BALTIMORE, June 18 – During its 55th Annual Meeting & Clinical Symposia at the Baltimore Convention Center, the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) welcomed R.T. Floyd, EdD, ATC, CSCS, Jeff Stone, MEd, ATC and Matt Webber, MA, ATC, to its Board of Directors. Floyd was elected in May 2004, to represent District Nine, filling in a board vacancy as Chuck Kimmel, ATC, moved into the president’s chair. Stone, elected in November 2003, will represent District One of the NATA, succeeding Kathleen Laquale, PhD, ATC, and Webber, elected in May 2003, will represent District Seven, succeeding Scott Linaker, MS, ATC.

The NATA, a not-for-profit organization representing and supporting 30,000 members of the athletic training profession, is divided into 10 geographic districts. District Nine, which Floyd will oversee, covers Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee. District One, which Stone will represent, covers Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. And District Seven, which Webber will represent, covers Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming.

As incoming board members, Floyd, Stone and Webber share a common mission: to represent their constituents well.

R.T. Floyd, EdD, ATC, CSCS – District Nine

Based in Livingston, Ala., Floyd wants to do everything he can to help NATA’s membership move forward. “It’s very important for me to listen carefully to my colleagues about their concerns. I look forward to receiving their input and feedback, and plan to be extremely approachable.”

Floyd earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of West Alabama (UWA) in Livingston, and his doctoral degree in Human Performance Studies at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. The director of Athletic Training and Sports Medicine for the UWA Athletic Training and Sports Medicine Center, Floyd has been an active NATA member. Currently, he is the District 9 chair on the NATA Research and Education Foundation board and the Membership Fund Development chair. He is the author of the Manual of Structural Kinesiology and has also produced several articles and videos on athletic training.

Jeff Stone, MEd, ATC – District One

Based in Ashland, Mass., Stone, known as “Stoney” to most of his associates, believes that good communication skills are the root of his leadership style. “I try to listen to other people and work with them the best I can,” he says. “I’ll be representing 1,900 certified athletic trainers, plus the students in District One, so I want them to believe I will listen to their concerns and help them.”

Stone earned a bachelor’s degree from Northeastern University and a master’s degree from Cambridge College. A wellness educator for the Natick Public Schools in Natick, Mass., he has long been active with the NATA and its affiliates, serving as president of the Athletic Trainers’ of Massachusetts and sitting on finance committees, conference planning groups and elections boards.

He has also provided his athletic training expertise at events ranging from the U.S. Figure Skating Championships to the Bay State Games – the Massachusetts Olympic-style sports festival, which he has worked with since its inception in 1982 and served as coordinator from 1989 to 1991.

Matt Webber, MA, ATC – District Seven

Based in Page, Ariz., Webber wants to represent his district in an inclusive and fair way. “I’m not coming in with an agenda,” he says. “I want to be an effective board member by looking at the different aspects of the issues we face. I hope to add a fresh perspective.”

Webber earned both a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff. An athletic trainer and instructor at Page High School he has been active in the athletic training profession, serving as District Seven secretary, state president, chair of numerous committees and a lecturer for state and national conferences. In 2003, Webber ended his term as chair of the Arizona Board of Athletic Training.

NATA Executive Director Eve Becker-Doyle, CAE, believes Floyd, Stone and Webber will bring new energy and ideas to the board. “I’m confident that R.T., Jeff and Matt will significantly help the NATA meet the ongoing challenges facing our profession.”

About the NATA:
Certified athletic trainers (ATCs) are unique health care providers who specialize in the prevention, assessment, treatment and rehabilitation of injuries and illnesses that occur to athletes and the physically active. The National Athletic Trainers' Association represents and supports 30,000 members of the athletic training profession through education and research. www.nata.org. NATA, 2952 Stemmons Freeway, Ste. 200, Dallas, TX 75247, 214.637.6282; 214.637.2206 (fax).