ASPDA StaffExecutive Director:
Amy Freel is the Executive Director of the American Sports and Performance Dietitians Association. Amy was a founding member of ASPDA in 2010 and served on the Executive Board for four years. During her time on the Board, Amy worked as the Annual Conference Chair. She was awarded the ASPDA Excellence Award in 2016. During her time on the Executive Board, Amy was the first registered dietitian to serve as an Ad Hoc member of the NCAA Committee on Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sports (CSMAS) for two years. Amy spent six years at Indiana University (IU) developing a comprehensive nutrition program to improve IU student-athletes' training, performance, and recovery. She was promoted to Senior Assistant Athletic Director for Sport Medicine and Sport Performance in May 2014 and oversaw sports medicine, sports nutrition, and sport psychology services for all Hoosier athletes. Before her time at IU, she built the same program at Virginia Tech from 2002-2010. Amy was the fifth full-time Sports RD in collegiate athletics and has been passionate about creating full-time Sports RD positions in college and professional programs. She received her undergraduate and graduate degrees from Ball State University, where she competed in intercollegiate gymnastics for four years. Amy and her husband, Mike, have four children, Ben, Matt, Ashley, and Luke. Chief Operations Officer:
Kim Byer is the Chief Operations Officer of the American Sports and Performance Dietitians Association and was previously the Director of Marketing and Membership. She focuses on elevating ASPDA’s brand awareness, member engagement, and partnership opportunities. Kim spent three years at Florida State University’s (FSU) Donald L. Tucker Civic Center, working for Spectra Venue Management. She began her career as the Group Sales & Premium Services Manager, then later transitioned into the marketing department, and was ultimately promoted to Director of Marketing for the facility. While at FSU, she planned and negotiated all paid media for the venue and its events, managed the website, social media platforms and email communications, and implemented sponsorship agreements and assets. Kim received her undergraduate degree in Business Administration with a concentration in sports management from The College of Saint Rose in Albany, NY. During her four undergraduate years, she was a member of the women’s soccer program, going on to captain and win an NCAA Division II National Championship her senior year. She stayed at the college to complete her Master’s Degree in Business while continuing with the women’s soccer program as an Assistant Coach for two seasons. Kim resides outside Phoenix, AZ, with her husband, Nick, and son, Weston. Conference Planning Manager:
Annie Hogan Lowry is the Events & Education Coordinator of the American Sports and Performance Dietitians Association. She is also a Registered Dietitian and has been a member of ASPDA since 2013. She is originally from Clarksville, TN. She received her undergraduate degree from Western Kentucky University. She attended Indiana State University, where she earned her master’s degree in applied health science and completed the coordinated program in dietetics. Annie worked at the University of Tennessee and was the Director of Sports Nutrition at Baylor University and the University of Tulsa. After leaving college athletics to focus on her two young sons, Annie was the Director of Collegiate Sales for Momentous for over two and a half years. She resides in Murfreesboro, TN, with her husband Calvin, her two sons, Deuce and Klay, and her two dogs, Boss and Blue. Marketing Manager:
Allison Hamilton is the Marketing & Digital Content Creator of the American Sports and Performance Dietitians Association. She previously worked in marketing for a commercial HVAC manufacturing rep. Allison specializes in video and digital marketing and is passionate about creative storytelling. Allison received her undergraduate degree in mass communications from Emory & Henry College, where she produced a student documentary focusing on a study abroad trip to Cuba. She is originally from Roanoke, Virginia and currently lives in North Carolina. She enjoys reading, adventuring, and spending time with her husband, Jake, and their dog, Charlie.
Member Service Manager:
Michele Nichols is the Member Service Manager of the American Sports and Performance Dietitians Association. Michele began her career with the NFL Players Association in Washington, DC. After moving to Pittsburgh, PA, Michele focused her career and education on physical activity and health programming. In 2009, she began volunteering with Pittsburgh Three Rivers Marathon, Inc. (P3R), which led her to become P3R’s youth programming manager. Over the next decade, she developed and managed P3R’s Kids of STEEL program, which promoted physical activity and nutrition among youth. During her time with the program, Kids of STEEL was honored as the 2015 Youth Program of the Year by Running USA. Michele received her undergraduate degree in sports behavior from West Virginia University and her graduate degree in health programming and promotion from the University of Pittsburgh. She lives near Pittsburgh with her family and enjoys yoga, reading, and a great cup of coffee. Sports Nutrition Immersion Program (SNIP) Manager:
Beth is a Registered Dietitian and earned a Master of Science degree in nutrition from the University of Utah and received her undergraduate degree in exercise science from Northeastern University. She is a Board-certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics (CSSD) and a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS). She has worked in the sports nutrition and wellness field for over 25 years around the United States, England, and Australia. Beth loves outdoor activities, traveling with her family, participating in triathlons, fresh hot bread, roasted Brussels sprouts, good coffee, and chocolate.
Allison Mankowski is the Coordinator of the Sports Nutrition Immersion Program (SNIP). She was the Performance Dietitian for Eastern Michigan University from 2011-2022, where she spent 11 years developing the performance nutrition department, and was the first full-time performance dietitian for the Mid-American Conference. She is currently the owner of a nutrition counseling practice specializing in treating athletes with eating disorders. Allison served as a consultant dietitian for the Detroit Lions and many local gyms, clubs, high schools, and universities. Allison is a recurring guest lecturer for the University of Michigan Medical School, School of Kinesiology, and School of Public Health. She served on the ASPDA Conference Planning Committee from 2021-2024.
Allison receivedd her undergraduate degree in movement science at the University of Michigan, where she was a 4-year member of the varsity cheerleading team. She received her Master of Public Health degree in Human Nutrition/Dietetics and completed her dietetic internship at the University of Michigan’s School of Public Health. Allison resides near Detroit, MI, with her husband and two kids. In her free time, she enjoys spending time outdoors and attending sporting events with her family. As a lifelong athlete, she continues to stay active in biking, running, yoga, hiking, and serves as the director for a youth cheerleading program. |
