American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance - AAHPERD

Gale Wiedow, Dakota State University, Madison, SD
President

Gale Wiedow is an associate professor of Physical Education and Exercise Science at Dakota State University (DSU) in Madison, SD. Prior to joining the faculty at DSU, Wiedow served as National Program Director for the National Youth Sports Program (NYSP), a federally funded summer day-camp program for economically disadvantaged and underserved youth. He has also served as department chair of HPER at the University of South Dakota where he was a tenured full professor and Associate Dean for Research and Technology. Prior to full-time teaching, he worked in recreational sports at Indiana University and the University of Nebraska. Wiedow received his B.A. and M.A. degrees in Physical Education from the University of Northern Iowa and his Ph.D. from the University of Nebraska in Administration, Curriculum and Instruction.

Irene Cucina, Plymouth State University, Plymouth, NH
Past President

Irene Cucina is a professor in the Health and Human Performance Department, the assistant chair of the Department and the Graduate Health and Physical Education Program Coordinator at Plymouth State University. Cucina's teaching expertise is in teacher certification and she works with both the health and physical education teacher candidates. Her primary area of research is curriculum and assessment. Cucina has served on 11 athletic training thesis committees and is the advisor of the Phi Epsilon Kappa Honor Society as well as the chair of the University Council of Teacher Education. She received her undergraduate degree at Northeastern University majoring in Athletic Training, Physical Education and Health Teacher Certification, her M.Ed. from Cambridge College, in curriculum and supervision and her doctorate at Springfield College.

Dolly D. Lambdin, The University of Texas at Austin
President-Elect

Dolly Lambdin, Ed.D., is a clinical professor in the Department of Kinesiology & Health Education at the University of Texas at Austin. She earned an Ed.D. and BS from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and a MA from Teachers College, Columbia University. She has 16 years experience teaching grades K-8 and for many years taught mornings in an elementary school and afternoons at the university. She served as NASPE president in 2004 and on numerous state and national teaching standards committees. She has co-authored numerous texts, including Putting Research to Work in Elementary Physical Education, Fitness for Life Middle School, and Fitness for Life: Elementary School. Her passion is helping teachers learn to nurture their students with the skills, knowledge, habits and desire to be physically active and make healthy choices now, and for the rest of their lives.

E. Paul Roetert
Chief Executive Officer

Paul Roetert is the Chief Executive Officer of AAHPERD. He holds a PhD in Biomechanics from the University of Connecticut and completed his Bachelors and Masters of Science in physical education at California State University, Fullerton. He has authored four books and numerous chapters and articles related to the fields of health, fitness, sport science and medicine, and strength and conditioning; and has given hundreds of scientific and invited presentations in the U. S. and worldwide. Prior to joining AAHPERD, he served as the Managing Director of Player Development for the United States Tennis Association.

Frances E. Cleland, West Chester University, West Chester, PA 

Frances E. Cleland is a professor within the Department of Kinesiology at West Chester University where she serves as the assistant chair of the HPE Teacher Certification Division and teaches K-12 HPE teacher education courses. She has been very active in her state, district and national HPERD organizations since 1984. She is a published author as well as a national and international presenter. Currently Cleland is working on the 5th edition of Developmental Physical Education for All Children. Cleland earned her Masters and P.E.D. at Indiana University, Bloomington.

Rene Colleran, Northshore School District, Bothell, WA

Renee Colleran is a public school teacher for Northshore School District. She teaches Adapted Physical Education full time and is the district coordinator for elementary Physical Education. Colleran earned her undergraduate teaching degree in Health and Physical Education as well as her MAT from Washington State University. She has presented numerous times at state, district, and national level conferences. Renee is a past president of the Northwest District and Washington AAHPERD.  Her professional interests are in the areas of advocating for quality programs and providing physical education for all children.

Dennis M. Docheff, University of Central Missouri, Warrensburg, MO

Dennis Docheff is a professor in the Department of Nutrition & Kinesiology at the University of Central Missouri. He holds an Ed.D. from the University of Northern Colorado and has over 35 years of experience in teaching, administration, and coaching at the elementary, middle school, high school, and university levels. His areas of expertise include teaching and coaching effectiveness and administration. Dennis served as President of NASPE (2011-2012), and as President of the Central District AAHPERD (2007-2008). He has over 125 publications and has over 250 professional presentations at state, district, and national levels. 

Neil J. Dougherty, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ

Neil Dougherty is a professor in the Department of Exercise Science and Sport Studies at Rutgers University.  He holds an Ed.D.  from Temple University and has over 30 years of experience as a teacher, administrator and consultant on issues related to law and sport management in sport and physical activity.  Dougherty is a prolific author and speaker who has delivered over 50 AAHPERD national presentations.  He has been actively involved with AAPAR and its predecessor associations throughout his career, and served as president of AAALF from 2001-2003.

Chic Hess, Kailua, HI 

Chic Hess is a forty-year, veteran teacher of health and physical education who has traded his athletic coaching career for the opportunity to serve as Hawaii AHPERD's president and Southwest District's AAHPERD president. He has also served as the chairperson for NASPE's Sport History, Philosophy, and Sociology Academy and on the AAHPERD Nominating Committee. He received his doctorate in education from Brigham Young University. Hess is an unpublished screenwriter who has written some of his best work while on his beach in Kailua, Hawaii.

Lynn V. Johnson, Plymouth State University, NH

Lynn Johnson is a professor in the Health and Human Performance Department at Plymouth State University in Plymouth, NH. She teaches courses in the Physical Education/Health Education Teacher Certification program.  Prior to teaching at Plymouth State University, she taught at the University of Vermont, taught and coached (softball) at Springfield College and spent several years teaching K-12 physical education in Vermont. Johnson received her undergraduate and M.Ed. degree from Springfield College and her Ed.D. in Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Vermont. Lynn is a past president of Eastern District Association and Vermont AHPERD. Over the last 25 years, Johnson has presented at state, district, national and international conventions and workshops, primarily in the area of standards-based teaching and authentic assessment in physical education.

Shawn Ladda, Manhattan College, Bronx, NY

Shawn Ladda is Professor and Chair, in the Department of Physical Education & Human Performance at Manhattan College located in the Bronx, New York. She also serves her institution as the Faculty Athletics Representative.  Shawn is a Past President of the National Association for Girls and Women in Sport (NAGWS). She earned her B.S. from Penn State, M.S. from Springfield College, and a M.Ed. and Ed.D. at Columbia University-Teacher's College. Shawn's research and professional interest include history of sport, the female athlete, quality physical education, coaching, and technology. 

Celia Regimbal, The University of Toledo, OH

Celia Regimbal is a professor in the Judith Herb College of Education and Program Coordinator of the Physical Education Teacher Education program in the Department of Early, Physical and Special Education. She has over 40 years of experience in teaching and administration at the elementary, middle and university levels.  She is a Life Member of AAHPERD, has held several offices including President of Ohio AHPERD, and has served on numerous state and district committees. Celia earned her BSPE and MPEH degrees from the University of Florida and her Ed.D. from the University of Northern Colorado.

Anne Stewart, Corpus Christi, TX 

Anne Stewart is a retired professor from Del Mar College, Corpus Christi, Texas where she taught dance and physical education, served as ombudsman and service learning coordinator. Prior to that, Stewart was a counselor, coach and assistant athletic director in a private school for three years and spent five years in a public high school teaching, coaching, and serving as department chairman and assistant athletic director. She has been recognized with Texas/Southern District Honor Awards, as Texas Dance Educator of the Year Award, and served as TX/SD VP for Dance. Her BA is from Cal State LA with her MEd from the University of Virginia.

Milton R. Wilder, Cullman, AL

Milton R. Wilder is a professor emeritus of Health, Physical Education and Recreation from Delta State University, Cleveland, MS. He served as chair of the Division of HPER for 18 years and coordinator of graduate programs in HPER for 11 years. Prior to joining the faculty at Delta State, Wilder taught at the University of New Orleans and the University of Alabama in Birmingham. He has served Southern District as a vice president, Links editor, and president and as a member of the strategic planning committee. He also served on the AAHPERD Bylaws Committee. Wilder's B.S. degree is from Samford University in Birmingham, AL, the M.S. and the Ed.D. from the University of Alabama in Birmingham. After retiring in 2011, Wilder returned to his native state of Alabama.