Michael Kies
Director of Facilities

Mike oversees the entire Prairie Stone™ Sports & Wellness Center as well as the Willow Recreation Center, Community Center rentals, service desk, fitness center and Vogelei House and Barn operations. He has been involved in the health club/facility management industry for more than 15 years and brings extensive management experience to the club's 3,000+ members. Under his leadership, membership has increased by 40% in less than one year. Mike believes in providing customers with only the best programs and services the industry can offer.

Education/Certifications
MBA with emphasis in Human Resource Management
BA in Recreation Business Mgt. with an emphasis in exercise physiology

Mike's Philosophy
"There are a lot of trends in this industry, but trends don't always provide healthy lifestyle alternatives. Prairie Stone™ Sports & Wellness Center works to offer classes and services that will have a healthy impact on a member's life."

Katie Basile, MS
Assistant Director, Fitness & Operation Departments
Katie oversees the operations and fitness departments. With a Master's Degree in exercise science, she incorporates more than 17 years of experience in business and fitness management, as well as exercise programming and training experience, into building programs.

Education/Certifications
Masters Degree in Exercise Science
American Council on Exercise, Certified Personal Trainer and Instructor

Exercise Philosophy
Katie believes in a holistic and balanced approach to fitness. "I believe that the key to exercise is incorporating it into your overall lifestyle. It's about choosing activities that you enjoy and making exercise both energizing and enjoyable."

Glenna Monroe
Group Exercise & Program Manager
Glenna has been involved in the health and fitness field for more than 20 years, gaining practical experience dancing for a modern dance company in New York City. Monroe has taught and choreographed everything from ballet to jazz, and is currently supervising and teaching Prairie Stone™ Sports & Wellness Center's group exercise classes.

Education/Certifications
Universty of Illinois, BA Fine and Applied Arts

American Council on Exercise, Instructor
Mad Dogg Athletics, Inc. Certified Spinning Instructor
Physical Mind Institute Certified Pilates Instructor

Exercise Philosophy
Monroe believes that there is a mind/body connection when maintaining an active and healthy lifestyle. "Health and fitness goals must be set, and those goals are easier to reach if workouts are diverse and balanced. Integrating strength, endurance, and flexibility will keep everyone on track and prevent burnout."

Nancy Podowski, RD, LDN
Registered Dietitian
Nancy has been a registered dietitian since 1991. She began her career in a veteran’s hospital and gained experience helping patients with chronic medical conditions. Nancy’s focus is on teaching people how a healthy diet can improve their overall quality of life.

Nutrition Philosophy

All foods, enjoyed in moderation, can fit into a healthy diet. No one should deprive themselves of foods they enjoy or follow fad diets to lose weight.

Education/Certifications: B.S.-Dietetics, University of Illinois, Champaign, 1990 Registered Dietician Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist

Massage Therapists

Jajaida Alfaro

Licensed and Nationally Certified Clinical Massage Therapist. Graduated from The Soma Institute of Clinical Massage Therapy of Chicago, IL in 2005. A member of American Massage Therapy Association. Jajaida specializes in swedish, deep tissue, clinical, sports and therapeutic massage through various techniques. With a range of tools, she is able to use a creative approach and meet individual needs. Through continuing education courses and seminars she has enhanced her techniques as well as acquired new ones. Jajaida believes proper education and follow through of treatment is the road to optimal health.

Valerie Faber:

Licensed and Nationally Certified Clinical Massage Therapist. Valerie is a 2003 graduate of the Soma Institute of Clinical Massage Therapy in Chicago. She is nationally certified by NCBTMB, licensed by the State of Illinois, and holds Professional membership in the AMTA. She participates regularly in continuing education workshops and seminars.

Valerie provides relaxation and therapeutic massage incorporating Swedish, Deep Tissue, and Sports Massage techniques. She believes massage therapy promotes health and healing and provides a sense of balance, well-being, and body awareness.

Quiana L. Sargeant, BS, LMT, NCTMB has been practicing massage therapy for several years. After receiving her Bachelors degree in Finance, Quiana attended the Wellness & Massage Training Institute in Woodridge, IL graduating with over 770 hours of training. Over her career, Quiana, has worked in a variety of massage settings with an emphasis in clinical settings. Quiana’s clinical experience has afforded her the opportunity to work with a diverse clientele base including middle school to professional athletes and dancers, executives, homemakers, blue-collar workers, and the elderly. In a session, Quiana blends Swedish, deep tissue, sport massage, & myofascial release to meet the needs of her clients. Quiana also provides pregnancy massage to expecting mothers after their first trimester.