Get to know your AMTA-OR Board Members better!

Leslie Giese, LMT #5975
AMTA-OR President
A professional AMTA member from the day I got my license, December 23 1996 I've found I did not get really involved until I was 2+ 3 yrs into my practice. I was grateful that others volunteered and looked after my interests, but I felt like I just didn't have the time. After attending a small Annual Meeting in 1999, I started to get involved and was totally hooked after my first AMTA National Convention in Phoenix, Arizona in 2000. I love being part of a larger community. As co-owner of The Massage Clinic in Tigard I specialize in corporate wellness. Interests: Music, dance, movies, books and recently WOW (World Of Warcraft).

Leah Bowder, LMT #12252
AMTA-OR 1st Vice President
Thank you, membership, for electing me to the Board of Directors. I am looking forward to serving our members over the next year. The last two years of serving on the Government Relations Committee have been a wonderful learning experience. I have been able to meet and speak with AMTA members from across the United States about promoting our profession. Massage Therapy is regulated by the legislature in our state, therefore, it is important to be active to ensure having a voice.

I graduated from Oregon School of Massage and have a mostly clinical practice in Beaverton. I am also busy raising my three daughters and spending time with my wonderful husband.

Michael Dukart, LMT #6806
AMTA-OR 2nd Vice President
I was first licensed to practice massage in Oregon in 1998, and have built a practice of chair and table massage in the Salem area since then. I return to the AMTA-Oregon Board of Directors as 2nd Vice President following a year away (not exactly: I’ve been AMTA-OR’s Oregon News Newsletter Editor). Prior to that, beginning in 2003 I was AMTA-OR Secretary for 4 years.

It is always an honor to serve my fellow Oregon AMTA massage peers. This Oregon Chapter, by itself and as part of the National AMTA organization, plays such a vital role in the growth and acceptance of massage as a healing art. We on the 2008 Board are very excited about our newly revamped Website (www.amta-or.org), and are anxious that all our members check out the user-friendly site regularly to keep themselves updated on the newest in Chapter developments. Give us feedback. Please.

In conclusion, I’m excited about 2008 and my opportunity to serve as AMTA-OR 2nd Vice President. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity.

Carol Ann Carnese, LMT #12504
AMTA-OR 3rd Vice President
I graduated from Ashmead College of Massage and have been a licensed massage therapist in Washington State for four years and Oregon for three years. While building a successful practice, last year I was elected to the Board of Directors of the Oregon Chapter of The American Massage Therapy Association as 3rd Vice President. This position has allowed me to establish an incredible network of professionals within the massage community and enabled me to learn the behind-the-scenes workings of the AMTA.

Having attending the National Chapter Volunteer Orientation Program (CVOP) in Chicago and the National Conference in Cincinnati this past year has really given me the drive to help make our Chapter bigger and better than it already is, and I’m extremely excited about the direction our Chapter is heading. I want to be an integral part of it.

Johannes Venghaus, LMT #11918
AMTA-OR Secretary
I have been a massage therapist since March of 2005. I went to East West College of the Healing Arts in Portland for my basic training in Swedish massage. I have been taking additional classes since then in Sports massage and Muscle Energy Technique.

I was born and raised in Germany and came to the United States in 1974 to work with elderly poor people in Chicago. I moved to Portland 1984 and have been living here ever since. During this time my wife and I had a candle making business for nine years and raised a family of 5 children. Before becoming a massage therapist I had been working for Qwest Communications as a customer service representative for 6 years.

My children were one of the reasons that got me started in massage: After they became too old for bedtime stories I found that massage was a great way of connecting with them and a wonderful way of calming them down at the end of an exciting day, and this experience helped me to make the decision to pursue massage as a professional career.

I recently rented my own massage space in NE Portland, I also work as massage therapist at the Central YMCA and at the Health Club of the downtown Hilton. When I am not working as massage therapist, I love to ride my bike, hike in the forests of Oregon, work in my garden or watch birds out of my kitchen window. Over the years I have been involved with a variety of volunteer organizations in Portland such as Peoples Food Store, the Bicycle Transportation Alliance, KBOO Community Radio and the Oregon Beekeepers Association.

I have been a professional member of AMTA ever since I became a massage therapist and I have started to become actively involved with AMTA about a year ago. Being a member of the Board of the Oregon AMTA chapter constantly broadens my horizon as massage therapist and gives me great appreciation for what a professional organization can really do to further our profession as a valid part of the medical and healing profession. It also provides me with wonderful ways to connect with other massage therapists, opens up new opportunities to me and makes me happy to be in this profession.

Brandi Walton, LMT #3218
AMTA-OR Treasurer
I have been a licensed massage therapist for 18 years, having graduated from East West College of the Healing Arts. Having attended business school and by virtue of nine years on the Board of Directors of the Oregon Chapter AMTA, I feel I have a good understanding of the financial responsibilities of Treasurer. It is an honor to be re-elected to this position and to serve our Chapter once again. Thank you for your support.