James LaValle, R.Ph, ND, CCN

Jim LaValle is an educator, clinician, and industry consultant in the field of integrative health care. Jim LaValle is a licensed pharmacist (University of Cincinnati College of Pharmacy), board certified clinical nutritionist (International & American Associations of Clinical Nutritionists,(IAACN), and doctor of naturopathic medicine (Central States College of Health Sciences,), with more than 20 years clinical practice experience in the field of natural therapeutics and functional medicine. Mr. LaValle was named one of the “50 Most Influential Druggists” by American Druggist for his work in natural medicine, in 1998. Mr. LaValle is the founder of LaValle Metabolic Institute, Cincinnati, OH, and a nationally recognized speaker and media personality. His experience ranges from extensive clinical practice, product design and formulation, and technology development, to author, educator, and media personality. Mr. LaValle is currently Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of Cincinnati College of Pharmacy.

He has developed educational programs for Rite Aid, McKesson, and Longs Drugs, among others, and trains independent pharmacists and physicians about natural medicine. He is a past contributor to Drug Store News and Retail Pharmacy News, in addition to radio and television programming. His most recent book, Cracking the Metabolic Code, was released in 2005, and he has authored 12 other books, including Smart Medicine for Healthier Living, Drug-Induced Nutrient Depletion Handbook and The Cholestin Breakthrough, and co-authored The Nutritional Cost of Prescription Drugs and Natural Therapeutics Pocket Guide. For more information visit www.lmihealth.com.

Laura B. LaValle, R.D., L.D.

Laura received her degree in nutrition and dietetics at the University of Akron and is presently the director of dietetics nutrition at LaValle Metabolic Institute (formerly part of Living Longer Institute). She offers personal nutritional counseling at LMI for clients who need help with their diet in relation to illness or disease. Laura also provides educational services in the areas of health promotion, wellness, and disease prevention.

Laura is a registered and licensed dietitian who has also practiced clinical nutrition in a hospital setting conducting nutrition screening, assessment and care for in-patients and cardiac rehab nutrition classes. During her hospital-based work, Laura served as a community dietitian conducting nutrition workshops for businesses and lecturing in her community for small groups and classes.

Laura has also worked in sales and education of dietary supplements. Through this work and attending extensive educational seminars, she has obtained a thorough working knowledge of the use of dietary supplements for specific health conditions and disease prevention and wellness. Laura is one of only a small number of registered dietitians with this specialized education and training.

In addition, she has advanced training in lifestyle counseling, a skill she utilizes to assist people in the some-times hard work of changing lifestyle to improve health and well-being.

Laura has a B.S. degree in Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Akron, Ohio (Summa Cum Laude graduate, 1994) and certification in Lifestyle Counseling from the American Association of Lifestyle Counselors.

For more information visit www.lmihealth.com.

Carlo X. Alvarez

Carlo Alvarez, founder of Ethos Athletics LLC, is a former strength and conditioning coach at the college and professional level specializing in performance enhancement training for athletes.  A noted authority on sports conditioning, Carlo is recognized for his integrated and systematic approach to training, based on a foundation of safe and proven methods that have direct and measurable benefits to performance and wins. He has a long and successful track record based on a proven system that generates results. His commitment to helping athletes excel is demonstrated by his individualized, hands-on instruction and implementation standard of quality vs. quantity.

He began his coaching career at his alma mater, University of Cincinnati as a student assistant. During his studies at the University of Cincinnati, Carlo became strength and conditioning coach at St. Xavier High School, where he implemented innovative and successful programs. In 1998, Carlo ventured to South Bend, Indiana to the University of Notre Dame under the tutelage of Mickey Marotti, where he evaluated, designed and implemented programs for male and female varsity athletes. He left the University of Notre Dame to become Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coordinator for the Cleveland Indians under Head Coordinator Fernando Montes, where he was responsible for developing player training plans and coordinating Latin American athletic development programs and internships. In 2002, Alvarez became Head Strength and Conditioning Coordinator for the Cincinnati Reds, responsible for the major league, minor league and Latin American operations. During his time with the Reds, he developed one of the most comprehensive and recognized athletic development programs in Major League Baseball and Latin America.

In 2005, Carlo founded, Ethos Athletics, a sports performance training company based on the philosophy that athletes, regardless of age and competitive level, must follow a multi-disciplinary approach to athletic development. Ethos Athletics is known for providing athletes and coaches of all levels the resources necessary to become champions in their respective fields through education, training, discipline, hard work and a commitment to excellence.

Carlo consults with companies including Nike, LaValle Metabolic Institute, Vizual Edge, Wellington Orthopedic, and Sports Nutrition 2 Go, helping them with testing, product and program development. He is a contributing writer for Total Health Breakthroughs and Fitness Editor of The Healing Prescription and The Athlete Report Newsletters.

For more information visit www.lmihealth.com.

Melissa Hawthorne

Melissa Hawthorne RN BSN CSCS has been a Registered nurse for 29 years with emphasis in critical care and cardiology. She has also spent 6 years in medical sales for a major medical cardiac device company. With 24 years experience in the fitness industry, some of her certifications in both group fitness and personal training include ACE,AFAA,ISCA,Johnny G. Spinning, Mat Pilates, Reformer Pilates, USA Weight Lifting and Aqua fitness.  Missy is also a certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist ( CSCS ) for NSCA.
Presently, Missy is also a skin care specialist and consultant for The Plastic Surgery Group Inc. Cincinnati and is owner of her very own Priority Fitness Personal Training and Wellness. She served as the group fitness director for the Bally Total Fitness Corporation, Cincinnati for 17 years before starting her personal training career.

Missy is an international workshop presenter, Continuing education provider, and Master Trainer for The Resist-a-ball Company, ISCA Personal Training and Kick-boxing, and Beamfit. Missy had played an active role in the development of the strength and conditioning program for the Cincinnati Reds Minor League teams, spring training 2002. Missy has often been asked to share exercise tips for FOX 19 TV and Channel 12 WKRC TV. Missy served as Chairperson for the City of Hope’s Workout for Hope 1988-2000 and continues to serve on the National Wellness Board for the City of Hope Research Hospital in California.

Corporate Publishing

MaryEllen Tribby

Executive Publisher

MaryEllen joined the Early To Rise team in May 06 as Publisher/CEO. Ms. Tribby brings over 20 years of publishing and business experience. After graduating from New York’s prestigious NYU, she accepted a position at New York’s PBS stationWNET/Thirteen where her marketing passion was ignited. From there she went to Times Mirror Magazines, one of the largest publishing companies in the nation. Later she was recruited to manage a division of Forbes. From there her corporate resume includes Crain’s New York Business, Globe Communications and most recently Weiss Research where she served as President.

As a publisher, Ms. Tribby is determined to provide the finest research, content and products as well as partner with and hire only superlative people in the industry. She currently resides in Boca Raton, FL with her husband of 11 years, Patrick, and their three beautiful children, Mikaela, Connor and Delanie.

Michael Masterson

New York Times best selling author, Michael Masterson, has developed a loyal following through his writings in Early to Rise, an e-newsletter published by Agora, Inc. that mentors more than 300,000 success-oriented individuals to help them achieve their goals with health, wealth, and wisdom.

Masterson has been making money for himself and others for almost four decades. At one time or another, Michael Masterson (a pen name used by this ultra-successful businessman) has consulted for and advised multi-million dollar companies that were both public/private, onshore/overseas, local/international, service-/product-oriented, retail/wholesale/direct mail, and even profit/not-for-profit.

Jon Herring

Health Editor

Jon is the Health Editor and a copywriter for Early To Rise. While his formal education is in finance, Jon has invested over 3000 hours in the study of health and nutrition. He is deeply motivated to provide people with the information and the inspiration to live a long and active life, filled with energy and free from disease.

Jon has also been a student of direct sales and marketing since an early age. Before he was 10 years old, he was selling door to door, and he has been an active entrepreneur ever since. After graduating from the University of Georgia in 1993, Jon moved to Jackson Hole, Wyoming where he learned how to build houses, climb mountains, catch trout, and ski fast down hill. However, after several years of poverty with a nice view, Jon returned to his hometown of Nashville to seek his fortune. Within two years – at the age of 26 – he had started a direct marketing business that was earning six figure annual revenues.

In addition to his passion for health, Jon has a strong interest in business and investing. He is also a staunch advocate for honest government and the libertarian values of privacy, freedom, and personal responsibility.

Melanie Segala

Managing Editor

Melanie Segala began her publishing career at CRC Press, a Times Mirror publishing subsidiary specializing in books and journals for science and medical professionals.  In 1990, Melanie was promoted to the position of Director of Editorial Production, managing a large department responsible for the timely publication of over 300 books and 12 journals yearly.

During her tenure at CRC, she gained invaluable experience in the editorial development of scientific publications, refined her writing skills, and greatly increased her knowledge of science and medicine.  Among her other accomplishments, Melanie collaborated on the successful launch of new product lines, streamlined departmental operating procedures, and implemented new desktop publishing software platforms in her department.

In 1999, Melanie’s professional experience took another significant leap forward when she became Director of Publications for the Life Extension Foundation, an industry leader in the fascinating world of alternative medicine and nutritional supplements.  At Life Extension, Melanie took charge and organized their publishing program as editor of the 1500-page cornerstone reference book, Disease Prevention and Treatment, while managing their yearly 300-page product catalog, and contributing occasional feature articles to the monthly magazine.

Throughout her publishing career, Melanie has worked in a freelance capacity for several prominent publishers including McGraw-Hill Higher Education, Elsevier Science, and the American Pharmacist’s Association.

Melanie is a native of Buffalo, New York (go Bills!) and a graduate of Medaille College with a B.S. degree in education.  She has taken additional graduate level courses in nutrition from the American Health Sciences University in Aurora, Colorado.  Her personal interests include golf, classic literature, and her newest hobby of container gardening.  Melanie and her husband Edward happily reside in South Florida.