James R. Whitehead is the Executive Vice President and CEO of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), the world’s largest international organization dedicated to the broad and multi-faceted field of sports medicine and exercise science. A central focus of ACSM is the role of physical activity for health as well as other benefits such as environmental sustainability and economic development, from the individual to community to global society. ACSM represents more than 50,000 international, national and regional members and certified professionals.

As CEO of ACSM, Jim has created and led many organizations, coalitions, collaboratives, and other initiatives that drive strategy and impact. For instance, he is a co-founder and has served as adjunct Executive Director and President of the National Coalition for Promoting Physical Activity.

He is a graduate of the University of Alabama, where he earned degrees in organizational development and medical history. Prior to coming to ACSM, Jim was an executive with the American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery in Washington, DC, and also was a principal with an association management firm that specialized in health and science NGOs and political candidates at the U.S. federal level.