Overview

Wellness Team

The Cliffs Wellness team lends a wealth of expertise, encouragement, and customized solutions to help you optimize your life.

 

Vance Ferrigno, Exercise Physiologist
A graduate of Florida State with a B.S. degree in Exercise Science, Vance Ferrigno is certified as a Health/Fitness Director with the American College of Sports Medicine; Health/Fitness Specialist with American College of Sports Medicine; Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist with the National Strength and Conditioning Association; Level 3 Coach with USA Cycling; and Club Coach with USA Weightlifting. He is a Fellow of Applied Functional Science and certified in Functional Manual Reaction through the Gray Institute.

He worked for 15 years in the South Florida country club market, where clients included four-time Gold Glove shortstop Tony Fernandez and PGA TOUR winner Bernhard Langer. In addition, Ferrigno co-authored a book entitled Training for Speed, Agility and Quickness.

Ernie Cloer, Head Tennis Professional
Ernie Cloer joined The Cliffs in October 2005 as Head Tennis Professional. Having taught tennis for more than 25 years, Cloer is steeped in experience in all aspects of imparting the game to others. In addition to his skill set on the court, his extensive knowledge of clay court resurfacing and maintaining, budgeting, and racquet repair ensures he manages The Cliffs’ high-quality tennis complexes within each community.  Ernie Cloer is a USPTA certified professional with a P-1 ranking. 

Before joining The Cliffs’ Wellness Team, Ernie spent fifteen years as Director of Tennis for Grandfather Golf and Country Club in Linville, NC. As Director of Tennis at Cedar Bluff Racquet Club in Knoxville, Ernie honed his skills and talent for teaching and had the opportunity to coach USA League Teams.

Lisa Gassmann, Valley Wellness Manager
Lisa joined Cliffs Wellness in 2003 and holds a B.A. in Journalism with a Minor in Exercise Physiology from the University of South Carolina, as well as certifications including ACE, AFAA, Keiser Power Pacing, AFAA Personal Trainer, AFAA Weight Training Certification, Physical Mind Institute for Pilates Mat and Reformer, United States Tae Kwon Do Union 1st Dan Black Belt, and First Aid & CPR Instructor.

Previously, Gassmann served as the Aerobic supervisor for Life Center Health & Conditioning Club and has been a contract Personal Trainer/Fitness Instructor. Gassmann has completed 28 Marathons since October 1998.

Jeff Thompson, Keowee Vineyards Wellness Manager
Jeff Thompson has amassed nearly 15 years of health, wellness and fitness experience in both the educational and medical environments. Before joining The Cliffs in February 2005, Jeff served as Director of the Montgomery Cardiovascular Associates Rehabilitation and Fitness Center in Montgomery, Alabama.

Jeff completed his undergraduate study in Physical Education at Lander University and his Master’s Degree in Exercise Science at East Tennessee State University, and taught exercise physiology as an Adjunct Professor at Huntingdon College.

Joan Craig, Glassy Wellness Manager
Joan is a 200-hour level Yoga Alliance Certified Teacher, with a focus on Iyengar-style, alignment-based yoga. Currently completing a 500-hour certification and assisting with teacher training courses at Lighten Up Yoga in Asheville, North Carolina, Joan has an AFAA group exercise certification, ACSM personal trainer certification and Aquatic Exercise certification.

She speaks fluent Spanish and lived in Honduras for two years as a Peace Corps water and sanitation volunteer. Her favorite part of her job is building relationships with the members.

Nikki Griffin, Walnut Cove Wellness Manager
Managing the 18,000-square-foot Wellness Center at The Cliffs at Walnut Cove, Nikki has over 5 years of wellness and fitness experience. Before joining the Cliffs in June 2007, Nikki managed the Wellness Center at Rumbling Bald Resort in Lake Lure, NC where she was instrumental in transforming the old Spa and Fitness center into full-functioning Wellness center offering personal training, group exercise classes and a full spa menu. Nikki graduated from Indiana University in 2001 with a Bachelors degree in Recreation. After graduation, she went on to work as a civilian employee for the United States Navy, Morale, Welfare and Recreation Department where she was an event planner for enlisted sailors and their families. Nikki oversees the wellness operations at The Cliffs at Walnut Cove Wellness Center while offering the Cliffs’ Members a diverse slate of wellness programs and services.

Loretta Cox, Keowee Falls Wellness Manager
Loretta joined Cliffs Wellness Team in January of 2006 as Fitness Assistant at the Valley.  She holds a Personal Training Certification with AFAA and a Group Exercise Certification with Lexington Medical Center/Health Directions. Also, she has received certifications from the SCW Fitness Education for Aquatic Exercise, and a Spinning Certification for group Cycling. She has also completed a 200 hour teacher training program through Lighten Up Yoga, specializing in Iyengar Yoga.

Nikki McCollum, Member Wellness Programming Coordinator
Nikki holds a B.S. in Physical Education and Health from College of Charleston and a Massage Therapy Certification from Greenville Technical College. She has over 10 years of professional wellness experience developing personalized programs including fitness, weight management, and stress reduction. In her spare time, Nikki enjoys training for triathlons and participating in outdoor activities including hiking and sailing.

April Grant, Wellness Coach
April graduated from Southern Wesleyan University with a B.S. in Biology and minor in Chemistry. While at Southern Wesleyan, April was All American softball player and eventual inductee into the University Hall of Fame. Upon graduation, April obtained her personal training certificate and sports nutritional specialist certification from ISSA, International Sports Science Association. Prior to joining The Cliffs, April was the personal training manager for Custom Built Personal Training and Kephart 180 Personal Training. April enjoys traveling, hiking, wakeboarding, and snowboarding.  

Angela Geib, Wellness Coach
Angela graduated from North Greenville University with a B.S. in Business Administration with minors in Accounting and Marketing and is currently pursuing her personal training certification with ACSM. Angela has been heavily involved in sports since a very young age, including tae kwon do, volleyball, basketball, and track, and was a collegiate cross country competitor. Angela is an avid cyclist and for the 2010 season will be racing for the Kenda women’s team. Prior to joining The Cliffs, Angela worked for Hincapie Sportswear, Inc. as the Custom Account Manager.

 

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