Kentucky Athletic Trainers’ Society
2015 Officer Candidate Biographies

Vice President

R. Scott Helton, MS, ATC (Incumbent)

Job Experience:

Clinic Manager, St. Elizabeth Sports Medicine Center in Edgewood, KY 1994 – present

  • Responsible for the management of 3 outpatient clinics and 15 area High Schools as well as Thomas More College
  • Athletic Trainer, Holy Cross High School in Covington, KY 1997-present

Education

  • BS in Education from the University of Cincinnati, 1993
  • MS in Physical Education from Ohio University , 1994

Special Interests

  • Management of complex spinal pain including cervical, lumbar, and post-concussion head ache syndrome
  • Endorsed by the American BackPain Center
  • University of Cincinnati Student Advisory Board Member
  • University of Cincinnati Athletic Training Education Program Advisory Board Member
  • Gateway Community and Technical College Massage Therapy Program Advisory Board Member
  • Mount St. Joseph University Athletic Training Education Program Advisory Board Member

National Athletic Trainers’ Association Member since 1990

Longstanding member of the Kentucky Athletic Trainers’ Society – 2008 Recipient of the Clinical Athletic Trainer of the Year Award

Vice President of KATS since 2013

Hobbies

  • Golf
  • Fishing
  • Relaxing at home with wife Dawn of 21 years and 3 sons, Chuck, Jackson, and Mason

Doug Means, MS, ATC

Doug Means is the Director of Sports Medicine or The Kentucky Orthopedic Rehab Team (KORT). I joined KORT in 1996 after working as the Assistant Football Trainer for 5 years at the University of Louisville. I came to Louisville in 1992 after completing my Masters Degree at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, MI. I am a native of Ohio where I gained my undergraduate degree from Bowling Green State University. I am a member of Region 2 within the State and have 23 years of athletic training experience while working with high school and college athletes, professional athletes and Olympic athletes.

I spent 4 years working with the Cleveland Browns while attending undergraduate school. I worked with the Kalamazoo Wings minor league hockey team and Division I hockey at Western Michigan University while earning my Masters Degree. As part of the USOC medical staff, I have been involved in providing medical coverage at qualifying Olympic events such as the Titan Games in San Jose, CA and the World University Games in Bangkok, Thailand. Hobbies would include anything outside like hiking, boating, running or fishing.I have no idea how long I have been a member of KYATS. I am not exactly sure how long I have been a member of KYATS pry since 95 or so.

Treasurer

Dean Geary, MS, ATC (Incumbent)

Dean Geary started as the Head Certified Athletic Trainer for the old JessamineCountyHigh School in May 1988. This was made possible through a program conducted by CentralBaptistHospital to help place state certified athletic trainers in the local high schools. In the fall of 1989, Dean was hired by the school system full-time as a teacher/ athletic trainer. In August 1998, Dean was hired as the athletic director of WestJessamineHigh School. Presently Dean is the Head Athletic Trainer at West Jessamine High School and Co-Athletic Director. Dean is a graduate of Western High School in Louisville, Kentucky, where he started as a student athletic trainer. After graduation from high school in 1977, Dean attended WesternKentuckyUniversity. While at WesternKentuckyUniversity he served as a student athletic trainer. Dean holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Health and Safety Education with a minor in Athletic Training. In 1982, Dean was awarded a graduate assistantship on the athletic training staff at the University of Kentucky. Dean holds a Master’s Degree from the University of Kentucky.

Prior to Dean’s start with Central Baptist Hospital and West Jessamine, he served as the Assistant Athletic Trainer at Centre College in Danville, Kentucky. Dean has also served as the athletic trainer for the Kentucky Trackers Semiprofessional Football Team and at numerous sports camps throughout the region. Dean has also volunteered his time to the community as a certified emergency medical technician on the former Jessamine County Rescue and Recovery Squad, the Danville-Boyle County Rescue Squad, and the Junction City Rescue Squad. Because of his work on the injured students in 1995 when the tornado hit JessamineCountyHigh School, Dean was awarded the Kentucky Athletic Trainers’ Society Award of Merit. In 1997, Dean was named the Southeast Athletic Trainers’ Association High School Athletic Trainer of the year in 1997.Also, Dean was named the High School Athletic Trainer of the Year by the Kentucky Athletic Trainers’ Society in 2004. In June, 2010 Dean was again awarded the Award of Merit from the Kentucky Athletic Trainers’ Society.

Dean is presently certified as an athletic trainer by the National Athletic Trainers’ Association and licensed as an athletic trainer Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure. He also serves as one of the athletic trainers on the State Advisory Council on Athletic Trainers to the Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure. Dean also has served on the Kentucky Medical Association Committee on Physical Education and Medical Aspects of Sports. Further Dean presently serves as the Assistant Medical Coordinator for the Bluegrass State Games and has been at that position for the past 12 years. Dean presently serves as the Treasurer of the Kentucky Athletic Trainers’ Society. Also Dean serves as a Chair of the KHSAA 12th Region Policy Board and Treasurer of the Region 12 Athletic Directors’ Association. Dean is married to Brenda Geary and has a 29-year-old son, Kerry, a 25 year old daughter in-law Laurie, a 25-year-old daughter, Deanne, a 24 year old step-son, Garrett and a 21 year old step-son Matt. Dean also has 1 grandson, Ezekiel Micah and will have a granddaughter due at the end of August.

Brad Bolte, ATC

I am interested in serving as the treasurer of the Kentucky Athletic Trainers' Society. I am currently employed through St. Elizabeth Healthcare as the head athletic trainer for Ryle High School in Union, KY (Region 4); and have been an employee there for the past 4 years. I graduated from Northern Kentucky University (NKU) with a bachelor’s degree in Athletic Training. I am currently in my last year of obtaining a Masters in Health Administration from the University of Cincinnati with an interest in finance. In addition to my work with St. Elizabeth and Ryle, I stay active in the community as a clinical preceptor for NKU and have assisted in special topic presentations for the University of Cincinnati Athletic Training Program. I have also been a participant in the NATA Nation Project study since 2013. When I am not working I enjoy spending time with my wife, Kristina, and spending time with our families. I enjoy being active by participating in softball, basketball, and sand volleyball leagues. I believe that I will be an asset to the Athletic Training community if I were elected as Treasure for KATS. I have a strong understanding of financial planning and budgets, and maintain an up-to-date knowledge of the rapidly changing health care system and laws. I am an extremely organized and self-motivated individual with a strong interest and passion for the improvement of the health care system and the Athletic Trainer’s future within it. I look forward to the potential opportunity to serve the Athletic Training community if elected to this position. Thank you in advance for your consideration.

Region 1 Representative

Kristan Yates, EdD, ATC (Incumbent)

Kristan is currently the program director at Murray State University. Her past work experience includes educational and clinical positions at Union College, Eastern Kentucky University, Kentucky Hand and Physical Therapy, Drayer Physical Therapy Institute, and Montgomery County High School. Kristan received her bachelors and masters degrees from Eastern Kentucky University, and her doctoral degree from the University of Kentucky.Kristan has been a member of KATS for eleven years. Kristan has served KATS as the Region 1 Representative for the past two years and the PR chair for the past four years. In addition, she currently serves as the SEATA representative to the NATA's PR Committee and as a Site Visitor for the CAATE.In her free time, Kristan enjoys watching movies, reading, and spending time with family and friends.

Region 3 Representative

Andrew Carlson, MS, ATC (Incumbent)

Andrew Carlson is currently the head athletic trainer and Lexington Christian Academy, where he has been for 9 years, and works through Orthopedic & Sports Physical Therapy. He wears many hats both at LCA and the clinic. He has been serving as the Region 3 rep for KATS where he has been involved with the educational committee, fundraising/sponsorship committee, and serves as the Kentucky secondary school athletic trainer chair for SEATA. He holds a BS from The Pennsylvania State University and a MS from The University of Kentucky. Outside of work, Andrew enjoys spending time with his wife Paige, and daughter Chloe (4) and Lauren (17) - as we all know, family time can be slim but is very important. Andrew enjoys being in the outdoors, including cycling, fishing, and working in the yard.

Bill Welsh, MS, ATC, CHES

Bill Welsh is currently working as an Assistant Professor and Coordinator of the Health, Physical Education, and Recreation Department at Kentucky State University. He also performs ergonomic consultation and injury prevention in the industrial setting through Ergonomics Plus, INC. Bill has previously worked as an athletic trainer covering schools through University of Kentucky Sports Medicine, Kentucky Sports Medicine, Georgetown College and Harrison Memorial Hospital. He started the Athletic Training Education Program at Georgetown College and also served as Clinical Coordinator at Union College Kentucky.

Bill received his Bachelors of Science in Health from SUNY Cortland, his Masters of Science in Physical Education at Eastern Kentucky University, and is currently working on his Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership at the University of Kentucky. He has resided in Region 3 since he graduated from EKU in 1995 and has been active in KATS and SEATA since that time.

Bill has served previously on the Executive Committee of KATS as Vice President and Region 3 representative. He also has been the Chair of the KATS awards and scholarship committee for the past 15 years. He is currently representing KATS on three SEATA committees including the Scholarship Committee, Athletic Training Student Committee, and the SEATA Educators Conference Committee.

Bill and his wife Elizabeth have three children (5 years,3 years, and 4 months) and reside in Scott County where he spends a lot of time on his mower and repairing his old truck. He is committed to the profession and would appreciate your vote tocontinue serving the members of Region 3 and KATS.