALS research in her honor.

Robert Donato

2010 Augie’s Quest ALS Courage Award Recipient: Robert Donato

Mr. Robert Donato received a BA in Finance from New York University. He spent most of his life working in the financial services industry, starting as a stockbroker in 1963 and later retiring as Executive Vice President at Paine Webber. Bob received many awards throughout his life but his most cherished award was received when he was inducted into the Fair Lawn High School Athletic Hall of Fame. While in High School Bob earned nine letters for 3 years in Football, Basketball and Baseball.

In his retirement Bob enjoys many activities including boating, golf and being with the family and friends. He is lovingly known as “Captain Bob” by all who know him. Captain Bob met the love of his life, Vivian, in High School in 1956, and they married in February, 1962. They have two children and two grandchildren, Anna and Jacob, whom they adore.

Bob was diagnosed with ALS in February 2008. He and his family have continued to display an amazing amount of courage each day in their quest for a cure.

Phil Smithe

2009 Augie’s Quest ALS Courage Award Recipient: Phil Smith

Executive Vice President,Chief Marketing & Procurement Officer, Unified Grocers

Philip S. Smith is Executive Vice President, Chief Marketing/Procurement Officer for Unified Grocers, the largest wholesale grocery cooperative in the Western United States. Previously, Smith was Vice President, Procurement, for Certified Grocers of California, Ltd. (a predecessor company to Unified Grocers), a company he joined in 1994. Smith is an active participant in several food industry-related organizations, including the State of California WIC (Women Infants and Children) Stakeholders Committee, the Board of Directors for Food 4 All and the National Grocers Association (member of the Executive Committee). Smith also serves on committees for the City of Hope and the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA). Phil and his wife, Janis, have two sons and reside in Southern California.
Evan Lamberg

2018 Augie’s Quest Champion for ALS Award Recipient: Evan Lamberg

President, North America Universal Music Publishing Group

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. He also worked at Gibson Guitar Corporation as the Executive Vice President of Operations/Global Entertainment Relations where he was responsible for a world-wide marketing department of more than one hundred artist relations and entertainment executives in thirteen countries; and MCA Music Publishing as Director of Creative Services, where he was responsible for working with the entire MCA songwriter roster. Evan started his music publishing career working at Berry Gordy’s Jobete Music (the publishing wing of Motown Records), in 1988, as Creative Manager after graduating from New York University.

Evan sits on the Board of Directors of The Songwriters Hall of Fame as well as the Board of the Pepperdine University Institute of Entertainment, Media & Culture. He was awarded the 2016 President’s Volunteer Service Lifetime Achievement Award, signed by President Barack Obama, for his decades of community service.

He holds a dual MBA from Ivy League Cornell University’s Johnson Graduate School of Management and one from the prestigious Queen’s School of Business in Canada. He also holds a Masters of Science in Major Program Management from Oxford University’s Saïd Business School as well as a Bachelors of Music from New York University.

Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., Evan currently resides in Los Angeles, California with his wife, Lisa, and their daughter Lola.

2017 Augie’s Quest Champion for ALS Award Recipient: Natalie Morales

NBC's Access Hollywood and TODAY

Natalie Morales is the West Coast anchor of NBC News' TODAY, host of NBCU's "Access Hollywood" and co-host of "Access Hollywood Live." She previously served as news anchor and co-host of TODAY's third-hour. She joined TODAY in 2006 as a national correspondent and has reported for all NBC News platforms including "NBC Nightly News," "Dateline NBC," and MSNBC.

Morales has contributed to several major breaking news stories including coverage of the Royal Wedding in 2011 and the birth of Prince George in 2013. In October 2010, Morales live-translated and reported on the Chilean miner rescue - coverage that was seen worldwide and recognized with a 2010 National Headliner Award. In August 2008, Morales had the exclusive jailhouse interview with the infamous "Clark Rockefeller." Her other notable reports include the 2009 presidential inauguration; Hurricane Sandy in 2012 and Hurricane Katrina in 2005; the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami; the death of Pope John Paul II in 2005 and the election of Pope Francis in 2013.

As a part of TODAY's 'Shine a Light' Campaign in 2014, Morales ran in the Boston Marathon and raised over $70,000 for victims of the 2013 bombing. Morales has won three Daytime Emmy Awards as part of TODAY's recognition as the best morning news program. She was a member of the "Rock Center with Brian Williams" team that won a Robert F. Kennedy Award for their lobster divers story in June 2013, and she was also honored with the 2013 Gracie Award for Outstanding Series for her Dateline series, My Kid Would Never. Additionally, "Hispanic Magazine" named her one of the "Top Hispanics to Watch" in 2005 and one of the "Top Trendsetters" of 2003.

Morales, who speaks Spanish and Portuguese, was born in Taiwan and spent much of the first 18 years of her life living overseas in Panama, Brazil, and Spain as an Air Force "brat." She graduated summa cum laude from Rutgers University with a bachelor's degree in journalism and Latin American studies and was a member of Phi Beta Kappa. She currently resides in Los Angeles with her husband and two sons.

Eric-Affeldt

2013 Augie’s Quest Champion for ALS Award Recipient: Eric Affeldt

President & CEO, Club Corp USA, Inc

Eric is responsible for all aspects of domestic and international operations for “The World Leader in Private Clubs”. Prior to joining ClubCorp, Eric served as a principal of KSL Capital Partners, the private equity firm that purchased ClubCorp in 2006. Affeldt also previously served as president and CEO of KSL’s former golf division, KSL Fairways; vice president and general manager of Doral Golf Resort and Spa in Miami and the combined PGA West and La Quinta Resort and Club in California; and was a founding partner of KSL Recreation. In addition, Eric was president of General Aviation Holdings, Inc. He is currently an MDA Vice President and a member of the World Presidents Organization. He serves as Non Executive Chairman for the Cedar Fair Entertainment Company (NYSE:FUN). In 2010 Eric was named the most powerful person in golf by Golf Inc. magazine and was a regional finalist for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award. In 2013 Eric was awarded the prestigious Cecil B. Day Ethics Award by the Dedman School of Hospitality at Florida State University, which recognizes national leaders in the hospitality industry who live and lead based on their faith, family and respect for others. Eric is the former manager of the Belgian National Baseball team. He holds a B.A. in Political Science and Religion from Claremont McKenna College.
Alison Greenspan

2012 Augie’s Quest Champion for ALS Award Recipient: Alison Greenspan

DiNovi Pictures

ALISON GREENSPAN is president of Di Novi Pictures, and partner to producer Denise Di Novi. She has worked with Di Novi since 1999.

Greenspan’s other film credits include NIGHTS IN RODANTHE, SISTERHOOD OF THE TRAVELING PANTS 1 & 2, NEW YORK MINUTE, CATWOMAN, and WALK TO REMEMBER. For television, she helped adapt the beloved “Eloise at the Plaza” and “Eloise at Christmastime” for ABC.

Alison graduated Suma Cum Laude from the University of Pennsylvania in 1994. At Penn, she enjoyed a four-year stint as performer, writer & director for the nation’s only all-female collegiate sketch comedy troupe, Bloomers.

She spent her childhood in Virginia and Boca Raton, Florida with mother Ann, father Stephen and younger sister Melissa. The Greenspans moved to Northern California, where Stephen was Vice President of Seagate Technology in Silicon Valley. Stephen was diagnosed with ALS in 2004, and passed away in 2009 after a 5 year battle with the illness.

Greenspan has been a tireless advocate for ALS since her father’s diagnosis. The passion increased when her aunt Marilyn, Stephen’s sister, was diagnosed with ALS in 2010. Marilyn passed away in 2011. Now part of a Familial ALS family, Alison’s wish for a cure has become that much more personal and urgent. She enjoys fundraising and sharing her knowledge to family members who are caregivers for pALS and newly diagnosed ALS patients.

David Pyle

2011 Augie’s Quest Humanitarian Award Recipient: David A. Pyle

Founder & CEO, American Career College, Inc. / Executive Chairman of the Board, West Coast University

For more than three decades, David A. Pyle has been a leader and innovator in the private, postsecondary education community. As CEO of American Career College and Executive Chairman of the Board of West Coast University, Mr. Pyle leads these institutions serving thousands of students looking to better their lives through pursuing careers in health care.

Mr. Pyle strives each day to inspire his team to help students succeed in school and in life. American College of Optics began instruction in 1978 with one campus located in Los Angeles. In 1992, Mr. Pyle expanded the curriculum to include other health care education programs, renaming it American Career College. Today, American Career College has three campuses, where over 4,500 students are enrolled in specialized health care programs. Mr. Pyle acquired West Coast University in 1997.

Mr. Pyle supports numerous philanthropic activities, in particular those which focus on health care and education programs for underserved and at-risk children and families.

John Ondrasik

2010 Augie’s Quest Champion for ALS Award Recipient: John Ondrasik

Five for Fighting

John Ondrasik, who goes by Five for Fighting, burst on the scene some 15 years ago with his Grammy Award-nominated hit “Superman (It’s Not Easy),” and has been a mainstay on mainstream radio ever since. In his career, Ondrasik has sold over 2.5 million albums including 2004's “Battle for Everything,” which spawned the 2X platinum “100 Years.” His music has been featured in 350 films, TV shows and advertisements ranging from the The Blind Side to Hawaii Five-O. He has also written tunes for everyone from Josh Groban to The Backstreet Boys.

Ondrasik gave away a million copies of a five-volume compilation album he created for United States troops, and he has performed regularly for the USO. Additionally, www.whatkindofworlddoyouwant.com raised more than $250,000 for five designated charities: Augie's Quest, Autism Speaks, Fisher House Foundation, Save the Children and Operation Homefront.

Ondrasik is a featured speaker from Ted Talks to the Salk Institute, at corporate and private events. He's graced The Kennedy Center stage, performed for world leaders and presidents, and contributed a special performance for NASA. Ondrasik has been a sports commentator for SI.com, the Los Angeles Kings, and a guest on everything from Jim Rome to ESPN Sports Center.

As he explores the possibility of a Broadway show featuring his tunes, he’s currently on the road performing songs as a quartet and with symphonies around the country while working on the follow-up to his sixth album, Bookmarks.

Nancy ODell

2009 Augie’s Quest Champion for ALS Award Recipient: Nancy O’Dell

Entertainment Tonight

Nancy O’Dell is one of the country’s leading entertainment journalists and TV hosts. She joined “Entertainment Tonight,” the most watched entertainment news program in the world, as co-host in 2011 and was previously the anchor of “Access Hollywood” for 13 years. Oprah Winfrey and Mark Burnett Productions also tapped Nancy as host of one of OWN network’s premiere primetime shows entitled “Your Own Show.” Viewers have also seen O’Dell as host of “Countdown to the Emmys” special on FOX, “The Golden Globes Arrivals Special” and co-host of “The Tournament of Roses Parade” on NBC for 10 years. She was also host of FOX’s New Year’s Eve Special ringing in 2011.

Although O’Dell maintains a busy work schedule, she regularly makes time for philanthropic endeavors. Nancy is a member of the prestigious Leadership Council for Augie's Quest to Cure ALS, and the National Spokesperson for the ALS Therapy Development Institute. She formed "Betty's Battle," in 2009 in honor of her mom.

ALS won’t stop and neither will Augie’s Quest

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