OUR CURRENT BOARD

Timothy Laney // chairman

Tim Laney is Chairman, President and CEO of National Bank Holdings Corporation (NYSE: NBHC). Mr. Laney was appointed as Chairman of the Company’s Board of Directors in 2014 and he also serves as the chairman of NBH Bank’s board of directors. Mr. Laney has led NBHC from its inception of operations; building out a best-in-class $7.1 Billion asset institution and delivering top quartile total shareholder returns. Most recently, Mr. Laney announced the formation of 2UniFi, a digital ecosystem that will create unparalleled access to banking services for small and medium sized businesses. Mr. Laney is the former Senior Executive Vice President and Head of Business Services at Regions Financial, one of the nation’s largest full-service banks. He joined Regions Financial in late 2007 to lead the transformation of the bank’s wholesale lines of business. Prior to his tenure at Regions Financial, Mr. Laney had a 24-year tenure with Bank of America, where he held leadership roles in small business, commercial banking, private banking, treasury management, corporate marketing and change management. He also served as President of Bank of America, Florida, with more than 800 banking centers and $50 billion in total assets. He was also a member of Bank of America’s Management Operating Committee. Mr. Laney is active in community service. He is founder of the Do More Charity Challenge, which has raised more than $1.5 Million for charity in its six years of existence. He has served on the Boards of the Colorado State Division of Banking and the Colorado Bankers Association and currently serves on the Advisory Board of the Moffitt Cancer Center and Chairs the Foundation Board for USA Weightlifting.

MARK HENRY // athlete representative

Mark Henry was a super-heavyweight weightlifter who competed at the 1992 and 1996 Olympics. He won three weightlifting medals at the 1995 Pan American Games, with gold in the snatch. Domestically he won the 1991 US Juniors, and then the 1992-94 and 1996 US Senior titles. He also won golds in 1993-94 at the US Olympic Festival.

Henry also competed in powerlifting and strongman events. He won the International Junior Powerlifting title in 1991, the USAPL National Powerlifting title in 1995 and 1997, and the WDFPF Powerlifting Championship in 1995. In strongman events Henry won the 2002 Arnold Strongman Classic.

However, despite his lifting prowess, it was as a professional wrestler that Henry would be best remembered. He started with the World Wrestling Federation (later World Wrestling Entertainment) in 1996. From 1998-2000 Henry was with the short-lived Nation of Domination, where he assumed the name “Sexual Chocolate.” He left wrestling in 2000-02 and competed in strongman events, including his victory at the Arnold Strongman Classic.

Henry returned to the WWE in 2002 and wrestled with them for over 15 years, with various “feuds” with other wrestlers. He was World Professional Heavyweight Champion in 2011-12, winning the title at the Night of Champions. He lost the title in 2012 in a re-match with “Big Show.”

Kate Vibert // athlete representative

Kate Nye is a Silver Medal Olympian (Tokyo 2020). Born in Bowlegs, Oklahoma, Nye is a reigning world champion, junior world record holder, and rising Olympic star of the sport. She is also a Pan American champion competing in the 69 kg category until 2018, and 71 kg starting in 2018 after the International Weightlifting Federation reorganized the talents. She won a silver medal in the 69kg division at the 2018 Junior World Weightlifting Championships. In 2019 she competed at the 2019 Pan American Weightlifting Championships in the 71 kg division, and during the competition she set Pan American records in the snatch and total on her way to winning gold medals in all three lifts.

Gunnar Peterson

Gunnar Peterson is a renowned fitness expert and personal trainer who has made a significant impact in the health and wellness industry. With over 20 years of experience, Gunnar has established himself as a trusted authority in the field, working with a diverse clientele ranging from professional athletes to celebrities and everyday individuals seeking to improve their fitness levels.

His comprehensive approach to training encompasses a combination of strength and conditioning exercises, cardiovascular workouts, and customized nutrition plans, tailored to each individual's unique needs and goals. Known for his expertise in functional training and his ability to motivate and inspire his clients, he has earned a stellar reputation as one of the top trainers in the industry.

In addition to his work as a personal trainer, Gunnar is also a sought-after speaker and consultant, sharing his knowledge and insights with audiences around the world. He has delivered keynote speeches and conducted workshops at major fitness conferences, providing valuable guidance on topics such as exercise programming, injury prevention, and optimizing performance.

His holistic approach to fitness, combining physical training with mental and emotional well-being, has resonated with many, making him a trusted advisor to both individuals and organizations seeking to promote healthier lifestyles. With his passion for fitness and commitment to helping others achieve their goals, Gunnar continues to be a respected figure in the health and wellness community.

bruce james oreck

Bruce Oreck served President Barack Obama as the United States Ambassador to Finland from 2009 until 2015. During that time he also served as the Chairman of the State Department’s League of Green Embassies.

Ambassador Oreck is the recipient of the United States Navy’s Distinguished Service Award; The Alliance to Save Energy’s Charles H. Percy Award for Public Service and the City of Helsinki’s Golden Medal. 

Prior to his work at the State Department, Ambassador Oreck practiced law specializing in business and taxation and represented many of the top 100 companies in America.  In addition, he served as the Executive Vice-President and General Counsel for Oreck Corporation, the floorcare and consumer products company. Ambassador Oreck has also had a long career in real estate, both in historic preservation / restoration and as a developer of new residential properties and office buildings in the United States, Mexico and Finland.  

Ambassador Oreck has enjoyed a diverse passion for athletics He was an amateur boxer in high school, a member of the fencing team in college and for 10 years worked rowing wooden boats down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. Ambassador Oreck was a competitive amateur bodybuilder and won the Colorado State bodybuilding championship (masters over 50) several years in a row.

 Ambassador Oreck earned his Bachelor of Arts from Johns Hopkins University, his Juris Doctorate (law) from Louisiana State University and his Masters in Law (taxation) from New York University.

AIMEE RICE

Aimee is a partner and Managing Director in the Pittsburgh-based firm of Compass Advisory Partners, LLC. Aimee is a hands-on experienced financial executive who specializes in providing financial oversight and day-to-day management support to a variety of entities including Export, Manufacturing, O&G and Distribution. Her experience includes the responsibility of decision making and reporting for companies placed in bank turn around, with positive outcomes for both the company and lender. She has also been an integral part of corporate asset sales and re-organization under new ownership of companies with gross revenues of between $25mm to $150mm.

Aimee has served a lead role in financial restructuring projects and has also participated in mergers between private and public corporations. She excels in cash management and margin improving cost-cutting initiatives. She has a wide range of experience including direct involvement in negotiations with lenders, customers, and trade creditors. Aimee has also implemented purchasing initiatives to reduce costs, and has experience in the renewal process of collective bargaining agreements. She has had the responsibility of business planning, strategic planning, and all financial analysis and reporting functions.

During her 20+ years as a corporate business professional, Aimee has served as Chief Financial Officer, working effectively with lenders, attorneys, owners, Boards of Directors and senior management teams on all levels of not only finance, but also within operations.

Aimee received her Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown in 1994 and is currently studying for the CTP Certification.

Aimee is a member of the Turnaround Management Association (TMA) and Association for Corporate Growth (ACG), Treasurer of the Western PA chapter of International Women’s Insolvency and Restructuring Confederation (IWIRC WPA), and Director at Large of International Women’s Insolvency and Restructuring Confederation National (IWIRC NTL).

Aimee resides in Pittsburgh, PA and has four children, two sons of which serve as United States Marines. She and her Youth level daughter are both Competitive USAW Athletes, and Aimee holds a National record in Snatch in her age group and weight class (40-44/53kg/2018). She is very active in USAW as a Coach and Referee, and serves as Chair and Member on several Boards and Committees within the Organization.

shane sevcik

Shane is a life long Oregonian living in Medford with his wife Heather and sons Greyson and Rockwell. Shane Graduated from University of Oregon with degrees in Finance and Economics and in his senior year was on the cheerleading team. Upon graduation Shane worked for Lithia Automotive Group as the Director of Finance and Sales Operations. After leaving a decade long career with Lithia Shane became a Financial Advisor current with DA Davidson Companies as a Senior Vice President. For the past 14 years Shane has working with high net worth families, businesses, and non profits helping them navigate the markets.

In his free time Shane competes in weightlifting at both the Senior and Masters level. Shane has multiple state records and has won Masters Pan American and World titles. Outside of weightlifting Shane enjoys golfing and spending time with his family.

GARY SHIFFMAN, Phd

Gary M. Shiffman is an economist and business executive working to combat organized violence, corruption, and coercion. Past experiences include senior positions at the Pentagon, U.S. Senate, and the Department of Homeland Security. Dr. Shiffman is the Founder and CEO of Giant Oak, Inc. and the Co-Founder and CEO of Consilient, Inc., machine learning and artificial intelligence companies building solutions to support professionals promoting national security and combating financial crime. Dr. Shiffman is the author of The Economics of Violence: How Behavioral Science Can Transform Our View of Crime, Insurgency, and Terrorism with Cambridge University Press in 2020.

MARY THEISEN-LAPPEN

Mary Theisen-Lappen is a former collegiate thrower (track & field) turned weightlifter who discovered the sport and took off like a shot. Mary found weightlifting about four years ago through a USA Weightlifting recruitment program and quickly became one of the top lifters in the country, a Pan American Champion and a record contender.

Originally from Wisconsin, she focused on basketball and track and field growing up, and attended Indiana State where she received a degree in Sport Management and Coaching, followed by a master's in Education from the University of Missouri.

She is now a track and field coach at University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, where she has coached shot put, discus, hammer throw, weight throw and javelin for seven years. USA Weightlifting Foundation is thrilled to have her on the Board.