About the Board

The Arkansas State Board of Massage Therapy was created with the intent to upgrade the standards of practice and education of massage therapy and regulate the practice of massage therapy in the State of Arkansas.

The Arkansas State Board of Massage Therapy consists of seven (7) members, who shall be appointed by the Governor for a term of three (3) years. Six (6) of the members shall be licensees and these members shall be full voting members. Only two (2) of the members shall be owners of a massage therapy school; one (1) member, to represent the public, shall not be engaged in or retired from the practice of massage therapy. This member shall be a full voting member). Board members appointed to their positions shall be selected in equal apportionment from the congressional districts of the state as provided in § 25-16-801 and shall be subject to confirmation by the Senate.

Board Members

Lisa Douglas, President

Lisa is a Licensed Massage Therapist and has a deep passion for helping others. She works at the Forrest City Health Club. Lisa aspires to one day own a spa. When she’s not working, Lisa’s daughter, Lindsey, keeps her busy.

Linda Treitler, RN, MTI, NCBMT, Vice President

Linda Treitler received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Magna Cum Laude) from Oklahoma Baptist University in 1976, an Associate in Applied Science in Business from Vernon College in 1988, She is certified in Oncology and Holistic nursing. She attended the White River School of Massage in is now an MTI and certified by the NCBTMB. She attended the Klose Lymphedema Training program in 2007 for certification as a lymphedema therapist and received national certification from the Lymphology Association of North America in 2009. She is a Reiki Master-Teacher in the Usui Tradition. Linda is currently attending classes to obtain her Masters of Science in Nursing with a graduation date of July 2013. Linda is employed at the Highlands Oncology Group as a chemo nurse. She is married and they have two children.

Audra Findley, MTI, Secretary

Audra has been in the profession for 15 years. She is the owner/director of the River Valley School of Massage and the Mirage Day Spa and Salon in Russellville, Arkansas. Audra holds a Massage Therapy Instructor license.

Gregg Benefiel, MTI

Gregg is the owner of the Massage Works School of Massage Therapy in Mountain View, Arkansas and the Massage Works School of Massage Therapy in Harrison, AR; and Touching America in Maumelle, AR. He is a Massage Therapy Instructor and is a member of the Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals (ABMP).

Marshall Nash, Attorney at Law

Marshall attended the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Arkansas. He has been an attorney for seventeen years. Marshall is the Director of Employee Relations with Nabholtz Construction Company. He and his wife have two sons.

Susie Williams, LMT

Susie is a born and raised Texan now calls Little Rock home. She currently holds a massage license to both Texas and Arkansas. Susie is the previous owner of The Body Shoppe Massage and Day Spa. She is currently a full-time nursing student at the Baptist Health School and continues to do massage therapy when she can.

Martha (Tia) Pineda, LMT, LMT (Complaint Committee Designee)

Martha Pineda received her Bachelor of Science in Management from the University at Davenport, Iowa. Ms. Pineda has been an Arkansas Massage Therapist since 2010 and currently works part-time as a massage therapist. She is a certified, volunteer firefighter and is the full-time Library/Literacy Director in Brinkley, AR. During her time off, she enjoys spending time with family, friends and her dogs.

Board Staff

Marilyn Graham, Executive Director

Brandi Thompson, Administrative Specialist III

J. Russell Jackson, Massage Therapy Inspector

Carla Jordan, Administrative Specialist II

Attorney Representative

Amanda Gibson, Assistant Attorney General