NSCA Board of Directors

President, N. Travis Triplett, PhD, CSCS,*D, FNSCA

N. Travis Triplett is a Professor and Director of the Strength and Conditioning Concentrations for the Bachelor and Master of Science degrees in Exercise Science at Appalachian State University. Her past experience includes being Director of the Strength Centers at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, a research assistantship in Sports Physiology at the US Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, a postdoctoral research fellowship at Southern Cross University in Australia, and other international research at the University of Jyvaskyla in Finland and the University of Valencia in Spain. Dr. Triplett has served as a Senior Associate Editor for the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research and an Assistant Editor-in-Chief for the Strength and Conditioning Journal. She was the recipient of the 2000 Terry J. Housh Outstanding Young Investigator award, the 2010 William J. Kraemer Outstanding Sport Scientist Award, and the 2016 JSCR Editorial Excellence Award. She also served on two panels for NASA, including one for developing resistance exercise countermeasures to microgravity environments for the International Space Station. She is a founding Fellow of the NSCA, and holds certification from USA Weightlifting in addition to her NSCA credentials.

President-Elect, Brent Alvar, PhD, CSCS,*D, TSAC-F, FNSCA

Dr. Alvar is a Professor and Graduate Program Director in the Department of Kinesiology at Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego, California. He has been a member of the NSCA since 1996 and is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist with Distinction, Tactical Strength and Conditioning Facilitator, and recognized as an NSCA Fellow. He began his career as a Personal Trainer/Strength Coach working with the general population, various clinical populations, as well developing collegiate Sports Performance and Tactical Strength and Conditioning Programs. In addition, he has been instrumental in developing many college and university academic programs in the area of Sports and Tactical Strength and Conditioning, including programs from the Associate’s level to the PhD. His research focus is in the area of Dose-Response of Resistance Training as well as the various components of Exercise Testing and Prescription related to Human Performance and Occupational Preparedness. Dr. Alvar has over 50 published papers and book chapters as well as over 75 invited research and professional presentations both nationally and internationally. He is also extremely involved in the tactical area of the NSCA, helping to develop the NSCA’s Essentials of Tactical Strength and Conditioning as well as the TSAC Strength and Conditioning Course. His teaching is centered on Evidence-Based Practice, Research Methods, Clinical Exercise Prescription, as well as Sport and Tactical Strength and Conditioning. He spends the majority of his time guiding young scholars in their professional and research pursuits and feels this is the most important aspect of his career.

Vice President, Darnell Clark, MS, CSCS,*D, RSCC*D

Darnell Clark has been the Director of Strength and Conditioning at Charlotte Country Day School (CCDS) in Charlotte, NC since 2004. In this role, Clark and his staff are responsible for the daily development and systematic implementation for 70 middle school, junior varsity, and varsity teams (24 sports). He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Northwestern University and a Master’s degree in Physical Education from Arizona State University. He is certified by the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) as a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist® with Distinction (CSCS,*D®) and a Registered Strength and Conditioning Coach with Distinction (RSCC*D). He has presented on multiple topics of strength and conditioning at the state, regional, and national level. In 2014, Clark was the recipient of the NSCA’s High School Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Year Award. Under his direction, CCDS has earned the NSCA’s Strength of America Award for ten consecutive years. He has had the privilege of coaching 10 NSCA High School Strength and Conditioning All-Americans and over 200 college-bound student-athletes during his time at CCDS. From 2013 – 2016, he served as the NSCA’s North Carolina State Director and from 2016 – 2019, he served as the NSCA Southeast Regional Coordinator. Currently, Clark is pursuing his Doctor of Education degree in Kinesiology from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where his research interest are long-term athletic development, physical education pedagogy, physical literacy, and coaching pedagogy.

Secretary/Treasurer, Helen M. Binkley, PhD, ATC-L, CSCS, NSCA-CPT, FNSCA

Dr. Helen Binkley is an Associate Professor and Director of the Undergraduate Athletic Training Program at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, TN. She received her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Physical Education from the University of Delaware and her PhD in Physical Education from Temple University. Binkley’s areas of expertise include aquatic research, strength training and conditioning, and emergency response in athletic training. She has authored and co-authored numerous abstracts, texts, and manuscripts, in addition to presenting at local and national events. Binkley has held numerous volunteer positions with the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) and previously sat on the Board of Directors (2004 – 2007). She holds the Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist® (CSCS®) and NSCA Certified Personal Trainer® (NSCA-CPT®) certifications and is a Fellow with the NSCA.

Academician/Researcher Member, Colin Wilborn, PhD, CSCS,*D, NSCA-CPT,*D, FISSN, FNSCA

Dr. Wilborn is Executive Dean of the Mayborn College of Health Sciences and Professor at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. He has published over 200 peer reviewed articles, abstracts, and book chapters on the effects of sport supplements and exercise on body composition, metabolism, and performance. Colin has a published book on Sport Nutrition and has written for magazines such as Men’s Fitness and Muscle and Fitness. Colin was the recipient of the NSCA’s 2015 GNC Nutritional Research Award. He is a Fellow and two-time Vice President for the NSCA Board of Directors. He is also Fellow and former Vice President of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, Associate Editor for the Journal of the International Society of Sport Nutrition, a Senior Associate Editor for the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, and editorial board member or reviewer for 10 Journals. Colin’s professional and personal interests include the effects resistance training and sport nutrition on health, body composition, and performance.

Board Member, Paul Comfort, PhD, CSCS,*D

Dr. Comfort is a Reader in Strength and Conditioning and program leader for the MSc Strength and Conditioning at the University of Salford. He is also an adjunct professor at Edith Cowan University. Dr. Comfort has applied experience across a range of sports and consults with numerous professional and semi-professional sports teams, which he has undertaken throughout his approximately 20-year academic career. He is a founder member and accredited member with the United Kingdom Strength and Conditioning Association, has been a member of the NSCA for nearly 20 years, and is a CSCS,*D. He is a senior associate editor for the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research and associate editor for the European Journal of Sport Science and Sports Biomechanics. Dr. Comfort has co-authored more than 150 peerreviewed journal articles, along with numerous book chapters, and is co-editor of the textbooks Advanced Strength and Conditioning: An Evidence Based Approach and Performance Assessment for Strength and Conditioning.

Educational/Institutional Strength and Conditioning Professional, Robert Alejo, CSCS,*D, RSCC*E

Mr. Alejo is the Senior Associate Athletic Director for Performance and Student-Athlete Welfare at CSU Northridge. He was previously the Director of Sports Science for Power Lift. 2011-2017: Assistant AD/Director of Strength and Conditioning, NC State, overseeing the strength and conditioning for the entire athletic department, while coordinating the day-to-day efforts of the men's basketball team. During that time, the Wolfpack men’s basketball team earned two trips to the Sweet Sixteen in four NCAA Tournament appearances. 1993-2001 and 2009-2011: Director of Strength and Conditioning, Oakland Athletics, which included the “Moneyball” period. During those 12 years, he was responsible for all aspects of the organization's year-round physical preparation at both the MLB and minor league levels. 2010 Season: Strength and Conditioning Consultant, San Jose, Earthquakes. 2005-2008: Director of Strength and Conditioning, UC Santa Barbara. 2017-present and 2001-2005: Alejo Athletic Performance Consulting.1984-1993: Assistant, Associate Head, Head Administrator/Strength and Conditioning, UCLA, working with 23 men's and women's teams. During that time, the Bruins racked up 25 national championships and produced more than 100 AllAmericans. 1982-1984: Program Coordinator/ Strength and Conditioning Coordinator, Sports Medicine and Training Center, Chico, CA. Also, the Head Strength and Conditioning Coach for CSU Chico Football, 1983- 84. U.S. Olympic Team: 2008 Beijing and 2012 London as strength and conditioning coach for men’s beach volleyball team Todd Rogers/Phil Dalhausser. 2007 World Champions, 2008 Olympic Gold. In addition to CSCS,*D and RSCC*E, he is ASCA Level 2 certified (Australian Strength and Conditioning Association).

Personal Trainer Member, Bret Contreras, PhD, CSCS,*D

Bret Contreras has a PhD in Sports Science from Auckland University of Technology and is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist® with Distinction (CSCS,*D®) from the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). He invented the barbell hip thrust; patented the Hip Thruster; created the Glute Loop and BC T-Bell; founded Glute Lab (a San Diego-based gym), BC Strength, and Booty by Bret; authored Bodyweight Strength Training Anatomy; and co-authored Strong Curves and Glute Lab. Contreras’ primary research interests involve the gluteal muscles, resistance training biomechanics, and the functional transfer from resisted exercise to performance. Contreras is an international lecturer and author of over 50 peer-reviewed articles in strength and conditioning.

Public Member, Kacie Wallace, JD, LLM

Kacie Wallace joined the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee as the Athlete Ombudsman in January 2015. She serves as an independent adviser to athletes regarding their rights and responsibilities under national and international rules in the Olympic and Paralympic Movement. She also works with athletes to help resolve disputes and as a liaison between athletes, National Governing Bodies, the USOPC, and other stakeholders. Kacie earned a B.A. in art-design from Duke University, a law degree from North Carolina Central University, a master of laws in dispute resolution from Pepperdine University, and a certificate in documentary studies from Duke University. Kacie spent the previous decade teaching negotiation, mediation and international conflict management at Duke University, the University of North Carolina and through Rotary International. She also taught courses at Duke University that examined global conflict through the lens of documentary film and how film can be used as a persuasion tool. She partnered with experts in the video gaming industry and won a $250,000 digital innovation award from the MacArthur Foundation to build virtual training environments for NGOs, governments and other agencies to simulate coordination efforts necessary to address relief needs following large scale natural disasters. She also has designed exhibits for a children’s museum and taught art therapy in a state psychiatric institute. She was a swimmer through university, has competed in international open water competitions, and now competes in long distance races for the YOLOboard standup paddle team. She has paddled in the standup paddle World Championships across the Molokai Channel in Hawaii, around islands in Hong Kong, down the Tennessee River, and 304.6 miles up the coast of North Carolina from South Carolina to Virginia. She is married to Richard Stockmans and lives in Colorado Springs.

Sports Medicine Professional, Sally Paulson, PhD, ATC, CSCS,*D

Dr. Paulson earned her PhD from the University of Arkansas in Kinesiology. She has been a certified athletic trainer and strength and conditioning specialist for over 20 years. As an active professional member of the NSCA, she has attended the National Conference and presented research via a poster or podium presentation annually since 2006. Dr. Paulson is also an engaged member of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association and Gerontological Society of America.  While her expertise lies in the areas of biomechanics and athletic training, Dr. Paulson also teaches courses in health and wellness, research design, and stress management. Her research interests include gait analysis, functional fitness of aging adults, impact of wellness programs on health and fitness measures of employees, and acute biomechanical responses to exercise training and footwear. Her research has been published in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, Journal of Aging and Physical Activity, BMC Geriatrics, Journal of Geriatric Physical Therapy, and the International Journal of Sports Medicine. Dr. Paulson also has extensive experience mentoring undergraduate student research in areas such as biomechanics, functional fitness, and physical activity intervention programs. Additionally, she has served as a reviewer for numerous journals, such as Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, and as a member of the NSCA’s Women’s Committee.