SpoFit Staff 

Amber Blanchard  (AmberB@abil.org)

Manager

Amber has designed and implemented therapeutic recreation and fitness programs for people with disabilities for the past twelve years. She joins the ABIL staff after serving as a Therapeutic Recreation Program Coordinator at The Bend Park and Recreation District in Bend, Oregon, and program director/ board member at Oregon Adaptive Sports.

Amber resides with her family in Mesa. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Therapeutic Recreation from the University of Arkansas. She is a current member of Arizona Therapeutic Recreation Association and has been Nationally Certified in Therapeutic Recreation for over a decade.

Gabe Gerbic  (GabeG@abil.org)

Fitness Cordinator

Gabe is an accomplished fitness trainer and educator with over 15 years of experience in the field of fitness and nutrition. At Arizona State University, he earned a B.S. in Exercise Science/Exercise Physiology and a Masters in Physical Education with an emphasis in exercise physiology. In 2001, Gabe started a fitness and nutrition company in which he not only trained everyday athletes, but also elite and paralympic athletes. He has instructed kinesiology and nutrition classes at ASU, and holds multiple certifications which include:

National Strength and Conditioning Association - Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist

American Council on Exercise - Certified Personal Trainer

International Sport Sciences Association - Certified Sports Nutritionist

International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry – Level 1 Certified

Gabe is a member of National Intramural Recreational Sports Association, National Strength and Conditioning Association, International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry, American Council on Exercise, and National Spinal Cord Injury Association.

Jessica Amato, CTRS (jessicaa@abil.org)

Recreation Therapist

Jessica graduated from Arizona State University with a Bachelors degree in Recreation Management with an emphasis in Therapeutic Recreation and minored in Family and Human Development.

 She has been certified for four years, specializing with children and young adults with a variety of disabilities to improve and maintain their quality of life through sports and recreation. Jessica has developed and worked with programs enabling individuals with disabilities the opportunities for increased leisure awareness, recreation participation, skill enhancement, socialization, and independence.

Brienne McDowell (BrienneM@abil.org)

Membership Coordinator

Brienne has been working in the recreational market for nearly 8 years.  She earned her bachelors degree in Parks & Recreation at the Northern Arizona University, with a minor in Psychology. She has a strong aquatics background where she became certified as a lifeguard trainer as well as a CPR/First Aid Instructor through the Health and Safety Institute. Brienne has worked in wide variety of recreation programs including overnight summer camps, day camps, preschool, aquatics, and fitness centers.

Keren Israel (kerenI@abil.org)

Reception & Registration Specialist

Keren recently graduated from the Arizona State University with a dual degree in Special Education and Early Elementary Education. She has over 10 years of experience working with people with disabilities.

Keren has been involved in athletics since elementary school. She was a gymnast for 8 years and played hockey for 2 years. Keren is currently training for her first half marathon.

Tony Jackson (TonyJ@abil.org)

Reception & Registration Specialist

Tony is a graduate of Arizona State University where he received his Master’s degree in German Studies in December 2010.  In addition, he plays power soccer and is a member of the ASU Sun Devils power soccer team.

Rusty Hale

Building Maintenance Supervisor

Rusty has been in the building service industry for over 15 years.  As Director of Operations he has managed over 450 buildings, 1500 employees and over $45 million per year in facility services. Previously he has won awards for being the cleanest facilities in the nation. This includes the prestigious BOMA TOBY Award and, “Catch Publishing” rated the stadium he managed an, “A+ Stadium” and one of the cleanest in the nation.