Atwood’s Health Club Consultants Team

Our consultants support owners and managers in addressing planning and operational issues and provide clients with the outside perspective and expertise they need to get results and succeed.

Our team has a powerful blend of interdisciplinary skills and decades of health and fitness club industry experience as operators and managers.  As a result, we are able to combine strategy with the real-world experience needed to generate meaningful and measurable business results.

John Atwood, Founder and Managing Partner

I’ve been working in the health and fitness industry for my entire career. I’ve owned and managed clubs, served on the Board of the New England Health, Racquet, and Sports Club Association (NEHRSA), have spoken at numerous club industry conventions and conferences and have been a faculty member of the IHRSA Institute.

HealthFit, the medically-focused fitness center I owned and operated, was featured in Boston Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, AARP Magazine, and other prominent national media for its innovative business practices and contributions to the fitness industry. Time Magazine called HealthFit “a pioneering fitness center” for its ground-breaking approach to working with sedentary populations.

In 1999, I developed the IHRSA Financial Management Tool (FMT), a strategic tool used by owners and managers to drive profits through the capturing and analysis of vital financial and programmatic information.

I’ve been consulting for more than a decade and love supporting owners and operators in starting and growing their businesses. I received my BA from the University of Miami where I received a full tennis scholarship.

Beth Wald, Senior Partner

My 25 years of management experience working in both the public and private sectors and experience as a fitness club owner and manager has provided me with a multifaceted set of skills and unique perspective.

In addition to having expertise in general health club operations, program development, and management, I find managing complex projects exhilarating and am committed to creating positive, goal-oriented work environments that promote stellar customer service.

I’ve been a featured speaker at the International Health, Racquet & Sports Club Association’s (IHRSA) international conventions and was on the faculty of the IHRSA Institute.

I have a BA from Hamilton College and a Masters from Columbia University.

Brian Goodman, Senior Consultant

My expertise is in strategic positioning of start-ups including market research and segmentation, branding, financial modeling, marketing strategy, and feasibility analysis.

I’ve performed financial analysis for large retailers such as Filenes and the May Company, worked in strategic marketing consulting with the Monitor Group, and spearheaded strategy for the City of Boston’s Office of Business Development.

I founded First Steps Consulting, which is a boutique consultancy focused specifically on innovation and start-up strategy and have worked with a variety of start-ups and corporate innovations over the past 10 years.

I earned my MBA in entrepreneurship from Babson College and have a degree in Business Administration from UMASS Amherst. Additional studies have been completed at MIT, Harvard and the University of Manchester, England.

Larry Krieger, Senior Consultant

Larry is a senior executive in the fitness and healthcare industry. Over the last 35 years, he has designed, developed, built, and managed numerous health and fitness companies.

As a respected member of the fitness industry, Larry served on the Board of Directors of International Health and Racquet Sports Association (IHRSA) and was the organization’s President for the 1993 – 1994 term.

Larry is an expert in the implementation of business strategies that lead to the growth of successful companies and recently retired as VP/GM of The Bay Club Company. Formerly he was the Executive Vice President of Virgin Life Care, which is part of the Virgin group of companies owned by Richard Branson.

Before joining Virgin, Larry held leadership positions as COO of Club One in San Francisco and President of The Wellbridge Company, based in Boston.

Larry currently serves on the Board of the International Lawn Tennis Club, and was formerly on the International Advisory Board to the Tennis Hall of Fame and on the USTA Olympic Committee.

Douglas A. Ribley, MS, FMFA, FABC – Medical Fitness Consultant

Doug Ribley has been active in the development and administration of quality health, fitness and wellness programs and facilities for thirty-five years. He has worked in the corporate, commercial and hospital based arenas.

Doug is currently the Senior Vice President of Health & Wellness Services for Cleveland Clinic Akron General and is President of Douglas A. Ribley & Associates which is a consulting business that has served as the lead consulting organization for dozens of wellness center turn-around and new development projects. Doug was instrumental in the development and operation of Akron General’s three award winning Health and Wellness Outpatient Delivery Centers which represent a $120 million investment.These centers emphasize prevention, early detection, rehabilitation and outpatient treatment in a unique, clinically integrated, environment.

Doug has been instrumental in the development of numerous hospital-based Health and Wellness center projects throughout the country and continues to provide leadership and insight related to the introduction of this model to communities and health systems locally, regionally and nationally.

Doug has served as a member of the Ohio State Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness, Wellness and Sports, is a past President and Chairman of the Medical Fitness Association, is a recipient of the Medical Fitness Association’s Pioneer Award, Founders Award, Distinguished Service Award and the MFA Special Recognition Award for his contributions toward the advancement of the medical fitness and wellness profession. Doug is a frequent author and speaker and has been named a Fellow of the Medical Fitness Association and the Health Care Advisory Board Company.

Darcy Krinsky, Boutique Fitness and Retail Consultant

Fitness is not just a career for Darcy Krinsky, it’s her way of life. As an All-AmericanNCAA athlete, Darcy was co-captain of her collegesoccer team, graduating with a BA in Mathematics. Darcy immediately began working for the iconic sports brand, Reebok International Ltd, building her business acumen within the fitness industry. Over the last 16 years Darcy has held various management roles at Reebok, from Global Sports and Entertainment Marketing to US Public Relations, as well as Sales and Retail Marketing.

Darcy has always had a passion to be a fitness entrepreneur, with the goal of one day owning her own studio. Living in both Los Angeles and New York City, Darcy had the opportunity to work at some of themost elite boutique studios in the world. Blending years of corporate business knowledge with her insider experience at these studios, Darcy created Higher Ground Fitness, a successful boutique Lagree Fitness brand in Massachusetts.

Darcy’s contagious passion for fitness, coupled with her creative, fresh outlook on the industry have allowed her to carve a niche opportunity in the boutique studio sector. Darcy understands the ever-changing boutique landscape and is an expert in studio trends. She seeks out creative solutions to shake the industry, maintaining, yet evolving, a studio’s DNA. Whether you are beginning your studio journey or an established brand, Darcy’sdiverse experience in business, start-ups, and retail will make her a vital part of your team.

Tara Jensen, Marketing Consultant

Tara brings over 15 years of marketing experience to her clients.

After graduating from the University of Connecticut, Tara started her career in Boston as a personal trainer at The Thoreau Club in Concord, MA. Next she developed health programs and marketing materials for IHRSA.

Her experience of event management grew from her years as Marketing Manager at IDG World Expo. There she managed the marketing for large scale events including Macworld San Francisco. In 2011, Tara took the Marketing Director position at Healthworks Group. During her 6 years at Healthworks Group the company added several new brands and locations.

Tara brings a wealth of knowledge in marketing. Tara’s marketing expertise will help your business grow and increase revenue.

Marice Magdolet, Consultant

Marice is a finance professional from the Philippines with over a decade of experience. She is passionate about eradicating the complexities of financial management, investment research, and business development. Working in Corporate Finance, she has helped a diversified group of clients analyze opportunities, streamline business processes, and create complex financial models, ultimately providing sound recommendations and insights to senior management. Marice has lent her finance expertise to clients in many industries, including health and fitness, Saas, e-commerce, food, utilities, and manufacturing.

Marice is currently a CFA Level 3 Candidate striving to become a Chartered Financial Analyst. She is an alumna of the University of Santo Tomas and holds a BSBA Degree with a major in Financial Management.

Besides crunching numbers, Marice is also an athlete and a sports enthusiast. She played for the Philippines in the women’s national football (soccer) team from 2009 to 2015 and was named Most Valuable Player in 2012.

Paul R. Fenaroli, JD

Paul R. Fenaroli, JD, is an associate attorney with Ishimbayev Law Firm, P.C., a law firm committed to supporting small businesses and startups. Paul is licensed to practice law in Connecticut and counsels health and wellness ventures throughout the state. Paul graduated from Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law. While earning his Juris Doctorate, he participated in Villanova’s Health Law Clinic and served as a legal apprentice at Kendall, P.C., a boutique life sciences firm which represents global pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers. Prior to embarking on his legal career, Paul was an offensive lineman for the Atlanta Falcons, Green Bay Packers, and New York Giants, and operated a personal training business in Monroe, CT. Prior to organizing his business, Paul was credentialed as a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist by the NSCA.

Melissa Rodriguez, Research Director

I am the Senior Research Manager of IHRSA and a certified personal training and strength coach.

My experiences as a fitness professional and research specialist have given me valuable insights into fitness consumer behavior and club operations. My role as Research Manager at the International Association for Health and Athletic Clubs (IHRSA) is to find and compile data on important trends in the industry worldwide. This includes key industry benchmarks and ratios, detailed expense analysis based on percentages of various club models, and the general direction the industry is trending country by country. My full-time role at IHRSA is to be on top of all worldwide trends in the health and fitness industry and the available connected data.

My industry perspective also comes from the fact that I have served as a personal trainer for studio, non-profit, and multi-chain club organizations, and hold a certified personal training certification through the National Academy of Sports Medicine as well as a certified strength and conditioning specialist designation from the National Strength and Conditioning Association.

I received a B.A. in English and a B.A. in Biology from Atlantic Union College in Lancaster, Massachusetts, and an M.B.A. in Financial Management from La Sierra University in Riverside, California.

Mike Rizzo, Digital Marketing Specialist

I joined Atwood Consulting Group in the summer of 2016 to direct and oversee our day-to-day marketing operations including SEO, content strategy, technology resources, and advertising.

I’ve been involved in athletics and fitness most of my life and am excited to be involved in an organization that helps people start and grow their fitness and athletic facilities.

Since graduating from Villanova University with a Bachelor of Business Administration, I have accumulated a range of business experience including working closely with a Planet Fitness franchise owner as well as managing my own financial advisory practice through ING (now Voya).

Rick Devereux, Consultant

Rick is considered one of the premiere experts in the world on health club trends.

Having worked at IHRSA for more than 20 years as its Chief Operating Officer, and before that, the Director of Sales and Marketing, he had a major impact on the growth of the health and fitness industry both nationally and internationally.

Prior to working at IHRSA, Rick managed large multipurpose fitness facilities. Rick’s extensive knowledge and experience in the industry allows him to provide clients with a broad perspective as well as in-depth information on how to build or grow businesses related to fitness.

Rick graduated from Harvard where he played on the tennis team.

Ed Gemdjian, Personal Training Consultant

Ed has been a nationally certified personal trainer for the past 9 years, and is the Equinox Fitness Global Personal Trainer of the Year.

He is certified by NESTA and is a Functional Movement Systems Professional.  He has a Sports Nutrition certification from Precision Nutrition, and is also a C.H.E.K. Holistic Lifestyle and Nutrition Coach, specializing in optimizing health and wellness outside the gym.

Ed has worked with college and professional athletes, bodybuilders, models, actors, and fitness enthusiasts. He has extensive experience with weight loss, bodybuilding, sport specific conditioning, pre and post-natal, immune disorders and corrective exercise training methods. He has written numerous fitness and motivation articles, and is the chief contributor to TeamAwesomeNYC.com, where you can find testimonials from his past and current clients.

In 2007, Ed moved to New York City to help open the 17th St Equinox location. He aided in the pre-sale process, as well as the set up and initial operations of the facility, then opting to become the location’s first Tier 3 Trainer. He has been the top trainer at that location every year since, as well as among the best 1% company-wide.  In 2011, Ed was one of the first Equinox employees nationwide to be promoted to the Tier III+ level.

In 2013 Ed earned his most recent promotion as a Tier 4 Health and Wellness Coach, launching only the 8th such department in Equinox company history.

Krista Popowych, Group Exercise Consultant

Krista attributes her award-winning career to the lessons learned and taught from the group exercise studio.

Considered an expert in her field, her in-depth knowledge of group fitness, passion for the industry and contagious energy has taken her across the globe presenting and consulting for over 20 years on group fitness, training and management.

As an IDEA World Fitness Instructor of the Year winner, a three-time CanFitPro Presenter of the Year, and Keiser Global Director of Group Education, Krista knows how to stay on trend with group exercise programs and classes.

“I believe that the connection and experiences we can create for members through small and large group classes, a correctly designed schedule, engaged staff and innovative programming keeps a facility vibrant and packs the studio.”

With a degree in Human Kinetics, Krista has been instrumental with start-ups and managing both boutique studios to 500,000 sq. foot facilities. Her checklist of real world experiences in key areas of the fitness industry gives her true street cred. With over 10,000 classes under her belt, she is ready to help build, grow and support your group exercise program.

Ed Phillips, M.D., Consultant

Ed is the Medical Director for Outpatient Medical Services for the Spalding Rehabilitation Hospital Network in Boston, MA, and serves on the faculty of Harvard Medical School.

Dr. Phillips has been an advisor to IHRSA on a wide range of issues from exercise motivation factors to fitness related partnerships with health care providers and institutions.

In his consulting role with Atwood Consulting Group, Dr. Phillips coaches clients on strategies for developing relationships with the medical community.