Evan Chait, President/Founder
Evan Chait is founder and president of Elite Athletic Performance Institute (EAPI), a Cutting-edge Corrective Exercise and Performance Conditioning center that works with professional and Olympic athletes, high school and collegiate athletes, and the “Everyday Athlete.” Evan is also the founder of Kinetic Physical Therapy, an integrated approach to rehabilitation, combining physical therapy, chiropractic, massage therapy, kinesiology, and integrated manual therapy.

Evan graduated from Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts and continued his educational growth by studying from the best in his field. From the likes of Dr. Michael Leahy the founder of Active Release Techniques®, to Gary Gray the father of functional biomechanics.

An internationally renowned physical therapist, Evan has lectured on and taught his unique blend of manual therapy techniques and sports conditioning concepts to coaches and teams all over the world. Evan has gone the step beyond physical therapy; he is a corrective and performance conditioning specialist, movement specialist, and rehabilitation specialist.

Evan has developed one of the strongest performance enhancement, rehabilitation, and conditioning teams in the country. His innovative and systematic assessment process combined with revolutionary exercise concepts, manual therapy, and flexibility techniques have brought about impressive and proven results. Evan has received top accolades from professional athletes for his ability to correct chronic sports injuries.

Evan has been featured in ESPN magazine and on ESPN radio. He has worked with over 50 NBA players and has acted as a Rehabilitation and Performance Consultant to the New York Knicks and New Jersey Nets. He has lectured most recently at the IDEA World Conference in Las Vegas and in New York City. Evan has also co-authored a book along with Dr. Robert Gotlin, an acclaimed New York physiatrist, entitled Sports Injuries Guidebook.


Edward Chait, CFO
www.chaitfinancial.com
Ed, co-founder of EAPI, is a highly motivated professional, combining extensive experience as CPA, chief financial officer, collection specialist, chief operating officer and forensic accountant. He holds the responsibility for any sports management consulting, operation management, and accounting or finances for EAPI. Ed possesses an accomplished record in increasing revenues, implementing improvements, and assisting the legal process.

With over thirty years of professional experience and being licensed in New Jersey and New York as a Certified Public Accountant, Ed has become an essential part of the EAPI and Kinetic Physical Therapy team.


Karen Shirazi, Director of Operations
Karen has been a strong asset to the company since 2001 and her guidance along with her experience has helped facilitate the growth of the company. Karen’s leadership is the most valuable asset in directing a staff, which has grown from 2 to 16 employees. She has 13 years experience in the medical field and management positions, and is an integral part of the company within the organization.

With Karen’s strong work ethic, professionalism, and management skills she has truly become an essential part of EAPI and Kinetic Physical Therapy. Lastly, her compassion and funny wit only enhances her effectiveness as the Director of Operations.


Stephan Blayney, Director of Kinetic PT
Stephen Blayney, Director of Kinetic Physical Therapy, has been an integral part in the growth of both EAPI and Kinetic PT over the past three years. Stephen graduated from Northeastern University in 1999, and since then, his various experiences have helped bring him to the position he holds today.

Prior to joining the EAPI team, Stephen managed a 4,000-sq.ft physical therapy facility in Providence, RI. This facility consisted of over 15 employees and housed not only, physical therapy but also a sports performance academy and fitness gym. Stephen has continued his education by becoming certified in Active Release Technique™ and has acquired both Nutritional and Acupuncture certifications related to various pain protocols. In 2005 Stephen was hired as Medical Consultant for the New Jersey Nets. By using his manual therapy and soft tissue techniques, Stephen was able to better serve the athletes during their treatment. He is also the founder of Golf Right™, a unique business that trains local golf professionals, amateurs and junior athletes. Stephen is forever growing in his career and takes pride in continuing his education to better serve his clients.


Tommi Paavola, MS, CSCS
Tommi has a Master’s degree in Sport Sciences, majoring in physical education from the University of Jyvaskyla in Finland. He has also studied in Norway and England. Tommi is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and he educates coaches and trainers through writing articles and public speaking. His field of interest is enhancing movement and performance in forms of group and personal training. Tommi has also led our successful Junior Conditioning Programs for the young athletes in the surrounding areas throughout his time here at EAPI


Alex Chemerov, CPT
Alex Chemerov has a Bachelor's Degree in Adult Fitness from SUNY Cortland. He is certified by the National Academy of Sport's Medicine with certifications as a Personal Trainer and as an Integrated Flexibility Specialist. Alex fills his day by training individuals as well as small groups. He also has a passion for educating trainers and the public on the importance of a lifetime commitment to fitness and health.


Wendy Cohen, CPT
Wendy has had much experience in the health and fitness field. She has participated in the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America and continues to educate herself in subjects such as, Midlife Fitness for Women, Senior Fitness, and Youth Fitness. Wendy spends much of her time training individuals, mostly women, and educating them about the importance of fitness at any age.


Eric Van Pelt:
Eric, one of our qualified exercise conditioning specialists, plays a significant role in our facility. It is Eric’s responsibility to oversee the clients and instruct them on correct form and give them the guidance needed during their program. By working closely with both the trainers and the physical therapists, Eric has made it a priority to not only work with but to also learn from his colleagues.

Eric, in his spare time, studies martial arts and is also the student director and a head instructor in a large martial arts academy. His future plans include, starting a class where he can combine both his martial arts skills and conditioning knowledge to better ones health and fitness.


Theresa Donnarumma:
Theresa has worked with the EAPI & Kinetic Physical Therapy team since the facility opened. Having numerous responsibilities, from scheduling clients to keeping the facility running smoothly, she is the friendly face clients see when they walk in. Theresa, not only an employee of EAPI, but also a mother to three very active boys has had the opportunity to utilize EAPI’s services. From personal training for her sons, in preparation for their specific sport seasons, to physical therapy, for treatment of various sports injuries, Theresa and her family have been strong assets to the company.


Diane Nedelkoff:
Diane has joined our team as nutritional consultant. Here, she meets with clients to discuss and answer any of their nutritional questions. Diane is a graduate of the Institute for Integrative Nutrition and accredited as a holistic health counselor by the American Association of Drugless Practitioners. Her focus is to promote healthy eating and a well-balanced lifestyle for people that are interested in long term health and happiness. She offers a six month program in which she meets one-on-one with clients on a bi-weekly basis to customize a program based on their wellness goals and nutritional needs. In addition, Diane provides workshops and seminars on healthy food choices, sugar addiction, eating for energy, understanding food labels and women’s health issues.

Diane holds a Bachelor of Science in chemistry from Dickinson College in Carlisle, PA and has worked in clinical research in the pharmaceutical industry for more than 14 years. Her passion is dance of all types. Diane has been dancing recreationally for 30 years and believes that regular physical activity is the key to physical and mental health. The love of dance supports her overall wellness and her two young daughters keep her on her toes!

For more information on this program and training, please visit Diane’s website at www.myturningpointe.com