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Team: |
Robin Brown, President and Founder
An avid fitness advocate for more than 20 years, Robin Brown combined her passion for whole-body fitness with her unique vision of an emotionally relaxing and therapeutic environment to create CLAY. As President and Co-Founder of CLAY LLC, Robin is responsible for CLAY's management, operations and, most importantly, member experience. After a comprehensive analysis and assessment of the "health club" industry over a two-year period, Robin identified a clear demand among dedicated health and fitness enthusiasts. They expressed a desire for an environment where the process of achieving sustained health and fitness was stressed instead of "products". Health and fitness enthusiasts were in search of an experience that focused not just on firm muscles, but on a healthy body, mind and lifestyle. Robin recognized that the "new model" of a health club also needed a different kind of environment, an elegant atmosphere matched with personalized attention and care for each and every member. Robin's vision resulted in CLAY's minimalist architecture, natural light accents and tranquil earth-tone color combinations; these physical surroundings symbolize Robin's mission of empowering members to achieve the complete union of health and fitness through the integration of physical training, mindful exercise and nutritional guidance. Prior to founding CLAY, Robin served on the Board of Directors of Education and Industry Partnership ("EIP"), an organization committed to teaching job skills for middle and high school students in Harlem. Previously, Robin worked with children at a Community Mental Health Center in the Bronx. She is currently on the Board of Directors for the "Art Party" Theatre Company. Robin is the proud parent of a daughter, named Averi. They reside in Manhattan. Terrence Fister, Vice President and Co-Founder Terry serves as the Group Exercise and Special Events Program Director, creating the group exercise class schedule and special workshops and seminars. He is also a Master Trainer and heads CLAY's Continuing Education Program for Private Trainers. With 18 years of experience in the fitness industry, Terry previously held positions as Head Trainer and Creative Director at Chelsea Gym, Health Management Systems, and Fitness Specialist at Home Box Office Corporate Fitness Center. Terry also created Fister Fitness, Inc., a private, one-on-one private training and fitness consulting business. Terry has a BS in Physical Education and Dance from Skidmore College which prepared him for his first career as a professional dancer. During his time as a dancer he worked extensively throughout the United States both as a featured artist and choreographer. He is certified as a personal trainer with the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) and the American Council on Exercise (ACE) and has specialty certifications in pre and post-partum exercise and exercise for older populations. Jonathan Singer, Vice President of Finance/Business Manager As Vice President of Finance and Business Manager of CLAY, Jonathan is responsible for finance, corporate strategy and long-term planning. Prior to joining CLAY, Jonathan was Senior Financial Analyst at The Deal, LLC, a start-up publishing company, where he was oversaw financing, budgeting, and forecasting of operations. Jonathan earned his BS degree in Applied Economics and Business Management from Cornell University, and received an MBA in Finance and Business Management from NYU's Stern School of Business.An avid exercise and health enthusiast, Jonathan brings his passion for fitness to CLAY's management team. Tanya Wood, Director of Sales and Marketing Tanya brings thirteen years of health and fitness experience and membership insight to CLAY. Formerly a professional athlete, Tanya's competitive drive is focused on creating a uniquely rewarding experience for each and every member. Having previously worked at The Sports Club/LA where she was the top-producing Membership Director, Tanya exhibits genuine passion for health and fitness, membership development and member retention. Prior to her work at The Sports Club/LA, Tanya maintained excellent service standards as Sales Manager at Equinox Fitness Club, where her responsibilities included launching their premier corporate club. Tanya played Division I basketball for the University of Miami Hurricanes where she earned her Bachelors degree in Sports Management and Sociology. She then went on to play professional basketball internationally before returning to the U.S. and joining the health and fitness industry. Tanya is passionate about balanced personal wellness and believes there is an athlete in everyone. Melissa Grossfeld M.S., R.D., Director of Nutrition Melissa joins CLAY from the Sports Club/LA, where she created innovative nutrition and wellness programming. She successfully helps her clients achieve their nutrition and fitness goals, by developing personalized eating strategies around a member's lifestyle and preferences. Melissa is a Registered Dietitian with experience working with people with diverse nutritional needs, including wellness and weight management, sports nutrition, pre and post-natal counseling, heart disease and diabetes. Melissa is affiliated with the Hospital for Special Surgeries, where she serves as consulting nutritionist for the Adolescent Sports Medicine Clinic. She is also the nutritionist for New York University's Coles Sports Center and athletic teams. Melissa earned her Masters degree in Clinical Nutrition from NYU and a Bachelors degree from the University of Michigan. As an exercise enthusiast and food lover, Melissa looks forward to offering CLAY members a variety of exciting nutrition and cooking programs, as well as special culinary events that incorporate all the health optimizing and palate pleasing characteristics of food. Charleene O'Connor, Fitness Director In addition to her role as Fitness Director at CLAY, Charleene also serves as a Private Trainer. Charleene has always been passionate about exercise, from competitive gymnastics and soccer to diving, and track. Sports and fitness are the foundation of Charleenes personal and professional life. Spending her days helping her clients achieve their goals is truly satisfying. Her door is always open. Before joining CLAY, Charleene was a Private Trainer at Reebok Sports Club/NY, the Fitness Supervisor at The Sports Club/LA in Los Angeles and then the Fitness Manger at The Sports Club/LA Rockefeller Center. She is thrilled to be able to build the Fitness Program at CLAY from the ground up. She spent three years of her undergraduate studies at Boston University and finished off at Hofstra University with her degree in Exercise Physiology. Charleene is certified by the American Counsel on Exercise, the National Academy of Sports Medicine, and as a Pre/Post rehabilitation specialist, a Pre/Post Natal specialist, a Medical Exercise Specialist, and an Integrated Flexibility Trainer. Dave Lowe, Directors of Spa Development As Director of Spa Development, Dave is responsible for CLAY's Bodywork Therapy Programs. Prior to joining CLAY, Dave spent twenty years actively involved in entrepreneurial and corporate opportunities, including the conception and launch of a retail chain of gourmet markets. Most recently, Dave managed Carapan in New York City. Dave earned his Bachelor's in Communications and Marketing at Rowan University. A veteran of the health, fitness and lifestyle industries, Dave brings considerable experience to CLAY's management team. Don Meyer, Director of Spa Operations As Director of Spa Operations, Don has developed a wide range of massage treatments specifically for CLAY members including Swedish, Deep Tissue, Sports, Prenatal, Hot Stone and CLAY's signature Natural Face Massage Treatments. Don brings numerous years of experience in the spa and wellness field to his responsibilities at CLAY. Most recently, Don managed Carapan Urban Spa and Store in New York. Prior to Carapan, Don spent eleven years as Assistant Director of Engineering for the Ilikai Hotel in Honolulu. At Ililkai, Don was involved in the development of the hotel's Spa and Resort facilities. Don received his undergraduate degree from St. Mary's University of Minnesota in Elementary Education. Previously, Don spent five years as an emergency medical technician and director of an ambulance service in Minnesota. Leslie McNabb, Director of Operations Leslie brings her significant experience in a wide range of industries to the day-to-day operations at CLAY. A classically trained dancer, Leslie turned professional at the age of 17 and danced with companies such as Joffery Ballet and the Baltimore Ballet Theatre. After retiring from her dance career, Leslie held management positions in the restaurant and retail industries before finding her true calling in the fitness world. Prior to joining CLAY she worked at New York's Equinox Fitness Club for four years as Front Desk Operations Manager. Lesliešs mission at CLAY is to provide a supportive atmosphere for members to achieve the joy of body/mind awareness, movement, and overall fitness. |
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