Our Administrators

The administrators and office staff of FSM are a diverse and experienced group. With an average of 9 years experience working at the school and in the field of massage therapy, you will have access to a wealth of knowledge and support as you progress through your massage therapy education and career. All administrators are licensed massage therapists.

Administrative Staff

Faculty
Sarah Abruscato
AA, LMT
Sarah relocated from Colorado to attend FSM. She graduated in March of 2009 and is thrilled to be back at the school working at the front desk. She conducts a massage practice in the professional clinic and is currently an individual classroom assistant. She enjoys spending time with friends, swimming, making earrings and preparing her grandma's eggplant parmesan.
Faculty
Leann Averell
BA, LMT
LeAnn joined the FSM staff immediately after completing the program herself in 2010. When she is not at school helping prospective students in Admissions, she is gardening, booking punk/metal bands at local venues, and bicycling around town. Her passions include Herbalism, cooking, sewing, and beginning her new career as a massage therapist! She is blessed with a loving partner and two super cute cats.
Faculty
Valerie Broas
LMT
Valerie graduated from FSM?s massage therapy program in 1999. She divides her time between managing the FSM bookstore, teaching in the Foundations of Bodywork/ Swedish massage and Hydrotherapy classes. Valerie loves animals, cooking and practicing Herbalism and conducts a private practice in the FSM professional clinic. One of her favorite pastimes is hanging out with her four furry faces: her husband Michael and their three dogs, Max, Pito and Baby.
Faculty
Marshall Brunson
LMT
Marshall grew up in the Gainesville area and experienced FSM as a student in 2007. Deeply grateful for his own experience there, he now helps others enroll and enjoy the school in their own way. Marshall is intrigued by all learning and is constantly amazed by the wonderful capabilities of human beings. He maintains a private massage practice in Gainesville, and also likes to play hand drums - or anything that?ll make a bumping sound!
Faculty
Darren Burgess
BA, LMT
Darren is the admissions and marketing director. He passionately supports prospective students in exploring and overcoming the obstacles that prevent them from expressing the life of their dreams. Darren graduated from the Florida School of Massage in 1996 and the Sports Massage Certification Program in 1997. In his private practice, he specialized in medical and sports massage. Darren's life is blessed by his wife Jean, two sons: Ellery and Avery, cat Reese, and 4 unnamed backyard chickens.
Faculty
Serene Davenport
LMT
Serene graduated from FSM in 1995 and has worked in many different areas at the school as well as practicing massage therapy over the years. She currently enjoys working in the administrative office supporting students throughout our program realize their goals. Serene loves being a mom and auntie and can be found at the beach on weekends watching her husband Aaron surf while building sandcastles with their son James.
Faculty
Paul Davenport
LMT
Paul is the Director of the Florida School of Massage. He teaches Anatomy and Physiology, Communication Skills, Awareness Through Movement classes and advanced training in the Feldenkrais method for massage therapists. He has a degree in Psychology from the University of Florida, certification as a Feldenkrais practitioner, and is a practicing massage therapist.
Faculty
Amy Dean Vandesteeg
LMT
Amy, a 2007 graduate of the FSM massage program, shares Front Desk responsibilities, helps with other various jobs at FSM, and conducts massage in the school?s professional clinic. She finds peace and joy in spending quiet time with her three cats: Spice, Volcum, and Houdini.
Faculty
Kathleen (Gift) Fox
LMT
Gift feels blessed and appreciative to be working in a community where the heart rules. She enjoys organizing student massage therapy outreach to different shelters in the area and the Ronald McDonald House. Gift co-directs the student clinic and teaches chair and infant massage. She shares front desk responsibilities and has a private practice in the school?s professional clinic.
Faculty
Jennifer Greenwood
LMT
Jen is an FSM graduate of the May 2000 class. She enjoys sharing the front desk responsibilities, maintaining a private massage practice, and offering a yoga elective at FSM. She?s also a teaching assistant in the Reflexology and Connective Tissue modalities. She has completed certifications in Reflexology, Yoga, and Structural Integration. FSM is one of her favorite places to be, with the other being sitting in the field of Shambhala with Ryan and Lilly.
Faculty
Charlotte Loomis
BA, LMT
Charlotte has played the role of financial administrator for the Florida School of Massage since shortly after her graduation in 1986. Since that time she has blended office reponsibilities with her private massage therapy practice in the professional clinic at the school. Charlotte's heart and soul are also fed by her relationships with her husband Michael, son Shane, and the Loomis's canine and feline children, Sunny and Muffin.
Faculty
Chrissy Martinez
AA, LMT
Chrissy graduated from FSM in 1998 and is responsible for maintaining the beauty of the school. She also has her own massage practice and has a special interest in structural integration, Ortho-bionomy, and working with people in drug rehabilitation facilities. She is a photographer, independent film maker, and is in two new bands, "The Leo Lovers" and "Strangers and Crickets". In her free time she can be found at the beach riding her surfboard.
Faculty
Darlene (Dar) Mikula
BFA, LMT
Dar is a 1992 graduate of FSM and has been the Assistant Director at FSM since 1996. She complements her work at the school with volunteer work for Haven Hospice and the Guardian Ad Litem program in Gainesville. Dar is also excited to be working towards her Masters Degree in Conflict Transformation, a pursuit which continues to grow her perspective about herself and her relationship to others locally and globally. In her spare time she enjoys walking in the woods with her dog "Chance", reading the work of the Jesus Seminar on the historicity of Jesus, and playing the drums. Her bachelor's degree is in creative writing.
Faculty
Polly Podmore
LMT
After a lifetime of working in the business world, Polly "retired" at the age of 70 to attend FSM. Shortly afterward, she put her professional skills to good use assisting in the FSM Bookkeeping Department. Over a decade later, she continues to enjoy her part-time association with the School, both for the loving relationships and for the mental stimulation it provides.
Faculty
Mindy Rohrbacher
BS, LMT
Mindy is a member of the administrative office staff. She has maintained a private practice in massage since graduating from FSM in 2003. In 2006 she received a Bachelor's degree in Health Science from the University of Florida and is currently studying Five Element Acupuncture and Chinese Herbs. She enjoys domestic arts, making music, and local flora and fauna. Mindy is an advocate for women's health care in Florida and throughout the country.
Faculty
Cathy Snyder
LMT, BA Ed
Cathy graduated from FSM in 1999 and adds her exuberant, bouncy energy to her tasks in the bookstore. She is nurtured through her work at FSM, and with children, plants and African drumming.
Faculty
Gordon Tanner
LMT
Gordy is a 1991 FSM graduate and a licensed massage therapist in both New York and Florida. His extensive martial arts training introduced him to massage in 1980. Since 1991, Gordy has balanced a private massage practice while smoothing out maintenance and groundskeeping ripples for the school. He is father to four children - Ray, Raven and twins Eva and Evan.
Faculty
Donn Wilson
LMT
Donn graduated from the Florida School of Massage in 2006 and is our financial aid administrator. In addition to helping students discover the financial opportunities available, Donn is also available to help current students, past students and FSM staff with many other administrative needs. When he is not at school, he loves sharing life with his partner, Mary Virginia.
6421 Southwest 13th Street
Gainesville, Florida 32608
Local: 352.378.7891  Toll Free: 877.589.2713
info@floridaschoolofmassage.com
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