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Melissa
Johnson, appointed by President George W. Bush as Executive Director
of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, is a
nationally recognized leader in physical activity, fitness and health
promotion. As Executive Director, she manages the activities and
operations of the Washington, D.C. based Council, an advisory committee
to the President and the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health
and Human Services (HHS). The Council supports the President's HealthierUS
and HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson's Steps to a HealthierUS, initiatives
designed to build a strong nation of healthy Americans through regular
physical activity, sound nutrition, prevention, and avoidance of
risky behaviors. Ms. Johnson works with Council Chair Lynn Swann,
Vice Chair Dorothy "Dot" Richardson, and 17 other appointed
Council members to recommend programs and strategies to Americans
of all ages, backgrounds and abilities to be physically active every
day.
Ms.
Johnson's more than twenty years of leadership experience include
Executive Director of the California Governor's Council on Physical
Fitness and Sports (1997-2002), which was formed by Governor Pete
Wilson and chaired by California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
The Governor's Council promotes healthy lifestyles to Californians
of all ages and abilities with a focus on older adults, youth, physically
challenged, and the corporate sector. Ms. Johnson managed all operations,
programs, corporate partnerships, new developments, fundraising,
budgeting, public relations, promotions, marketing, events, strategic
planning, and board activities. She also served as vice president
and western regional chair of the National Association of Health
and Fitness, formerly the National Association of Governor's Councils
on Physical Fitness and Sports, and chaired their 2001 national
conference.
From
1992-1997, Ms. Johnson was Director of Operations for National Fitness
Leaders Association (NFLA), a national not-for-profit organization
formerly based in Washington, D.C. She coordinated and directed
NFLA's Healthy American Fitness Leaders Awards program, in partnership
with the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. Ms.
Johnson also worked in corporate health promotion, designed wellness
programs, and served as spokesperson for a variety of fundraising
events for the American Heart Association and the American Cancer
Society.
A
native of Newport Beach, California, Ms. Johnson has a Masters of
Science degree in Health/Fitness Management from American University
in Washington, D.C., where she taught as an adjunct professor, and
a B.S. degree in Kinesiology from UCLA. Formerly a competitive gymnast,
she leads an active lifestyle as an avid dancer, weight trainer,
cross trainer, and yoga enthusiast.
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