World T.E.A.M. Sports Board Welcomes Distinguished Military Lt. General Mark Hertling
Holbrook, New York (PRWEB) October 29, 2013 -- World T.E.A.M. Sports announced today the appointment of distinguished US Army veteran Lt. General Mark Hertling (Retired) to the national sports management organization’s board of directors.
LTG Hertling joins eight directors and Chairman James Benson on the board, which oversees activities, fundraising and other corporate advisory tasks for the inclusive 20-year-old organization.
“I’m extremely excited about joining World T.E.A.M. Sports,” said LTG Hertling. "I was impressed with this organization from the time I first encountered the terrific people who I met when I participated riding a leg of the 2010 Sea to Shining Sea event."
Noting that World T.E.A.M. Sports is managed by “dedicated human beings,” LTG Hertling said he is interested in helping the organization's events expand to new places in the coming years. “I hope I can offer worthwhile event ideas for our wounded service members and challenged population, but I also hope I can assist in shaping those events in new countries around the globe. It’s great finding ways for exceptional athletes to compete, but it’s even better when you learn about other cultures when you do it.”
LTG Hertling, a former commanding general for US Army Europe and the Seventh Army, retired from military service in December 2012. The Missouri native served four decades in various commands in the United States and across the world, including posts in Germany and in Iraq. Following his retirement, Hertling began working for Orlando’s Florida Hospital, but he also dedicates time to the non-profit organization “Mission: Readiness,” and he advises a Department of Defense Panel for the Healthy Base Initiative. He was also recently selected by President Obama to serve on the President's Council on Fitness, Sport and Nutrition.
While on active duty, Hertling commanded the 1st Armored Division in Northern Iraq during the “surge,” one of three combat tours. Before Commanding Army Forces in Europe, he was the Deputy Commanding General for Initial Military Training from 2009 to 2011, where he revamped the Army's basic training program, implementing modern physical fitness and nutrition programs. The recipient of multiple awards of the Distinguished Service Medal, the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart, he also earned a MS in Exercise Physiology from Indiana University. LTG Hertling speaks and acts passionately on leadership, national security issues, and health trends.
An active bicyclist, LTG Hertling and his wife Sue have two sons and a daughter-in-law who served multiple military combat tours. A second daughter-in-law is a teacher and mother of two grandsons.
“We are fortunate to have LTG Hertling join our organization. His experience and enthusiasm will add depth to our board of directors and allow us to continue to grow this organization and increase our impact,” said Van Brinson, CEO and President. “We welcome him to World T.E.A.M. Sports and look forward to working with him.”
About World T.E.A.M. Sports
Celebrating 20 years in 2013, World T.E.A.M. Sports is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization chartered in North Carolina and headquartered in Holbrook, New York. For more than twenty years, World T.E.A.M. Sports has organized athletic events for disabled and able bodied citizens – mountain climbing, white water rafting, biking, and more. In all our events – whether mountain climbing, biking, white water rafting or many other sports – we include both disabled and able-bodied participants. Four things always happen at our events: 1) Disabled participants build self-confidence and physical fitness. 2) The disabled provide a role model for other disabled citizens, encouraging them to take up physical activities. 3) The disabled become a moving inspiration to other participants and to spectators when they see that disabled individuals can meet challenges beyond anyone’s imagination. 4) The disabled and able-bodied participants learn to work as a team to overcome those challenges. We change lives through sports.
Richard Rhinehart, World T.E.A.M. Sports, http://worldteamsports.org/, 855-987-8326 Ext: 4, [email protected]
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