Staff

Ben Thoele, Director

After separating from the Air Force in 2007, Ben moved to the Atlanta area to help found The FitWit Foundation with his good friends Josh and Erin Guerrieri. Ben sees fitness as one of the only things in life where you can succeed just by trying. You don’t have to be good at it–you just have to try. Ben is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Coach with the National Strength and Conditioning Association and a CrossFit Level I certified trainer. Ben earned a MS in Operations Research from the Air Force Institute of technology and played NCAA Division III football and track at Wittenberg University. Ben has helped over 1000 individuals ages 6 to 65 reach their health, fitness, and athletic goals. As President and Director of the Foundation, his role is to provide strategic vision and leadership for the Board of Directors and execute the mission of the Foundation by supporting all facets of day-to-day operation of the organization and its programs. Ben and his wife Jill live in Decatur, Georgia.

Ben is also on the Board of Directors for the FitWit Foundation.

Michelle Woods, Program Director

Michelle joined The FitWit Foundation in January of 2009 and brings a diverse non-profit background to the core mission of the Foundation. Michelle’s education includes a BS in Health Science as well as a BA in English. Michelle is also a certified fitness trainer. Before her role with the Foundation, Michelle served as State Director for Special Olympics Georgia where she supervised year-round sports training in over 120 counties throughout the state. Michelle offers over ten years of experience in youth wellness initiatives, community outreach programs and successful school programs aimed at engaging youth to become healthier. Michelle finds inspiration daily from the teens and teachers who participate in the FitTeens fitness program. Michelle takes pride in knowing that the Foundation is giving them tools that will teach them to live longer, healthier, quality lives, well beyond a six week camp.

Board of Directors

Josh Guerrieri, Vice President

Certified with the American Council on Exercise, Josh has been training for seven years and founded FitWit, LLC in 2005 with his wife Erin. He was a three-time collegiate conference champion in the decathlon, earning him Academic All-American honors and the opportunity to compete at the NCAA National Championships.  From 2001-2007, Josh taught social studies and coached a variety of sports at Washington High School in Atlanta, Georgia as part of the Teach For America program. As Board Vice President, Josh helps shape the strategic vision and advises on Foundation programming.  Josh and Erin live in the Oakhurst neighborhood of Decatur, Georgia where they continue to work on perfecting the two-man zone defense against their four young children.

Erin Guerrieri, Secretary

In 2006, after a few years as a public relations account representative, Erin pursued a teaching career in the Atlanta Public Schools system. Having had a front row seat to the severe lack of positive, healthy outlets for the underserved youth in Atlanta, Erin is passionate about The FitWit Foundation as a way to give children opportunities to experience success outside the classroom.  She hopes that fitness can be a vehicle for children to find self worth, finding value as a member of a community.  Erin graduated with an honors degree in English from Wittenberg University, where she was also captain of the women’s varsity track & field team.  She has coached various levels of youth gymnastics, volleyball and track & field.  Erin and Josh live in Decatur Georgia with their four small children.

Leslie Eason

Leslie has lived in Atlanta for most of her life, leaving briefly for college at Vanderbilt University and law school at University of Georgia.  Throughout her life, she has spent significant time volunteering for various organizations created for purposes of helping underprivileged children succeed and live their best life.  Leslie believes that health and fitness are critical components to a child’s “best life,” which is what ignited her initial interest in The FitWit Foundation.  Moreover, she believes that the life lessons, coaching, and camaraderie the Foundation provide via its programming are priceless, especially in today’s environment where very few children have access to such character-building resources.  Leslie’s legal background has proved helpful to the Foundation in a variety of ways.  Moreover, her interpersonal and organizational skills make her an asset in event planning and related activities.  Leslie lives in Atlanta, Georgia with her two dogs, Chase and Abby.

Andie Boyd

Andie was born in North Carolina and raised in the Atlanta area.  She earned an Associate’s Degree from Young Harris College and was a member of the Tennis Team.  After Young Harris, Andie continued her education at Georgia State University where she earned a BS in Human Resources and Policy Studies.  Fitness has been a part of Andie’s life since she was a child.  Her father was a professional football player and a personal trainer.  Andie loves helping kids and sharing her passion for fitness and nutrition.  Andie and her husband Ryan live in Decatur and are expecting their first child in February 2012.

Sarah Cadmus

Sarah has lived in Atlanta for nearly 14 years and earned her BA in English Literature and Creative Writing from Agnes Scott College. Sarah has over nine years of experience in nonprofit fundraising, communications and volunteer management. Her experience includes organizing special events, large-scale volunteer projects for both nonprofits and corporate groups and implementing internal and external communication strategies for community engagement programs. She believes strongly in the resilience and ability of youth to achieve great things with the support of a happy and healthy lifestyle. Sarah joined the FitWit family as a camper nearly three years ago and while she is not always a good camper, she strives to be an asset to The FitWit Foundation by helping build a strong and diverse fundraising program.