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Liza Perla-Riedel
Founder
An interest starts with a need. A spinal cord injury is devastating, not only to the individual, but to
everyone who cares and loves them. And, we want nothing but the best for our loved ones. Like
many others, I was unable to find a facility in the southeast that could support my daughter's goals,
vision and determination. This is why I founded Step It Up, a spinal cord injury recovery center that
focuses on your whole body in a structured and supportive enviroment.
Email: liza@stepituprecovery.org
Founder
An interest starts with a need. A spinal cord injury is devastating, not only to the individual, but to
everyone who cares and loves them. And, we want nothing but the best for our loved ones. Like
many others, I was unable to find a facility in the southeast that could support my daughter's goals,
vision and determination. This is why I founded Step It Up, a spinal cord injury recovery center that
focuses on your whole body in a structured and supportive enviroment.
Email: liza@stepituprecovery.org
Johanna Van Casteren
Executive Director
Johanna was a financial assistant at A.G. Edwards & Sons, Inc. until her retirement. When
granddaughter Amanda was injured, she helped establish Step It Up Recovery Center.
Email: johanna@stepituprecovery.org
Executive Director
Johanna was a financial assistant at A.G. Edwards & Sons, Inc. until her retirement. When
granddaughter Amanda was injured, she helped establish Step It Up Recovery Center.
Email: johanna@stepituprecovery.org
Brandon S. Peters
Attorney
Peters Trial Group, LLC
Born in Jacksonville, Florida to parents from Louisiana and Virginia, Mr. Peters is a true “Son of
the South.” Mr. Peters is a fearless advocate who enjoys the combat of trials and the challenge of
appeals.
It is often said that clients can identify the very best attorneys by knowing which attorneys are
hired by judges. During his career, Mr. Peters has represented numerous members of the
judiciary in a variety of legal matters.
Mr. Peters continues a lengthy family tradition of volunteer service to his fellow Floridians. Since
2001, Mr. Peters has been on the Board of Directors of the Florida Safety Council and the United
Safety Council. Mr. Peters and his family contribute their time and financial support to various
charitable organizations.
Attorney
Peters Trial Group, LLC
Born in Jacksonville, Florida to parents from Louisiana and Virginia, Mr. Peters is a true “Son of
the South.” Mr. Peters is a fearless advocate who enjoys the combat of trials and the challenge of
appeals.
It is often said that clients can identify the very best attorneys by knowing which attorneys are
hired by judges. During his career, Mr. Peters has represented numerous members of the
judiciary in a variety of legal matters.
Mr. Peters continues a lengthy family tradition of volunteer service to his fellow Floridians. Since
2001, Mr. Peters has been on the Board of Directors of the Florida Safety Council and the United
Safety Council. Mr. Peters and his family contribute their time and financial support to various
charitable organizations.
Karyn M. Wiest
Physician
Karyn M. Wiest, MD, FAAP, received her medical degree from the University of Florida College of
Medicine in Gainesville, FL. Dr. Wiest completed her internship and residency in general
pediatrics at Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola, FL, and spent an additional year as the
pediatric chief resident and junior faculty. Currently, she practices general pediatrics full time in
Oviedo, Florida with Phyician Associates, and serves on the board of the Central Florida Pediatric
Society.
Physician
Karyn M. Wiest, MD, FAAP, received her medical degree from the University of Florida College of
Medicine in Gainesville, FL. Dr. Wiest completed her internship and residency in general
pediatrics at Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola, FL, and spent an additional year as the
pediatric chief resident and junior faculty. Currently, she practices general pediatrics full time in
Oviedo, Florida with Phyician Associates, and serves on the board of the Central Florida Pediatric
Society.
Kenneth Hoffman
Accountant
Mr Hoffman has been an accountant since 1960. He obtained his accounting degree at
Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI. From 1960 to 1968, he was the Utility accountant for the
City of Wauwatosa, WI. From 1968 to 2007, he was an insurance auditor. Currently, his primary
business is tax accounting and he continues to manage a few existing accounts on a monthly
basis.
Accountant
Mr Hoffman has been an accountant since 1960. He obtained his accounting degree at
Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI. From 1960 to 1968, he was the Utility accountant for the
City of Wauwatosa, WI. From 1968 to 2007, he was an insurance auditor. Currently, his primary
business is tax accounting and he continues to manage a few existing accounts on a monthly
basis.
Melanie Teel
Marketing/Event Coordinator
Melanie Teel received a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing from the University of Central
Florida in 2004. She joined the Law Offices of Palmer, Reifler & Associates, P.A. in 2005 as a
Marketing, Events & Client Service Manager. In 2008 Rotary International selected Melanie to
spend a month traveling around the Philippines as a member of the 2008 Group Study
Exchange program. Shortly before the trip, Melanie’s younger brother, Aaron was injured in a hit
& run car accident as a C5 Quadriplegic. He has since joined the Step It Up clientele on a semi
full-time basis. Upon learning of Aaron’s injury, Melanie not only organized fundraisers to
benefit Aaron’s non-profit fund, but has also volunteered at a number of Step It Up events to
promote the overall well-being of the Spinal Cord Injury community.
Marketing/Event Coordinator
Melanie Teel received a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing from the University of Central
Florida in 2004. She joined the Law Offices of Palmer, Reifler & Associates, P.A. in 2005 as a
Marketing, Events & Client Service Manager. In 2008 Rotary International selected Melanie to
spend a month traveling around the Philippines as a member of the 2008 Group Study
Exchange program. Shortly before the trip, Melanie’s younger brother, Aaron was injured in a hit
& run car accident as a C5 Quadriplegic. He has since joined the Step It Up clientele on a semi
full-time basis. Upon learning of Aaron’s injury, Melanie not only organized fundraisers to
benefit Aaron’s non-profit fund, but has also volunteered at a number of Step It Up events to
promote the overall well-being of the Spinal Cord Injury community.
Pam DeNobile
Physician Practice Management
Ms. DeNobile has over 25 years of professional experience in the healthcare industry
specializing in physician practice management and coding education. She possesses
extensive experience in ICD-9-CM, CPT, and HCPCS coding and education.
Since joining PricewaterhouseCoopers, Ms. DeNobile has conducted numerous investigational
and compliance documentation and coding assessments, and has taught thousands of
healthcare providers evaluation and management and procedural coding. She is a Certified
Coder Specialist, Physician-based (CCS-P) through the American Health Information
Management Association, a Certified Professional Coder (CPC) through the American Academy
of Professional Coders (AAPC), and a Certified Professional Coder Instructor (CPC-I) through
the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC).
Physician Practice Management
Ms. DeNobile has over 25 years of professional experience in the healthcare industry
specializing in physician practice management and coding education. She possesses
extensive experience in ICD-9-CM, CPT, and HCPCS coding and education.
Since joining PricewaterhouseCoopers, Ms. DeNobile has conducted numerous investigational
and compliance documentation and coding assessments, and has taught thousands of
healthcare providers evaluation and management and procedural coding. She is a Certified
Coder Specialist, Physician-based (CCS-P) through the American Health Information
Management Association, a Certified Professional Coder (CPC) through the American Academy
of Professional Coders (AAPC), and a Certified Professional Coder Instructor (CPC-I) through
the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC).