Speakers

Dr. Anthony Acevedo is a distinguished researcher, educator, and practitioner in human performance, sports nutrition, and exercise science. With a wealth of knowledge and experience spanning over two decades, he has made significant contributions to the military, academia, research, and the practical application of sports science principles. Dr. Acevedo is marked by a relentless pursuit of knowledge and expertise that led to obtaining a master’s degree in nutrition and business management and a Ph.D. in Human Performance. Currently, Dr. Acevedo is supporting Patriot H2F as the Program Director. Previously he was the lead scientist for 19^th Air Force and the CRAFT program. He also is an Adjunct Professor at Grand Canyon University and an advisor of the POWER Lab/SWAHA Club, which guides students in conducting research and teaches courses in Exercise & Physiology, and Advanced Nutrition.

He holds several professional licenses and memberships, including being a Licensed Dietician Nutritionist (LDN), a member of the American Nutrition Council (CNS), and an affiliate of the National Strength & Conditioning Association (CSCS) and the International Society of Sports Nutrition (CISSN).

Julien has been in the world of sports and tech for 10 years. He currently leads Upside a sports tech ecosystem bringing 7000 sports tech execs and teams together. He has also helped bring innovation and insights to many pro teams (NBA, MLS, NHL, NFL, MLB, European soccer, pro rugby, pro tennis…) over the last decade and has built an ecosystem between startups, teams/leagues and investors across the US, Europe and Asia. He also has experience building products at Google (Google Assistant/Home), Samsung, Zebra and various sports tech startups (Kenzen, etc..). He currently lives in New York. 

The science of sport and a passion for biomechanics have driven Yusuf throughout his life and taken him to the National Basketball Association and beyond. A graduate of Mississippi State University (BS in Fitness Management),

Yusuf earned his Master of Science Degree in Human Kinetics from University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, focusing on Psychology/Sociology of Sport and Physical Activity. While at UWM he also completed their accredited Athletic Training Education Program. Yusuf put that education to good use as an assistant athletic trainer, spending five years with the Memphis Grizzlies in the National Basketball Association.

Looking to make a change, Yusuf transitioned to the business world, building several businesses from the ground up and consulting with industry professionals on emerging technologies. Currently, Yusuf serves as Head of Tactical for VALD, -an objective measurement technology organization. Yusuf has years of experience as a successful business professional that stems from his natural ability to influence others through the development of strong, long-lasting relationships. He succeeds

in maintaining a high level of professionalism and exudes an infectious level of self-confidence in others. He displays a high level of integrity that provides a consistent focus on quality and client satisfaction.

He is also a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. and an eight-year veteran of the Army Reserves. A self-proclaimed “car guy” and avid cyclist, Yusuf enjoys cooking and spending time with his family at their home in Charlotte.

Brave is currently a manager in the Environmental, Health and Safety (EH&S) department at Ingalls Shipbuilding, the largest manufacturing employer in Mississippi and a major contributor to the economic growth of Alabama, employing more than 11,000 employees.  Ingalls is the largest supplier of U.S. Navy surface combatants.  Brave plays a crucial role in spearheading a group of safety professional dedicated to ensuring employees are provided a safe working environment and return home safely as they build four classes of ships that will protect our country.  Currently,  Brave and the EH&S department are partnered with Mississippi State’s Athlete Engineering Program on developing a custom heat wearable device for Ingalls employees to combat heat stress. 

Prior to working at Ingalls, Brave was a Bioenvironmental Engineering (Environmental Safety and Health) Non commissioned Officer (NCO) in the U.S. Air Force, where he learned from highly trained instructors with years of experience and participated in hands on training. This firsthand and invaluable experience has enabled Brave to enhance his education and knowledge throughout his 10 year military career. Brave’s training consisted of various fields such as occupational, health, industrial hygiene, risk assessment, hazardous waste and more. Brave was given the opportunity to exhibit his knowledge and skills when deployed with the 379th Expeditionary Forces, in support of Iraqi Enduring Freedom.

Brave is a graduate of Columbia Southern with a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Safety and Health and United States Sports Academy with a Bachelor of Sports Science in Sports Strength and Conditioning.

Brave is married to Fatina Brave, and they have three children, Elani, Monclair and Mason.  The Braves are members of Infinity Church-The Apostolic Church in D’Iberville, MS. for 22 years.

Reuben F. Burch V, Ph.D. is the Associate Vice President for Research in the Office of Research and Economic Development at Mississippi State University. He is the Executive Director and founder of the Athlete Engineering Institute which headquarters the statewide workforce training program, AiM UP: Advancements in Manufacturing Upskilling Program. Burch continues to serve as an associate professor in the Industrial & Systems Engineering department, holds the Jack Hatcher Endowed Chair for Engineering Entrepreneurship, and is a civic leader to the U.S. Air Force and Space Force. Since moving to academia, he has been awarded $35M in funding, published over 100 journal articles, and been awarded nearly 50 patents. Prior to his start as a professor in the Fall of 2016, Dr. Burch spent 14 years working for and with global Fortune 500 companies in research and development areas such as virtual reality design, weapons systems and training, satellite systems and geospatial data, high-value financial software systems, logistics technology and management, autonomous vehicle design, wearables, and human performance.

Dr. Keith D’Amelio is a leader in the realm of human performance. With a PhD in applied sports science and an extensive background in elite sports, including roles with such organizations as the Boston Celtics, Toronto Raptors and Stanford University as well as Nike. Keith stands squarely at the intersection of performance optimization, technological innovation, and the evolving landscape of human performance

A pioneer in leveraging technology and data-driven methodologies, Keith has catalyzed industry-wide adoption of cutting edge approaches. His influence extends beyond one sport, working with athletes, teams, and organizations spanning the NBA, MLB, NBA players Association, WNBA, NWSL, NFL, EPL, AFL, as well as within the business and start up world, showcasing his ability to drive innovation and progress across diverse sectors.

As the former Director of Athlete Performance at Nike, Keith led transformative initiatives to support Nike’s elite athletes and teams and drive innovation across the organization. His leadership in this role underscored his commitment to pushing the boundaries of human performance through focused exploration. Now as an investor, advisor, and consultant for both sporting organizations and companies, Keith empowers teams and enterprises with his unique approach and profound understanding of organizational dynamics.

Damon Darsey is a physician that holds two board certifications in emergency medicine and emergency medical services (EMS) with over twenty years of experience in public safety, field and emergency medicine.    He was the founding physician of the Mississippi Center for Emergency Services. This emergency response umbrella organization includes a medical communications center (Mississippi MED-COM), a critical care transport division (AirCare), a Public Safety Support Division, and a traditional advanced life support ambulance service at the University of Mississippi Medical Center.  In 2021, Dr. Darsey started a healthcare consulting firm that provides support to regional and community hospitals in areas supporting the acute care and coordination of patient movement.   His professional passion remains in supporting the medical care and wellness of public safety professionals throughout Mississippi and bringing attention to the needs of rural public safety professionals at the local, state and federal levels.   

Darsey has been the principal investigator in nearly $35 million of grants focusing on the clinical interest and academic interest of improving the communications, care, and coordination of first responders and the medical care provided in the field since 2010.

Scott has been practicing physical therapy since 2004, spending over 20 years working in the US Army. He completed his initial training through the University of Kentucky in 2004, then completed a Sports PT residency at West Point through Baylor University in 2013. He is board certified in Sports and Orthopedic Physical Therapy. Scott most recent role was leading a comprehensive human performance team for an elite Special Operations Command.

Scott’s philosophy is to integrate expertise, data, and technology across physical therapy and performance training to allow people to achieve and sustain their highest performance capability. He believes that fitness/performance and rehabilitation occur as a continuum with physical therapy being an adjunct to performance, providing skilled services to enable rapid return to training/performance rapidly and effectively for long-term impact.

Justin Foster, M.A., CMPC is a Cognitive Performance Consultant and Founder of The Excelling Edge LLC. He helps high performers gain a competitive edge by equipping them with cognitive training and human performance technologies to unleash their potential. He helps facilities, organizations, teams install neurocognitive training programs that work. Justin also works with teams, coaches, and athletes to build team culture, championship coaches and mental toughness to help them perform their best when it matters most. He is an adjust faculty in the Applied Sport and Performance Psychology graduate program at Holy Names University. Over the past 15 years Justin has worked with a wide range of high performers, including NCAA Division 1 programs, professional athletes, special operations units, fighter pilots, U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Marine Corps, NFL combine training, elite junior athletes, and more. 

Dave Goto is a seasoned executive with two decades of expertise in brand and content marketing within the sports, health, and wellness sectors. His career highlights include impactful roles at Red Bull, Lululemon, Oura Ring and now is the VP of Marketing at a groundbreaking light wellness company leveraging science www.in.to.  At Red Bull North America, he spearheaded sports marketing initiatives and played a key role in launching the Red Bull Media House and High-Performance program. At Lululemon, he was instrumental in expanding the brand’s global market presence by engineering powerful word of mouth marketing. At ŌURA, he developed a successful marketing strategy, secured $10M in strategic funding, and built a network of over 1,000 notable figures. Currently, Dave consults on marketing strategies for early to mid sized companies and serves on advisory boards for the International Hyperbaric Association, Momentous Supplements & Ozlo Sleep. He is also a dedicated husband and father of three.

Zach Gregg, MS Exercise Physiology, is the Performance Director for Project Echelon Racing, America’s top Continental Professional Cycling Team.  Zach uses firsthand experience as a former pro, 3x National Champion, and physiologist to prepare athletes for the demands of the world’s hardest sport, professional cycling. His athletes have obtained national titles in all three road disciplines including Men’s and Women’s U23 Criterium titles and Men’s Road U23 title in 2024. 

After injuries ended Zach’s collegiate lacrosse career, he found cycling and quickly fell in love with the competition and training. Wanting to learn more about the physiology of training, he attended Midwestern State University, where he obtained his degree and first national title.Zach published research  

After school, Zach worked as a coach at Lees McRae college and raced professionally, winning additional national titles before moving to Boulder, Colorado.  Once in Boulder, he began working at Apex Coaching, operated by Neal Henderson.  Neal and the Apex staff have worked as National Team coaches and have been represented at the last five Olympic Games.  

Zach’s focus is supporting professional athletes internationally in a performance role and as an aerodynamicist. 

Master Sergeant Christa Groom

Mississippi Highway Patrol

With 21 years of Law Enforcement experience I am currently assigned to the Mississippi Highway Patrol Training Academy as a TAC Officer. As a Training Coordinator, I assist with developing the Daily Physical Fitness workouts for the Cadets. I became certified in 2022 as a Law Enforcement Fitness Coordinator, and my training also extends to CrossFit Instruction. I received my CF-L2 Level Two Trainer Certificate for CrossFit in March 2024. I also hold six other CrossFit Trainer Certificates over the last 5 years. Whether coaching Cadets, fellow officers, or fitness enthusiasts, I am dedicated to building mental toughness and peak performance in those I train by combining tactical fitness with real world functionality.

Captain Reed H. Harrington

Mississippi Highway Patrol

I just entered my 27^th year in law Enforcement and currently serve as the Director of the Mississippi Highway Patrol Training Division. I am tasked with developing cadets into highly functional troopers that can properly serve and protect the citizens of this state and all that travel through Mississippi. I am a devoted husband and father of two daughters. My family and I live in Brandon and attend Brandon Methodist Church. When I’m not at work, I enjoy a highly contested game of Pickleball with my friends. I’m a Bulldog and enjoy attending sporting events in Starkville.

Joe Hook is a highly experienced Human Performance (HP) expert with a diverse background spanning strength and conditioning coaching, program management, and business development. With over a decade of experience, Joe has worked hands-on training military personnel across training and operational settings, preparing them for the physical demands of their missions. He has led HP teams across multiple locations, ensuring program success through strategic planning, quality control, and personnel management. As a former HP business owner, Joe has honed his skills in resource allocation, project execution, and organizational growth, providing him with a unique perspective on delivering effective HP solutions. His blend of practical coaching expertise and leadership in managing large-scale HP initiatives positions him as a well-rounded professional dedicated to optimizing human performance in demanding environments.

Marci Hoppa joined Mississippi State strength and conditioning in 2017 and currently serves as the Assistant A.D/Strength and Conditioning. Hoppa directly oversees the daily strength and conditioning programs for the Bulldog volleyball team, softball team, as well as MSU track and field and cross country. She made the transition to Olympic Sports Director after four seasons with the women’s basketball program during which the Bulldogs posted a 107-20 record that included a National Championship appearance (2017-18), SEC regular-season championship (2017-18), SEC Tournament Championship (2018-19) and an Elite Eight appearance (2018-19).
 
Before coming to MSU, she served as an Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach at Western Kentucky from 2014-2017, where she ran the strength and conditioning programs for the Lady Topper basketball and soccer programs. In that three-year span, her development of the Lady Topper basketball players helped the program to an 84-19 record, two Conference USA regular-season and tournament titles, and two NCAA Tournament appearances.
  
Prior to joining Western Kentucky, Hoppa was the Director of Strength and Conditioning for Olympic Sports at Jacksonville. She joined the JU staff in March of 2013 as an Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach and was named Director in July 2013, overseeing the JU strength and conditioning internship programs while coordinating all aspects of strength and conditioning for women’s soccer, softball, volleyball, track and field and men’s and women’s rowing. Her time with the Dolphins saw Atlantic Sun Tournament victories in volleyball, soccer and track and field along with NCAA appearances and individual titles in both track and field and men’s and women’s rowing.
 
Early in her career, Hoppa was a volunteer coach at Alabama from 2012-2013. While with the Crimson Tide, Hoppa assisted with the women’s tennis, women’s rowing, men’s and women’s swimming and diving and women’s volleyball teams. She made the move to Tuscaloosa following a stint as Graduate Assistant Strength Coach at Northern Illinois (2010-2011) where she worked directly with women’s soccer, women’s gymnastics and men’s and women’s golf while assisting the Huskies’ football and women’s basketball teams. Hoppa began her coaching career at Georgia, while pursuing her undergraduate degree, where she assisted with women’s volleyball, men’s basketball, men’s and women’s tennis, men’s and women’s track and women’s gymnastics.
 
Hoppa earned her bachelor’s degree in exercise and sports science in 2009 from Georgia and her master’s in exercise physiology in 2012 from Northern Illinois. She is certified with the Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coach’s Association (SCCC), the National Strength and Conditioning Association (CSCS), USA Weightlifting (USAW Level 1 Sports Performance Coach) and is Functional Range Conditioning Certified (FRC).

Andrea Hudy re-joined the UConn women’s basketball program as the Director of Sports Performance for Women’s Basketball in May 2021. Hudy, who earned her master’s degree from UConn in 1999, returns to Storrs after previously working with the Huskies from 1995-2004, helping three teams capture eight NCAA Championships. She was the primary sport performance coach for the 1995, 2000, 2002, 2003 and 2004 women’s basketball National Championships, as well as the 1999 and 2004 men’s basketball National Championships and the 2000 men’s soccer National Championship.

In 27 seasons of collegiate strength and conditioning coaching, Hudy has trained 51 former student-athletes who have gone on to play in the NBA and 21 who have gone on to play in the WNBA. Hudy spent the past two seasons as Head Coach of Basketball Strength and Conditioning at Texas. In her role with the Longhorns, she oversaw the strength and conditioning program from both the men’s and women’s basketball programs and was the primary sport performance coach for the men’s basketball team. Prior to Texas, Hudy spent 15 years as the strength and conditioning coach for Kansas men’s basketball. In her time with the team, the Jayhawks produced 35 NBA Draft picks, including 11 Lottery selections, and won the 2008 NCAA Championship.

In 2017, the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) honored Hudy with the Impact Award, given to an individual whose career has greatly contributed to the advancement of the national or international strength and conditioning or fitness industries. In the summer of 2014, her book, Power Positions, was published. In January 2013, she was named the National College Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Year by the NSCA for her dedication to improving athletic performance with safe and effective science-based programs. Hudy graduated from Maryland, where she was a four-year letterwinner in volleyball, in 1994 with a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology. She earned a master’s degree in sport biomechanics from UConn in 1999 and an MBA from Kansas in 2019.

In 2022, Dr. Hurt joined Columbus Ortho from his position as an orthopaedic surgeon and Assistant Professor of Sports Medicine at the University of Mississippi Medical Center’s Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation. While practicing in Jackson, Mississippi, Dr. Hurt served as the head team physician for Jackson State University, Tougaloo College, various high school athletic programs, and the Mississippi Braves (AA Professional Baseball team). He now extends his expertise to local junior high schools, high schools, Mississippi State University, and Mississippi University for Women.

Dr. Hurt thrives on tackling a diverse range of oethopaedic challenges, whether treating athletes, injured workers, or retirees. His clinical interests span shoulder and knee conditions, sports injuries, and both adult and pediatric care. He is skilled in managing ligamentous knee injuries (including ACL, PCL, MCL, LCL tears and dislocations), meniscal tears, patellar instability, cartilage injuries, knee and shoulder arthritis, shoulder instability, and rotator cuff pathology. Dr. Hurt also performs cartilage restorations procedures and has expertise in orthopaedic biologics such as stem cells and PRP. He is committed to providing personalized care and ensuring accessibility for his patients.

Dr. hurt, a native of Clinton, Mississippi, earned his degree in Biology, Finance, and German form the University of Alabama. He completed his medical degree at the University of Alabama School of Medicine in Birmingham. Dr. Hurt began his orthopaedic surgery training at the University of Florida Health-Shands in Jacksonville before transferring to Tulane University in New Orleans to be closer to his wife. He completed his residency at Tulane, where he served as Chief Resident during his final year. Dr. Hurt furthered his expertise with a fellowship at Mississippi Sports Medicine and Orthopaedic Center in Jackson. He recently completed an MBA form Millsaps College – Else School of Management.

In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Hurt served as President of the Mississippi Orthopaedic Society and the President of the Board of the Mississippi Baptist Children’s Village. He is also active in his church, where he taught a growth group class and a children’s Bible Drill class and served as a deacon.

Dr. Hurt is married to Dr. Christy Hurt, a board-certified dermatologist who has relocated her practice to Starkville. Together, they enjoy spending time with their four children: James, Luke, Mary Harper, and Abigail. An avid outdoorsman, Dr. Hurt enjoys hunting, golfing, and following sports.

My name is Sedrick Jackson. I’m from Rolling Fork, MS.  I graduated from South Delta High School in 2002. I Attended the University of Southern Mississippi, where I received a Bachelor of Arts in History. I graduated from the Mississippi Highway Patrol Cadet Class # 60 in 2011. I am currently assigned to the MHP Training Division.

Ted is a graduate of The Ohio State University where he did his undergraduate studies in Business Marketing and his graduate and post-graduate studies in Physical Education and Exercise Physiology, respectively.   He currently serves as a NFL-PFATS Sport Science Consultant, providing monthly research updates for all NFL teams.  In addition, he provides the Professional Baseball Strength and Conditioning Coaches Society (PBSCCS) and the National Basketball Strength Coaches Association (NBSCA) with sports research updates. He also owns and operates Sports Performance Consulting providing consulting advice on such topics as sports science technology and its implementation, sports nutrition, as well as ergogenic aids/PED use and abuse.  Ted’s clients have included numerous NFL, NBA, MLB, and major college programs, as well as, the United States Secret Service. Ted coordinated the Exercise Science program at Thomas More University from 1991 to 2011. He has served as an assistant strength and conditioning coach at The Ohio State University and the University of Kentucky.  During this time, Ted trained 23 NBA Draft Picks of which 13 were 1st Round Draft picks and 41 NFL draft picks of which 4 were 1st Round Draft picks.

As a woman in the male-dominated field of Environmental Engineering, Alexis Moran works within Ingalls Shipbuilding’s Environmental, Health and Safety department and is also a fifth year NFL cheerleader for the New Orleans Saints. Moran has a passion for environmental stewardship and joined Ingalls after graduating from Mississippi State University with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering with an Environmental Engineering concentration. While attending MSU, Alexis was a three-year member of the MSU Pom Squad Dance Team. Currently, Moran works to promote sustainability in the shipbuilding process that leads to improved efficiency, minimal waste, and less environmental effects. In addition to helping improve the shipyard environment for employees, she is devoted to improving the health and wellbeing of employees with a focus on heat awareness, nutrition, hydration and fueling initiatives with the assistance of MSU’s Athlete Engineering team.

Michael A. Mydlo, MS, CPSS, CSCS, is a dedicated sports science professional currently pursuing his Ph.D. in Industrial and Systems Engineering at Mississippi State University, where he also serves as a Sports Science Fellow with the Olympic sports teams. With a strong foundation in exercise science, Michael has accumulated diverse experiences in strength and conditioning and sports science across various prestigious institutions, including the UFC Performance Institute and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. His expertise spans physiological profiling, performance assessment, and sports science technology implementation. Michael is also an active member of several professional organizations, contributing to both academic research and the development of future practitioners.

Terry Prentice was named Deputy Athletics Director & General Manager of Athlete Brand Services and Business Development on Sept. 11, 2023. In his role, he provides oversight of Bulldog Athlete Services, which encompasses academics, letterwinner engagement, NIL, sports medicine, sports nutrition, sports psychology, strength and conditioning and student-athlete experience. He also serves as the sport administrator for football.

Prentice comes to Starkville from the University of Arkansas where he most recently was the Senior Associate Athletics Director for Athlete Brand Development and Inclusive Excellence. Prentice served as a member of the Athletic Director’s Cabinet and Senior Staff. He led the Athlete Brand Development unit, which manages Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) activities and initiatives while also being the sport administrator for the men’s and women’s track and field and cross-country programs.

From 2018-2021, Prentice held multiple senior leadership positions at the University of Kansas. He was a member of both the Executive Staff and External Leadership Team and served as a major gifts fundraiser for the department and the sport administrator for men’s and women’s track and field and cross country. In addition, he worked closely with the Human Resources and Student-Athlete Development units in leading diversity initiatives.

Before Kansas, Prentice worked in fundraising with the Razorback Foundation and with the Ole Miss Athletics Foundation at the University of Mississippi. During his time with the Razorback Foundation (2014-18), he helped raise support as part of several major campaigns, including a $160 million renovation and expansion of Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium as well as various track and field projects, including the $15 million Frank O’Mara Track & Field High Performance Center.

Prentice was a student-athlete at the University of Arkansas and was an All-SEC and Honorable Mention All-American decathlete. From 2009-12, he helped the program claim five Southeastern Conference championships in indoor and outdoor track and field and served as president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.

A native of Pomona, California, Prentice earned his bachelor’s degree in history in 2012 and master’s degree in sports management in 2014 from the University of Arkansas.  He and his wife, Deanna, have a son, Tristan.

 Jack earned an NROTC scholarship and graduated from The University of Nebraska in 1998, then graduated from Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL School (BUD/S) Class 222 in 1999. Jack graduated from the Army Command and General Staff College and holds a master’s degree in Global/International Affairs and Interagency Collaboration from Kansas University. Jack retired from Naval service in 2018. 

Jack deployed around the globe and led SEALs and Special Operations Forces in the War on Terrorism his entire Naval career, beginning with contingency operations as part of the United States initial response from October to December 2001, after the 9/11 attacks. Later, assigned to SEAL Team THREE Jack was the Commander of Naval Special Warfare Task Unit-Ramadi, Iraq in charge of counterterrorism and counterinsurgency operations in Al-Anbar Province. At Special Reconnaissance Team ONE, Jack focused on Multidiscipline Intelligence Support Missions for SEAL Team, Special Mission Units, and other government agencies. Jack’s last assignment was as the Director of Combating Terrorism for Special Operations Command Europe, alongside NATO Allies and Regional Partner Nations. 

Jack has also been a volunteer leadership and cultural dynamics advisor to Nebraska Athletics, Creighton Athletics, Midland University, Pro-athletes, Olympians, and various business leaders across the region the last decade. 

Jack has been an active advocate of our nations wounded warriors and Veterans. Jack co-founded Nebraska Support for SEALs (NSS) which provides annually a weekend family retreat for Active-Duty SEAL families here in Nebraska and raises funds for the SEAL-NSW Family Foundation (NSFF). Jack is on the board of the Nebraska Soldiers Foundation and supports Nebraska PGA REACH, Nebraska Golf Fore Troops and nationally NS2 Serves. 

Jack has been married to his college sweetheart Kate for 24 years, and has four children: Cap (21), JJ (19), Molly (18), and Suzie (16). Jack spends his free time along with his wife raising his family, enjoying and supporting their adventures, hunting birdies on the golf course, and enjoying all things Nebraska. 

David Saucier brings to the table an interdisciplinary skillset based on his experience working with engineers of various disciplines, kinesiologists, fashion design/textile experts, and strength and conditioning coaches of various sports through Mississippi State University’s Athlete Engineering Institute. He acquired his BS and MS in Computer Engineering from MSU and has previously worked in software development at ADTRAN, Inc. As manager of the Athlete Engineering Research Lab, David mentors students across multiple disciplines on how to use gold-standard human performance equipment, with a variety of studies and projects focused on validation and feasibility of novel human performance and wearable technologies. Most recently, he has worked in the tactical athlete sector to use human performance technologies to assess injury risk as well as utilize data to inform training decisions.

 Col Savageau is the IMA to the Chief, Combat Operations, HQ AFRC, Robins AFB, Goergia. She is the principal advisor to the MAJCOM commander and Director of Air, Space and Information Operations on the management, training, readiness and standardization of all personnel and equipment in the Combat Operations portfolio of AFRC Fighter, Bomber, RPA and C2 assets. 

Colonel Savageau received her commission from the United States Air Force Academy in May 1998. She earned her pilot wings from Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training, Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, in October 1999 and has served as an F-16 pilot, instructor pilot, and evaluator pilot. 

She has operational experience in Southeast Asia during Operation Southern Watch over the skies of Iraq, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, as well as operational experience flying in Korea, Singapore and Poland. She participated in the build up to Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2002, and also flew in support of Operation Noble Eagle from 2002-2004, following the attacks of September 11, 2001. Colonel Savageau separated from active duty in 2007 and joined the 944th Fighter Wing’s Total Force Enterprise as a Traditional Reservist and F-16 Instructor Pilot in the 301st Fighter Squadron and later the 69th Fighter Squadron. Colonel Savageau is a Command Pilot with more than 2,500 flying hours, including combat. Colonel Savageau is a founding member of Chick Fighter Pilots Association, a group committed connecting female fighter pilots and encouraging young women to take the leap into fighter aviation. She is also a published author, motivational speaker and a civilian F-16 experimental pilot. Prior to her current position, she was the Deputy Commander, 944th Fighter Wing, Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. 

Munjeet Singh is a Senior Vice President at Booz Allen, and the leader of the firm’s Bright Labs incubator in the office of the CTO. Launched in 2022, Bright Labs is an experimentation organization designed to develop, test, and incubate mission-centric solutions rooted in emerging technology. Munjeet’s expertise is in delivering modern technology environments to meet modern mission needs, from enterprise cloud solutions and data management to emerging technology prototypes. Munjeet oversees teams across the country that develop solutions using a technology stack that includes Edge Computing, Augmented and Virtual Reality, and Digital Twins. Munjeet also leads the firm’s Human Performance practice, applying advanced capabilities to train the tactical athlete of the future. In this role, Munjeet provides guidance and leadership to the firm’s human performance coaches focused on Cognitive Enhancement, Strength, and Conditioning, Tactical and Technical Skills acquisition and a focused integration of the firm’s XR, Data Analytics and AI capabilities into Booz Allen’s Human Performance practice.

Ron “RS” Stenger serves as the Director of Business Development for T3i. Before T3i, RS served for more than 26 years as a career Air Force Special Tactics Officer. He has commanded at the Squadron and Group level multiple times, both domestically and abroad, peacetime and war, leading both Air Force and Joint organizations as large as 1,500 personnel. In his final assignment, he drove sweeping change within the Special Warfare training enterprise, including ground-breaking human performance initiatives. He spearheaded the creation and establishment of the Air Force’s first-ever Special Warfare Training Wing and the Department of Defense’s first and only Human Performance Support Group.

RS is a 1992 graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy. He also holds an M.A. from the University of Colorado in Leadership & Counseling and an M.S. from Troy University in International Relations. He’s the proud father of three great kids – Michael, Matthew, and Melissa. He’s happily married to the love of his life, Mrs. Li Jett. Li and Ron are also proud dog parents to their 2-year-old German Shepherd “Bodhi.”

As Co-founder of TrainHeroic, Josh has been on his professional journey with TrainHeroic since 2011. Prior to joining TrainHeroic, Josh played football for coach Jim Harbaugh at the University of San Diego. Josh was lucky enough to be coached by strength coaches Shannon Turley (Stanford) and Stephane Rochet (US Navy) and realized quickly how impactful strength and conditioning was on human and athletic development. Today, Josh is the Director of TrainHeroic and TrainingPeaks’ Sales Teams, learns something from the bright minds here in the office, coaches, and customers, and does his best to train like he’s still playing ball. He’s been waiting patiently since 2009 for the phone to ring with the NFL commissioner announcing he’s been drafted and we just don’t have the heart to tell him to give it up…”

Joel Turner is a master of the mental game, backed by rigorous self-study and hands-on experience. His Turner Model offers a practical and scientifically grounded approach to managing stress and optimizing performance. By understanding the interplay of the conscious and subconscious mind, utilizing self-instruction, and overriding the fight-or-flight response, the Turner Model aims to deliver lasting, tangible improvements for individuals and teams in high-pressure environments.

Timothy Wunrow is a graduate of Mississippi State University and currently works in the healthcare industry, using his engineering background to improve the processes and labor management of hospitals across the country. He has conducted research and development in using wearable technology and AI to improve the lives of people affected by auditory disorders. He also makes good drinks.

Promoted to Associate Head Coach on January 20th, 2022, Nick Zimmerman has been an integral part of the Bulldog soccer program since January 23, 2019. Previously, he honed his coaching skills as an assistant coach at Columbus State University from 2015 to 2018.
 
Zimmerman has a rich background in developing talent, coaching 31 Peach Belt All-Conference award winners, 23 DII All-Region winners, 10 DII All-Americans, and six DII Scholar All-Americans. He also coached two Elite 90 Award winners and the Peach Belt Conference Freshman of the Year.
 
Zimmerman specializes in working with the Bulldogs’ forwards and midfielders, a focus that has yielded impressive results. In the 2023 season, he played a pivotal role in leading the Dawgs to score 26 goals, with an impressive .421 shots on goal percentage. State pushed the pace, averaging 12.2 shots per game. His contributions were a key factor in the Mississippi State Soccer Staff being named the 2023 NCAA Southeast Staff of the Year by United Soccer Coaches. The team achieved a historic milestone by being ranked 14th in the nation by both United Soccer Coaches and TopDrawerSoccer, marking the first end-of-season ranking in program history.
 
In the 2022 season, his offensive strategies brought the Bulldogs to life, achieving 282 shots and 123 shots on goal, both ranking ninth in school history. The team’s 28 goals also made the top 10, marking the first time since 2018 that the Bulldogs outscored their opponents by more than five goals.
 
During his third season, the Bulldogs adopted a more aggressive offensive approach, with 194 shot attempts and 88 on goal. Despite the challenges of the 2020 season due to the global pandemic, Zimmerman led the team to a strong finish. Over a 13-game season, the Bulldogs averaged 1.38 goals per game and 12 shots per game. The spring segment was particularly notable, with 11 different players assisting on 11 goals across four matches and seven different goal scorers.
 
Zimmerman’s first season in Starkville was marked by setting new program records for goals, assists, and points in conference play. The Bulldogs averaged 15.1 shots per game in SEC play, ranking fourth in the league. His technical guidance was evident as nine Bulldogs scored at least once in 2019, including six first-time scorers, and 16 players recorded points, the highest since 2008.
 
Before joining Mississippi State, Zimmerman was pivotal in building a top-three scoring offense at Columbus State University. The Lady Cougars set a program record of 96 goals in 2016, leading the nation with 4.0 goals per game, and improved to 4.05 goals per game the following year. His tenure at CSU included multiple championships, including the Peach Belt Conference regular season and tournament championships, and a national championship appearance.
 
In addition to his college coaching experience, Zimmerman has worked with Region II, US Soccer NTC, and ID2 US Club Soccer. He has been on staff at elite camps at the University of Virginia and Florida State University and served as the head coach for the Georgia Girls’ Olympic Development Program (ODP) 2000 Team. He is also a U.S. Soccer Federation coaching course instructor and has been part of the United Soccer Coaches NCAA Ranking and Awards Board. Zimmerman holds a USSF “B” License.
 
As a player, Zimmerman was a standout at James Madison University, earning All-Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) rookie team recognition, two All-CAA selections, and one All-Region honor. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science in kinesiology and sports management, he was drafted by the New York Red Bulls in the 2009 MLS SuperDraft and later selected by the Philadelphia Union in the 2009 MLS Expansion Draft. He played with Carolina Railhawks FC in the NASL, earning NASL Best XI honors in 2012 and finishing second in the Golden Boot race. His professional career concluded with the Wilmington Hammerheads in the USL in 2015.
 
A Tampa, Florida native, Zimmerman also represented the U.S. U-15 National Team in 2001. His extensive playing and coaching experience make him a valuable asset to the Mississippi State Bulldog soccer program.