Our Team

Team Elite Strength & Conditioning, Inc. is dedicated to optimizing athletic performance for teams and individuals. Our comprehensive training programs improve core strength and balance, increase explosive power, and enhance agility and speed. Our mission is to educate all of our clients on proper exercise technique, nutrition, injury prevention, and healthy living. Our programs utilize free weight training, specialized apparatus, and advanced exercise routines that assist athletes in reaching their optimum ability and reduce the chance for injury.

Dennis Cushing - COO / Director of Finance and Admin

CEO and Director of “Finance and Administration.” Mr. Cushing will be responsible for guiding and directing financial control activities as well as overseeing the “Training & Membership” division. Mr. Cushing completed his undergraduate degree (BA in Public Administration) at the University of Maine at Orono in 1997.

Dennis has been a ACSM Certified Health & Fitness Instructor for over 8 years. As a member of both IDEA and the NSCA he is both engaged in the Personal Training arena as well as the Strength & Conditioning market. Dennis has recently taken the (CSCS) Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist offered through the NSCA. While working with a variety of clients Dennis has helped them attain goals of weight loss, muscular strength, increased flexibility and overall improved self confidence. As a former college basketball player at Colby-Sawyer College (New Hampshire) Dennis has first-hand experience with athletes that are seeking more from their talents. As a local high school basketball coach, Dennis understands the importance of hard work and a solid off-season conditioning routine. Dennis specializes in basketball conditioning for athletes as well as personal training for adults. Dennis resides in Virginia Beach with his wife Melissa and his beautiful daughters Kylie and Hope.

Contact: dcushing@teamelitesc.com

Ryan Kurpiel - CEO / Director of Sales and Marketing

CEO and Director of Sales and Marketing, Mr. Kurpiel’s primary duties are to oversee the “Strength and Conditioning” division through leadership, direction and control over the sales reps (trainers) while assisting them in attaining the company’s goals. Ryan studied exercise and sports studies at Radford University while minoring in Sports Administration. 

As an Advanced Personal Trainer (NCSF Certified), Ryan has worked with various clients on many different fitness levels, ranging in ages from 7 to 77. Ryan helps clients reach individual fitness goals, such as, helping women reach pre-pregnancy weight, ensuring military and police personnel pass fitness assessments, and prepares clients for marathons, triathlons and other sporting events. Ryan works to improve the overall health and quality of life for his clients.

He is baseball coach at his Alma Matter, Kellam High School. As a high school coach, he understands how vital injury prevention is. A former college athlete, Ryan has experience with baseball, basketball, football, soccer, golf and competitive running. Ryan knows firsthand how demanding and competitive year round training can be. His multi-athletic background aids in allowing him to improve an athlete’s performance by using cross-training methods to mold the complete athlete. Core strength, balance and flexibility are the key areas to target for injury prevention and ultimate performance. “These are the most under-rated aspects in sports performance. This is an area of weakness for a lot of top athletes, and I want to make it their strength!”

As a lifetime athlete, Ryan’s interests include baseball, basketball, football, running and golf. He continues to stay active by competing in marathons, half-marathons and triathlons.

Ryan’s credentials include membership of NSCA, IDEA and NCSF as well as certifications with NCSF and the Red Cross (CPR). Ryan’s commitment to fitness is reflected by his continuing education in pursuit of his Master’s Degree at Old Dominion University in Sports Administration. 

Contact: rkurpiel@teamelitesc.com

Delmus Coley - Performance Coach

Delmus Coley is our Football specialist. He is a CSCS Sport Performance Specialist. Coley graduated from the College of William and Mary with a Bachelors of Science Degree in Kinesiolgy. Delmus played D-1AA Football as a running back for W&M from 2002-2007. He earned CAA Conference Rookie of Year Honors 2003. Coley has trained high school, college, and professional football players. Delmus completed his Internship experience in Physical Therapy and Collegiate Strength & Conditioning.

Contact: dcoley@teamelitesc.com

Liz Nickerson - Performance Coach / Sales and Marketing

Liz Nickerson is Team Elite's Marketing and Sales person. As such, she has a wealth of knowledge on training and sports specific conditioning specializing in soccer training as well as a wide range of other sports. Liz graduated from Lynchburg College, VA with a Bachelors of Science Degree in both Exercise Science and Health and Human Performance, and minored in Coaching. Nickerson played soccer at Lynchburg, then moved to the sidelines as assistant coach of Lynchburg's Women's Soccer team for 5 years, and Women's Basketball team for one season. She has continued her coaching both in club and high school soccer. Most recently, Liz comes from a world renowned fitness facility, The Insitute of Human Performance (IHP) in South Florida where she was General Manager and a Performance Coach (training a range of athletes for Ice Hockey, Volleyball, Soccer, Golf, Tennis, Swimming, Basketball, Lacrosse, members of the Boca Police Department and SWAT, UFC fighters, and members of the Armed Forces). Nickerson also has a background in Sports Nutrition.

Contact: lnickerson@teamelitesc.com

Nick Wengler - Personal Trainer

Nick Wengler attended Cox High School from 2006-2010. He currently attends Tidewater Community College. He plans to Transfer to a four-year college and major in Nutrition. Nick first found his love for fitness when he worked out with a personal trainer two times a week and reached his goal of losing 50 pounds. Ever since then he has been committed to help anyone reach his or her fitness goals. Nick is an ACE certified trainer and hopes to also obtain certifications from ACSM and CSCS for Sports Performance. Nick specializes in weight-loss, boot camp style training and strength building He also hopes to start competing in power lifting competitions in a few years. Nick’s desire to help people change their lives forever fuels him to be the best trainer he can be.

Contact: Nickw3ngl3r@yahoo.com

Theo Baker

Theo Baker attended Landstown High School from 2002-2006. At Landstown he played basketball under Dwight Robinson for 3 years. After high school, Theo went on to Christopher Newport University in Newport News, VA where he played basketball and studied Sociology. While at CNU, Theo became CNU’s 5th all-time leading 3-point scorer and helped lead CNU to a 2010 Conference Championship. Theo is an ACE Certified Trainer who enjoys helping adults with weight loss, core strength, flexibility and overall improved self-confidence. Theo is interested in becoming a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist with the NSCA.

Contact: tjbaker4014@gmail.com