Bert Pickell is the Director of San Antonio Walks, an initiative created by the Mayor’s Fitness Council in August 2012. As coach and co -founder of the nationally-recognized youth walking club – The South Texas Walking Club – Bert was selected to develop walking programs, promote a walking lifestyle, and engage all San Antonio communities in supporting walking initiatives. With extensive community relationships and over 30 years as a USAF personnel leader, Bert oversees all operations and establishes communityfocused programs to encourage walking. Walking groups are in every demographic, city district, military installation, independent school structure, and many churches. Currently, there are more than 770 walking groups and more than 40 events annually supporting walkers. Always leading from the front, Bert has 45+ years devoted to fitness walking as an endurance walking coach, event manager, competitive judge, and experienced Racewalk competitor. Whether to help set up programs, provide assistance in presentations or demonstrations, or actually lead training walks, Bert has established San Antonio as a fitness walking champion city. Originally trained as a Morse Systems Operator, Bert was selected as the USAF’s best operator in 1986 and has served in six (6) countries from 1973 – 2003. Identified as the service’s top technician, he was handpicked to be on the Air Intelligence Agency’s Inspection Team providing critical assessments and mission guidance to over 25 intelligence installations.