Meet the Founders

ERNIE MEDINA, JR., DrPH - Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer.

Dr. Medina is a preventive care specialist who has spent the last 13 years working at Beaver Medical Group in Redlands, Ca., helping patients of all ages overcome lifestyle-related diseases such as obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.
In light of the growing pediatric obesity epidemic, Dr. Medina and XRtainment Zone are collaborating with California State University of San Bernardino to conduct research on the effectiveness and viability of "exertainment" as a tool in the fight of this epidemic. Dr. Medina is also the originator and co-founder of XRtainment Zone LLC, a first-of-a-kind center combining the latest in exergaming equipment and professional programming for total wellness in the family. He recently incorporated exergaming into the Zone’s Family FitZone class, a pediatric and family weight management class. [...]

JOEL D. PETERSON, J.D. - Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer.

In early 2005, after consulting with Dr. Medina for several years regarding the XRtainment Zone dream, the two joined forces and endeavored to make the dream a reality. Joel is an attorney who has spent the last 19 years assisting his employers and clients meet and overcome their business and legal challenges. Joel brings the same skill and experience to XRtainment Zone and is now dedicated to ensuring XRtainment Zone not only meets its financial and management goals, but that it enriches the lives of its members by providing an opportunity for them to live healthier and happier lives.
In 1988 Joel graduated from Pacific Union College, located in the Napa Valley, with two bachelor degrees, one in business administration and the other in international communications. Following graduation, he married his wife, Judy, and moved to the Washington D.C. area where he was employed as an Underwriting Specialist in the Risk Management Department of the world headquarters of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. [...]

SHEILA HODGKIN, M.S., B.S. - Advisory Board Chair & Chief Development Officer.

As Chair of XRtainment Zone’s advisory board, a mom, certified counselor, and the Zone’s Development Officer, Sheila has the passion and tenaciousness to be a leader and champion of children’s causes.  She specifically is driven to promote childhood fitness, and the prevention of pediatric obesity, as well as championing the enrichment of after school programs that mentor/inspire “at risk” children in having dreams and helping them achieve their dreams. 
Besides her board, networking and development duties at XRtainment Zone, Sheila is currently serving as Home & School President for Loma Linda Academy, a private elementary and secondary school in Loma Linda, Ca.  As President, Sheila imparts a full range of administrative support duties including providing educational and financial resources to the teaching staff, administration, students and their families. [...]