Who I am - words that describe me:
Appreciative - I believe life is too short not to take stock of who we are and what the people in our lives mean to us. The greatest gift is our family and our health.

Passionate - There is a spirit and enthusiasm by which I like to live my life day-to-day. Maintaining a motivated attitude and drive in my activities, my job and my interests has taken me to great places.

My personal challenges:
After graduating college and venturing out into the world, I found I have no more exams, no more deadlines to prepare term papers, and very little regiment in my life. Embarking on an office job, I also found that the little physical activity that was a part of my daily routine (walking to class, informal sports, games with friends) was gone. I knew I needed to impose some type of discipline back into my life. One day, I challenged myself to run around the block. Although I barely made it -- the contrast in my energy level, alertness and overall general feeling was remarkable. I tried to complete the task again the next day. Nothing felt better! I have been running every day ever since.

My career challenges:
Embarking on a career that includes the issues and practices of what one has adopted as a "way of life," has been enormously gratifying. For me, being active every day holds the same priority as the important meeting on my schedule or a dinner with friends. Although attempting to change behavior is one of the more difficult responsibilities I have, I wish there was a way I could convey to my audiences (in public speaking situations) how wonderful I felt having run around that block for the first time so many years ago (see above).

My career:
As executive director of the PCPFS, I have oversight of the 20 presidential appointees (council members) and nine staff members (employees of the Department of Health and Human Services) in fulfilling the responsibility of serving as a catalyst to promote, encourage and motivate the development of physical fitness and sports participation for all Americans of all ages.

Likes/Dislikes about career:
What I like best about my career is having the ability to influence the lives of so many individuals for the better. What I would wish for is the ability to have more resources to conduct my responsibilities without major budget constraints.

Influences:
One very influential person in my life has been my father. From as far back as I can remember, my father's interest in current events prompted me to develop (in early childhood) an awareness of what was happening around me. He showed me that one's curiosity and understanding of daily occurrences was extremely important to becoming a well-rounded individual.

Future goals:
I am expecting a baby (my first) this October. I have a goal of being a good parent, mother and friend to my child.

My thoughts about space exploration:
Attending summer camp many years ago, I distinctly recall all the campers and counselors being called into the Recreation Hall one evening to view, on the camp's only black and white television, our country's first landing on the moon. When we were walking back to our bunks later that evening, I looked into the sky thinking it was pretty amazing that man could travel so far into the unknown. I have been fascinated ever since.