NSCA’s Rocky Mountain Region

Rocky Mountain Region

Chair, Regional Coordinator: Rachel Larson, PhD, CSCS,*D, TSAC-F,*D
Contact: rmlarson11@gmail.com

Rachel Larson is an Instructor in the Exercise and Wellness department at Arizona State University. Larson teaches theory and practice of strength and conditioning courses, muscular strength and leadership, and management. Larson has been involved in the field of strength and conditioning for over 12 years and she has coached a myriad of athletes over this time. For the past few years, she has focused on her work with local fire academies, USA Rugby HSAAs (U16-U18), Tempe Rugby Club, and Eagle Impact Rugby Academy. In addition, Larson has presented both locally and internationally on muscular strength and rugby strength and conditioning.

Arizona 

State Director: Craig Nolan, MA, CSCS
Contact: nolescj@yahoo.com

Craig Nolan is a Professor in the Exercise Science department at Mesa Community College in Mesa, AZ and the Director of the Human Performance Laboratory. He earned a Bachelor's degree at Wayne State University in Detroit, MI and a Master's degree at the University of San Francisco. His areas of interest include optimizing sports performance and evidence-based practice of resistance training program design.

Colorado 

State Director: Kristin Heumann, PhD, CSCS
Contact: kheumann@coloradomesa.edu

Kristin Heumann is an Associate Professor and Assistant Department Head for the Department of Kinesiology at Colorado Mesa University (CMU) in Grand Junction, CO, where she has been teaching since 2011. She also serves as the Program Director for the Education Recognition Program for both the Personal Trainer and Certified Strength and Conditioning programs at CMU. Heumann earned her Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education with an emphasis in Fitness Management from Northwestern College. From Arizona State University, she earned both her Master’s degree in Exercise and Wellness, and her PhD in Physical Activity, Nutrition, and Wellness. Her areas of interest are in sport performance, body composition, and changes in health outcomes over time.

New Mexico 

State Director: David Pedersen, CSCS, RSCC 
Contact: dpedersen@lanl.gov 

David Pedersen is the Fitness Director for the Security Forces at the National Laboratory in Los Alamos, NM. He is an exercise physiologist, strength coach, and program manager for the over 300 Security police officers. Before coming to work for the Department of Education he spent 10 years working for the Department of Defense as an contractor and military personnel.

Utah 

State Director: Cody Lockling, MS, CSCS, USAW, USATF
Contact: codylockling@gmail.com

Cody Lockling is an Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach at the University of Utah, where he is responsible for the athletic development of the Women’s Soccer, Softball, and Men’s Golf programs. In addition to his role in the physical training of the above mentioned sports programs, Cody serves as Internship Director for Olympic Sports. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Exercise and Sports Science and his Master’s degree in Exercise Physiology through the University of Utah.