JACQUI KAPINOWSKI
Founder/President – Shifting Gears United Inc.
Director, Freedom Team Handcycling & Swim Programs Coach/Mentor
jacqui@shiftinggearsunited.org | 732-236-3576
Jacqui is a two-time Paralympian for Team USA in both winter and summer games. With nine World Champions in four sports, curling, triathlon, wheelchair racing, and rowing. Jacqui was inducted into the Paralympic Sport Hall of Fame in 2021. Jacqui has been an avid runner and athlete most of her life. She has competed in 90 marathons, 19 as a runner and 71 in her racing wheelchair and handcycle.
In her early twenties, Jacqui was diagnosed with bacterial meningitis. She fought the disease, recovered, and returned to competitive marathon running. Five years later Jacqui was impacted by a second diagnosis of bacterial meningitis.
Surviving two bouts of meningitis, that has left Kapinowski living with a progressive disease that affects 1 in 1 million with no cure called “Stiff Person Syndrome”. Jacqui is a cancer survivor.
Jacqui founded Shifting Gears United on September 11, 2019, with the purpose of sharing her passion and years of experience in sports and mentoring wounded veterans, first responders and individuals living with various disabilities.
It is the power of sports and community that bring us together as a family. “The Only Constant is Change”.
PAUL A. ALESKOVSKY
Chairman – Shifting Gears United, Inc.
Director/Instructor – Freedom Team Kayak Program
A founding board member of SGU, Paul has been involved with non-profits most of his career including almost 20 years with the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association, involved in member servicers, trade shows and special events. Later he founded a web development company that specialized in application projects for non-profit organizations.
Paul has been teaching kayak skills and leading group eco-tours in Palm Beach County for over 30 years. As the lead kayak instructor for Adventure Times Kayaks, once located in North Palm Beach, he taught basic skills using torso rotation techniques rather than arms strength; and advanced skills like self and assisted rescues and kayak rolling. He is an ex-officio board member for the Friends of John MacArthur Beach State Park. Inspired by the SGU members, Paul rides a handcycle and can be seen riding throughout Palm Beach County.
CHERYL A. HOUGHTELIN
Treasurer – Shifting Gears United, Inc.
Originally from Pittsburgh, PA, Cheryl Houghtelin attended Indiana University, graduating with degrees in Public and Environmental Affairs, Parks and Recreation Administration and Education. Following her goals, Cheryl was a Naturalist at Brown County State Park in Indiana and then a NPS Interpretive Ranger in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Cheryl began her non-profit career after relocating to West Palm Beach, FL, with the YMCA, starting as Aquatic Director, promoting to CEO of the YMCA of St. Lucie County, Faculty and Book Team Leader for the YMCA of the USA.
Continuing to hone her non-profit skills, Cheryl served as the CEO of the Historical Society of Palm Beach County, growing the Society from a deficit organization with one full time employee to a successful million dollar non-profit with a staff of four talented individuals.
Opening a consultancy enabled Cheryl to use many of her skills, including developing and conducting a 1.2 million dollar capital Campaign for Friends of MacArthur Beach State Park. After success completion of the campaign and building/furnishing/renovation of the buildings Cheryl accepted the offer of Executive Director for the Friends. From 2010 to 2020 Cheryl worked with the Board of Directors to grown the Natural Science Programs, Beach Outfitters Gift Shop, Volunteer program and financial base of the Friends.
FRANCINE PRESCOTT
Director – Shifting Gears United, Inc.
A founding board member of SGU, Fran was instrumental in the creation of SGU. Having a disability, SGU provides a venue to participate in what was not possible on her own. She had been injured in a car accident years earlier and was left with multiple problems including CRPS (Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome), multiple back fusions, and a foot drop. Several years later, Fran was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia.
Fran has come to terms with her own injury and can help others. “I love to be with the “can do” group we have, and watching and participating in events where you just leave pain and disability at the start and just go.
HARRY KAPINOWSKI
Director of Operations – Shifting Gears United, Inc.
Equipment Logistics
Retired Newark, NJ Fire Department
2010 Paralympics -USA Curling Team /Technical Asst.
2016 Paralympics -USA Rowing Coach
Harry has been involved with disabled athletics for more than 30 years. He’s full-time, hands-on in the daily operations. He assist in all aspects of the South Florida Programs and events, clinics, camps, training, and race season. He was instrumental in assisting with getting the Shifting Gears United Programs off the ground and running for our Freedom Team of Wounded Veterans and First Responders
KEVIN O’BRIEN
Immediate Past Chairman
Co-Director of Valor Cycling Club
Kevin has been coordinating events for the disabled athlete for over 10 years. During that time, Kevin has assisted many a of our disabled veterans and first responder athlete safely navigate the streets of Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, and Miami during annual marathons.