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We run in the rain...because we CAN!

Affectionately known as “Coach K”, Mrs. Kooiman is a three year coach of the “Students Run LA” marathon training team at Newhart Middle School in Mission Viejo, California. An avid runner, she is a 23-time marathon finisher, is CPR certified, and is working toward completion of her credential as a Certified Personal Trainer. Mrs. Kooiman is also the past President of the Parent Teacher Association at Kinoshita Elementary School in San Juan Capistrano, California, and a former candidate for Capistrano Unified School District Board of Trustees and was officially endorsed by over 2300 teachers of the Capistrano Unified Education Association. In her spare time, Ms. Kooiman also acts as a Fundraising Coordinator for the Make-a-Wish Foundation and is actively involved with the American Cancer Society’s “Relay for Life”.

Mr. Hefner holds a bachelor’s degree from the California State University and is a Certified Six-Sigma Green Belt with over 20 years experience in the Banking and Finance industry. In addition to an extensive background in public speaking, he has been involved with many successful start-up operations for major financial institutions including Bank of America, Downey Savings, American Home Mortgage and IndyMac Bank. In his spare time, Mr. Hefner acts as a community service volunteer for the Southern California Greyhound Adoption League, the American Youth Soccer Organization, the Boy Scouts of America and the American Cancer Society. A long time triathlete and former lifeguard, Mr. Hefner has also completed numerous ½ Marathons and 10K races.

An internationally renowned pediatric orthopaedic surgeon, Dr. Aminian is the Medical Director of the CHOC Orthopaedic Institute and is affiliated with the Pediatric Orthopedic Society of North America, the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgery and the Scoliosis Research Society. Belonging to an elite group of pediatric specialists, Dr. Aminian is highly regarded for his research on scoliosis and hip dysplasia, and was the first surgeon on the West Coast to perform Scoliosis Vertebral Body Stapling to prevent further curvature of the spine. With specific interest in Pediatric Hip Deformities, Scoliosis, and Sports Medicine, his philosophy of care is to promote better Orthopaedic health for children through exercise. Dr. Aminian serves as We ROCK’s chief medical expert, reviewing and approving all of the organizations training, exercise and nutrition programs.

A front-runner in the emerging discipline of Sports Medicine for Children and Adolescents, Dr. John Schlechter is a Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon and a member of both the Pediatric Orthopedic Society of North America and the Arthroscopy Association of North America. A noted educator, Dr. Schlechter is the Director of Orthopedic Education and Research at Riverside County Regional Medical Center and an active part of the Clinical Faculty for the Western University of Health Sciences. His clinical mission is to promote youth participation in sports while always focusing on safety and injury prevention. Dr. Schlechter serves as We ROCK’s Program Director and assists in the design and implementation of the organization’s training and schedules and race calendars.

With a successful career in public education spanning 40 years, Mr. Schlesinger holds a teaching credential and a Master’s Degree in Education from USC. He was a Teacher and Administrator in the Compton Unified School District for 25 years before spending 15 years working in the Capistrano Unified School District as an Assistant Principal at both Dana Hills High School and Newhart Middle School in Orange County, California. Relying on his extensive background in Public Secondary Education, Mr. Schlesinger provides considerable expertise and advice to the We ROCK Board of Directors. An avid cyclist, he logs nearly 1500 miles per year on his bike, riding along side his wife and youngest son as they train for Marathons, year-round.

Mr. Parotti is an independent financial planner in Costa Mesa, California, specializing in comprehensive financial planning for individuals and small businesses. Having earned a Bachelors Degree from Cal Poly Pomona and graduating Summa Cum Laude, Mr. Parotti is licensed in securities (Series 7), financial planning (Series 66), life insurance and also as a Real Estate Broker in the state of California. A community leader, he is a member of the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce, the Fountain Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Newport/Balboa Rotary Club, and brings his expertise to the Board of Directors as he oversees the financial matters of the organization. An advocate for cancer research and education, Mr. Parotti is the Team Development Chairman for the American Cancer Society’s “Relay for Life” events.

Dr. Rutkowski is an Assistant Professor of Nursing at Cal State University, Fullerton, a Registered Nurse and a Clinical Nurse Specialist, and has completed extensive research on obesity risk knowledge, self-efficacy and activity levels in families of adolescents. An author of numerous articles for medical journals, Dr. Rutkowski has worked with The Center for Promotion of Healthy Lifestyles and Childhood Obesity Prevention since it’s inception in 2004. A long-time, competitive age-group runner, she has completed over 40 Marathons, has qualified to run the Boston Marathon on 4 separate occasions, and has achieved a personal record time at the marathon distance of 3 hours and 14 minutes.