Board of Directors

Ben Thoele, President

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, his wife, Jill and son, Paul, live in Decatur, Georgia.

 

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 five young children.

 

 

Beth Cavalier, Secretary

Beth joined the FitWit Foundation board of directors in Spring of 2011. As a professor of Sociology at GA Gwinnett College, Beth is able to bring her experience of working with youth as well as her skill sets in research and grant writing. When she is not working out at FitWit Grant Park, she enjoys spending time with her puppies, Oliver &  Dobby, live music, and writing.

 

 

 

Sarah Cadmus, Treasurer

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.

 

Matt Benard

Wanting a chance to give back to the community and seeing potential growth for The FitWit Foundation,        Matt joined us in 2012. Matt brings creativity and passion to the board.  In his limited free time, you may find Matt at FitWit Grant Park, working on his grad degree in Archival Sciences, collecting records, cooking, or watching sports.

 

 

 

Erin Guerrieri

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 five small children.

 

Patrick Sweeney

After living in Portland for many years, Patrick and his family moved to Atlanta for his current job working with Atlanta Beltline, Inc. With a passion to build connectivity around Atlanta and for problem solving, Patrick joined The FitWit foundation board in January of 2013.  When not working, Patrick enjoys bicycling, snowboarding, camping, gardening, volunteering, and theater.

 

 

 

Megan Gilroy, Executive & Program Director

   In her 5th year of teaching 7th grade math, Megan was ready for a change. She had gone back to school to obtain  certifications in Holistic Nutrition and Personal Training and was ready to put them to use. Wanting to find something that  would combine her passions for health and kids, she was intrigued by the work at The FitWit Foundation and wanted to  know more. Although not ready to move from her comfortable place in Denver, CO, the opportunity continued to unfold and  could not be denied. Atlanta and The FitWit Foundation were where she was meant to be. She is excited for the opportunity  that is ahead!