Meet the Board of Directors

Liz Freel
Founder

Liz began powerlifting while battling anorexia as a teenager. At the time, she was 16 years old and training for the Olympics as an equestrian competitor. Although physically demanding, equestrian taught her discipline. Despite enjoying her training, Liz battled with her eating disorder, and eventually went into a coma due to health complications. On the road to recovery, she picked up powerlifting. Despite feeling unwelcomed in a male dominated sport, Liz trudged ahead and continued to compete and set records across the board. She incessantly trained and started coaching when she was 26 years old. The more Liz coached, the more she realized that she could not force a person to change; the individual needed to have a reason for change, thus powerlifting became that reason for many of her lifters. Having coached nearly 50 lifters, many of whom did not have clothes or shoes, she fell in love with all the heart they gave, and all the potential they achieved. Liz always believed that powerlifting is much more than competing, it is a lifestyle.

Liz Freel at Metroflex Gym

Steve Denison
President

In 1983, after finding a Powerlifting USA magazine, Steve stumbled into the sport and caught the iron bug. He quickly began training and competing in 1984, and eventually directed his first meet in 1987. Steve has spent 26 years in the military, with 10 years of active duty and 16 years part-time in the Army National Guard. He retired in 2012, and now powerlifting is his full-time career.

Anne Escobedo
Administrator

A day after moving to Long Beach, CA, Anne joined Metroflex gym, and began powerlifting. She eventually joined Team Freel and was introduced to USPA officials. After almost two years of helping with meets, she decided to become a referee. Powerlifting has given Anne a strong sense of community, pride, and discipline. The sport has led her build lasting friendships throughout Southern California and a network of athletes throughout the nation. Prior to the move, Anne received her bachelor’s degree from Cornell University, and master’s degree from Ithaca College in Speech Language Pathology. She works with children and teenagers with communication impairments. Mirroring much of the sport, she empowers them to believe that they are important, strong, and more than capable.

Shelley Denison
Secretary

Shelley was introduced to powerlifting back when the sport had little to no women's representation. She quickly became familiar with logistics, coordination, and planning for meets. Although only having competed once, powerlifting provided Shelley the opportunity to be a woman entrepreneur in a male dominated sport. Through the years, she has been awed by how men and women of all ages, sizes, and walks of life can move serious weight. Before coming across the sport, Shelley completed her bachelor’s degree as a single mother, and climbed the ladder to become Deputy City Clerk.

Left to Right: Steve Denison, Shelley Denison, Landri Peden, Charlie Ritchie, and Anne Escobedo

Landri Peden
Athlete/Coach Liason

Landri Peden is a Mother, Competitive Powerlifter, sponsored by Sisters of Iron, a 9 year army veteran CBRN, a Strength & Nutrition Coach, a USPA Meet Director & National Referee, and a Domestic Violence Survivor. Originally from Michigan, currently living in Sylvania, OH, Landri primarily coaches online, but in person at a local CrossFit gym called Glass City CrossFit. She has been coaching for over 5 years all different types of athletes from powerlifters, CrossFit, marathon runners, general fitness and specialty rehab. She works with children all the way to elderly clients. She struggles with severe PTSD and has found strength through training and helping others! Landri has the following certifications: USPA Coach Certified, Conjugate Powerlifting Certified, CrossFit L2, and Precision Nutrition Certified.

Charlie Ritchie
Outreach Coordinator

Charlie Ritchie is a competitive powerlifter that currently holds 18 World Records in the IPL in DT & untested, as a tested athlete. Her team teasingly calls her the "Bench Queen," and suitably her favorite record is the Open World Record for Bench Press in the DT 82.5kg class; 275.6lb/125kgs. She has been a Kabuki Strength Athlete since 2017 and is coached by Team USA & Kabuki Strength Head Coach, Kyle Young. Charlie is a former Police Officer. In 2000, she became a certified expert for the State of Oregon in Police Report Writing, Interview & Interrogation. (And, yes, she loves donuts). Her athletic career began in the 1980's in Show Jumping, 3 Day Event, and she credits training horses for laying the foundation of strength she has now. When she's not competing, she enjoys traveling the world, snowboarding, scuba diving & has been known to carry a tune on occasion. Charlie currently resides in Portland, Oregon with her dogs - Ronin the GSD & Raider (Skinny) the Chihuahua.

Eddie Avakoff
USPAPF Board Member

Eddie was introduced to powerlifting after having trained at Westside Barbell for triathlon pursuits. He fell in love with the powerlifting camaraderie on and off the platform and built life-long friendships through lifting. The sport also influenced the look and feel of his training facility that accommodates powerlifters, bodybuilders, strongmen, and strength enthusiasts. Before opening Metroflex, Eddie received a bachelor's degree in Film & Media Studies from UC Santa Barbara, and ultimately a second degree in Sports Science due to his love of fitness and exercise.

Our Mission/Vision

Powerlifting has grown exponentially through the years, expanding into more communities, cities, and states across the nation. As much as the sport gives inspiration and motivation, each lifter contributes their own personal journey and achievement to the sport. Many lifters and competitors can resonate with grit and tenacity to overcome personal challenges. So long as there is a financial need and a powerlifter, the USPAPF is willing to help with the training, and funding in strength sports. Our vision is to make an indelible impact in the powerlifting community, one lifter, and one meet, at a time.

We believe that powerlifting is much more than a sport. It is an opportunity to grow as a person and motivate others. The sport provides structure, goal development, and a sense of triumph and success. A tool to empower oneself, and the lives of others, powerlifting is built upon a community of strength. The USPAPF is driven to engage with community members, expand strength training education and instruction, and directly fund USPA powerlifters with a financial need.