SCROLL DOWN FOR BIOS SCOTT NEWMAN VINCE PEREZ KRISTINA FOLLMAR DON SCHAEFER CHRISTINE TIMBERLAKE
Scott C. Newman President	SCOTT C. NEWMAN President and founder of Rock Steady Boxing Foundation. Diagnosed at age 40 with Parkinson’s Disease, Newman also founded a non-profit corporation, Young Parkinson’s of Indiana, which continues today to offer support and assistance to younger people diagnosed with this presently incurable, degenerative disease. Newman helped conceive the idea of Rock Steady Boxing, inspired by his personal experience of rolling back the ravages of the disease by lacing up his first pair of boxing gloves at age 43, and learning to fight his way out of the corner. Recently, Newman was appointed Public Safety Director for the city of Indianapolis/Marion County. He also co-founded and previously served as President & CEO of Strand Analytical Laboratories, LLC, a growing DNA testing laboratory. Before founding Strand Laboratories, Newman served as an Assistant United States Attorney, was elected the district attorney for Indianapolis/Marion County in 1994, and was re-elected in 1998. Newman is a 1982 summa cum laude graduate of Princeton University, and a 1985 magna cum laude graduate of the University of Michigan Law School.
Vincent Perez Vice President	VINCENT PEREZ RSB Vice-President and co-founder. Currently serves as Senior Vice President and General Counsel of Forensic ID, a DNA device company he founded.  Before starting Forensic ID, he was the General Counsel for Strand Analytical Laboratories. Prior to attending law school at George Mason School of Law, Perez was a Police Officer is Omaha, Nebraska, combating gang violence as a part of a federally funded special gang unit. He also became involved in amateur boxing, winning the district Golden Gloves tournament in 1996.   Somewhat unwittingly, Perez first took on Parkinson’s Disease when he sought to motivate his friend, Scott Newman, then suffering deterioration from the effects of the disease. Perez’s instinct to keep Newman punching became the germination of the Rock Steady Boxing idea—an idea that is just now beginning to find support in Parkinson’s research. His two young daughters, Gabrielle (11), and Colette (8), completed the Rock Steady idea when they began to express their desire to follow in their father’s footwork, by learning to box.
Kristina Rose Follmar, CPT Executive Director/Certified Trainer	KRISTINA ROSE FOLLMAR RSB Executive Director.  Follmar is a 2003 graduate of Ball State University, with a degree in Telecommunications/Marketing and Sociology.  After working as a production assistant for the Indianapolis affiliate of Fox television (Fox59 Morning Show), Follmar worked in sales and marketing for an Indianapolis-based Emmy Award-winning video production and new media development firm.  Follmar began her boxing career as Indiana Golden Gloves Women’s Champ (1999, 2000) then went on to become world-ranked professional boxer becoming the first ever Women’s Indiana State Champion and NABC Featherweight and Super Featherweight Champion (2002, 2003).  In 2009, Follmar returned to the ring after four year layoff to win the WBF Light Welterweight World Championship over Eva Young Jones.  She lost a split decision to Mary McGee for the WBO World Title, which will be remembered as one of the best women's professional boxing match ups in the sport's history. With several nationally televised bouts to her credit, Follmar retired from competition in 2010 with a 16-2 record (9KO) to focus on her professional career and motherhood.  Follmar feels proud of the part she was able to play in creating a more positive perception of women in professional boxing, and grateful for the confidence and discipline she gained in all aspects of her life.  Follmar is a Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) through the National Association of Sports Medicine.  She views Rock Steady as an opportunity to bring her ring experience, certifiable knowledge of physical conditioning and formal education in communications and marketing to the task of running a successful foundation that builds capacity among women, while helping those suffering from Parkinson’s to move forward with a stronger body and mind.
Don Schaefer Director of Membership Relations/Assistant Trainer	DON SCHAEFER    Don was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease at age 63.  In October of 2006, he heard about the formation of Rock Steady Boxing and made contact with Scott Newman.  He began attending classes immediately and soon became known as “Dufe.”  Over time he became an assistant to Kristy Follmar and assumed an active role as both a participant and coach in the non-contact, fitness based boxer’s training program offered to people with Parkinson’s disease (PWPs).  As he approaches his 67th birthday, Don is now 1st aid and CPR certified and an Indiana licensed boxing 2nd. He has studied with a certified functional fitness trainer and a degreed and licensed medical professional on how to conduct and manage exercise classes specially designed for PWPs.  Dufe says, “Working-out with PWPs at Rock steady has been the most humbling yet rewarding experience of my life!  From them I have learned so much about the need to be considerate of others, the value of being with others similarly situated, and the importance of careful guidance, good council and trust.”  Don is a member of Church of the Nativity, Young Parkinson’s of Indiana (YPI), and the Indiana Parkinson’s Disease Center (IPDC).  He enjoys time with Helen - his wife of 45 years, his five daughters and four grandchildren.
Christine Timberlake, CPT Certified Instructor	CHRISTINE TIMBERLAKE   Christine has been with Rock Steady since 2006. Her husband, Tom, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2000.  Exercise has always been a constant in both Tom and Christine’s lives and they have often been considered Rock Steady’s Star Athletes in both the Parkinson’s and Women’s Boxing classes!  Christine’s desire to become more involved with Rock Steady derives from the instinct to protect her husband.  She has been Tom’s caretaker for over ten years and understands all too well the needs of people struggling with Parkinson’s.  In addition to being a phenomenal athlete and boxer, Christine is an experienced lifeguard, swimming and aerobics instructor.  In 2009, she completed a Personal Training Certification (CPT) with the National Academy of Sports Medicine to take on a more serious role with Rock Steady.  A third generation artist (Degree in Fine Arts - Herron School of Art and Design) and jewelry designer by trade, Christine has made many custom-designed Rock Steady jewelry pieces which are worn proudly by friends and family of the gym.  She is now instructing Parkinson’s classes on a daily basis and assists regularly with networking opportunities.   Her affiliation with Rock Steady has brought new energy into the group and we are grateful for her determination to fight back.