ASMBS Staff
A message from our Executive Director
The ASMBS’s culture is built on our commitment to our mission to improve public health and well being by lessening the burden of the disease of obesity and related diseases throughout the world and guided by our office’s core values (People, Service, and Integrity).
People
We are steadfast in supporting talented, dedicated staff with a “can-do” attitude and fostering a collaborative and mutually supportive environment. We respect and encourage our staff’s ideas and diversity.
Service
We are devoted to responding to the needs of our leadership, membership and the community while continually seeking better ways to deliver and communicate our services.
Integrity
We maintain our commitment to acting ethically and with integrity in all that we do and say.
The ASMBS is comprised of a talented team of individuals that work together with an amazing synergy and we want our membership, patients and colleagues to know that the ASMBS team is working for them! Please read below to learn more about the people working for you.
Our Team
Kristie Kaufman
Director of Operations, ASMBS Education
With ASMBS Since: July 2001
Primary role at ASMBS: Director of Operations & Personnel Management. Kristie has a hands on role in meeting planning, education and communication.
Kristie is an Indiana native who relocated to Florida. She comes to ASMBS with a background in banking, real estate and office management.
Jennifer Wynn
Deputy Executive Director
With ASMBS Since: February 2009
Primary role at ASMBS: Provides support to the Integrated Health Executive Council.
Jennifer was previously employed as a licensed real estate assistant specializing in new construction. She came to the ASMBS with experience in marketing, customer service and management.
Kim Carmichael
Financial Manager
With ASMBS Since: September 2006
Primary role at ASMBS: Financial management for ASMBS.
Kim previously managed the tax and audit filings for a student housing company that owns and manages more than 10,000 apartments in the state of Florida. Prior to that position, Kim worked in the public accounting field for 15 years.
James Osterhout
Director of Information Technology
With ASMBS Since: February 2011
Primary role at ASMBS: Information technology systems administration and support, web and database project management and software development
Before joining the staff at ASMBS, James worked at the College of Education at the University of Florida and the Clinical Trials Coordination Center at the University of Rochester Medical Center. His experience includes building an online professional education portal, a structured curriculum builder web application for STEM based subject matter experts, assisted in large scale website content migrations and the analysis of global-scale clinical databases.
Max McMahon
Creative & Software Development Manager
With ASMBS Since: February 2017
Primary role at ASMBS: Software development
Max graduated from the University of Central Florida with a degree in Information Technology. He previously worked as an Android app developer for Pasco County Schools and a Department of Defense client.
Reba Liddy Hernandez
Communications Coordinator
Staff liaison to: Communications, Public Education, Obesity Prevention, IH Support Group and IH Communications Committees
With ASMBS Since: January 2016
Primary role at ASMBS: Membership communications, digital marketing and event promotion.
Reba graduated from the University of Florida where she double majored in psychology and public relations with a minor sports management. Reba came to ASMBS with experience in marketing and public relations.
Vanessa Govindan
Graphic Designer
With ASMBS Since: January 2018
Primary role at ASMBS: Graphic design
Vanessa earned her Bachelor of Science in Graphic Design from West Liberty University. A West Virginia Native by way of California. Her previous work includes over 8 years of graphic design/ marketing for high end hospitality in Southern California.
Meghan Johnson
CPD Compliance and Grants Manager
With ASMBS Since: May 2018
Primary role at ASMBS: CME compliance, abstract systems management, grant submissions and committee liaison.
Meghan graduated from the University of Central Florida with a degree in Elementary Education. She has previous experience as an Elementary School Teacher and a Community Association Manager.
Amie Buehler
Program Manager
Staff liaison to: Corporate Council, Program Committee, IH Program Committee and Foregut Committee
With ASMBS Since: May 2016
Primary role at ASMBS: Provide support to the Program Committees and Corporate Council.
Amie earned her Applied Physiology and Kinesiology with specialization in Fitness and Wellness degree from the University of Florida. She has 9 years of various retail and customer service experience.
Karen Loerzel
Meetings Manager
With ASMBS Since: March 2018
Primary role at ASMBS: Meeting logistics, meeting planning
Karen is a Certified Meeting Planner (CMP) with previous experience in Corporate Training and Development and Business Development. She earned her master’s degree in Instructional Systems for Distance Learning from Florida State University.
Leslie Vinson
State Chapters Manager
Staff liaison to: Access To Care, State & Local Chapters, Quality Improvement & Patient Safety, Insurance, Emerging Technology & Procedures, Military Committees, and ObesityPAC
With ASMBS Since: May 2015
Primary role at ASMBS: Management of ASMBS State Chapters
Leslie graduated from Kent State University in Ohio, and then worked for Turner Broadcasting in Atlanta as a Business Analyst, Technical Writer and Support Center Manager. She then spent five years managing an all natural pet shop in Mississippi and a pet boutique in New Orleans, before arriving at ASMBS.
Chantelle Morgan
Surgeon Membership and IH Membership Manager
With ASMBS Since: September 2017
Primary role at ASMBS: Staff Liaison to Membership, IH Membership, Video/Archive on Audio-Visual History, International Development Committees
Chantelle graduated from the University of Florida with her Bachelors Degree in Public Relations. She has previous experience with working with nonprofit organizations.
McKenzie O’Leary
Executive Coordinator to Integrated Health Leadership & CBN Program Staff Coordinator
With ASMBS Since: February 2017
Primary role at ASMBS: Research, Flexible Endoscopy, and IH CBN Certification Committees
Born and raised in Oregon, McKenzie relocated to Florida after she received her degree in Public Health with an option in Healthcare Management and Policy.