We are very pleased to announce new leadership for the Florida Board of Massage Therapy! The Board has a new Executive Director, Board Chair and Vice Chair.

Governor Crist also appointed 4 new board members in February.

We would like to wish the board members the best of luck in their new positions.

Kaye Howerton – New Executive Director

Kaye Howerton also serves as the Executive Director for the Boards of Acupuncture, Osteopathic Medicine, Speech Language Pathology and Audiology and the Council on Midwifery. Ms. Howerton brings a wealth of knowledge in the regulatory field. She has over thirteen years experience in licensure and regulation formerly with the Department of Health and the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. She has served on national federation committees for other boards including examination and education.

“I look forward to working with the Board of Massage Therapy and the massage profession. I have met some very passionate massage therapists who have lofty goals that will help protect the public and reach out to the entire licensee base.” – Kaye Howerton

Lynda Solien-Wolfe, LMT – New Board Chair

Lynda Solien-Wolfe, LMT, NCTMB is the President and founder of the Solwolfe Resource Group Inc., a business development consultancy specializing in the massage, spa and integrated healthcare markets. The Solwolfe Resource Group was founded to create networks, awareness, educational programs, strategy alliance and relationships to support and grow the massage therapy industry and the companies and entities that support the massage and wellness professions. Lynda is the massage and spa consultant for Hygenic/Performance Health products, the makers of BIOFREEZE. Lynda is also a freelance writer and has been published in the top massage therapy trade publications. She has been a member of the FSMTA and AMTA since massage school. Lynda is licensed as a massage therapist and has had a private practice in Merritt Island, Florida since 1994. Lynda was elected chair of the Florida Board of Massage Therapy at their January 2009 meeting. Lynda is serving her second term on the board which will expire in October 2009. Lynda can be reached at Lyndabomt [at] aol [dot] com.
“I am excited to serve as the new chair of the Florida Board of Massage Therapy and continue to protect the public and help steer the issues that come in front of the board with fairness and respect.” – Lynda Solien-Wolfe, LMT

Lorena Haynes, LMT - New Board Vice Chair

Lorena Haynes, BS Ed., LMT, has been a licensed massage therapist in Florida since 1993. She spent ten years working for chiropractors in Orlando and over the years has worked at many of the hotels and spas in the Disney area. With a Bachelor of Science in Career and Technical Education from the University of Central Florida, she has taught massage therapy for Orange County Public Schools since 2002. She has been a guest lecturer and instructor at several state and national conventions specializing in technology in the classroom and distance education curriculum development for massage therapy and other professions and is currently in the Master’s program at UCF for the same. Lorena is an ancillary author, reviewer and content expert for several massage textbooks.

In 2006 Governor Jeb Bush appointed her to the Florida Board of Massage Therapy, where she will serve until her term expires in October of 2009. She is the newly elected vice chair and sits on both the probable cause panel as well as the rules committee.

“I view being on the Board as an opportunity to contribute to the advancement of our profession, and am grateful to be able to serve in the capacity of vice chair.” - Lorena Haynes, LMT

Governor Charlie Crist announced the following appointments to the BOMT:

Bridget Burke-Wammack, 47, of Tallahassee, self-employed licensed massage therapist, succeeding David Quiring, appointed for a term beginning February 24, 2009, and ending October 31, 2012. Bridget is an FSMTA member and former Big Bend Chapter Officer.

Karen Ford, 42, of Punta Gorda, self-employed licensed massage therapist, succeeding Andrea Vala, appointed for a term beginning February 24, 2009, and ending October 31, 2011.

Robert Smallwood, 62, of Key West, self-employed licensed massage therapist, succeeding Jacqueline Kelly, appointed for a term beginning February 24, 2009, and ending October 31, 2011. Bob is an FSMTA member and former Keys Chapter Officer and former FSMTA Executive Director.

William Stoehs, 64, of Hudson, retired, succeeding Alfonza Hall, appointed for a term beginning February 24, 2009, and ending October 31, 2010.