Brian Mara, MPT
Brian obtained his undergraduate degree in Physical Education from California State University, Chico and his Masters degree in Physical Therapy from the University of Southern California. His continuing education includes training for Vestibular, Shoulders, Back, and Neck disorders. He also participated in the Matheson Industrial Rehab Professional Residency Program. Brian has 7 years of extensive Physical Therapy experience and is highly experienced in applying quality orthopedic care to a wide variety of patients. Brian is enthusiastic about basketball and general fitness. He also regularly provides sports therapy support at local high school events. When away from the clinic he enjoys camping, fresh and saltwater fishing.

Jennifer Smart, PT
Jennifer is our most experienced therapist, earning her Physical Therapy degree in 1984 from the University of Maryland School of Medicine. Jennifer is a licensed Physical Therapist in North Carolina, California, Hawaii and American Samoa, as well as being a registered Physiotherapist in the United Kingdom. For nearly five years Jennifer specialized in neurological rehabilitation, receiving her certification in the management of Adult Hemiplegia from the Bobath Institute in London and working as Senior Therapist of Rehabilitation at the Lowestoft and North Suffolk Hospital in England. However, over the past ten years Jennifer has become much more of an orthopedic therapist, attending numerous courses on Maitland, McKenzie, Muscle Energy, Myofascial, and McConnell treatment techniques, as well as completing an internship at the National Institutes of Health Biomechanics Assessment Lab where she presented research on "The Biomechanics and Orthotic Management of the Foot." Jennifer has gained broad experience in a variety of orthopedic and sports medicine settings, including being the Physical Therapist for the 2000 Samoan Olympic Team. Jennifer is an avid runner and a long distance sailor who does freelance writing for a variety of sailing/travel publications.

Jennifer Massie, OT, CHT
Jennifer Massie is a NC Licensed Occupational Therapist & Certified Hand Therapist. She received her degree in Occupational Therapy in 1994 from the University of North Dakota. She is certified by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, the North Carolina Board of Occupational Therapy and the Hand Therapy Certification Commission. Jennifer specializes in upper extremity rehabilitation with specific emphasis on hand therapy. Her areas of specialization include treatment of tendon and nerve injuries, fractures, amputations and burns. In addition, Jennifer is able to provide custom splint fabrication. She is a member of the American Occupational Therapy Association and the American Society of Hand Therapists. In her free time, she enjoys biking, hiking and cooking.

Garth Espigh, MPT
After graduating from Penn State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology, Garth earned his Masters degree in Physical Therapy from St. Ambrose University of Davenport, Iowa. He has clinical experience treating High School and College athletes and is well versed in application of manual therapy techniques for the treatment of general orthopedic conditions. He also has an interest in providing sports therapy support at local high school events. Garth's outside interests range across a variety of athletic activities to include baseball, softball, weight training and he is an avid fan of Penn State football and UNC basketball.

Amy Reardon, MPT, MA
Before her recent graduation from East Carolina School of Physical Therapy, Amy earned her Bachelor's and Master's Degree from the Ohio State University in exercise physiology. While at Ohio State she was a varsity track and cross country athlete. After graduation, she earned her certification as an exercise specialist then worked in Columbus, Ohio as a cardiac rehabilitation and testing specialist. Her Physical therapy experience includes inpatient rehabilitation, wound care, orthopedics, and pediatric physical therapy. Amy has attended continuing education courses on shoulder rehabilitation and sacroiliac dysfunction. Amy's outside interest include running, cycling, wakeboarding, and cheering for Ohio State athletics.

Lanelle Emerson, MS, ATC, PES
Lanelle completed her undergraduate degree in Athletic Training from Azusa Pacific University and her Masters in Sports Heath Care from Arizona School of Health Sciences. She has 6 years of experience as a Certified Athletic Trainer supporting high school and college levels sports plus 2 years previous experience in a physical therapy clinic. She is also certified as a Performance Enhancement Specialist and is expanding our sports performance programs across all ages and activities as well as supporting therapists in orthopedic rehabilitation programs. Outside interests include volleyball, basketball, rollerblading, reading, hiking and an avid Denver Broncos fan.

Debra Lee Brown, OT
After working eight years as a certified occupational therapy assistant, Debra Lee completed her BS degree in Occupational Therapy at WSSU. She specializes in Upper Extremity rehab and her occupational therapy experience includes in-patient rehabilitation, wound care, mental health, pediatrics and hand therapy. Debra Lee’s interests include spending time on the water and is an avid fan of NC State and NASCAR.

Kerry Rice, PTA

Kerry relocated to New Bern, NC from the Northern Virginia area in 2005. She is a Physical Therapist Assistant licensed in both North Carolina and Virginia. She graduated from George Mason University in 1975 with a B.A. in History and later from Northern Virginia Community College in 1993 with an A.A.S. in Physical Therapy (Assistant) to affect a career change. Kerry was an aerobics exercise instructor for the town of Vienna, Virginia for eight years and assisted with the aerobics classes at James Madison High School. After earning her PTA degree, she worked in an outpatient orthopedic clinic in Centreville, Virginia for 12 years. During this period, she instructed and mentored Northern Virginia Community College PTA students in the clinical environment. She instructed young athletes in community soccer clinics and participated in career fairs for a local high school. In March, 2004, Kerry served on the medical team supporting the World Figure Skating Championships in Washington, D.C.Kerry resides in New Bern, NC with her husband where they enjoy boating, gardening, and recumbent cycling.

Jay Figueroa - General Manager

With over 34 year of business experience across a wide range of disciplines, Jay is focused on supporting all business needs at Peak Performance as well as expanding business opportunities. A graduate of the Georgia State University Business School with a focus on Information Systems and a successful management career at AT&T, Jay brings skills in business development, information systems, sales and marketing to continuously improve the experience at Peak Performance for both patients and physician offices.

George Eggers – Operations Manager
After a successful business career in personnel and management, George became an enthusiastic member of the technical support staff at Peak Performance. Ever diligent of patient needs, George will ensure patients properly perform their exercise and use the equipment correctly. When not making patients feel good about being at Peak Performance, George's attention turns to softball, fishing and church activities.

Pat Patterson - Front Office
Highly experienced in Medical Office administration and insurance benefits, Pat provides accounting and back-office support on a part-time basis.

Terry Riggs - Office Coordinator
Terry has also been a patient at Peak Performance and has owned and operated her own business. The combination serves our patients well as she applies her excellent people skills to ensure patients have a pleasant and effective experience.

Cheryl VanHorn – Front Office
Cheryl comes to Peak Performance with a wide range of medical office management experience, to include scheduling, accounting, budgeting, personnel training and patient advocate roles. Her extensive office and patient experience complements Peak Performance’s patient satisfaction goals.


Clinical Technicians are constantly working with patients to ensure proper use of equipment and performance of exercises. These individuals have completed a training program developed by the physical therapists to ensure patient comfort, safety and clinic efficiency during the treatment phase of an appointment. Our Technicians are a combination of motivator and cheerleader. They are ever watchful of each patient's progress and maintain an earnest concern for their well being and comfort.

Rhonda Toler
A highly experienced technician, Rhonda is a well trained and dedicated to the well being of each patient. Her cheerful personality is often just the added incentive a patient needs to get the most out of each exercise and equipment.

Brehan McMahon-Mcnally
Originally from Upstate NY, Brehan comes to Peak Performance with a background in Special Needs Preschool Education. She is currently working on a major in Applied Science and plans to continue her education at ECU and eventually become a physical therapist.

Jennifer Sanders
Jennifer applies her cheerful and positive personality to ensure every patient she works with has an enjoyable and effective experience at Peak Performance. You will always see her with a pleasant smile and equally important encouragement.

Kimberly Festerling
Kimberly came to New Bern with her Marine husband and brings a wealth of Sports Medicine experience to Peak Performance. Her former experience as a Personal Trainer and Physical Therapy Technician provides an excellent contribution to our well trained and knowledgeable staff.

Angie Cloud
Angie comes to Peak Performance with a strong sports training background. She is a Certified Personal Trainer, fitness, gymnastics instructor and has competed in body building competition. Angie is a former patient at Peak Performance and, combined with her previous experience, understands what it take to provide our patients with effective rehabilitation.

Daniel Bland
Daniel spends his days as a student in the Radiography program at Pitt Community College and his evenings supporting the Peak Performance therapist and patients. His helpful and pleasant attitude contributes to the continuing success of our patients.