Conference Speakers

Lasting lifestyle change. This is the focus for the work of Dr. Michael Arloski and his company, Real Balance Global Wellness Services. Giving people worldwide the tools and the allies to positively impact their health through effective behavioral change is the mission.

Dr. Arloski, Ph.D., PCC, is endlessly fascinated with how behavior, culture, environment and human heart and soul interact. Asking the perennial question “Why don’t people do what they need to do for themselves?”, he has brought the concept of individualizing wellness into the mainstream through wellness coaching. Author of some of the earliest articles on wellness coaching, he is now the author of the Whole Person Associates book Wellness Coaching For Lasting Lifestyle Change. A licensed psychologist, professional certified coach (PCC), and consultant with over 25 years of pioneering contribution to the wellness field, Dr. Arloski has presented seminars, keynotes and consultations on four continents, pursuing his mission of taking the concept of wellness worldwide.

Dr. Craig Becker is an Assistant Professor at East Carolina University. Dr. Becker's focus areas have evolved from his Salutogenic research that he uses to discover pathways to achieve an improved life. Salutogenesis is the study of the origins of health. He publishes and presents regularly about his salutogenic research findings regarding positive health, how to apply a salutogenic approach in health work, the measurement of positive health, and quality of life.

In January 2008 he published an article in the American Journal of Health Education about his Young Adult version of his Salutogenic Wellness Promotion Scale (SWPS) which measures positive health potential . Information about an Adult version of the SWPS will be published this summer. Dr. Becker also consults with fortune 500 companies, works to prepare future health professionals, and has developed self-management programs all with an eye toward positive health.

For the past eight years, Kathleen Greer has been a County Extension Agent-Health Education with Texas AgriLife Extension in Comal County. She has earned a Bachelor of Science from Lamar University-Beaumont, Health, she is a Certified in National Incident Management System, a Certified Health Education Specialist, a Certified Instructor, Food Protection Management and Disaster Volunteer Respondent, and she is also a Healthwise Self-Care Instructor.

Kathleen Greer is also the provider of health education programs in a variety of areas throughout the county. Before becoming a county agent, she worked as the Health Education and Rural Outreach (HERO) program coordinator for the School of Rural Public Health at Texas A&M University for three years. She is currently working on a Masters in Agricultural Sciences and Adult Education and works diligently within her community with:
· McKenna Memorial Hospital’s New Braunfit Committee, 2005-present
· McKenna Memorial Hospital’s HealthLink Community Council, 2005-present
· Comal ISD School Health Advisory Council, 2000-present
· New Braunfels ISD School Health Advisory Council, 2000-present
· Comal County American Cancer Society Board, 2000-present
· Interagency Group, Co-Chairman, 2000-present

Dr. DeAndrea L. Hughes is a graduate of Prairie View A&M University, holding a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Radio-TV Communications with a secondary emphasis in Marketing and a Master of Arts Degree in Sociology with an emphasis in Higher Education. Dr. Hughes also holds a Doctor of Education Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Texas Southern University. Dr. Hughes has been apart of Community Partners School Based Clinics as a Social Worker/Sociologist helping pregnant and parenting teens, and a Night-time Campus Coordinator Center Specialist/Administrator for Houston Community College System. She also worked in the Adult Literacy Department as an Assessment Specialist with Houston Community College, North East.

Dr. Hughes, for the past 12 ½ years, has worked as a Counselor/Advisor with The Upward Bound Program at Texas Southern University and holds Adjunct Professorships of Sociology with the Houston Community College System and Argosy University. Dr. Hughes is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., McCullogh~ P. Woolridge #12 Norris Wright Cuney Jurisdiction of Order of Eastern Star, Booker T. Washington # 99 Heroines of Jericho, Doric Chapter #83 Daughters of Isis all of whom are Prince Hall Affiliated. She is also a proud member of the Missouri City – Space City Chapter of the Top Ladies of Distinction and The Million Dollar Divas Community / Social Organizations.

Dr. Crystal Arlene Kuykendall is considered one of the most dynamic individuals of our time. A critical thinker, analyst, motivator, and mentor. Dr. Kuykendall has astounded audiences and individuals through the power of her observations and the warmth of her words. A former elementary and secondary public school teacher, Dr. Kuykendall has taught at Seton Hall University and Montclair State University. She is the former Executive Director of the National Alliance of Black School Educators. She also served as Director of Urban & Minority Relations for the National School Boards Association and the Director of the Citizens Training Institute for the National Committee for Citizens in Education. Appointed by U.S. President Jimmy Carter to the National Advisory Council on Continuing Education, she served as Council Chairperson from 1979- 1981. She was also chosen by the editors of Ebony Magazine as one of the "50 Leaders of the Future" in 1979.

In over 25 years of experience and service delivery, she has received over 300 plaques, awards, citations, certificates and "Keys to the City" and numerous tributes and commendations for her efficacy in facilitating personal and professional empowerment, problem resolution and organizational growth.

Melissa Standford Oden, LMSW, MPH, CHES, is an organized professional offering extensive experience in medical social work, as well as experience in public health program planning and implementation with a community health emphasis. Ms. Oden is an experienced professional development trainer with marketing experience in long term care and acute outpatient care and she has created, developed and implemented workshops entitled, “Women and Stress: Reclaiming Your Life” as a result of her Master’s Thesis research examining the Female Stress Syndrome.

Ms. Oden is known for her outstanding work and leadership abilities in being the Director of Social Services and Marketing for various therapy and rehabilitation centers within her community, a professional development trainer and a health educator for Girls Incorporated of Tarrant County. “Humor and Health” is the title of the many presentations she has delivered to various support groups for stroke patients and their families, resulting in participants gaining a greater understanding of how important laughter is for physical and mental health.

Because of her energetic stage presence and great sense of humor, Sandy Queen is known internationally as a dynamic trainer and speaker. Her unique blend of insight to human nature along with over twenty years of experience in training and development, education, healthcare and parenting helps her connect with her audiences on a personal level.

Her philosophy: Lighten Up - This is the only life you have!

Through her wide variety of workshops and keynotes, Sandy’s ability to use humor, even for serious topics, has gained her a widespread reputation for helping participants take a look at their lives, attitudes, and feelings, and find places to “lighten up”, both personally and professionally.

Sandy Queen has worked with people – from preschoolers to seniors – corporate to community groups – throughout the United States and around the world for over twenty years. She is well-known for her work with young people in helping them become leaders in their own lives and brings an important message with a light manner to all those she meets.
She is a mother, grandmother, and educator, and a speaker, but most of all, a person dedicated to helping people reconnect with a sense of their own uniqueness.

Jeff Rogers is the Wellness Coordinator for Springfield Public Schools focusing on the districts 3,200 employees. He holds a bachelor's of science degree in education and is certified as a wellness program manager from the National Wellness Institute. He also holds an insurance license in life & health from the State of Missouri. He spent 10 years with a large health system designing wellness programs for corporations. The past 5 years were dedicated to the insurance industry as a broker of health plans. His varied background has afforded him the opportunity to be involved in all aspects of health promotion. Jeff is also a head soccer coach at a local high school and this past fall he hit a milestone by winning his 500th win. He enjoys the wellness arena and the philosophy of promoting a healthy lifestyle for all.

Jennie C. Trotter, M.Ed., is a licensed counselor, child advocate, educator and preventionist. She received her Masters Degree in Education and Counseling from Bank Street College of Education in New York. She is the Executive Director and founder of the Wholistic Stress Control Institute, Inc. (WSCI), a 21 year old community based non-profit organization whose mission is to promote wellness and healthy lifestyles through a wholistic approach. WSCI’s goal is to increase positive coping skills for stress management and to decrease the incidence of stress related illnesses and negative behaviors for children and adults.

Mrs. Trotter has developed prevention models for use in educational settings and is the author of the Stress Education Curriculum K-12. She is a passionate and dynamic speaker, trainer and motivator. She owns her own private consulting firm and has received numerous community awards in recognition of her excellent work as a trailblazer in the field of health. Some of her awards are:

· Robert Wood Johnson Health Leadership (CHLP) Award
· Georgia School Health Services Award
· Governor’s Advisory Council Award
· Bellsouth Calendar Award
· 100 Black Women’s Coalition Award
· Oni Award/International Black Women’s Congress (IBWC)
· Martin Luther King Jr. Leadership Award
· National Wellness Institute Service Award

Dr. Veronica Tetterton is a Psychologist at the Federal Medical Center-Carswell in Fort Worth, Texas. She earned a Doctor of Clinical Psychology degree from The University of Alabama and a Master of Science degree in Research Psychology from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

Dr. Tetterton has taught core college courses in psychology and presented at professional psychological conferences. She has received research grants and authored three publications in professional psychological journals and one book chapter on topics related to psychology and law.

Dr. John Weaver, Psy.D. is a Licensed Psychologist who received his Doctor of Psychology degree from the Wisconsin School of Professional Psychology. He also has a Master of Science degree in Clinical Psychology from Marquette University and a Master of Divinity degree from St. Francis School of Pastoral Ministry.

Dr. Weaver designed The Healthy Thinking Initiative and has coordinated the efforts of the development team. He has taught mindfulness to groups and individuals since 1997 and has been engaged in his own mindfulness work since 1972. He is works both as a clinical psychologist and a business consultant with more than 20 years of practical experience with organizations, individuals and groups. He is the author of nine articles for business publications including “Surviving Real World Stress,” “Remedies for Workplace Violence,” and “Failures of a ‘Perfect’ Leader” and he is co-founder and owner of Psychology for Business, bringing the applied psychology to business and industry. He is the chair of the Wisconsin Psychological Association Psychologically Healthy Workplace Award committee and is an accomplished professional speaker.