Team
TEAM
John Friess – Co-Founder & CEO
John is focused on the process of founding and building the marketability, viability and exit ability of idea and emerging stage companies. The current company that he and his co-founding team are building towards a positive exit is journey gym, which was founded in 2008 and which has invented the world’s first truly portable universal gym. journey gym markets their patented compact portable gym to hotel chains, fitness clubs, diet centers, corporate offices and consumers as the laptop of personal fitness, allowing for everyone to fit in a little bit workout wherever they are whenever they can.
Before co-founding journey gym, he co-founded wired.MD in 2000 with his brother Mark Friess, which is a leading health education company who creates and delivers patient and consumer health education videos via the company’s SaaS product, via health portals, EMR/EHRs, CCTV and DVD to over 1000 hospitals, practices and corporations throughout the globe. The company was taken from concept to completion through being acquired and fully integrated in 2008 into the industry leading patient education company, MediMedia Corporation, for 2.5 times the funds invested in the company.
Also in 2000 John co-founded, sits on the board of, and is the Executive Director of Starve Ups, an exclusive grass roots entrepreneurial organization only for founders of early stage start ups in Oregon and Washington driving the movement of “peer mentoring” as the missing link in successful start ups. Starve Ups in the last decade has an 85% survival/success rate amongst its 59 membership companies, has raised $291M in funding amongst membership companies, has had 6 membership companies acquired, 1 membership company who went IPO, and 3 Inc. 500 companies within it. John previously also served on the board of directors of the Oregon Entrepreneurs Network, Oregon’s largest entrepreneurial network, for a stint of 2 years.
Before this John was a Marketing Agent who helped with the launch of Kozmo.com, a venture backed online convenience delivery service for food and household goods with operations in 11 major metropolitan markets, for both the Portland and Los Angeles markets. The lessons learned from being a part of one of the largest financially backed start ups of all time, with $250M invested in Kozmo, helped shape his thoughts on equity funding, brand building, organic growth and start up best practices going forward. A graduate of the University of Oregon, John received a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration.
Perry Gruber – COO
Perry Gruber comes to journey gym as its COO after a long career spanning three sectors. Prior to coming to journey gym, Perry founded two small companies of his own while exploring his entrepreneurial interests. One was a public speaking practice, which garnered him a number of awards and recognitions, another was NedWater, a socially responsible office water delivery company located in Portland, Oregon.
Prior to becoming an entrepreneur, Perry worked at Intel corporation for eight years working in various public affairs roles. He helped Intel Oregon manufacturing expand in ways that included and addressed issues and concerns of Oregon communities adjacent to Intel's expansion, managed internal programs supporting Intel culture, represented Intel's interests on local non-profit boards of directors, managed relationships with key external stakeholders and communities in Oregon and managed a variety of functions that ensured Intel's contribution to Oregon aligned with the company's commitment to giving back to communities worldwide. Perry's highlight at Intel corporation was running a small, global CSR team for four years that worked with nonprofit organizations to find ways technology could increase nonprofit operational efficiency and effectiveness.
Prior to working at Intel, Perry held staff positions for nine years at the Bonneville Power Administration where he served the agency in public affairs and media relations across the Northwest. Highlights of his time at BPA included being the youngest media spokesperson for the agency and presiding over that role during the Y2K rollover, the deregulation of the US energy industry and the topsy-turvy fallout of that policy, including the failure of Enron.
Before joining BPA Perry served his country for nine years as a United States Marine. While in the Marines, he served as a combat correspondent, photojournalist and newspaper editor. Thankful for having never seen actual combat, his military service included many highlights for him personally, including serving as the assistant editor of an award-winning Marine Corps news paper in Okinawa Japan, managing a production factory for the newspaper, and serving as a media spokesperson for the Marine Corps during Desert Storm.
An MBA graduate from George Fox University, Perry also earned a BA in Management and Organizational Leadership from the same university. He lives in Portland, Oregon.
Scott Robinson – CFO
Bio coming soon.
Lindsey Hinrichs – Content & Marketing Director
Lindsey manages the content creation and the marketing of journey gym as a company and as a brand. Lindsey has been managing content creation and production teams for nearly 15 years. Her tenure began with the world famous Jim Henson Studios in 1998, where she was introduced to the world of production and to the art of building world class teams to tackle massive content projects. From there Lindsey graduated to the role of Creative Services Manager for The Hallmark Channel where she began working on national television spots while managing creative control and brand consistency.
In 2001 Lindsey went onto the ultimate role, as Producer & Project Manager for Viewpoint Creative, one of the leading agencies in all of Massachusetts where her skills were consistently refined. There Lindsey worked on spots and projects for some of the most notable brands and shows in the industry including HGTV, adidas, SciFi Channel, HBO and others. She managed pre-production, production and post production on national television spots and web spots. Her 5 years there built a portfolio that is of the highest caliber.
Her most recent role was Head of Production for Sockeye Creative in Portland, Oregon where she again ran production and was a producer for one of the leading agencies in the city. It was there at Sockeye where Lindsey began working with some exciting start ups and companies in Oregon. She now joins the efforts of one of those companies, journey gym. Lindsey has a Bachelors of Art in Communications from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
Robin Descamp – Director of Business Development & In House Counsel
Robin DesCamp was born in Portland and attended University of Oregon for her undergraduate degree. She graduated from Northwestern School of Law at Lewis and Clark College in 1997 and has spent most of her career as in-house counsel advising manufacturing companies. Her specialty areas of practice include employment matters, intellectual property, marketing, commercial agreements, and compliance.
Robin advises the company on legal matters and various marketing and sales issues. In addition, she is working on development of the journey gym corporate wellness product and leading 70 day challenge members in their efforts to get fit.Robin advises the company on legal matters and various marketing and sales issues. In addition, she is working on development of the journey gym corporate wellness product and leading 70 day challenge members in their efforts to get fit.
Robin brings a passion for fitness and education to journey gym, as well as a first-hand knowledge of the challenges faced by working parents who struggle to make time for their fitness routines. Her dedication to helping people achieve success in their quest for health is inspired by her own journey to fitness.
Derek Shirk – Technology Director
Derek manages the online sites as well as the software applications and technology projects for journey gym. His process involves extensive information architecture, simple user interfaces and solid visual design. With these ingredients he makes beautiful, approachable and easy to use websites, blogs and software applications.
Derek has been the head of technology and project manager for start ups and has helped them go to market with their ecommerce platforms, digital marketing, PR campaigns and with their ongoing community building. Some of his more notable projects to date include when Derek made Oregon’s Aviation & Space Museum website more inviting and easy to navigate and when he built the online sales tool for the official fragrance of the world-famous Pendleton Round-Up.
Derek brings his skills and experience to journey gym and its customer and user base to help ensure that not only the journey gym online experience is excellent, but so that it is apart of the health and fitness solution the world needs. Derek is a graduate of the University of Oregon.
Cassie Eaton – Art Director
Cassie Eaton began her journey with the journey gym team in 2010 bringing with her over ten years of graphic design and marketing experience. Her expertise lies in the realm of print media/marketing design, corporate branding/promotion, and creating web graphics. After earning her BS degree in graphic design from The Art Institute of Portland, Cassie went on to become the Art Director of another local startup, wired.MD, designing all their promotional materials for both print and web. Designer by day and mommy by night, Cassie and her husband Sean are enjoying life with their budding 4yr old artist, Bella Rose.
Paul Biskar, MD – Medical Director
Dr. Paul Biskar graduated from medical school at Oregon Health Sciences University in Portland, Oregon in 1994. He then completed an internal medicine residency including a year as Chief Medicine Resident in Portland.
Dr. Biskar completed a fellowship in Medical Information Science at OHSU and then was invited to be an Associate Professor of Medicine, where he trained medical students and residents until moving with his family to the Coachella Valley to open his own private practice, Biskar Medical, which is a unique clinic practice with high levels of client care including phone and email consultations, same day visits and house calls. In his first year with his new practice Dr. Biskar worked at both Desert Regional Medical Center as well as at Eisenhower Medical Center as a hospitalist and continues a relationship with both hospitals today.
In parallel to his medical career Dr. Biskar has been an entrepreneur as well helping build wired.MD, Inc. as its Medical Director for the last 10 years. Dr. Biskar currently is also Medical Director of KramesStayWell and provides medical advice, oversight and direction.
STAR TRAINERS
Kim Lyons – Lead Trainer & journey gym Spokeswoman
With over ten years of experience as a personal trainer, Kim Lyons – former trainer on NBC’s hit show, The Biggest Loser and Dr Phil’s Ultimate Weighloss Challenge – has quickly become an icon in the health and fitness arena. Armed with a positive attitude and a winning smile, she has inspired a nation to achieve their goals of living a happy, healthy lifestyle.
With a unique combination of proper nutrition and effective exercise programs, Kim has helped inspire a nation to live a healthier lifestyle. Kim understands the psychological and practical barriers facing those starting a new activity program, and offers simple strategies to help anyone understand their potential from a physical, mental, and emotional perspective.
Glen Baggerly – Lead Trainer & journey gym Spokesman
At 30 years of age Glen decided to enlist in the Air Force where he accomplished what he feels is certainly his most significant accomplishment to date in his life. Glen successfully completed 2 years of straight trainings and became a Special Forces, Pararescueman or “PJ” for the most elite force in the Air Force. With only 500 PJ's in the world, the Training to qualify went from 80 the first day to 8 after 16 weeks. PJ’s are highly trained scuba divers, parachutists, and medical response soldiers whose motto is, “These things we do so that others may live.”
Upon completion of his term, and for the last 20 years, Glen has been a fitness model and actor and to date has been on and/or hosted over 40 commercials, infomercials, and films. His most notable role was Glen’s reign as the “Original Bowflex Guy" where all over the world his now famous line was, “Hey I’m 41 years old, and in the best shape of my life”.
Amy Jo Palmquest – Trainer & journey gym Spokeswoman
Amy Jo began her career as a student, studying Exercise Science and Nutrition, and for the last 7 years working with numerous clients from all walks of life, my aspiration to help people has intensified.
With experience working with athletes, pre/post natal and special needs populations. Amy Jo is qualified to customize programs tailored to meet all types of individual needs. Whether it is an old nagging knee injury, reaching tip top shape, or a chronic health problem. Amy Jo's philosophy is that with proper guidance, it can be overcome. Her ability to encourage, coach, and motivate is derived from the commitment she makes to clients to help them reach their goals. So make a decision to join Amy Jo and journey gym today; and begin to see the transformation.
Brad Bertoli – Trainer & journey gym Spokesman
Brad graduated from Oregon State University with a Bachelors of Science in Exercise and Sports Science. He has been a personal trainer for more than four years at Timberhill Athletic Club in Corvallis, Oregon and has also independently trained clients to help them meet their fitness and health goals for nearly a decade. Brad has also been an active fitness model for over three years and now joins journey gym in his efforts to help others on their health journey.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
John Friess – President
Bio above.
Jeffrey Greenfield – Member
Bio coming soon.
Joe Plastino – Member
Joe has a depth of experience in the health and fitness industry going back to the 1980s. Joe is a partner in Exit and also heads up the company’s affiliate office in the United States. Formerly, Joe was the Senior Vice President of the International Division at Precor where he founded that division and built it to $100M in annual revenue with nine subsidiary offices around the world. He also lived in Europe and served as the managing director for Precor’s UK and German offices.
Additionally, Joe worked extensively in the digital media sector, as the Senior Vice President and General Manager of ClubCom, at the time a Precor sister company and now a division of Zoom Media, one of the world’s leading placed-based media and advertising companies.
Today Joe works with clients in the fitness industry providing business strategy, global sales direction, international business development and business services. Exit is pleased to have someone of Joe's caliber on its senior team. He knows the business from every aspect and works well side by side with clients.
Perry Gruber – Member
Bio above.
Chris Gunson – Co-Founder & Member
Chris’ business life is centered on starting and building fitness and healthcare market companies that improve people’s lives. In addition to co-founding journey fitness, he founded Health Marketing Solutions which provides marketing, PR and medical education services to healthcare organization through the Northwest.
He is also co-founder of Central Oregon Sleep Disorders Centers, LLC which operates as a medical clinic providing sleep medicine diagnostics and treatment services in Bend and Central Oregon and is the process of expanding to the Washington and Idaho markets. Before this Chris co-founded Slimplicity Co. which provided biometric, metabolic and nutrition counseling services for corporate account employees and individual clients.
Chris graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Northwest Christian College.
Robert Montgomery – Co-Founder & Secretary
Robert is the Vice President of Operations and co-founder of journey fitness, which he co-founded in 2008. Prior to this Robert was a student garnering his undergraduate degree while in parallel serving as a Sergeant of the U.S. Army for 6 years.
Robert graduated with a Bachelors of Sciences in Psychology with a minor in Exercise Physiology from the University of Utah.
BOARD OF ADVISORS
Scott Currie – Mergers & Acquisitions Advisor
W. Scott Currie has a background combining investment banking experience with accounting expertise. Prior to forming Westport in 1993, Mr. Currie served as a senior member in the Investment Banking Group of Crowell, Weedon & Company, a regional firm based in Los Angeles, California. During his six years with the firm, he managed or participated in 15 successful middle‐market transactions. His practice included the negotiation and financing of leveraged acquisitions, the sale of closely held companies, the rendering of fairness opinions, and the valuation of public and private securities.
Scott began his career in the accounting profession, spending early years with Price Waterhouse and Arthur Andersen. Scott is a member of the Board of Directors of Taylor‐Dunn Corporation, a privately‐held manufacturer of electric industrial utility vehicles headquartered in Anaheim, California. He is a member of the Board of Directors and Chairman of the Finance Committee for Agate Resources, Inc., a provider of government‐reimbursed Medicare and Medicaid insurance products in the Pacific Northwest.
Scott is a graduate of the University of Southern California where he earned an MBA in 1987, and he is a graduate of the University of Florida where he earned a B.S. in Accountancy in 1980.
Bill Etheredge – Sales & Business Development Advisor
Bill has a 32 year track record of proven transferable skills in executive global sales and marketing management in varied high performance technology sectors. Responsibilities included developing and enabling product definition, product launch and distribution strategies with a primary focus on aggressive, profitable revenue and market share growth. Challenges ranged from the development of market and channel strategies for private early stage companies to the major revamping of strategies for underperforming Fortune 500’s, including seven successful turnaround/restructuring assignments. Overall management responsibilities have included revenues of $450M and headcount of 400+.
He has participated in eight acquisitions/mergers, an LBO, and as a principal in two successful early stage IPO’s, developing a broad experience base in both due diligence and interim transition management. Bill’s has played the role of VP of Sales, VP of Sales and Marketing and VP of Worldwide Sales for companies including Tektronix, XO Communications, Meridian Data and Memorex Telex Corp.
Richard Rosen – Marketing & Brand Advisor
Richard G. Rosen is founder, President, and CEO of ROSEN, a global consultancy firm that specializes in transforming marketing and advertising campaigns into cost-effective business models.
As the originator and chief architect of Convergence Marketing, he consults with recognized brand-name clients, and presents to business and academic forums throughout the world. His firm has received 28 Echo Awards, and Richard has received the Caples Organization’s Emerson Award and the first “B-to-B Marketer of the Year Award” by the International Direct Marketing Association.
Richard over the past three decades has run Alloy Red and Rosen Brown, both highly successful direct marketing agencies known globally consulting to and providing solutions for Fortune 500 companies. Richard is the author of the book named after his business modeling system called Convergence Marketing and travels the world educating on this new paradigm of brand and direct converging as the new marketing standard.
Walt Weyler – Financing & Manufacturing Advisor
Walt is a business owner, operations advisor and private lender as CEO of Sequence USA in Portland, Oregon. Prior to launching Sequence USA, Walt played a role as COO of wired.MD, Inc. during 2007 and early 2008 and assisted in the due diligence preparation and eventual acquisition of the company by MediMedia.
Before this Walt was Co-Owner and Vice President of Process Technology Operations and Treasury for Kinetics, Inc., a complex MIM manufacturer in Oregon. Kinetics was purchased and turned around by Walt and his business partner from a $3M business losing money to a $12M business with 10 years of profitability before being acquired by Phelps Dodge, Inc. in 2005.
Prior to his venture at Kinetics he worked as Operations Manager at both H.B. Fuller, a manufacturer of coatings and adhesives, and at Valspar Corporation, a manufacturer of paint resins. Walt has a Bachelors of Science in Chemical Engineering from Northwestern and studied at the Carlson School of Management.
Berry Brunk – Healthcare Advisor
Bio coming soon.
Ed Brightman – Operations & Manufacturing Advisor
Bio coming soon.
Bob Smith – Engineering & Manufacturing Advisor
Bio coming soon.
