Pete
Bazzel
Partner and
Chief of Operations
 Pete
Bazzel served
24 years in
the Army, retiring as a Colonel, and 11 years in the fitness industry
as an
executive for Town Sports International, prior to assuming his current
position
as a Partner with the American Academy of Health and Fitness. His
educational
background includes an undergraduate degree from the United States
Military
Academy, a Master in Industrial Relations from Purdue University and
graduation
from the National War College (a 10-month executive development program
equivalent to a Master of Arts in International Affairs). His
professional
achievements also include certifications as an American Council on
Exercise
Certified Personal Trainer and a World Tae Kwon Do Federation Black
Belt. His
military decorations include the Defense
Superior
Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, two
Meritorious
Service Medals, four Army Commendation Medals, Army Achievement Medal
and two Joint Meritorious Unit Citations. He was also selected
as an Outstanding Young Man of America by U.S. Jaycees in recognition
of outstanding professional achievement, superior leadership ability
and
exceptional service to the community.
Outside personal interests include exercise, reading and automobiles.
And, of most importance to him are his three daughters, two
granddaughters and three grandsons.
|
More...
While a
military officer, he led organizations ranging in size from 150
to 1,300 soldiers, excelling in optimizing unit effectiveness and
setting standards for individual skills proficiency and physical
fitness, as well as mission performance in peacetime and war. He
directed the development and teaching of the senior level
Organizational Behavior/Leadership core course presented to all
students attending the United States Military Academy at West Point. He
was a contributing editor to Leadership
in Organizations, the
Academy's Leadership course textbook. Serving in the Pentagon
as Chief, Support Branch, National Military Command System, Joint
Staff, he executed the primary staffing functions (personnel
management, facilities maintenance and communications systems
management) for an organization comprised of 250 senior military
officers responsible for the "nuclear watch" maintained during the Cold
War period. He downsized the
organization from five to three divisions, reducing manpower
requirements by ten percent; created a performance feedback scheme
supporting the professional development needs of all the Military
Services; and, planned and implemented the program management of 14
construction projects, renovating the National Military Command Center
at a cost of $3.8 million with no overruns. Then, as Chief of the
Foreign Nations Branch, Counter–Narcotics Division, Joint
Staff, he coordinated the planning and execution of United States
military worldwide counter–drug operations. He was also the
military briefer to foreign dignitaries at the presidential and cabinet
levels. Additionally, he was a contributing author to the National
Military Counter-Drug Strategy—the document that
guided the doubling of the military's commitment to reducing
the flow of illegal drugs into the United States. He completed his
military career as the Department of Defense Liaison to the Executive
Office of the President. There he articulated Office of the Secretary
of Defense political and operational positions in internationally
sensitive counter-drug-related planning involving
the National Security Council, Department of Defense, Drug Enforcement
Administration, U.S. Customs Service, Joint Staff and Military
Departments. He promoted a cooperative, interactive approach to
interagency coordination and teamwork in a sometimes parochial,
contentious and turf-riented environment.
Transitioning
to the private sector, he led the Washington, D.C.
regional growth of Town Sports International from five to 17 health
clubs with over 29,000 members generating $27.5 million in annual
revenue. In a dynamic 11-year career, he directed the establishment of
the brand reputation of Washington Sports Clubs as the premier health
club organization in the Washington D.C. area. Recognized as
well maintained, extremely clean and friendly, this network of clubs
was voted "Best Health Clubs" by Washingtonian
Magazine readers.
Currently, as
partner with the American Academy of Health and Fitness,
he ensures the success of this organization whose overall goal is to
instill quality of life through the gamut of aging. Missions are:
(1) Through correspondence course, workshops and website, provide
advanced
training and education for Certified Personal Trainers and Athletic
Trainers who are committed to safe and effective programs for youth and
older adults. (2) Link the fitness and medical
communities’
proactive health efforts via a lifestyle change program for
physicians’ patients. And, (3) Provide easily accessible,
relevant on-line training for Certified Nurses Assistances/Aides that
focuses on increasing the functionality of nursing home residents. With
business partner, he has developed four educational programs: JrFit™, SrFit™, Move More, Eat Better
– YOU Matter!™, and Functionally Fit™. |
