Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 10, 2011
Contact: HHS Press Office
(202) 690-6343

HHS Secretary Sebelius Announces the Launch of the National Foundation on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition and Inaugural Board of Directors

Washington – Today, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced the launch of the congressionally chartered National Foundation on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition and recognized the appointment of its inaugural board of directors at a ceremony in the Senate Russell Building.

Congress established the Foundation through the National Foundation on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition Establishment Act, which was signed into law by President Barack Obama on December 22, 2010. The Foundation will support the mission of the President's Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition by encouraging funding and other resource contributions that support the important work of the council. The council works closely with the community to engage, educate and empower all Americans across the lifespan to adopt a healthy lifestyle that includes regular physical activity and good nutrition. The foundation board of directors is comprised of individuals who were either recommended by Congressional leadership or chosen by Secretary of Health and Human Services. The board consists of prominent professionals with diverse backgrounds in fitness, sports, nutrition, philanthropy, business, technology and health.

"Nearly 55 years ago, President Eisenhower created the President's Council on Youth Fitness, and viewed it as a 'catalytic agent' in promoting the importance of fitness. Now, on this day, we have a similar mission being created, and this legacy will be constructed through the innovation of philanthropic support to enhance the council's vision of all Americans leading healthy and active lives," said HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius.

As directed by the Act, the foundation will collaborate with and support the council in expanding national interest in and awareness of the benefits of regular physical activity, sports participation, and good nutrition.

Secretary Sebelius also announced the governing and ex-officio members of the board of directors. The governing members include:

Tom McMillen, Chairperson, NFFSN Board; CEO of Homeland Security Capital Corporation
Cindy Sisson Hensley, Secretary, NFFSN Board; Former President of HOPSports
Scott Blackmun, CEO, United States Olympic Committee
Cris Collinsworth, Sports Analyst & Commentator, NBC Sports
Patrick Cunnane, Board Member; President/CEO of Advanced Sports International
Raul J. Fernandez, Board Member; Chairman, ObjectVideo
Rockne Freitas, Board Member; Vice President for Student Affairs and University/Community Relations, University of Hawai'i System
Maureen Peckman, Board Member; Chief Emerging Business Officer for the Cleveland Clinic Nevada; and CEO of Keep Memory Alive
David Rone, Board Member; Executive, Evolution Media Capital (EMC);

The ex-officio members include:

Ursula Bauer, Director, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, CDC
Thomas Frieden, Director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Howard Koh, Assistant Secretary for Health
Shellie Pfohl, Executive Director, President's Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition
Susan Shurin, Acting Director, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, NIH

About PCFSN The President's Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition (PCFSN) is a committee of up to 25 volunteer citizens appointed by the President to serve in an advisory capacity through the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS). Through its programs and partnerships with the public, private and non-profit sectors, PCFSN serves as a catalyst to promote healthy lifestyles through fitness, sports and nutrition programs and initiatives that educate, empower and engage Americans of all ages, backgrounds and abilities. For more information about PCFSN visit www.fitness.gov. For more information about the President's Challenge programs, including the Presidential Active Lifestyle Award (PALA) visit www.presidentschallenge.org .