CEO of Strike, Vice President of Kiewit Energy Group to chair American Heart Association's Montgomery County Heart Walk & Kids Dash

THE WOODLANDS, Texas – In its ongoing effort to elevate public awareness about cardiovascular diseases and stroke, the American Heart Association (AHA) is pleased to announce it’s 2016 Montgomery County Heart Walk & Kid’s Dash Co-Chairs, Steve Pate, CEO of Strike, and Jeff Gordon, Vice President of Kiewit Energy Group.

“We are thrilled to have Steve Pate and Jeff Gordon co-chair our Montgomery County Heart Walk and Kid’s Dash this year,” said Lauren Trice, Corporate Market Director for the American Heart Association. “Jeff co-chaired our walk last year and it was with his leadership alongside Aon – The Woodland’s Chris Payne that we were able to raise over $418,000 to fund lifesaving technology in our community. We hope to mirror that success this year and I can’t think of anyone better than Steve to join Jeff in championing our mission.”

Slated for Saturday, November 12, 2016, the free, 5K noncompetitive walk will welcome 4,000 walkers to rally behind the nation’s No.1 and No.5 causes of death: heart disease and stroke.

Designed to promote physical activity and heart-healthy living, the Montgomery County Heart Walk & Kid’s Dash is a fundraising event that is also a celebration of life. The funds raised benefit the American Heart Association by supporting lifesaving cardiovascular research, community education about risk factors and prevention, as well as advocacy efforts like the AHA’s CPR in Schools program.

The walk will also feature the Kid’s Dash, a special obstacle course for kids ages 5-12. The dash will feature fun obstacles kids can enjoy as a way to promote awareness about childhood obesity. Each participant will receive a special bandana and finisher’s medal.

The annual success of the Montgomery County Heart Walk & Kid’s Dash is due in part to national sponsor SUBWAY ® restaurants, and local sponsors Aon – The Woodlands, Kiewit Energy Company, Strike and TETRA Technologies, Inc.

This year, the walk hopes to raise $450,000, which supports research, education and various programs to fight heart disease and stroke. Second only to the federal government, AHA is a key funder for cardiovascular and stroke research and has contributed more than $12 million in current funding to the Texas Medical Center and the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston.

To register for the 2016 Montgomery County Heart Walk & Kid’s Dash and to create a walking team, visit www.heart.org/hgcevents, or contact Stephanie Phillips at Stephanie.Phillips@heart.org or 832-918-4064. There is no cost to register for the Heart Walk, but donations are appreciated. The Kid’s Dash is $10 per kid, which includes the finisher’s medal and special bandana.