Meet Our Staff Premiere - Officers  John Woodard, PT, CEO Tony Rubba, ATC, President Teressa Rutherford, VPA Lara Hotchkiss, PTA, VPO Kyle Johnson, ATC, VPPR Premiere - Downtown Gary Gummerman, PT Shawn Blanton, PTA Kristen Streeter, ATC Amber Chance Coartney Foster Jennifer Holman Jessica Bott Steven Rutherford Premiere - West Ryan Schallenberg, PT, ATC Julie Marsh, PTA Michelle Riley Premiere - Virden Steve Beasley, PT John Woodard is co-owner and CEO of Premiere Physical Therapy. He is a Physical Therapist and treats patients at our Downtown facility as well as serving as the company CEO. John performs initial evaluations and develops plans of care for each of his patients. In addition, he oversees the daily operations of the Downtown Facility and is responsible for the company’s financial planning. John obtained his Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Therapy from the University of Illinois - Chicago (UIC) in 1995. John is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association and is CPR-certified. John’s work experience includes: Staff Physical Therapist, Doctors Hospital, Springfield, 1995-1997. Owner/Partner/CEO, Premiere Physical Therapy, 1997-present.  Tony Rubba is co-owner and President of Premiere Physical Therapy. He is a Certified Athletic Trainer and treats patients at our Virden facility as well as overseeing business operations and company expansion. Tony is also involved with Premiere's public relations and marketing.  Tony obtained an Associate’s Degree from Atlantic Community College in 1972. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Health Science with a minor in Athletic Training from Mankato State University in 1974. Tony is a member of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association and is CPR-certified. Tony’s work experience includes: Assistant Athletic Trainer, New Orleans Saints Football Club, 1974-1977. Head Athletic Trainer, Atlantic Community College, Mays Landing, NJ, 1977-1980. Head Athletic Trainer, Ochsner Clinic, New Orleans, LA, 1985-1990. Owner/Partner, Heritage Rehabilitation Clinic, Springfield, IL, 1990-1994. Certified Athletic Trainer, US Olympic Volunteer Program, Colorado Springs, CO, 1993, worked with men’s gymnastics, men’s/women’s judo, men’s weightlifting. Certified Athletic Trainer, US Olympic Festival, San Antonio, TX, 1995, worked with equestrian and men’s/women’s track and field. Head Athletic Trainer, Springfield Junior Blues Hockey Club, North American Hockey League, 7 seasons. Head Athletic Trainer, Doctors Hospital Sports Medicine, Springfield, 1994-1997. Owner/Partner, Premiere Physical Therapy, 1997-Present. Teressa Rutherford is our Vice-President of Administration. Teressa started as a receptionist in 2001 and has worked her way up to the VPA position. Teressa is in charge of the financial operations of the organization as well as overseeing all personnel issues. She is CPR-certified. Teressa’s work experience includes: Receptionist at Springfield Clinic, Springfield, 2000. Premiere Physical Therapy, 2001-present. Lara Hotchkiss is a Physical Therapist Assistant and Premiere’s Vice-President of Operations. She oversees the clinical operations of all three of Premiere's clinics as well as treating patients at each facility. Lara earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from Millikin University in 1997 and an Associate’s Degree in Applied Science-Physical Therapist Assistant from Lincoln Land Community College in 1999. She is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association and is CPR-certified. Lara’s work experience includes: Physical Therapist Assistant, Memorial Medical Center, Springfield, 2000-2001. Physical Therapist Assistant, Premiere Physical Therapy, 2002-present.  Kyle Johnson is a Certified Athletic Trainer and serves as Premiere’s Vice-President of Public Relations. He coordinates the company’s marketing and public relations efforts to increase business and enhance Premiere's standing in the community. Kyle obtained a Bachelor ’s Degree in Athletic Training from Illinois State University in 1993 and a Master’s Degree in Exercise Physiology from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) in 1995. He is a member of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association and is CPR-certified. Kyle’s work experience includes: Graduate Assistant Athletic Trainer at UAB, 1993-1995. Worked with Division I Football, Baseball, and Basketball. Staff Athletic Trainer, St. John’s Mercy Medical Center, St. Louis, MO, 1996-2004. Head Athletic Trainer, Parkway South High School, St. Louis, MO, 1996-1999. Head Athletic Trainer, St. Louis Ambush Indoor Soccer Club of the National Professional Soccer League, 1999-2000. Staff Athletic Trainer, Premiere Physical Therapy, 2004-present. Gary Gummerman is a Physical Therapist at our Downtown facility. He performs initial evaluations and develops plans of care for all of his patients. Gary earned his Bachelor of Science Degree from Augustana College in 2001 and his Master's Degree in Physical Therapy from Mayo School of Health Sciences in 2003. He is CPR-certified. Gary's work experience includes: Staff Physical Therapist, Madelia Community Hospital, Madelia, MN, 2003-2007. Staff Physical Therapist, Premiere Physical Therapy, 2007-present. Shawn Blanton is a Physical Therapist Assistant at our Downtown facility and performs daily patient care for a variety of musculoskeletal conditions. Shawn utilizes the McKenzie Institute method of treatment along with manual therapy techniques while specializing in neck and back injuries. Shawn earned an Associate's Degree in Applied Science - Physical Therapist Assistant from Lakeland College in 1998. He is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association and is CPR-certified. Shawn's work experience includes: Physical Therapist Assistant, Nova Care, Illinois, 1998-1999. Physical Therapist Assistant, Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana, IL, 1999-2001. Physical Therapist Assistant, Carle Foundation Hospital, Bloomington, IL, 2001-2005. Physical Therapist Assistant, St. John's Hospital, Springfield, IL, 2005-2006. Physical Therapist Assistant, Premiere Physical Therapy, 2006-present. Kristen Streeter is a Certified Athletic Trainer and performs daily patient care at our Downtown facility for a variety of musculoskeletal injuries. Kristen specializes in the treatment and rehabilitation of athletic injuries. Kristen earned a Bachelor's Degree in Athletic Training from the University of Illinois in 1997 and a Master's Degree in Exercise Science from Western Illinois University in 1999. Kristen is a member of the National Athletic Trainer's Association and the former Vice-President of the Illinois Athletic Trainer's Association. Kristen now serves as the Illinois Representative to the Great Lakes Athletic Trainers' Association (GLATA). She is CPR-certified. Staff Athletic Trainer, Decatur Memorial Hospital Sports Medicine, Decatur, IL 1999-2006. Head Athletic Trainer, Decatur Eisenhower High School, Decatur, IL 1999-2006. Staff Athletic Trainer, Premiere Physical Therapy, 2006-present.   Amber Chance is the Income Manager for Premiere Physical Therapy. As Income Manager she ensures that all payments for services are collected in a timely manner. She works closely with patients, insurance companies, and nurse case managers to facilitate payments. Amber earned her Associate’s Degree from Lincoln Land Community in 2001. Amber’s work experience includes: Receptionist, Premiere Physical Therapy, 2002-2006. Income Manager, Premiere Physical Therapy, 2006-present.  Coartney Foster is the Accounts Manager for Premiere Physical Therapy. Coartney enters charges and payments for all three of our facilities as well as verifying all patient insurance benefits. Coartney also serves as Inventory Officer and is in charge of ordering all clinical and office supplies. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Relations, with a minor in Business Administration, from Illinois State University in 2005. Coartney’s work experience includes: Receptionist, Premiere Physical Therapy, 2005-2007. Accounts Manager, Premiere Physical Therapy, 2007-present.  Jennifer Holman is a receptionist at Premiere's Downtown office. Jennifer performs receptionist/clerical work at our Downtown facility, including patient scheduling, patient reactivation, and physician staff contact. Jennifer’s work experience includes: Receptionist, Premiere Physical Therapy, 2006-present.  Jessica Bott is the Patient Representative for Premiere Physical Therapy. Jessica is responsible for ensuring that all patient questions and concerns are answered as they arise. If patients have questions concerning insurance benefits, scheduling, payments, or treatment, Jessica is responsible for directing the patient for to the proper department. Jessica’s work experience includes: Patient Representative, Premiere Physical Therapy, 2007-present. Ryan Schallenberg is a Physical Therapist and Certified Athletic Trainer. Ryan performs daily patient care including initial evaluations and developing plans of care for each of his patients at our West facility. Ryan also serves as the Clinical Director of Premiere - West where he oversees the daily operations. Ryan earned his Bachelor ’s Degree in Athletic Training from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale (SIU-C) in 2001 and his Master ’s Degree in Physical Therapy from Bradley University in 2005. He is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association and National Athletic Trainers’ Association. He is CPR-certified. Ryan’s work experience includes: Staff Athletic Trainer, Physical Rehab Works, Benton, IL, 2001-2002. Staff Athletic Trainer, Great Plains Sports Medicine, Peoria, IL, 2002-2005. Staff Physical Therapist, Premiere Physical Therapy, 2005-present.   Julie Marsh is a Physical Therapist assistant at our West facility and treats patients on daily basis for a variety of musculoskeletal conditions. Julie earned her Associate's Degree in Applied Science - Physical Therapist Assistant from Lakeland College in 2007. She is CPR-certified. Julie’s work experience includes: Physical Therapist Assistant, Premiere Physical Therapy, 2007-present. Michelle Riley is a receptionist at Premiere's West office. Michelle performs receptionist/clerical work at our West facility, including patient scheduling, patient reactivation, and physician staff contact. Michelle’s work experience includes: Receptionist, Premiere Physical Therapy, 2007-present. Steve Beasley is a Physical Therapist and performs patient daily care including initial evaluations and developing plans of care for each of his patients at our Virden facility. Steve also serves as the clinical director of Premiere - Virden where he oversees the daily operations. Steve obtained a Bachelor's Degree in Biology from Blackburn College in 1970 and a Physical Therapy certificate from the University of Pennsylvania in 1973. He is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association and is CPR-certified. Steve's work experience includes: Staff Physical Therapist, Lima Memorial Hospital, Lima, OH, 1973-1975. Staff PT/PT Director, Somerville VNA, Somerville, MA, 1975-1980. Rehab Manager/Department Head, Carlinville Area Hospital, Carlinville, IL, 1980-2005. Staff Physical Therapist, Premiere Physical Therapy, 2006-present.   Steven Rutherford is our mailing coordinator. Steven prepares all weekly mail marketing materials for delivery to the post office. Back to Top