Council Staff

Shellie Pfohl, M.S. is the Executive Director of the Council. The Council headquarters are located in Rockville, MD.

• Shellie Y. Pfohl, M.S. - Executive Director
  Shellie was appointed by President Obama in February, 2010 as Executive Director of the President's Council. She manages the activities and operations of the President's Council and leads the Council's efforts related to First Lady Michelle Obama's national Let's Move! campaign to solve childhood obesity within a generation. Shellie received her bachelor's degree in Community Health Education from the University of Northern Iowa and a master's degree in Exercise Physiology/Fitness Leadership from Northern Illinois University. She also has a certification in Non-Profit Management from Duke University and is a graduate of Leadership North Carolina Class XIII.
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• Shannon Feaster - Director of Communications & Public Affairs
  Shannon joined the President's Council in May 2010 as the Director of Communications and Public Affairs. In this role, she directs the Council's public outreach/awareness efforts through media relations, strategic messaging, event planning, marketing, and website development. She has extensive prior experience in those areas and received her B.A. in Mass Communications from Howard University and M.S. from Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism. To stay physically fit Shannon plays racquetball, jogs through airports to catch flights, and tries to keep up with her dogs (Sasha and Storm) on neighborhood trails.
  Email: shannon.feaster@hhs.gov
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• Joey King - Deputy Director of Communications/Webmaster
  Joey joined the President's Council in November 1991. As the Deputy Director of Communications, Joey crafts messages and talking points, coordinates media efforts for Council events, initiatives and programs, and manages logistics for speaking engagements for Council members and the Executive Director. Joey also serves as Webmaster for the Council's website: www.fitness.gov. He received his bachelor's degree in Education from the University of Maryland, College Park. As a proud car-free citizen, Joey enjoys walking, biking and in-line skating not only as alternative methods of transportation but also as fun forms of recreation and fitness.
  Email: russell.king@hhs.gov
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• Jane Wargo - Director of Federal Partnerships/President's Challenge Programs
  Jane joined the President's Council in July 2003. In her role as Program Analyst, she manages the President's Challenge Physical Activity and Fitness Awards program, co-leads the Public Health and Recreation MOU and the Physical Activity chapter of Healthy People, serves as the liaison to the Council's Science Board, and manages various Council recognition programs. A native Hoosier, she is a proud graduate of Butler University and received her M.A. from Ball State University, where she studied at the Fisher Institute for Wellness and Gerontology. When not trying to keep up with her young daughter, Jane stays active training for multi-sport and road races.
  Email: jane.wargo@hhs.gov
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• Lauren Darensbourg - Strategic Partnerships for Minority & Underserved Populations
  Lauren joined the President's Council in April 2010 as an Oakridge Institute of Science and Education (ORISE) Fellow to manage strategic partnerships for minority and underserved populations. Lauren's prior experience in outreach coordination and partnership development has prepared her to craft mutually beneficial and health-lucrative partnerships with organizations that target racial and ethnic minorities and people with disabilities. Lauren holds a B.S. in Biology and Chemistry as well as a Masters degree in Public Health from Florida A & M University. She plays softball, works out regularly, and eats healthy to stay physically fit.
  Email: lauren.darensbourg@hhs.gov
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  Megan Nechanicky - Nutrition/Physical Activity Programming & Communications
  Megan joined the President’s Council in August, 2010 as an Oakridge Institute of Science and Education (ORISE) Fellow. In her position, Megan leads all nutrition-related initiatives and events. Her role also includes the planning and presentation of Lifetime Achievement and Community Leadership awards given by the Council, including recipient nomination, marketing, and event logistics. Megan coordinates monthly meetings with Health and Human Services (HHS) to ensure that all offices are actively and properly supporting Let’s Move!, First Lady Michelle Obama’s initiative to end childhood obesity within a generation. Megan is currently completing her dietetic internship to become a registered dietitian in 2012. In 2010, Megan completed a dual Master’s program at San Diego State University in exercise physiology and nutrition. Megan received her undergraduate degree in Food Marketing at Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia where she also served as the women’s Division I rowing team Captain. Megan is personally dedicated to a healthy lifestyle while competing at the Elite level in triathlon, and enjoys tennis and golf.
  Email: megan.nechanicky@hhs.gov
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  Chris Watts - Partnerships & Special Projects
• Chris joined the President's Council in July 2010 as an Oakridge Institute of Science and Education (ORISE) Fellow to manage partnerships and special projects. In his role, Chris manages the President’s Challenge Advocate program and PALA+ implementation as well as leads the Council’s efforts to support the Joining Forces initiative to serve America’s military families. Chris is currently pursuing his MBA at George Washington University, with expected graduation in May 2012. Proudly from Pittsburgh, Chris holds a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University, where he was a four-year starter and Captain of the Men’s Varsity Soccer team. He continues to stay active by working out regularly, running, and playing sports.
  Email: chris.watts@hhs.gov