From left: Nena Garcia, Certification Coordinator; Lolo Arrieta, Certification Manager; Ray Infante, Executive Director; and Paula Garcia Di Niro, Continuing Education Coordinator.
The Executive Director (ED) serves as the NPCP Board’s single point of delegation and as such, remains accountable for meeting all the Board's expectations for organizational performance. The ED is the ultimate authority for decision making and responsible for oversight of the organization. The ED reports directly to the President and the Board as a whole. The ED works closely with the President, the Vice President, and the NPCP team to assure proper implementation of NPCP Board policies and procedures as well as the development of strategic planning and related activities as necessary to grow the certification program. The Executive Director also works closely with the Bookkeeper and the Treasurer to ensure that Certification Program financial records are kept up-to-date and available, as required by the NPCP Board. Ray obtained the ICE-CCP credential through the Institute for Credentialing Excellence. In his free time, he enjoys working out regularly and spending time with close friends and his adopted canine daughters, Mia and Liza.
The CMC advises candidates on procedures and all other relevant information related to the process of renewal of certification. The CMC is also responsible for website upgrades, internal communication, promotional materials, and any other responsibility directly related to the growth of the Certification Program. The CMC works directly with certificants and the public regarding any questions or issues related to the Certification Program. Originally from Brazil, Lolo joined the NPCP in September of 2021 to support the National Pilates Certification Program’s online certification renewal. Customer care, communication and problem-solving are among her areas of expertise. She is a Licensed Massage Therapist and is fluent in English, Spanish and Portuguese. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter.
The Certification Coordinator advises candidates on procedures, dates, testing locations, and any and all other relevant information related to the process of initial certification. The Certification Coordinator functions as a central figure in matters related to the program's adherence to NCCA guidelines. Maria Mercedes Garcia, known to most as Nena, joined the NPCP in 2023. Nena received her bachelor’s degree in education and master’s degree in educational management in her native country of Venezuela prior to moving to the United States with her husband and two daughters in 2001. In Venezuela, Nena was a teacher for 15 years. In the US, she continued to pursue her career in education and developed a homeschool program for dedicated dancers in her daughter's dance studio. Always having had an active lifestyle and watching her daughters cross-train dance with Pilates, Pilates became a preferred method of maintaining a healthy lifestyle for Nena. Her love for Pilates in addition to her administrative experience through her many career paths led her to NPCP, a company she is proud to be a part of. Nena is also proud to have recently become a grandmother!
The Continuing Education Coordinator (CEC) is responsible for the approval of all continuing education presenters, providers, workshops, and petitions related to the maintenance of the NCPT credential. Paula joined the NPCP in 2020. She holds a master’s degree in Public Relations and Communication, she is a Licensed Massage Therapist in the state of Florida, and she has advanced training in Neuromuscular Therapy, Craniosacral Therapy, Visceral Mobilization and Chinese Modalities, among others. She has taught different subject matter and age groups throughout her life, including Anatomy, Kinesiology, Physiology, and Pathology. She loves reading, art in all its expressions, spending time with friends and family, and homeschooling her kids!
