President

Scott Caulfield oversees, develops, and manages the individual and group strength and conditioning programs for over 600 student-athletes participating in Norwich University's 22 Division III varsity athletic programs. As a native Vermonter and US Navy Veteran, he has honed his expertise through "under the bar" lifting and coaching throughout his various roles, including his tenure at the NSCA world headquarters in Colorado Springs from 2011-2019. Before joining the NSCA, Coach Caulfield was an assistant strength & conditioning coach at Dartmouth College from 2008-'11, working with football, men's & women's swimming, and men's rugby teams. Notably, from 2006-08, he was the head strength and conditioning coach and director of camps for the back-to-back American Basketball Association champions, Vermont Frost Heaves. Caulfield holds a bachelor's degree in physical education from Castleton University in 2000 and a master of arts in sports coaching from the University of Denver in 2017. His credentials include the Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist with Distinction (CSCS,*D) and Tactical Strength and Conditioning Facilitator with Distinction (TSAC-F*D) certifications and Registered Strength and Conditioning Coach with Distinction (RSCCD), as well as USA Weightlifting's Level 2 Advanced Sports Performance Coach certification and Precision Nutrition's PN1 sports nutrition certification. Term End: 7/2026 (Practitioner Position)

Vice-President

Dave Heikkinen, PhD is an Associate Professor of Exercise and Sports Science at Fitchburg State University in Fitchburg, Massachusetts. He earned a doctoral degree in Exercise Physiology at Springfield College in 2012, and has held the CSCS credential and been an active member of the NSCA since 2003. Prior to his career in academia, Dave worked in the fields of Strength & Conditioning, Personal Training, and as a Coach in the sport of Alpine Ski Racing. He has been involved in many volunteer roles within the NSCA, with previous terms at the Massachusetts State Director, and the Northeast Regional Coordinator. He continues to serve the organization on the Membership Committee, as a member of the Northeast Regional Advisory Committee, and as an Administrator to the NSCA Northeast Facebook group. Dave has spoken at many conferences, for the NSCA as well as for other professional organizations. He has authored scientific articles and book chapters in the field of sports performance. Dave is a certified Alpine Coach and remains active as a competitor in Masters ski racing events. Term End: 7/2026 (At-Large Position)

Treasurer | Public Member

Alison Tetrick is a seasoned communications and marketing leader, human performance consultant, and advocate for sports and health equity. With a background in biochemistry (B.S.) and clinical psychology (M.S.), she blends science, sport, and storytelling to drive meaningful change in both the sports and healthcare industries. A former Team USA professional cyclist, Alison competed at the highest levels of the sport, including the UCI Road World Championships, the Pan American Games, and multiple Gravel World Championships. She continues to work within the cycling and outdoor industries, leading brand strategy, product development, and athlete engagement. She played a pivotal role in the development of the Specialized Mimic saddle, a groundbreaking innovation designed to enhance comfort and performance for female cyclists, and continues to advocate for gender-specific advancements in sports technology. Beyond competition, Alison has dedicated her career to advocacy, accessibility, and athlete development. She served on the USA Cycling Board of Directors for 10 years and currently serves on the Team USA Athletes' Commission Leadership Team, helping to shape policies that impact Olympic and Paralympic athletes. Her influence extends to policy work, having delivered a key congressional speech on women’s health and sports equity, contributing to the White House Women’s Health Initiative. Term End: 7/2028 (Public Member Position)

Secretary

Kevin Schultz, MS, CSCS, RSCC*D, LMT currently serves as the Director of Olympic Strength and Conditioning at the University of Wisconsin. Before his current position, Kevin was an Associate Director at Wisconsin from 2015-2020. He served as the Director of Sports Performance at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse (UW-L) from 2011-2015 and the Director of Strength and Conditioning at Carnegie Mellon University (PA) from 2008-2011, a graduate assistant at UW-L from 2007-2008 and as a graduate intern at Arizona State University in 2007. While at UW-L for his graduate work, he was awarded an NSCA Assistantship through the NSCA Foundation. Kevin holds a bachelor's degree in Exercise and Sports Science Teaching (’06) and a master's degree in Exercise Science - Human Performance (’08) with concentrations in Strength and Conditioning and Coaching Competitive Athletics from UW-L. Kevin earned post-masters degrees from California University of Pennsylvania in Exercise Science Health and Promotion – Rehabilitation Sciences (’10) and Sports Psychology (’12) and an associate's certificate in Massage Therapy and Bodywork from the Community College of Allegheny County (’11). Kevin is currently a doctoral candidate in the Sports Leadership program at Concordia University of Chicago. Term End: 7/2027 (At-Large Position)

Member | Past-President

Dr. Don Melrose, PhD, CSCS,*D is a Full Professor and Chair of Kinesiology and Military Science at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi (TAMUCC). He is currently in his 21st year with TAMUCC. Completing his PhD in Exercise Physiology in 1999 from Southern Illinois University–Carbondale, he served as TAMUCC’s first Strength and Conditioning Coordinator for its new Division 1 Athletic Program. Prior to that point he served as an Assistant Strength Coach at another university. Three years later he became a full time Assistant Professor in TAMUCC’s Department of Kinesiology and Health. Dr. Melrose is a teacher and a researcher who has spoken nationally, regionally, and locally. In addition, he has organized and promoted numerous NSCA events between 2011 and 2019. On behalf of the NSCA, he served as Texas State Advisor, Texas State Director, Midwest Regional Coordinator, and Vice Chair and Chair of the State-Provincial Director/Regional Coordinator Committee, overseeing the program in the U.S. and Canada. He currently serves as the Vice Chair of the Education Committee for the NSCA. He has authored numerous scientific articles and book chapters on a variety of sport, fitness, clinical, and educational issues. In a previous life he was a competitive bodybuilder and powerlifter. He is a proud Dad and husband as well as a guitarist and singer in two different bands. Lastly, he proudly served in the US Air Force Reserves from 1990-1996. Term End: July 2027 (At-Large Position)

Member | NSCA Liaison

Antonio Squillante, MS, CSCS,*D, NSCA-CPT,*D, RSCC*D has over 10 years of experience coaching high school, collegiate, and professional athletes competing at the national and international level. He graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education from the Universita’ San Raffaele in Rome, Italy. Antonio earned a Master of Science degree in Sports Performance and Orthopedic Rehabilitation from A.T. Still University and a Master of Science degree in Biokinesiology from the University of Southern California. As a PhD student, Squillante is currently conducting research at the Clinical Exercise Research Center, Department of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy (University of Southern California, Los Angeles). His main interest in research lies in muscle physiology, looking at the effect of periodized resistance training on muscle function and performance in sport. Squillante is a faculty member at Setanta College. He has authored several books and textbooks on strength training for sport and periodization and translated some classic readings in exercise physiology and sports science, including the work of Professor Carmelo Bosco and Dr.Vladimir M. Zatsiorsky. Squillante is a Registered Sport and Exercise Nutritionist (SENr). Term End: 7/2026 (NSCA Liaison/Member)

Member

Sean Collins, PhD, CSCS*D, is a Professor of Exercise Physiology at the University of Lynchburg. His academic journey includes a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, where he was a varsity swimmer, and both a Master of Science and Doctorate in Exercise Physiology from Springfield College. A dedicated member of the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), Dr. Collins served as the Virginia State Director from 2013 to 2018, earning the State/Provincial Director of the Year award in 2017, and as the Mid-Atlantic Regional Coordinator until 2024. He remains active within the NSCA, contributing to the Membership and Education Committees. His commitment extended to the NSCA Foundation, where he has served as a grant reviewer and panel member until 2025. Dr. Collins is a prolific presenter, sharing his expertise at NSCA state, regional, and national conferences, as well as at the American College of Sports Medicine. His research focuses on sport science and performance in invasion sports, particularly Division III men’s lacrosse and women’s soccer, resulting in numerous peer-reviewed publications. He has also published book chapters for the NSCA texts. Outside of his professional life, he enjoys competitive mountain biking and camping with his family. Term End: 7/2028 (Academic Position)

Executive Director

Carissa Gordon Gump, OLY, MPA has previously worked for the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee and USA Weightlifting serving as their Associate Executive Director for Business & Development as well as the USA Weightlifting Foundation Executive Director. Gump is a 2008 Olympian in the sport of weightlifting, an American Record holder, National Champion, Pan American Champion, All-American, World Team member and USA Weightlifting & New England Weightlifting Hall of Fame member. Carissa holds an B.S. in Business with an Emphasis in Sport Management from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, an M.P.A. in Non-Profit Management from Keller Graduate School of Management, and is pursuing a Doctor of Business Administration with an emphasis in Non-Profit Management and Leadership from Liberty University.