Press Room

Cedric X. Bryant, Ph.D., FACSM Appointed as New CEO of American Council on Exercise (ACE)

Posted: May 01, 2024 in ACE Press Releases

San Diego, Calif., May 1, 2024 — The American Council on Exercise (ACE) and its Board of Directors are pleased to announce that longtime health and fitness executive Cedric X. Bryant, Ph.D., FACSM, has been named the organization’s new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) effective July 1. Bryant succeeds Scott Goudeseune who led ACE as its CEO for more than 15 years during which time ACE grew significantly, expanding its influence and impact in the global health and fitness community. 

“I am deeply honored to lead ACE and build on the strong foundation laid by Scott,” Bryant said. “I look forward to advancing our mission and making a meaningful impact on public health globally.” 

The transition comes at a time when the health and fitness industry continues to evolve from pre-pandemic ideals, embracing new technologies and efforts to increase health equity and accessibility so individuals can lead more active lives worldwide.  

With past and current experience serving on advisory committees for national and international organizations, including the World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the National Academies for Science, Engineering and Medicine, Bryant is committed to collaborative strategies to improve public health through increased movement. He continues to emphasize health equity – evidenced by his strong advocacy for the ACE Equity, Diversity and Inclusion initiative – and prioritizes the importance of strong, science-backed education resources to encourage all communities to get moving more. 

Bryant joined ACE in 2001 and is the current President and Chief Science Officer. He brings more than 35 years in the health and fitness industry, including extensive work in exercise science and behavior coaching. Bryant has authored more than 300 articles, co-authored or edited more than 40 books, and has been cited in multiple publications, including the New York Times and the U.S. News and World Report. He earned both his doctorate in physiology and master’s degree in exercise science from Pennsylvania State University, where he received Pennsylvania State University’s Distinguished Alumni Award, the highest recognition presented to its alumni. 

“We are thrilled to welcome Cedric as our new CEO,” said John Lally, incoming Chair of the ACE Board of Directors. “His vision for the future of health and fitness aligns seamlessly with the values and mission of ACE. We are equally grateful that Scott will continue to lend his support and expertise to the organization through his role as strategic advisor to the CEO.”   

To stay up to date on the latest news at ACE, please visit https://www.acefitness.org/about-ace/press-room/press-releases/. 

 

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About the American Council on Exercise

Since 1985, the American Council on Exercise (ACE) has been the leading non-profit education and certification provider for health coaches and exercise professionals in the United States and around the world.

With more than 90,000 highly respected certified health coaches and exercise professionals, ACE Certified Professionals are on the ground daily helping people move, stay active and make lasting lifestyle behavior changes to build healthier communities.

Headquartered in San Diego, ACE collaborates with public health partners to educate people of all backgrounds about the importance of physical activity and other healthy lifestyle behaviors; advocates for public policies to increase physical activity opportunities; and supports scientific research that investigates the efficacy of behavior-change interventions and the effectiveness of exercise practices and trends.

For more information visit www.acefitness.org/about-ace/. AMERICAN COUNCIL ON EXERCISE, ACE and ACE logos are Registered Trademarks of the American Council on Exercise.