Dr. Manny Straehle, GISF
Founder and President of Assessment, Education, and Research Experts
Manny is a consulting assessment, educational, and research expert with a number of work experiences with licensure and certification organizations, over 30 years of experience in developing assessments, and a specialization in developing competency models. He has vast experience in psychometrics, testing, assessment, evaluation, and competency modeling. As Founder and President of AERE, Manny leads a team of almost 30 experts in various psychometric, testing, and assessment activities, competency modeling, marketing and survey research, aptitude and employment selection testing, performance-based assessments, stackable credentials, and other research and evaluation projects.
Manny has held roles at the Advertising Research Corporation (ARC), Media Broadcasting Company (Pharmaceutical Marketing), National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME), Genesis Healthcare, Prometric, and Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI), and Founding Partner and Chief Assessment Officer at International Credentialing Associates (ICA).
Manny received his doctorate from Temple University in Educational Psychology, focusing on psychometrics and evaluation. In addition to his AERE consultation activities, Manny has taught psychology, statistics, research, and education at higher education institutes over the past 20 years, including prestigious universities such as Penn State University, Saint Joseph’s University, Johns Hopkins University, University of Southern California, and George Washington University.
In his free time, he spends it with his family, including his two sons.
Junious Williams
Principal, Junious Williams Consulting
Junious Williams is the principal and owner of Junious Williams Consulting, Inc. (JWC), a firm specializing in equity and social justice research, policy, and program development. He also serves as a Senior Adviser to The Collective Impact Forum. Previously, he was President and CEO of Urban Strategies Council for nearly two decades. Mr. Williams holds a JD and a BA in Sociology from the University of Michigan and has a long history of working on social justice issues, including co-founding student advocacy centers and working on education equity. He is the co-founder and Board Chair of the Oakland Community Land Trust and holds board positions with the Center for Law and Education and the National Trust for the Development of African American Men.
Zach McElgunn
VP, Education & Devlopment
Zach McElgunn began doing behavioral health research as an undergraduate student studying the psychological and physical effects of diabetes at the University of Virginia. Since this time of poster presentations, statistical analysis, and behavioral health narrative analysis, he has spent the past 9 years working with associations and community organizations in the healthcare, behavioral health, and human services spaces to more precisely define “quality,” and understand the mechanisms that bring quality improvement goals to fruition. This includes work to achieve both individual and organizational accreditations and certifications; the development of continuing education programming; technical assistance for the implementation of well-defined models of care (i.e. EBPs); and the reduction of variability in service delivery. Currently, his work sits at the intersection of implementation science, organizational culture, and third-party evaluation of systems of practice.
The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
Panel: Shaping the Future of Allied Health with Education, Standards & Workforce Readiness
The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) is a programmatic postsecondary accrediting agency recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). CAAHEP carries out its accrediting activities in cooperation with 25 review Committees on Accreditation.
Dr. Teddy Farias, D.C., M.S., M.T.A.A., C.C.M.A.
Dean of Natural Health and Science, San Jacinto College
Dr. Teddy Farias is a chiropractor by trade and educator at heart. He completed a B.S in Biological Sciences from the University of Missouri, a Doctorate of Chiropractic from Logan University, and later completed a Master’s of Higher Education with an emphasis in Administration and Leadership as he found higher education to be his passion. Dr. Farias has worked at St. Louis Community College, San Juan College, and Wichita State University. He is currently the Dean of Health and Natural Sciences at San Jacinto College in Houston Texas.
Before going into education full-time, Dr. Farias owned a private chiropractic practice in St. Louis, MO. He holds an active chiropractic license in the state of Texas. He is also a certified Acupuncturist and Medical Assistant. Dr. Farias was president of the 9th class of Leadership Lake Houston, is in Class XLIII of Leadership Houston, and currently serves as President on the board of Family Promise of Lake Houston, as Secretary for Communities in Schools of Southeast Harris and Brazoria Counties, as a board member for the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), as a member for the Council of Workforce and Economic Development for the American Association of Community Colleges, and as President for the National Network of Health Career Programs in Two Year Colleges (NN2). In his spare time, he enjoys basketball, chess, archery, reading, and volunteering with disadvantaged youth.
Kerry Weinberg, PhD, MPA, MA, R.T. (R) ARRT, RDMS, RDCS, FSDMS
Program Director, Toro University
Dr. Kerry Weinberg is the Program Director at Toro University and a dedicated member of the Board of Directors for the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). She holds a BA from Fordham University, an MPA from New York University, and both an MA and PhD from Fielding Graduate University.
HOSA Indiana
Future Health Professionals
HOSA operates as an integral component of the health science education curriculum. Through its network of state and local chapters, HOSA provides powerful instructional tools, recognition, leadership, networking, scholarships, and connections to the healthcare industry to thousands of members across the United States and internationally.
Kristen Davidson
Past HOSA Inc. Board Chair
A dedicated leader in health science education, Kristen Davidson is the former National Board Chair for HOSA Future Health Professionals. Her commitment extends to the Utah State Office of Education, Health Science Program, where she has actively contributed to professional development efforts and the development of curriculum for both Utah's Health Science programs and the National Consortium for Health Science Education. Kristen's past presidency of the Utah Association for Career and Technical Education further highlights her leadership, and she currently remains engaged as an active member of the Health Professions Network Board of Directors.
Eddie Erickson
Indiana State HOSA Advisor
As the State Advisor for Indiana HOSA, Eddie Erickson's commitment to student growth in healthcare stems from his own background as a Career and Technical Education student in veterinary careers. This experience informs his work as a veterinary careers classroom instructor at the J. Everett Light Career Center, where he has dedicated the past 20 years. For 16 of those years, Eddie has also served as State Advisor, consistently deepening students' exploration of health careers.
Gowthamm Vishwanadh Mandala
Past Indiana State HOSA Vice President
Gowthamm Mandala is a pre-medical student at Purdue University majoring in Biomedical Health Sciences. He served as the 2022–2023 Indiana HOSA State Vice President and was named the 2023 Indiana HOSA Outstanding State Leader. Through his leadership, Gowthamm has connected with thousands of aspiring healthcare students and passionately advocated for career and technical education at both the state and national levels. His work reflects a deep commitment to advancing healthcare education and empowering the next generation of medical professionals.