Massage Therapy Journal Spring 2026

6 • Massage Therapy Journal

Letter from the

President

We Grow When We Put People First

What a great year 2025 was! First, let me say thank you to all of my colleagues on the AMTA National Board of Directors, to the AMAZING AMTA staff, to our chief executive officers, to Kim Kane Santos (Immediate Past President) and our National President Cindy E. Farrar. All of these people have helped to prepare me for my term as your AMTA National President. Getting to Know Me My name is Rick Greely. I have been an AMTA member for over 38 years, and in that time have had the pleasure of volunteering for the AMTA for most of those years, either locally or at the national level. What a great time I have had as a volunteer! The friends I have made and experiences I have shared are unforgettable. And now, I have the distinct honor of serving you all as your AMTA National President. My Journey to Massage Therapy Let me share with you a little bit about me and my massage therapy journey. I have been a licensed massage therapist in Ohio for nearly 39 years, and I have delivered massage therapy in a variety of settings, from hair and tanning salons to hotel fitness centers to out-patient physical therapy centers to college and professional sports locker-rooms to chiropractic physician offices and osteopathic physician offices. Then, in 1997, I was approached by Columbus State Community College (CSCC) and asked to start a massage therapy program. We put together a great program that has helped more people find their passion in the massage therapy profession. I retired from CSCC in June of 2019, though the program continues. My Journey to AMTA I am often asked how and why I got involved with AMTA. The first question often comes up when people ask me for help with something.

The why is a little more difficult for me to pinpoint, but I can tell you why I have continued. I continue to be involved because of the amazing people I have met, worked alongside and now get to call my friends. My volunteer experience has given me the opportunity to meet people from all over this country and to learn about their massage experiences. I have friends across the nation, from Hawaii to Rhode Island, Idaho and Washington, Florida to Texas, and many places in-between. I have never sat down and made a list, but I would bet I have friends in all 50 states. Imagine that? This year, I hope to add even more! We Grow When We Put People First During my year as your AMTA President, I want to focus on what I find to be central to my own work in the massage profession and as an AMTA volunteer: “ We Grow When We Put People First. ” You , the AMTA members, are why we together are the most respected professional massage organization in the country. Your hard work and dedication to the professional practice of massage therapy make us who and what we are— over 100,000 members strong . We are a team dedicated to serve AMTA members while advancing the art, science and practice of massage therapy. I want to ask you two small favors. First, get involved! You don’t need to invest a huge amount of time. There is something for everyone, so please share your time, knowledge and expertise when possible. The next favor is something personal: PLEASE come up and introduce yourself to me and say hello when you see me. I love meeting new friends. Remember, We Grow When We Put People First!

ENGAGE WITH AMTA AMTA’S local chapters are a great place to start getting involved. Find yours at amtamassage.org/ chapters.

Rick Greely AMTA President

amtamassage.org/mtj