The NES Team
NED Simerlein - Founder & lead instructor
Ned Simerlein graduated from Purdue University with a bachelor’s degree in Health and Kinesiology. After practical experiences specializing in the areas of geriatric and special populations, corporate fitness, and personal training, Ned discovered that his passion was the training and development of athletes.
Ned began his tenure with the world-renowned IMG Academies in 2003. At IMG, he served as the Performance Director of the IMG Baseball and Basketball Programs, and assisted with the NFL Combine Program, NBA Draft & Offseason Preparation, MLB Spring Training Preparation, and the U-17 US National Team. During that time he also became a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, through the National Strength and Conditioning Association.
In 2005, Ned relocated to Connecticut and continued his career at Velocity Sports Performance. At Velocity he served as the Director of Performance. Ned was responsible for the training and development of over 50 performance coaches along with the training of the athletes and adults. He was also responsible for the preparation of professional athletes who were drafted into the NFL, NBA, MLB, MLL, and MLS.
In 2009, he founded “Integrated Athletic Performance”, a performance hybrid facility that focused on small group adult training and performance training. By 2013, IAP had become the most successful adult personal training program in the state with over 125 active clients. On the performance side, IAP was responsible for the development of well over 500 athletes of all sports. Ned’s internship and mentorship program developed some of the leading strength coaches, physical therapists and strength coaches in New England, who are currently employed at Stamford, Yale, and Colgate, SCCU, South Carolina, Miami of Ohio, and other universities
In 2013, he opened “N.E.S Sports”, a consulting business designed to optimize their training programs, enhance product quality, revenue generation, sales and marketing practices, and business operations. Although Ned still actively consults with numerous institutions, NES Sports Performance is where he spends a majority of his time with the hands on development of some of the top athletes in the Northeast.
Amanda fARINA- Directer of operations & Internship coordinator
Amanda started her sports performance journey in 2011 when she completed a 600-hour intensive internship program under Ned’s guidance. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Science at Eastern Connecticut State University in 2012. While at Eastern, Amanda played 4 years of field hockey on their Division 3 team. After graduating, Amanda worked with Ned at IAP in 2012 as a Sport Performance Specialist. From 2013-2014 Amanda worked for Velocity Sports Performance as the Assistant Performance Director. Amanda moved to Melbourne, Australia in 2015. While in Australia, Amanda played 2 seasons of high-level adult league field hockey, coached 1 season of U16 boys field hockey, and was able to shadow in the weight room of Australian Football League team, The Melbourne Demons. She is excited to have returned home and be a part of the NES team once again.
Lauren Pitney - coach
Lauren is currently the Graduate Assistant Softball Coach at Springfield College, on track to receive her Master's Degree in Athletic Administration. Lauren completed her undergraduate coursework at Manhattan College receiving her Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science/Pre-Physical Therapy. She was a four-year starter for Manhattan’s Division I Softball Team. At Manhattan, she was a three-time All-MAAC Conference Player, three-time NFCA All-Northeast Region Team Selection and the 2019 MAAC Defensive Player of the Year. Lauren completed her internship at NES Sports Performance in the summer of 2018 before being hired as an Assistant Coach in the winter of 2018. Lauren is seated for the CSCS exam in January 2021. She is a member of the NSCA (National Strength and Conditioning Association) and the NFCA (National Fastpitch Coaches Association). She is CPR/AED Certified through the American Red Cross.
Drew Gallagher - PT
Drew earned his Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy at Northeastern University in 1996. He also earned his MBA in Healthcare Management from the University of Phoenix in 2004. His clinical specialties include orthopedics, joint therapy, vestibular rehabilitation, and instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization. Drew is also certified in Trigger Point Dry Needling and belongs to the American Physical Therapy Association, the Southbury Chamber of Commerce, and the Southbury Business Association.
Kristine Loomis - LMT
Kristine joined the team in 2017 responsible for the treatment of players for the NFL Combine Preparation and MLB Spring Training Prep Program. Her training modalities include therapeutic massage, cupping, and kinesiology taping. Kris is constantly honing her craft by staying up to date with the latest sports medicine and massage research. She is inspired on honored to have the ability work on her clients.