none MEET THE HEST TEAM - Hest Fitness Products
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LOOK BETTER, FEEL BETTER, DO MORE!

MEET THE HEST TEAM


Albert & Paula Kessler, Owners & Founders  

hest fitness owner

In 1981, Albert and Paula founded HEST Fitness Products (Health Equipment of South Texas) in Corpus Christi. What began as a hobby, developed into a full service business as Albert discovered a void in the fitness industry that needed to be filled. Albert’s previous welding experience enabled him to design and build prototypes; he then discovered that there were manufacturers in the U.S. already making the quality equipment he was seeking. This enabled the young company to change their focus and direct it towards educating its customers and providing unmatched service. Albert and Paula understand that the best way to serve the customer is to employ the best people in the industry, maintain high standards of product quality, and to strive to always anticipate and exceed the customer’s expectations. The team members at HEST Fitness Products strive to maintain the company’s dynamic growth and make their standards of quality and excellence available to everyone!

HEST has since expanded into other cities and still remains a leader in the specialty fitness industry for over 43 years.

Joseph Gonzalez, General Manager

joseph

Exercise and Sports have been a constant in my life since I was a child. From competitive baseball to track and football year round, I would have never had time to even think about a computer or cell phone! At 19 years of age I was a Collegiate All-American at Blinn College, which led to me being drafted by the Montreal Expos, which in turn started my 10 year 1000 plus game career in Minor League Baseball. After traveling many miles and meeting many people, I learned and grew to appreciate everything that life has to offer. After studyin Exercise Science at McNeese State University I have accrued over 31 years of fitness sales experience and with over 34 years of retail management experience. Working at Hest and in the fitness industry is my passion and serving our customers and employees has been an honor and privilege.

Steve Byerley, Assistant General Manager, Corpus Christi

Steve Byerley

With over 38 years in the fitness industry and over 50 years as a fitness enthusiast myself, I know a thing or two or three.  I love sharing what I know with Hest Fitness Products customers whether it be setting up a beautiful home fitness room; or decking out a full-blown health club; or anything between.  

After owning and managing health clubs in the 80’s, I came to work at Hest Fitness Products.  I obviously believe in what we do and how we do it concerning the facilitating of our customers fitness and wellness needs. 

Whether your fitness equipment needs are residential or commercial, I can make sure your experience at Hest Fitness Products is a most enjoyable venture. 

Roland Brown, Jr., Store Manager, San Antonio

Roland Brown, Jr

Hi, I’m Roland Brown, Jr., and I’ve dedicated the past three decades to making a meaningful impact in the fitness industry. My journey began in 1983 when, as a professional dancer, I transitioned into the world of fitness as an aerobics instructor in Las Vegas, NV. Shortly after, I made my way to Los Angeles, CA, where I joined the Nautilus Aerobics Plus health club chain as an aerobics and fitness instructor, eventually earning the role of Aerobics Manager at the Culver City, CA location.

In September 1984, I embraced a full-time career as an independent personal trainer, marking the commencement of a diverse and enriching experience within the fitness realm. From basic fitness instruction to studio ownership, I’ve traversed every facet of the industry, gaining valuable insights into its evolution over the years.

Recognizing early on that the primary focus of a fitness professional should be to empower individuals in managing their own physical health and well-being, I have concentrated my efforts on personal training and wellness coaching. Throughout my extensive career, I’ve witnessed and contributed to the various phases of the modern fitness industry, ranging from programming to promotion.

My mission has always been to instill a common sense approach to building a strong, healthy body and living a physically fit life. Over the course of more than 30 years, I’ve had the privilege of positively impacting the lives of thousands of health-conscious individuals. Through personalized training and wellness coaching, I strive to empower every willing person to take charge of their physical well-being.

As a fitness consultant at Hest Fitness Products in San Antonio, I continue to bring my passion and expertise to help individuals achieve their fitness goals, contributing to a healthier and more active community.

Michael Schoggins, Operations Manager, San Antonio

Micheal Schoggins, Operation Manager at Hest Fitness Products, San Antonio

Michael Schoggins, a native of San Antonio, has been an integral part of the Hest Fitness team since 2016, initially joining as a delivery technician and subsequently diversifying his role to encompass various aspects of the business, including sales.

Driven by a passion for witnessing individuals achieve their personal fitness goals, Michael prioritizes building meaningful connections with clients tailored to their unique needs and aspirations. He thrives on one-on-one interactions and finds immense fulfillment in receiving customer feedback on how Hest Fitness has contributed to their success stories.

Michael’s tenure at Hest has underscored the significance of maintaining an active lifestyle, prompting him to prioritize personal fitness to ensure he can fully enjoy his favorite outdoor activities. Whether tending to his garden or spending a day out on the lake, Michael finds solace and joy in the great outdoors, relishing the freedom and tranquility it offers. An avid angler, he humorously acknowledges that while his fishing excursions may often result in little more than a sunburn, the experience itself is incomparable.

With a commitment to fostering both personal and communal well-being, Michael Schoggins embodies Hest Fitness’s ethos of promoting holistic health and vitality.

Alfonso “Al” Guzman, Service Technician, McAllen

Al Guzman

I have been in the fitness industry for 23 years. I came to work for Hest in 1993 in the delivery/assembly department and after nine months, I advanced into the store manager position. I served as the McAllen store manager from 1994 to 2009, left for one year and then rejoined the team as the Service manager. I have been back with Hest Fitness since 2011 and have since been certified through the Precor Service Team in cardiovascular equipment and entertainment systems. I guess you could say I know the ins and outs of this business. 

Roland Untalan, Service Technician, San Antonio

Roland Untalan

Roland has been working at Hest for the last three years. Prior to joining our team, he was in IRAQ and Afghanistan for six years doing a variety of jobs and most recently, he was repairing gym equipment for our U.S. troops. Roland served in the United States Marine Corps where he was able to travel around the country and as far west as Japan and Korea. He also has an extensive background in sales.

Roland currently resides in San Antonio, Texas with his wife, two daughters and five grandchildren.