November 28, 2005 - From Press Release
LOS ANGELES - Jake Steinfeld, founder of “Body by Jake,” was named today to chair the California Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports.
Olympic gold medalist Peter Vidmar was also named vice chairman of the Council. Steinfeld and Vidmar join other California sport celebrities and legends on the Council, including Tony Hawk, Serena Williams, Michelle Kwan, and John Wooden. Governor Schwarzenegger serves as honorary Council chairman.
“When we looked at who could best lead our effort to make California the nation’s fitness state, we concluded there’s no better person than Jake,” Schwarzenegger said, “Jake is a worldwide icon in the fitness industry and his energy and ‘don’t-quit’ attitude will be an inspiration for all Californians.”
“Being named Council chairman is an incredible honor,” said Steinfeld. “I’m looking forward to working with the great group that has been assembled to shine a light on the remarkable things everyday Californians are doing to promote physical activity in their schools and communities. I can’t wait to highlight the heroes and spread their stories throughout the state.”
Steinfeld and Vidmar were named to the Council by Board Chairman Austin Beutner, president and co-chief executive officer of Evercore Partners. “Jake and Peter have great enthusiasm for getting Californians more active and we’re thrilled they’ll be joining our leadership team” said Beutner.
Steinfeld, chairman of Body by Jake Global is a worldwide leader in the fitness field. A best-selling author, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, Steinfeld is responsible for creating FiT TV, Major League Lacrosse and Exercise TV.
In 1998, Steinfeld founded the Don’t Quit Foundation to support and educate adolescents about the value of physical fitness. To date, the foundation has established 28 new fitness centers in inner-city middle schools and high schools, and plans are underway for an additional two in California.
Vidmar is the highest scoring American gymnast in Olympic history. The winner of several national and international titles, Vidmar was captain of the 1984 U.S. Olympic Gymnastics Team that upset the defending world champions, the People's Republic of China. Vidmar has served on the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, the President's Council on Physical Fitness & Sports, the Executive Board of the United States Olympic Committee and the Executive Committee of USA Gymnastics.
About the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports: The Council’s mission is to establish California as the nation’s first “Fitness State” and to encourage all Californians to set—and commit to achieve—their personal exercise and fitness goals. The Council challenges Californians to be physically active at least three days a week. Californians can sign up for an activity challenge at www.CalGovCouncil.org. Individuals who succeed in meeting a four-week activity challenge are eligible to receive rewards from the Governor’s Council.
The Council was created as a non-partisan, non-profit organization and has received generous support from American Media, Inc., Applied Materials, Inc., The Blue Cross of California Foundation, Kaiser Permanente and Pfizer.
For more information about the California Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, please go to www.CalGovCouncil.org.
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