About Us
Our vision is to see people of all ages establish lifestyle changes based on the phenomenon known as “Balance Walking” where with a commitment of just minutes every day to the 4 pillars of Balance Walking will ensure them of a healthier, happier and more productive life.
Our mission is to educate and inspire people to live a happier, more active, “balanced” lifestyle through the daily practice embracing and applying the 4 simple pillars of “Balance Walking”.
Delivering the Mission
Through education, creative alliances and a worldwide network of certified coaches, ambassadors and health, wellness and medical professionals; we will build a wave of missionaries to implement and support the “Balance Walking” simple lifestyle change around the world. We are committed to educate and inspire everyone associated in any way with the “Balance Walking” movement creating a healthier, happier more active lifestyle.
Ray Margiano – Founder and Author of Balance Walking
Ray Margiano PhD, Pedorthist, Writer, Speaker, Entrepreneur and Founder and CEO of Foot Solutions, Inc, the largest retail pedorthic group in the world; focusing on Health & Wellness and proper support for the feet.
Ray has a BS in Business Administration from the University of New Haven, an MS in Computer Science from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and a PhD in International Business Administration from Canbourne University.
Ray Margiano started his career in the corporate world working at Sikorsky Aircraft, Sybron and Textron. He left the corporate world in the early 80’s to start his first franchise venture Heel Quik. Heel Quik grew to a 700 plus international chain in 34 countries.
Ray then started Foot Solutions at the end of 2000 with 3 employees and no funding; by the end of 2008 he grew the company to 250 plus franchise retail operations and a corporate staff of over 50 people with sales in the $100mm range. Foot Solutions is an international franchise focusing on a retail niche between comfort shoe stores and orthopedic facilities with a mantra of “Better Health through your Feet”.
Ray has received many awards in business including the 2008 Cobb Chamber Small Business of the Year, Small Business of the Year Atlanta 1994, Blue Chip Award Winner, International Franchise Award for International Excellence, University of New Haven Distinguished Alumni Award and Distinguished Bartels Fellowship Award University of New Haven, twice. He is a frequent speaker on Franchising, Footwear Industry, Pedorthics and Balance Walking.
Ray serves on the American Diabetes Association’s advisory board, is a member of the Board of Governors at University of New Haven, is on the Board of Directors for the National Shoe Retailers Association and is a Visionary Board member for ICAA (International Council on Active Aging).
Foot Solutions provides many reach-out programs donating time and money related to children’s obesity, diabetes, the Presidents Challenge program for getting Americans back in shape, retirement community programs and international programs such as the Blue Planet Run for pure drinking water. Foot Solutions is an active participant of Soles for Souls, donating shoes for flood, fire and the needy and is also involved on a national basis on Breast Cancer walks, Heart walks etc, to promote healthier living. Ray’s philosophy for the company and all its associates is to always give something back and to be part of positive change and energy. He is also a member of Kennesaw State University's WellStar College of Health and Human Services Advancement Board.
Terry Kennedy
Terry D. Kennedy is the Head Coach and Director of Balance Walking events and activities at Foot Solutions, Inc. In this position, he’s the driving force behind the Balance Walking movement and supporting network. Terry has made great strides in raising awareness of “The Next Wave of Healthy Walking” among both coaches and participants. In establishing a Balance Walking Coaches Network, Terry has put a system in place that will foster significant growth for both Balance Walking and Foot Solutions.
Terry is an experienced, aggressive executive with over 30 years of sales and marketing experience. Prior to joining Foot Solutions, Terry worked as a consultant in the fields of Market Intelligence, Product Development and Sales. All of the companies he consulted with had tremendous opportunity for growth, allowing Terry to be on the front end as each turned into a successful business. Terry was integral in the phases of conception, pre-launch, management, project modifications and forming protocols for success.
Terry completed his undergraduate studies at Northern Michigan University and earned his MS in Exercise Science at Georgia State University, where he also coached swimming and eventually developed the first Triathlon Club in the Southeast, which grew to 500+ members. Through his coaching and activity, Terry was able to secure sponsorships from Nike, Avia, Trek and Scott, among others.
On a personal level, Terry is still very active and driven. He’s competed and placed within the top ten in over 250 triathlons and biathlons since 1981. He enjoys swimming, biking, running, skiing and golf, as well as spending time with his wife and daughter. Terry has been a private coach and mentor to many high level sports and medical professionals and has lately focused on tri-athletes.
Donna Robertson C.Ped
Donna Robertson is a consultant to Foot Solutions, Inc, as a pedorthics specialist with advanced and unique skills in the sports pedorthics area, as well as in the areas of injury recovery, custom-made orthotics and footwear related products, diabetic foot issues and advanced pedorthic solutions.
Donna has worked with many sports professionals and is well known throughout the USA for her work and lectures. She is extremely knowledgeable in the sports-related pedorthics area and is very advanced in her work. She has been a feature speaker for many medical community associations and groups. She received her BS degree in health, physical education and recreation from the University of North Alabama in 1974, earned her Masters degree in health in 1978, certification as an athletic trainer in 1977 and certification as a pedorthist in 1987.
She is a member of many professional associations including NATA, Pedorthic Footwear Association, Health, Physical Education and Recreation Association and Board of Certification in Pedorthics. At the 2004 Olympic Games held in Athens, Donna worked with the foot and ankle medical team as a pedorthist. Donna has worked with many well known sports professionals and has had clients fly her cross-country for her service.
Dr. Bill Faddock DPM, C. Ped
Dr. Bill Faddock has been the Director of Pedorthic Education at Foot Solutions, Inc, since August 2000. He conducts training for the franchisees and employees, as well as offers classes to members of the public interested in becoming Certified Pedorthists. Foot Solutions Pedorthic Training Facility is one of the highest ranked facilities in the USA and provides advanced pedorthic training as well as international pedorthic training.
Dr. Bill has practiced podiatric medicine and surgery since 1970. He was in private practice until 1988 when he joined a group practice.
He served as President of the Georgia Podiatric Medical Association and as Chairman of the Podiatric Medical and Surgical Section of Atlanta Hospital for four years.
Upon retirement from active practice, he acted as a consultant for new practitioners establishing their practices as well as for practices merging and dissolving. A podiatrist (who was his former resident) became involved with Foot Solutions and recruited him to his current position.
Dr. Bill also has a very strong holistic background and is a strong advocate of non-invasive techniques and natural healing. Dr Bill’s unique background and beliefs make his pedorthic health and wellness approach to solving foot-related issues and problems extremely effective.
Dr. Bill is active in various civic associations and has served on the Board of Directors of Christian City – a home for children with facilities for the well elderly and a nursing home facility. He has also been active in Boys and Girls Clubs and the Boy Scouts of America. He has two children and seven grandchildren.