California Massage Therapy Council | Providing voluntary certification that enables massage therapists to practice statewide.

Board of Directors

Mark Dixon, Chair
Mark Dixon was appointed by the CAMTC Board of Directors to fill a statutorily-mandated seat. Mr. Dixon is a CAMTC Certified Massage Therapist.

Dr. Stephany Powell, Vice-Chair
Dr. Stephany Powell was appointed by The Network.

Andrew Garsten, Treasurer

Kristy Underwood, Secretary
Kristy Underwood was appointed by the Director of the Department of Consumer Affairs.

Sara Frazier, Board Member
Sara Frazier was appointed by the California Association of Private Postsecondary Schools (CAPPS). Ms. Frazier is the Director of Faculty & Students at the National Holistic Institute (NHI), "A College of Massage Therapy".

Jennifer Gonzales, Board Member
Jennifer Gonzales was appointed by the California Police Chiefs Association.

Terry Harman, Board Member

Bernadette Murray, Board Member
Bernadette Murray was appointed by the American Massage Therapy Association, California Chapter.

Martha Soffer, Board Member
Martha Soffer was appointed by the Hands On Trade Association.

Rich Desmond, Board Member
Rich Desmond was appointed by California State Association of Counties.

	Mark Dixon, Chair After completing a 1000-hour entry level massage education program at an American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA)-approved private post-secondary school in 1988, Mark Dixon entered full-time practice. During his career, he accumulated an additional 1666 continuing education hours. He volunteered on the boards of the AMTA, the AMTA Foundation (now known as the Massage Therapy Foundation), the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork and the California Massage Therapy Council. In addition to serving on three Olympic Sports Massage Teams, he founded the National Championship Sports Massage Team, which provided Sports Massage care for university and professional athletic teams. Now retired, his professional work included teaching massage nationally, private practice, employment at major hospitals and Oncology Infusion Centers and high-end private clubs in Orange County, CA.
	Dr. Stephany Powell, Vice-Chair Dr. Stephany Powell is a noted subject matter expert on human trafficking, child abuse, sexual exploitation, and victim-centered direct services. Her unusual background as an executive in social services as well as a former police sergeant gives her insight into complex challenges facing the U.S. justice system. She is widely consulted on trauma-informed public policy questions. Since 2013, she has educated over 20,000 people on civil and criminal aspects of sexual exploitation, including international audiences through the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, and has assisted approximately 2,000 survivors of human trafficking with employment, court assistance, housing, and even helped deliver a baby. Dr. Powell has been featured in media ranging from Newsweek to the Los Angeles Times to Fox News. Dr. Powell also has expertise on race and law enforcement. She has been showcased in documentaries, local newspapers, and magazines. Dr. Henry Louis Gates most recently highlighted in his PBS documentary “And Still I Rise.” Dr. Powell has also been featured on HLN Chris Cuomo for her expertise in Human Trafficking. She recently authored a human trafficking workbook for teens, My Choice, My Body, My Rules, available on Amazon her workbook is currently being used on a national and international level. She is the contributing author for the textbook Teaching Beautiful Brilliant Black Girls, Girl Trafficking Misunderstood: Understanding the Commercially Sexually Exploited African American Girl, available through Corwin Press and Amazon.
	Andrew Garsten, Treasurer Andrew Garsten (with his wife Helen) is the Regional Developer for Massage Envy in the Los Angeles Region since 2004, overseeing the opening of 39 clinics and supporting the current 23 open franchised locations owners. From 2004-2024, they were the owners of the Massage Envy Glendale CA location. He is a co-founder and current board member of the Massage Envy California Franchise Association (MECAFA) representing over 100 California franchise locations as well as being an active member of the national franchise association - Envy Owners Association (EOA). Andrew is also active in his local community, serving on several boards and advisory committees.
	Kristy Underwood, Secretary Kristy Underwood was appointed to the position of Executive Officer of the California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology on August 10, 2005. As Executive Officer, Kristy oversees one of the largest barbering and cosmetology regulatory boards in the country with 104 employees and a budget of over $21 million. Kristy has over 30-years of experience in several positions in the Department of Consumer Affairs, including positions with the Professional Engineers Board, Hearing Aid Dispensers Bureau, and multiple other regulatory programs. Kristy graduated from the Leadership for the Government Executive Program at Sacramento State University.
	Sara Frazier, Board Member Sara has been practicing massage therapy since 2003 and loves the variety of opportunities that a massage career can offer. She is certified by the California Massage Therapy Council (#65363), and has worked in diverse environments, including a chiropractic office, day spas, and wellness clinics. Sara developed a deep love and passion for massage while working in the field, and carried that into the education sector. She’s been working in Private Post-secondary Massage Education since 2011. She is currently in the role of Director of Education where she works with faculty and students, providing training, support and goal focused planning. Sara is appointed to the CAMTC board by the California Association of Private Postsecondary Schools (CAPPS).
	Jennifer Gonzales, Board Member Jennifer Gonzales was appointed by the California Police Chiefs Association. Jennifer was appointed the Chief of Police in Napa, CA in August 2021. Jennifer started her law enforcement career in 1993 in Chico, CA and eventually moved to Napa in 2015. Jennifer serves on the NEWS Napa Board (domestic violence and sexual abuse services), the Napa Special Investigation Bureau Governing Board, the Women Leaders in Law Enforcement (WLLE) Mentor Committee, the Napa County Juvenile Justice Coordinating Council, and was appointed by Governor Newsom to the State of California 9-1-1 Advisory Board. In her role as a Captain in the Napa Police Department, Jennifer oversaw the Operations Division. In addition, she has served as the Administration Division Captain overseeing the Dispatch Center, and acting as the Training Manager, State of California Alcohol Beverage Control liaison, and the liaison for civil and legal claims against the City of Napa Police Department. Jennifer served as the Peer Support Coordinator, Inter-Departmental Review PERC/IDR representative, Child Abuse Prevention Council member, Napa Opioid Safety Coalition member, Napa Valley Latino Leadership liaison, Napa Valley Community Leaders Coalition member, District Attorney’s Office Liaison, Press Information Officer/Media Relations, Social Media Coordinator, and departmental Fleet Manager.
	Terry Harman, Board Member Santa Clara County Assistant District Attorney Terry Harman graduated cum laude from UC Davis in 1991 with a degree in International Relations. She attended the University of San Francisco School of Law, graduating in 1994. Terry worked as a Research Attorney for the Santa Clara County Superior Court – Criminal Division for two years. In 1996, she became a Deputy District Attorney for Santa Clara County, where she prosecuted misdemeanors, felony domestic violence, rape, child physical and sexual abuse, and homicides. In 2000, Terry was the youngest prosecutor to be awarded “Trial Attorney of the Year.” Terry left the DA’s Office in 2003 to join Rains, Lucia, and Stern, LLC. At the Rains firm, Terry provided administrative and criminal defense to law enforcement officers and was elevated to partner in 2009. Terry returned to the DA’s Office as an Assistant District Attorney in 2012. Assistant District Attorney Terry Harman oversees Sexual Assault, the South County Office, and Paralegal staff. In 2014, she directed the implementation of the Human Trafficking task force (LEIHT) and worked with attorneys and law enforcement to grow LEIHT into the biggest human trafficking task force in Northern California. Terry has worked with other DA’s Offices within California and beyond to establish best practices for internal changes in the areas of rape kit testing and human trafficking.
	Bernadette Murray, Board Member A 1991 graduate from the Lauterstein-Conway School of Massage in Austin TX and a CAMTC certified CMT #222 since 2009, Bernadette has practiced massage therapy in Woodland CA since 1996. Bernadette was appointed by ABMP in 2019 to her first 4-year Board term. In 2023, she was appointed to her second term by AMTA-CA. In addition to her service in the massage therapy field, and in spite of a dual 2005 MS diagnosis and a 2014 Parkinson’s diagnosis, Bernadette has years of experience volunteering with nonprofits, consumer cooperatives and local government advisory committees with a mission to protect her fellow citizens and consumers from harm while enhancing well being.
	Martha Soffer, Board Member Internationally acclaimed Ayurvedic Panchakarma expert, Ayurvedic Chef, Herbal Rasayanist, and master Ayurvedic Pulse diagnostician, Martha Soffer is the founder of Surya, the recognized leader of modern Ayurveda. Martha’s focus on “Ayurveda for Modern Life” is achieved through a system of practical and easy self-care, helping each individual attain balance and wellness through healing retreats, restorative beauty, wellness and food products, as well as educational guidance and support. Working to restore Ayurveda to its authentic, spiritual, and most effective roots, Martha is an innovator in making Ayurveda a viable modern and complementary system of wellness and health. A frequent guest on the CBS talk show “The Doctors,” Martha also works with MDs who refer patients when western medicine cannot deliver a satisfactory solution, and who often come themselves for seasonal treatments. Martha teaches and lectures, and is featured in publications such as Vogue, Vanity Fair, In Style, Allure, the L.A. Times, New York Magazine, and Goop. With the Surya team, Martha brings long-term vitality and health to clients who range from next-door neighbors to the top stars of the film and entertainment industries.

California Massage Therapy Council’s mission is to protect the public by certifying massage professionals in California that meet the requirements in the law and approving massage programs that meet the minimum standards for training and curriculum.

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