Lisa Weber-Burns was destined for greatness in the world of physical fitness. At age 8, she set shuttle run records for her home town of Virginia Beach and competed on U.S. Gymnastics Association and AAU teams by age 10. She attended the University of Florida on scholarship, where she was coached by Women’s Olympic Gymnastics Coach Earnestine Weaver.

Sidelined by a back injury, she redirected her love of gymnastics to an award-winning coaching career. As an IFTA Certified Personal Trainer, Lisa Weber-Burns has won national and regional bodybuilding competition titles including the Masters titles at the Ms. NC NPA (National Physique Association) in 2010 and the NPA Pro Naturals Bodybuilding competitions, earning her pro card.

Certified in TRX/ViPR training, Lisa enjoys conducting group classes for core strengthening, fully functioning whole body movements at O2 Fitness. Mrs. Weber-Burns currently resides in Apex, North Carolina with her husband and three beautiful daughters.

A former Spanish Medical Interpreter, political campaign organizer, entrepreneur and lifetime student in the areas of alternative nutrition and integrative health, T. Bergenn directed and synthesized all that organizing, health, marketing and sales experience into a new business: Power Source Unlimited, LLC with partner, Edgar Hernandez.

PSU is a full service Longevity company which administers detailed Longevity Community Questionnaires to help clients assess their longevity profiles, and make simple but often dramatic changes in Nutrition, Movement, Relaxation, Connection, and Purpose… to increase health, happiness, and longevity. PSU’s specialties include: people with diabetes, pain & inflammation and/or cravings; Holistic Health providers; and well-connected people who desire an additional income stream.

Dr. Maurice Werness has dedicated his life to the research and prevention of chronic illnesses. He has developed an expertise in treating and preventing heart disease, high blood pressure and all forms of cardiovascular disease. Dr. Werness received his undergraduate degree from George Washington University and his Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine from Bastyr University. He is a Board Member and former President of the Institute for Natural Medicine, has co-authored four books on natural healing and has long studied the effects of nutrition on wellness and longevity.

Dr. Werness is the Lead Architect of Akea and Key Member of the Akea Science Advisory Board.

Whitney is a recognized expert in professional and personal development working directly with individuals and organizations on implementing change, growth, and advancement in a variety of capacities including health.

Her entrepreneurial spirit and marketing expertise has been put to good use at Next for Women, engaging the expert advice of business leaders across the country to build a vibrant online community where young women beginning their professional lives can come for reliable advice on business and personal topics. Her goal is to connect people with the ideas and insights they need to succeed.

In addition, Whitney is a graduate of Duke Universities’ Integrative Health Coaching program and works with individual clients and corporations including the US Army to create, and achieve, a personalized vision for their own success including their professional lives, health, and well being.

Whitney is a recipient of Triangle Business Journal’s “40 Under 40 Leadership Award,” and is and an advisor for Astia, a community of experts committed to building women leader and accelerating the funding and growth of high potential, high-growth, women-led startups. She was selected to attend NEXUS: Global Youth Summit on innovative philanthropy and social entrepreneurship, hosted by the UN in 2011, and she has been asked to give a TEDx talk later this year.

Her other interests include a lifelong love of the arts and photography and an insatiable desire to experience new places. Whitney has served on the board of the Contemporary Art Foundation, Committee of 100 for the nationally recognized North Carolina Museum of Art, and the Annual Gala Committee for the Nasher Museum of Art. She also co-chaired the grand opening of the country’s newest contemporary art museum, CAM Raleigh. Her travel bug has led her to the North Pole, Cuba and Kenya and most recently a three week trip around the world that included experiencing a total solar eclipse in Australia and exploring the monuments of Petra.

Juliana C. Norris, LMBT, is the Director of Carolina Pines Med Spa, Jacksonville‘s premiere center for whole-body wellness and beauty. State Licensed and Nationally Certified, Juliana helps clients achieve balance and wellness through the benefits of therapeutic massage and bodywork. Mrs. Norris specializes in deep tissue, trigger point therapies for effective stress and pain relief and injury rehabilitation, lymphatic drainage and hot stone massage.

Carolina Pines Med Spa services include a wide range of skin and massage services as well as nutrition and wellness counseling.

Akea’s visionary, Mr. King was inspired by Longevity Hot Spots during his first visit to Nicoya, Costa Rica. A highly successful entrepreneur and knowledgeable health and wellness advocate, Mr. King has a strong track record of success with first to market technologies, products and services and is considered a branding specialist.

William King’s vision and experience in the areas of health and wellness formed the inspiration for Akea. He’s the creative force behind the Akea product, content development and branding.

A highly successful entrepreneur and investor who has developed and sold companies to publicly traded entities, Mr. King has held numerous executive positions including President and CEO of 900 Solutions Inc., President and CEO of Voice Tel of Austin, and Business Manager of Capital Ford. In addition to his hands-on approach at Akea, he is President of Blue Water Integrators, S.A., a real estate development and marketing firm in Nosara, Costa Rica, one of nine Longevity Hot Spots globally and where inspiration for Akea was born. William is also a private investor in many other ventures, including 3CInteractive LLC, and Xhale Inc., the latter of which is the manufacturer of a non-invasive diagnostic device.

A former professional musician, William enjoys boating and snowboarding with his wife and son, and holds a black belt in Tae Kwon Do.

Whitney is a recognized expert in professional and personal development working directly with individuals and organizations on implementing change, growth, and advancement in a variety of capacities including health.

Her entrepreneurial spirit and marketing expertise has been put to good use at Next for Women, engaging the expert advice of business leaders across the country to build a vibrant online community where young women beginning their professional lives can come for reliable advice on business and personal topics. Her goal is to connect people with the ideas and insights they need to succeed.

In addition, Whitney is a graduate of Duke Universities’ Integrative Health Coaching program and works with individual clients and corporations including the US Army to create, and achieve, a personalized vision for their own success including their professional lives, health, and well being.

Whitney is a recipient of Triangle Business Journal’s “40 Under 40 Leadership Award,” and is and an advisor for Astia, a community of experts committed to building women leader and accelerating the funding and growth of high potential, high-growth, women-led startups. She was selected to attend NEXUS: Global Youth Summit on innovative philanthropy and social entrepreneurship, hosted by the UN in 2011, and she has been asked to give a TEDx talk later this year.

Her other interests include a lifelong love of the arts and photography and an insatiable desire to experience new places. Whitney has served on the board of the Contemporary Art Foundation, Committee of 100 for the nationally recognized North Carolina Museum of Art, and the Annual Gala Committee for the Nasher Museum of Art. She also co-chaired the grand opening of the country’s newest contemporary art museum, CAM Raleigh. Her travel bug has led her to the North Pole, Cuba and Kenya and most recently a three week trip around the world that included experiencing a total solar eclipse in Australia and exploring the monuments of Petra.

Dr. Puja Wentworth, DC is a nutrition-based board certified chiropractic physician specializing in bio-nutrition, amputation and traumatic brain injury.

She facilitates true cellular healing with her practice through specific diagnostics and creates specialized programs for cellular detoxification and healing, weight-loss resistance, and nutrition assimilation along with integrating neurologic optimization. Dr. Puja is passionate about assisting, teaching and facilitating healing within her clients so they in turn may recall their true purpose for making a difference in their community.

Utilizing manual adjusting, Torque Release Technique, Thomson Drop, MC2, Cellular Detoxification, Clinical Herbology, functional diagnostic testing and Applied Kinesiology — Dr. Puja has synthesized a chiropractic adjustment and healing style all her own.

Dr. Maurice Werness has dedicated his life to the research and prevention of chronic illnesses. He has developed an expertise in treating and preventing heart disease, high blood pressure and all forms of cardiovascular disease.

Dr. Werness received his undergraduate degree from George Washington University and his Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine from Bastyr University. He is a Board Member and former President of the Institute for Natural Medicine, has co-authored four books on natural healing and has long studied the effects of nutrition on wellness and longevity.

Dr. Werness is the Lead Architect of Akea and Key Member of the Akea Science Advisory Board.

Dr. Rich was born on the coast in Brunswick, Maine and raised around the beaches of Southern California. After high school he joined the U.S. Army where he was trained as a helicopter pilot and served his country in Vietnam.

In the early 70’s, he trained and worked for the Fire Department in Inglewood, California. During this time his brother encouraged him to go to chiropractic school. Dr. Rich graduated from Palmer College of Chiropractic and has been educating patients to the benefits of natural health care and nutrition for over 35 years.

He became a Consultant with Akea at the beginning of February 2011. With the help of his great team, he became an Executive Director and Founders Club Member 11 months later!

Curt Collins was a standout multi-sport athlete in Bakersfield California and went on to earn a full football scholarship at San Diego State University where he was a standout tight end. After graduating, he went on to study and graduate from the Cleveland Chiropractic College in Los Angeles, CA.

For more than a decade, Dr. Collins of Collins Chiropractic in Bakersfield, CA, has been specializing in sports related injuries and helping people overcome pain and health challenges. Dr. Collins has a special passion for educating patients on causes and prevention of disease by developing habits of a clean diet and proper nutrition, which is why he was attracted to Akea and has made Akea a valued part of his clients’ daily treatment. Dr. Collins is also an Akea Executive Director.

An accomplished author and expert in the areas of nutrition, health and wellness, Ms. Beare has provided much of the research and insight on Longevity Hot Spots that fueled inspiration for the Akea concept, and the educational components of the Akea website.

Sally is a nutritional therapist who has traveled and lived around the world studying exceptionally healthy, long-lived populations. She has authored two books based on her findings: 50 Secrets of the World’s Longest-Living People (Avalon, USA, 2006) and The Live-Longer Diet (reprinted as The Anti-Aging Diet, Plaktus, UK, 2003). She studied nutritional therapy at one of the UK’s foremost nutrition colleges, the UK College of Nutrition and Health (BCNH), where she also lectures on anti-aging.

Sally Beare is a key member of the our Science Advisory Board.

Dr. Maurice Werness has dedicated his life to the research and prevention of chronic illnesses. He has developed an expertise in treating and preventing heart disease, high blood pressure and all forms of cardiovascular disease. Dr. Werness received his undergraduate degree from George Washington University and his Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine from Bastyr University. He is a Board Member and former President of the Institute for Natural Medicine, has co-authored four books on natural healing and has long studied the effects of nutrition on wellness and longevity.

Dr. Werness is the Lead Architect of Akea and Key Member of the Akea Science Advisory Board.

Dr. Fajgenbaum is a Board Certified Orthopaedic surgeon who specializes in Sports Medicine and Arthroscopic Surgery. He is a member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the North Carolina Medical Society. His interests include sports, music, and family.

Dr. Michael C. Fajgenbaum is a Board Certified Orthopaedic surgeon who specializes in Sports Medicine and Arthroscopic Surgery. He has been with the Bone and Joint Surgery Clinic since 1988 and was the team Orthopaedic Surgeon for North Carolina State University Football for 20 years.

He was born and raised in Trinidad in the West Indies. After graduating from Trinity College in Trinidad with a certificate from Cambridge University, he attended Tulane University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry in 1978. He was honored as a Tulane scholar and was a member of Phi Eta Sigma.

He went on to Tulane Medical School and graduated in 1982, earning a residency position at the University of Florida in Gainesville. He completed his Internship in General Surgery and then directly entered the Orthopaedic Department in 1983. During his residency, Dr. Fajgenbaum received additional Sports Medicine training with Dr. Fred Allman of the Sports Medicine Institute of America, at that time the team physician for Georgia Tech and a former Olympic team doctor. Dr. Fajgenbaum also served as Chief Resident, and then joined the faculty as a Clinical Instructor in 1987. During his residency, Dr. Fajgenbaum authored several publications and presented original research at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons annual meeting.
Upon leaving the University of Florida, Dr. Fajgenbaum joined the Bone and Joint Surgery Clinic in Raleigh, North Carolina. He is Board Certified and has recertified with a subspecialty in Sports Medicine.

Shortly after arriving in Raleigh, he was approached by the head coach of the North Carolina State University Football team and asked to become the team Orthopaedic Surgeon. At 30 years old, that made him the youngest Orthopaedist ever to be in charge of an NCAA Division I football program. Over the years he has also served as team physician for Methodist College, the Carolina Mudcats, the Carolina Cobras and Ravenscroft School.

Dr. Fajgenbaum has served on numerous hospital committees, including Quality Assurance and Ethics. He was honored by North Carolina’s physical therapists and Governor Mike Easley by being elected to a two year term on the North Carolina Board of Physical Therapy Examiners in 2005.

Dr. Fajgenbaum is a Key Member of the Akea Science Advisory Board.

Dr. Koltis is a highly educated medical doctor certified by the American Board of Radiology and Radiation Oncology, and by the National Board of Medical Examiners. He has a background in oncology, human anatomy, human pathology and zoology.

Dr. Koltis earned his undergraduate degree in Zoology from the University of Wisconsin in Madison. He then worked as a graduate student with a combined appointment in the Departments of Human Pathology and Human Anatomy doing research on congenital malformations. During that time he was also an instructor at the University of Wisconsin Medical School, teaching human anatomy. Subsequently, he attended the University of Wisconsin Medical School and received his Medical Degree in 1981. He completed four years of specialty training in Radiation Oncology at the University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics in 1985, and since then has been in practice full-time as a radiation oncologist.

His medical practice experience includes prior affiliations with many facilities across the United States including Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh, in addition to a prior visiting faculty position at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee. In 1989 he moved to Greenville, North Carolina, and has been on the active medical staff at Pitt County Memorial Hospital and Lenoir Memorial Hospital. He continues to serve as the Chairman of the Department of Radiation Oncology at the Lenoir Memorial Hospital Cancer Center, and is the Medical Director at the Carolina Radiation Medicine Cancer Treatment Center since that facility opened in August 1998. His long experience with radiation cancer treatment, and the availability of state-of-the-art technology at the Carolina Radiation Medicine Cancer Treatment Centerm serves to offer patients some of the best possible radiation cancer treatment in the area.

Dr. Koltis is a member of many professional organizations including:

• American College of Radiology
• American College of Radiation Oncology
• American Brachytherapy Society
• American Society of Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology
• American Society of Clinical Oncology
• American Medical Association
• North Carolina Medical Society
• Pitt County Medical Society
• He has previously served as President of the Lenoir-Greene County Medical Society.

Dr. Koltis is certified by the American Board of Radiology and Radiation Oncology and by the National Board of Medical Examiners. He also has the distinction of being a Fellow of The American College of Radiation Oncology (FACRO) and is a Key Member of the Akea Science Advisory Board.

Dr. Puja Wentworth, DC, is a nutrition-based board certified chiropractic physician specializing in bio-nutrition, amputation and traumatic brain injury. She facilitates true cellular healing with her practice through specific diagnostics and creates specialized programs for cellular detoxification and healing, weight-loss resistance, and nutrition assimilation along with integrating neurologic optimization. Dr. Puja is passionate about assisting, teaching and facilitating healing within her clients so they in turn may recall their true purpose for making a difference in their community.

Utilizing manual adjusting, Torque Release Technique, Thomson Drop, MC2, Cellular Detoxification, Clinical Herbology, functional diagnostic testing and Applied Kinesiology — Dr. Puja has synthesized a chiropractic adjustment and healing style all her own.

Dr. Werness has dedicated his life to the research and prevention of chronic illnesses. He has developed an expertise in treating and preventing heart disease, high blood pressure and all forms of cardiovascular disease. Dr. Werness received his undergraduate degree from George Washington University and his Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine from Bastyr University. He is a Board Member and former President of the Institute for Natural Medicine, has co-authored four books on natural healing and has long studied the effects of nutrition on wellness and longevity.

Dr. Werness is the Lead Architect of Akea and Key Member of the Akea Science Advisory Board.

After receiving a Bachelors degree in Chemistry from Arizona State University, Dr. Cook completed his Dental and Orthodontic specialty training at St. Louis University. His 39 years of orthodontic specialty experience have been accentuated with an interest in cranio-facial pain, and the medical model for the treatment of sleep disorders.

Along with his long time membership in the American Academy of Orthodontics, he added participation in the American Academy of Cranio-Facial Pain, American Academy of Sleep Medicine, the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine, and the Academy of Clinical Sleep Disorders Disciplines. An additional passion has been the study of Nutrition, Health, and Wellness.

Favorite pastimes include flying as a private pilot, playing tennis, cycling, and reading daily.

Dr. Rich was born on the coast in Brunswick, Maine and raised around the beaches of Southern California. After high school he joined the U.S. Army, where he was trained as a helicopter pilot and served his country in Vietnam.

In the early 70’s, he trained and worked for the Fire Department in Inglewood, California. During this time his brother encouraged him to go to chiropractic school. Dr. Rich graduated from Palmer College of Chiropractic and has been educating patients to the benefits of natural health care and nutrition for over 35 years.

He became a Consultant with Akea at the beginning of February 2011. With the help of his great team, he became an Executive Director and Founders Club Member 11 months later!

Dr. Christian D. Werness is a Board Certified Chiropractor who has been in practice over 15 years. Dr. Werness brings a wealth of knowledge to his patients as a result of his own unique background.

Because Dr. Werness’ father is a Medical Doctor, bridging the gap between medical care and complementary medicine has always been a goal for him. Dr. Werness received a Bachelor of Science Degree (with Honors) from Ithaca College (Ithaca, NY)and holds a Doctor of Chiropractic Degree from Life University (Atlanta, GA). Dr. Werness has been honored to serve as Treating Chiropractor for the Atlanta Falcons (NFL), Team Chiropractor for the Atlanta Knights (IHL), and has treated hundreds of high school and college athletes over the years.

In 1999 Dr. Werness became Clinical Director of Atlanta Family Physicians (Atlanta, GA) a multi-disciplinary facility combining both medical and complementary medicine approaches. It was here that Dr. Werness worked hand in hand with Medical Doctors to develop and refine the best of both worlds.

Dr. Puja Wentworth, DC is a nutrition-based board certified chiropractic physician specializing in bio-nutrition, amputation and traumatic brain injury. She facilitates true cellular healing with her practice through specific diagnostics and creates specialized programs for cellular detoxification and healing, weight-loss resistance, and nutrition assimilation along with integrating neurologic optimization. Dr. Puja is passionate about assisting, teaching and facilitating healing within her clients so they in turn may recall their true purpose for making a difference in their community.

Utilizing manual adjusting, Torque Release Technique, Thomson Drop, MC2, Cellular Detoxification, Clinical Herbology, functional diagnostic testing and Applied Kinesiology — Dr. Puja has synthesized a chiropractic adjustment and healing style all her own.

Dr. Werness has dedicated his life to the research and prevention of chronic illnesses. He has developed an expertise in treating and preventing heart disease, high blood pressure and all forms of cardiovascular disease. Dr. Werness received his undergraduate degree from George Washington University and his Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine from Bastyr University. He is a Board Member and former President of the Institute for Natural Medicine, has co-authored four books on natural healing and has long studied the effects of nutrition on wellness and longevity.

Dr. Werness is the Lead Architect of Akea and Key Member of the Akea Science Advisory Board.