OUR STORY

In 2003 a 14 year old middle school student contacted our company seeking a weight management program for just for teens.  She said  “I need something that works just for me, that my mom can afford.”  I really want to lose weight and get fit, can you help me?” That student was Lisa Perez, a former graduate of TC Williams High School.   From Lisa’s request, the idea was sparked and the development of MECKids began!

Fran Dean Bishop is an award-winning CEO & business coach with an 18-year track record in the health, media and communications industries.  An accomplished speaker, business leader and health technology developer, Ms. Bishop founded Aerobodies Inc. in 1994 as a provider of health management programs, products and services for corporations, local, state and federal government agencies.  Today that same company has evolved to become AFC Management Services serving organizations from coast to coast providing solutions in health & wellness services, project management and professional development services including leadership and business coaching.

In response to customer demand for scaleable innovative health promotion and technology, AFC launched two technology innovations:  MyEquilibriumCoach.com and MECKids.com.  Both web-based platforms offer interactive health, behavior management and wellness programming for employee groups and the K-12 education community.  The latter MECKids.com also serves as an interactive health & fitness social network for youths. 

 

ADVISORS

Lisa Katic, R.D.
Nutrition Advisor

Lisa  D.  Katic  is President of K Consulting, a practice based in Washington, DC specializing in food policy, communications and education.  K Consulting creates awareness campaigns on hot button issues and provides strategic counsel for a number of clients.  Lisa is an expert in scientific and regulatory programs in  many  areas, including:  nutrition,  biotechnology, functional foods, food labeling and obesity.  She represents her clients with the media and has conducted media interviews on NBC’s Today Show, CNN, the Food Network and all of the major evening news programs. 

Lisa has debated on critical nutrition issues both domestic and international, has  testified on Capitol Hill, and in front of federal, state and international regulatory agencies.  Lisa has a keen understanding of global food policy issues and has worked in different markets, including:  Europe, Canada, and Asia.  Lisa has also  interfaced with many top regulatory and food standard setting bodies to develop policies that are science-based and favorable for the U.S. public and private sectors.

Lisa was formerly Director, Scientific and Nutrition Policy at the Grocery Manufacturers of America (GMA) and is currently serving as an advisor to GMA on several critical policy issues.  Prior to joining GMA, Lisa was Associate Director of Food Safety for the International Food Information Council in Washington, DC -- a science-based communications organization, where she implemented programs and conducted presentations on nutrition and food safety issues to a wide variety of audiences.

Lisa began her experience with media relations early in her career while working as the Media Coordinator and Nutrition Education Consultant for the Dairy Council in Cleveland, OH.  She aired a regular nutrition piece for a local morning show and was invited to teach a Nutrition and Fitness class at Cleveland State University during her tenure at the Dairy Council.   

Lisa holds a bachelor’s degree in dietetics and nutrition from the University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA.  She is a registered dietitian (R.D.) and an active member of professional associations, including The American Dietetic Association (ADA), Society for Nutrition Education, the American Institute for Wine and Food, and the International Association of Culinary Professionals.

 

Charlotte Kelso, NBCT, MA, LATC
President Elect for VAHPERD
Program Advisor

Charlotte Kelso, a National Board Certified Teacher (NBCT), teaches middle school Health and Physical Education in Arlington Virginia. She currently is President of the Virginia Association for Health Physical Education Recreation and Dance (VAHPERD) and Vice-President for Sport and Leisure in the Southern District American Alliance for Health Physical Education Recreation and Dance (SDAAHPERD). These associations represent educators in their field and provide quality programs for teachers in the classroom through conferences and conventions throughout the year. She also represents middle schools in Arlington Public Schools by serving on the Arlington Education Association Board and the Collaborative Professional Strategy Team (CPST). She also serves as a delegate for Virginia at the Virginia Education Convention, National Education Association Convention as well as the national convention for the American Alliance for Health Physical Education Recreation and Dance.

Charlotte holds several certifications in athletic training, fire service, and has recently completed coursework for an Ed.S in Instructional Leadership. She has presented at the Physical Fitness Institute, Health for Success, Maryland Athletic Trainer’s Association, Mid-Atlantic Athletic Trainer’s Association and numerous VAHPERD and SDAAHPERD conventions. Charlotte has been recognized by her peers in Virginia by receiving the Recreational Professional of the Year Award, 2006, and the same award from the SDAAHPERD in 2007.

Charlotte has been on the hill representing athletic trainers, national board certification and to Hill Day in Richmond representing education, athletic training and educators in Virginia. I July 2010, Charlotte attended the NEA convention and presented a New Business Item (NBI96) for the NEA to produce a report on “How increasing class size effects student learning and facility safety K-12”. Her article in the April 2009 edition of the Virginia Education Association Journal has been quoted by senators in relation to senate bills concerning Physical Education as presented to the General Assembly of Virginia.

Charlotte currently is serving on the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) Physical Education Standards Committee for revision and restructuring the standards for national board certification in physical education.

Charlotte began her career in education coaching women’s college basketball in El Dorado, Arkansas and has been in the classroom from elementary to university settings. AS a three sport college athlete her experience has carried over into her leadership and classroom strategies. She has worked with Olympic athletes, NCAA Division I athletics along with coaching and officiating softball basketball and volleyball for 30 years.

Charlotte holds a Bachelors of Science in Physical Education and minor in Sports Medicine from Appalachian State University, a Masters of Arts in Health and Physical Education from Tennessee Tech University and is completing her Education Specialist in Instructional Leadership from Argosy University.

 

Tom Shaw
Senior Advisor

Tom Shaw is a renowned, award winning executive producer with thirty eight years years experience in the health, media, and communications industries.  An accomplished marketer, Mr. Shaw has created and managed national initiatives on major health issues, particularly those effecting under served populations.  He founded International Information Resources (IIR)in 1986 to implement these initiatives and to partner with university medical centers, associations, government agencies, and corporations.  Mr. Shaw has focused on the development and funding of unique collaborations between the public and private sector, providing the best outcomes for the health and wellness of the community at large.