David Relling, PT, PhD, North Dakota
President

David Relling, PT, PhD, is Senior Associate Dean for Health Sciences and Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, North Dakota. He chaired the UND department of physical therapy from 2014 to 2021 and has practiced in a variety of settings, including acute care, orthopedics, and long-term care. Dave was appointed to the North Dakota Board of Physical Therapy in 2010 and completed his second term on the board in 2020. He served as President of the ND Board from 2014 to 2016. Dave is a member of the state association and the American Physical Therapy Association.

Dave began his involvement with FSBPT in 2005 as an item writer and has served as a member and then co-chair of the NPTE Exam Development Committee for physical therapists. He was inducted into the Academy of Advanced Item Writers in 2010.

Dave is the Board Liaison to Hawaii, New Jersey, North Dakota, Puerto Rico, South Dakota, and Virgin Islands.

Michele Thorman, PT, DPT, MBA, Wisconsin
Vice President

Michele Thorman, PT, DPT, MBA, is a Clinical Professor Emeritus at the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse Physical Therapy Program. She is a graduate of the University of Nebraska Medical Center (PT), Cardinal Stritch University (MBA), and Temple University (DPT). Her passion for the Physical Therapy profession is grounded by perspectives gained from her previous employment experiences as a clinician, administrator, and educator. Clinical interests include geriatric rehabilitation, education, and wellness in cancer survivorship. Michele served as program director of the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse (UWL) Physical Therapy Program and as a member of the UWL Foundation Board of Directors prior to her retirement in 2019.

Michele has been privileged to serve the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy since 2009 as a member and later as chair of the Wisconsin Physical Therapy Examining Board. She has chaired the Continuing Competence Committee and served on the Sexual Misconduct and Boundaries Committee. She was honored to present at the International Network of Physiotherapy Regulatory Authorities (INPTRA) in Geneva, Switzerland (2019). Michele is a humble recipient of the President’s Award (2018). She served as president of APTA-WI. Michele is now honored to serve as vice president on the FSBPT’s Board of Directors.

Michele is the Board Liaison to Delaware, District of Columbia, Iowa, Nebraska, Nevada, Virginia, and Wisconsin.

Stephen Curley, Kentucky
Secretary

Stephen Curley is the Executive Director of the Kentucky Board of Physical Therapy (KBPT). With a professional background and thorough education in investigations, he served as an investigator in both the private and public sectors from 2005 to 2021. His investigative career for the KBPT, as well as twelve other state boards, spanned over a decade from 2010 to 2021. Additionally, Stephen has experience in information technology. He has developed and built and continues to maintain multiple websites and databases.

Stephen began his time with FSBPT as a presenter at the Annual Meeting in 2017. Since that time, he has had the privilege of serving as a member on the Boundary and Sexual Misconduct Committee, Council of Board Administrators, and PT Compact Compliance Committee. He has also served as a Delegate for the PT Compact Commission and a Chair of the PT Compact Rules and Bylaws Committee.

Stephen has been a speaker at several national conferences on subjects encompassing investigations, disciplinary actions, board processes, public protection, addiction, and documentation, among other pertinent topics. He is currently an instructor with the Council on Licensure, Enforcement and Regulation’s (CLEAR) National Certified Investigator/ Inspector Training Program.

Stephen received the FSBPT Outstanding Service Award in 2023.

Stephen is the Board Liaison to Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee, and West Virginia.

Steven Scherger, PT, Minnesota
Treasurer

Steven Scherger earned his Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy from Ohio University in 1994. Throughout his career, he has committed himself to lifelong learning and professional development, becoming a certified McKenzie Therapist with a specialization in spine care.

Currently serving as the Regional Manager for Courage Kenny Sports and Physical Therapy in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Steven is responsible for the operations and performance of seven physical therapy locations and a team of 60 physical therapists and a dozen support personnel. In addition, he serves as the lead physical therapist for the Allina Health Brain and Spine Institute. Steven also prides himself on staff development and competency training, fostering a culture of clinical excellence. Appointed to the Minnesota Board of Physical Therapy in 2015, Steven has been reappointed twice, in 2019 and 2023, in recognition of his dedication to public protection and professional integrity. He currently serves as President of the Board, where he leads efforts to uphold ethical standards and safeguard patient safety.

Steven has also contributed his time and expertise nationally through his work with the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT). As the elected Treasurer and, prior to that, serving six years on the Finance Committee, he has helped maintain the organization’s fiscal health. His involvement in the Re-entry Task Force and the Ethics and Legislation Committee has supported the development of key regulatory policies and guidelines.

Outside of his professional life, Steven enjoys cooking for friends and family and spending time in his beloved northern Minnesota, pursuits that reflect his appreciation for connection, nature, and community.

Steven is the Board Liaison to Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Minnesota, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Texas.

Craig Miller, PT, Michigan
Director

Craig Miller is the Regional Director of Therapy for Home Care and Outpatient Services (Michigan and Ohio) with Rivetus Rehabilitation. He received his PT degree from Wayne State University and his Master of Public Health degree from Eastern Washington University.

He has served on the Michigan Board of Physical Therapy since 2018, serving as its Board Chair since 2022. He previously volunteered with APTA Michigan as the Legislative Director and as the Federal Affairs Liaison. Craig has participated on several CMS Technical Expert Panels related to quality outcome measures, value-based payments, and patient autonomy.

He has served as a member of the FSBPT Ethics & Legislation committee and the Excellence in Regulation committee, and he has presented at several LIF and Annual Education Meetings.

Craig is the Board Liaison to Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, and Utah.

Krista Wolfe, DPT, ATC, Pennsylvania
Director

Krista Wolfe, DPT, ATC, serves as Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs at Central Penn College in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. She brings more than two decades of experience in healthcare and higher education and has practiced physical therapy in a variety of settings. She currently practices PRN at Inspired Physical Therapy. In her academic leadership role, Krista is committed to fostering growth, accountability, innovation, and academic excellence.

Krista has extensive experience in higher education accreditation and regulatory affairs, including volunteer service with the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and the Pennsylvania Department of Education. She completed the Executive Leadership Series in 2024 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, further strengthening her expertise in leadership, strategic planning, and organizational growth.

Krista has served on the Pennsylvania State Board of Physical Therapy since 2020 and currently serves as Vice Chair of the Board. Her regulatory service has provided her with valuable experience in professional licensure, public protection, and the evolving needs of the physical therapy profession.

Krista began her involvement with FSBPT in 2010 as an item writer and transitioned to the Item Bank Review Committee in 2014. She has continued to volunteer within exam development through 2022 and has served in a variety of leadership roles, including co-chair of the Exam Development Committee and as a member of the Membership Survey Task Force, Finance Committee, and Audit and Investment Committee. Through her service, she has contributed to examination development; presented at LIF, the Annual Meetings, and Regulatory Workshops; provided financial stewardship; and advanced FSBPT's mission.

Krista was honored with the FSBPT Outstanding Service Award in 2023.

Krista is the Board Liaison to Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

Michelle Sigmund-Gaines, Oregon
Director

Michelle Sigmund-Gaines is the Executive Director for the Oregon Board of Physical Therapy. She has been serving in that role since late 2017 and has held leadership roles in healthcare regulation in Oregon since 2008. Michelle has over thirty years of experience in organizational governance, information technology management, and instructional design and has a passion for public service and education. In addition to healthcare regulation, she has worked in a variety of sectors, including government, transportation, retail, K12, and higher education.

Michelle has been volunteering with FSBPT since 2018 and has had the honor of serving in multiple roles, including as a member of the Education and Ethics & Legislation Committees, the Board Assessment Task Force, and as a member and Chair of the Council of Board Administrators (CBA).

Michelle received the FSBPT Outstanding Service Award in 2020 and the President’s Award in 2021.

Michelle is the Board Liaison to Alaska, Arizona, California, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming.

Charles E. Reiter, III, JD, Illinois 
Public Member

Charles E. Reiter, III, JD, a practicing attorney in Chicago, is senior counsel and head of the health law practice at Croke Fairchild Morgan & Beres LLC. He has served as Senior Vice-President, General Counsel and Secretary of the Loyola University Health System and the Loyola University Physician Foundation and was Executive Vice-President, General Counsel and Secretary of Palos Health, a community hospital. He has also served as a director and board chair of captive insurance companies underwriting medical risks. Since receiving his Illinois attorney license in 1981, he has concentrated his practice of law in health-related areas, including medical staff matters, mediation, contracting, compliance, litigation, and complex transactions, including developing structures in response to the many challenges posed by health reform.

His pro bono work includes establishing the Loyola Children’s Center at Maybrook to provide free daycare, books, meals, social services, referrals and medical screenings to children whose parents had business in the courthouse but no daycare; establishing the Felony Mental Health Court at Bridgeview to provide mental health services in a non-custodial setting; Chair Emeritus of the Board, BraveHearts Therapeutic Riding Center - Equine assisted therapies for people with special needs including children, military veterans and Gold Star families; and Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission of the Supreme Court of Illinois (ARDC) - Hearing Board Appointment, 2006 to 2013, and Oversight Committee Appointment, 2006 to 2008, 2009 to 2024.

Reiter is a graduate of Boston University and the University of Miami School of Law. He is admitted to practice in the state and federal (trial bar) courts in Illinois.

Susan Newman 
Chief Executive Officer

Susan Layton Newman is an experienced senior manager dedicated to delivering exceptional results through motivated and diverse teams. Susan Newman previously served as Chief Operating Officer for more than a decade, playing a pivotal role in advancing FSBPT’s strategic initiatives, including examination development, membership engagement, and regulatory leadership. Susan has more than twenty-five years of experience managing operations in both for-profit and not-for-profit environments. Susan was a Sloan Fellow at the London Business School, where she received her Master of Science in Management. She received her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Mary Washington.