PFA 2026

Teresa specialized in lower extremity biomechanics. A respected leader in her industry, lecturer and educator. Currently she holds a faculty appointment at the University of Colorado as the Orthotist to the Foot and Ankle Institute where she created and implemented the DME, O&P division for the orthopedic department. Teresa is responsible for training the Residents and Fellows, working with the Gait Lab, research and direct patient care.

Teresa Alpert completed her orthotics and prosthetics course work at Northwestern University in 1987. In addition, she attended Ball State University, Apex University and Eneslow Pedorthic training. Certified by both the ABC and BOC as an Orthotist and Pedorthist, Alpert has been in private practice for over 30 years.

Teresa was past Chairwoman for Board of Orthotist, Prosthetist, Pedorthics Certification and Education (BOC). Past Education Chairwoman for the National Shoe Retailers Association (NSRA). Currently she is on the Executive Committee and Board of Directors for Pedorthic Footcare Association (PFA). Recently, Teresa was appointed to the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) Allied Health workgroup as an ad-hoc member. Teresa is passionate about helping people, each step of the way.

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Mike has been in the shoe industry for 29 years. Currently, Mike has been with Xelero for nine years as national & international sales manager.

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As a Certified Pedorthist through the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics, and Pedorthics (Credential #CPed4652), Bryan Acheson brings a deep understanding of foot biomechanics and the impact of foot health on the entire body. His comprehensive approach addresses not only foot pain but also related issues in the knees, hips, and lower back.

With over 1,100 clinical hours at the UCHealth Foot & Ankle Clinic in Denver, CO, under the mentorship of Orthotist Teresa Alpert and alongside podiatrists and orthopedic surgeons, Bryan gained invaluable experience. His 400 hours of orthotics fabrication experience, split between two facilities, further honed his skills.

Bryan creates personalized solutions for individuals and businesses by using on-site assessments, gait analysis, and custom-fitted orthotics. His mobile service brings expert care directly to your doorstep, making it convenient to prioritize your foot health.

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Kyle is the General Manager of Amfit, where he leads global initiatives in digital custom orthotics and foot-scanning technology. Over the past 19 years, Kyle has built a career at the intersection of footwear, biomechanics, and business innovation.

Having managed a slopeside boot shop in Steamboat Springs, CO, for 12 years, Kyle taught business at Colorado Mountain College for seven and consulted for numerous brands on footwear and ski boot design. His background also includes leadership roles in specialty running retail in NYC and LA and operations management at Surefoot.

At Amfit, Kyle collaborates with medical practitioners across the globe and professional athletes in the NBA, NFL, and NCAA, leveraging a database of over four-million-foot scans to inform precision device design. An avid skier and golfer, Kyle is dedicated to solving fit challenges, optimizing performance, and driving innovation across the orthotics industry.

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Chris Case began working at PediFix, a 4th-generation family business, in middle school. He gained experience through warehouse work and trade show representation during high school and college. After graduating from the University of Rochester and studying direct marketing at NYU, he led the company’s promotional and sales efforts.

Appointed President & CEO in 1987, Chris oversaw a tenfold revenue increase before leaving in 1999 to pursue other ventures. He returned in 2008 as Chief Marketing Officer, now overseeing marketing, product development, and global sourcing.

As a partner, Chris remains deeply involved in all aspects of the business. His focus on moving forward is strengthening relationships with foot care professionals, retailers, and product developers to expand the reach of PediFix’s pain-relief solutions.

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Arnie Davis is a certified pedorthist, master shoemaker, author, and the owner of Davis Shoe Therapeutics, an accredited pedorthic facility in Novato, California specializing in applied biomechanics of the foot and ankle.

Prior to founding his business in 1977, he was the director of the Shoe Clinic at the California College of Podiatric Medicine and has been a faculty member in the Department of Biomechanics at the California Podiatry School at Samuel Merritt College in Oakland.

Formally trained as an artist and sculptor, he has dedicated his life to improving people's lives through the art and science of custom shoe therapy and orthotic design. Davis Shoe Therapeutics is considered the premiere custom therapeutic shoe facility in the United States.

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Ian Engelman, M.S. CPO, a Certified Prosthetist Orthotist with a Master’s Degree in Allied Health and research techniques. He started his career in 1991 with his own clinical practice, BioMetrics, in Newtown, Connecticut.

Ian also noticed the need for a better brace for people with Drop Foot, a condition that causes difficulty in lifting the front part of the foot. He designed and patented the Step-Smart and Blaze Braces, which were lighter, more ergonomic, and more effective than traditional braces. He used his clinical experience and his inventive approach to create a new type of brace joint that was placed at the back of the leg instead of the side. This made the brace more comfortable and adaptable to different foot sizes and shapes.

In 2002, Ian sold his private practice and moved to Maine with his family and his company. He focused on producing and distributing his braces to help more people around the world. His braces are made in Maine, USA and have been praised by many professionals and users.

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Dr. Graci Finco directs the Limb Loss and Difference Lab, where she conducts research to promote health in people with limb loss (amputation etiology) and difference (congenital etiology). She has joint appointments within the Physical Therapy Department and Center for Anatomical Sciences.

Dr. Finco’s research Interests include the areas of prosthesis, amputation, musculoskeletal, biomechanics, evidence-based practice, and functional healthy perspectives in physical therapy.

Her education and academic qualifications include MS in Orthotics and Prosthetics, Baylor College of Medicine, a BS in Biology, University of North Texas – Denton and a PhD in Structural Anatomy and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of North Texas Health Science Center.

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Matt Gooch, MS, C. Ped, is the Vice President of Product and Innovation at Superfeet Worldwide. In this capacity he is responsible for all internal research and scientific development/assessment of Superfeet products as well as the management of Superfeet's product line and Global Education Program.

Matt received a Bachelor’s degree in Health and Exercise Science from Furman University in 2005 and a Master's Degree in Health and Human Performance in 2009 from Middle Tennessee State University. As Certified Pedorthist since 2009, Matt regularly lectures to retailers, clinicians and consumers about topics ranging from lower limb biomechanics to the use and effectiveness of foot orthoses.

Matt currently serves on PFA’s Board of Directors and the Pedorthic Education Committee.

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Séamus Kennedy is co-owner of Hersco Ortho Labs in New York, along with his brother, Cathal. Séamus oversees the “Foot and Ankle Biomechanics and Pedorthics Program” at the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists (the Academy) Annual Meeting. He recently became an Associate Fellow of the Academy.

Having authored and been interviewed for many articles related to pedorthics and foot and lower-limb biomechanics; Séamus speaks regularly on the manufacturing and fitting of custom shoes and orthotics; he is called upon by OP&P practitioners and physicians to consult or help with unusual cases; and he is a member of The O&P EDGE Editorial Advisory Board. He is also on the committee of the Pedorthist Foot and Ankle Academy.

Séamus and his brother have grown Hersco and expanded it into a full central fab facility, making orthotics, ankle gauntlets and AFO’s, and they are also a Richie Brace partner. In the last few years they have focused on developing 3D printing applications for functional foot orthotics through iOrthotics, a joint venture company.

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Charles Kuffel is a Certified/Licensed Prosthetist/Orthotist (CPO, LPO), educated and experienced in both orthotics and prosthetics. He is also a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists (FAAOP), the highest honor awarded to practitioners in the profession. It is also awarded to only a handful of practitioners in the state of Minnesota. In addition, Charles also holds a Master's degree in Healthcare Management.

Charles works with all levels of patients at all ages and specializes in addressing the complicated orthotic and prosthetic needs of the dysvascular diabetic population. Charles has a primary clinical focus of upper and lower extremity prosthetic management as well as cranial remolding orthoses.

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Jeff Rich is a Board-Certified Pedorthist and the owner of the U.S. Orthotic Center in New York City, which specializes in orthotic manufacturing and shoe modification. He employs a unique orthotic fabrication method that combines traditional craftsmanship with modern technology and serves professional athletes, including teams from the NBA and the US Olympic team.

Additionally, he co-founded Masterfit Enterprises, which focuses on orthotic and footwear solutions, and has contributed significantly to the snowsports industry through training programs and product innovations. Rich holds seven US patents including three for orthotic designs.

Jeff is the current President of PFA and serves on several committees. He also heads the Pedorthic lab and teaches Pedorthics at Hamad Hospital in Qatar.

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Gerhard is a clinical pedorthist specializing in biomechanics, material science, and medical device engineering and development. He founded the Foot Support Group in Colorado in 1992, a clinical facility dedicated to patient care and in-house fabrication. His commitment to ongoing education is reflected in his role as an Adjunct Professor at St. Mary's Family Residency program and Intermountain Health in Grand Junction, Colorado, where he has taught for the past 30 years.

Throughout his career, Gerhard has contributed to various footwear and medical device developments, holding patents related to these innovations. His education and international research and development activities provide him with valuable insights into both contemporary and traditional concepts in his field. He earned his Pedorthic Degree from NYU in 1987 and his German Podiatry Degree in 1984, and has worked alongside pedorthic pioneers such as Barry Ullman, Arnie Davis, and Wayne Decker.

Beyond his clinical work, Gerhard is actively involved in prehospital care with Mesa County Search and Rescue/High Angle Rescue and the Powderhorn Ski Patrol. He also enjoys all-season outdoor adventures with his children and grandchildren, reflecting his passion for both professional excellence and family life.

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Rick has been an ABC Certified Pedorthist and instructor since 2004. He holds three degrees in Technical Education, Orthotics, and Prosthetics from Oklahoma State University and is both a BOC Certified Orthotist and an ABC Certified Orthotic and Prosthetic Assistant.

Rick served as Pedorthic Program Director at Oklahoma State University and ProLearn for more than a decade. With proficiency in 13 coding languages, he began exploring AI applications in the 1990s, writing early LISP-based automation tools for Autodesk engineering platforms.

Rick also serves on PFA’s Pedorthic Education Committee.

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Ryan Skrove is a licensed and certified prosthetist/orthotist with eight years of experience at Arise Orthotics & Prosthetics, Inc., located in Spring Lake Park, MN. Ryan's expertise encompasses all aspects of the field, including fabrication, administrative and insurance responsibilities, and patient management. Ryan primarily works with lower limb orthotic clients to improve overall foot and ankle complex function.

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Will has been a practicing physical therapist and certified pedorthist for over 20 years. As the owner of In-Step Biomechanics, custom foot orthotics lab and In-Step Physical Therapy, his practice offers on-site, custom manufacturing and products designed to maximize function, comfort and performance.

He is the inventor of the BFT 360 barefoot training system, an exercise device that uses “balance pods” to alleviate and prevent plantar fasciitis, ankle sprains, shin splints, and tendonitis while improving balance, athletic performance and injury recovery.

Will also serves as Vice President of the PFA and a member for PFA’s Marketing / Membership and Publications Committee.

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Josh White is the Vice-President of Orthofeet and a Podiatry Specialist in New York, NY, with over 33 years of experience in the medical field. Dr. White graduated from California College of Podiatric Medicine in 1989.

Dr. White has long combined interests in foot care and shoes. Selected as one of the most influential podiatrists in the US. He created SafeStep which offered a proprietary, web-based program that streamlined shoe ordering with the guaranteed assurance of Medicare compliance.

Dr. White serves on an American Podiatric Medical Association committee that addresses matters relating to durable medical equipment and is a Codingline Expert Panelist. Dr. White currently serves on PFA’s Pedorthic Education Committee.

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April Wilson is a licensed Physical Therapist Assistant with over 20 years of clinical experience treating inpatient and outpatient orthopaedics, wound care and sports related injuries.

April's focus of treatment has been lower extremities with specialization in orthotics, kinesio-taping and recommendations of footwear. She is certified in manual physical therapy, a clinical instructor and a certified kinesio-tape practitioner.

Areas of interest for April are lower extremity biomechanical dysfunctions. Her primary role is the National Clinical Educator of Foot Care and Orthopaedics for medi USA.

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