The NES Team
NED Simerlein - Founder & lead instructor
Ned Simerlein graduated from Purdue University with a bachelor’s degree in Health and Kinesiology. After practical experiences specializing in the areas of geriatric and special populations, corporate fitness, and personal training, Ned discovered that his passion was the training and development of athletes.
Ned began his tenure with the world-renowned IMG Academies in 2003. At IMG, he served as the Performance Director of the IMG Baseball and Basketball Programs, and assisted with the NFL Combine Program, NBA Draft & Offseason Preparation, MLB Spring Training Preparation, and the U-17 US National Team. During that time he also became a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, through the National Strength and Conditioning Association.
In 2005, Ned relocated to Connecticut and continued his career at Velocity Sports Performance. At Velocity he served as the Director of Performance. Ned was responsible for the training and development of over 50 performance coaches along with the training of the athletes and adults. He was also responsible for the preparation of professional athletes who were drafted into the NFL, NBA, MLB, MLL, and MLS.
In 2009, he founded “Integrated Athletic Performance”, a performance hybrid facility that focused on small group adult training and performance training. By 2013, IAP had become the most successful adult personal training program in the state with over 125 active clients. On the performance side, IAP was responsible for the development of well over 500 athletes of all sports. Ned’s internship and mentorship program developed some of the leading strength coaches, physical therapists and strength coaches in New England, who are currently employed at Stamford, Yale, and Colgate, SCCU, South Carolina, Miami of Ohio, and other universities
In 2013, he opened “N.E.S Sports”, a consulting business designed to optimize their training programs, enhance product quality, revenue generation, sales and marketing practices, and business operations. Although Ned still actively consults with numerous institutions, NES Sports Performance is where he spends a majority of his time with the hands on development of some of the top athletes in the Northeast.
Drew Gallagher - PT
Drew earned his Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy at Northeastern University in 1996. He also earned his MBA in Healthcare Management from the University of Phoenix in 2004. His clinical specialties include orthopedics, joint therapy, vestibular rehabilitation, and instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization. Drew is also certified in Trigger Point Dry Needling and belongs to the American Physical Therapy Association, the Southbury Chamber of Commerce, and the Southbury Business Association.
James Laubstein - Coach
James Laubstein is a 7 year NES alumni. James is a recent graduate of New Mexico State University where he studied liberal arts and played Quarterback for the Lobos. Prior to New Mexico, he was a standout at Sussex County Community College earning a FBS Division I offer from New Mexico. James has competed at the highest level of collegiate football because of his ongoing commitment in the weight room, developing a high level of athletic ability and leadership which he brings into coaching athletes at NES. Laubstein is currently pursuing professional football opportunities.
Nico Agresti - Coach
Nico has been training at NES since he was 10 years old. In high school he was the captain of the Foran High School varsity soccer team and an All-State selection player his senior year. Nico is currently a Sophomore at Eastern Connecticut State University, where he is working on his bachelors degree in Finance, while continuing to play soccer.
Billy Sullivan - Coach
Billy Sullivan graduated from Southern Connecticut State University in 2024 with a Masters Degree in Sports Management and Entertainment. Has been training at NES for 5 years. During this time he was able to take his performance to the next level and earned a Division 1 scholarship (Fairfield University) for his final year of eligibility. After his college career, Sullivan played a season in the MLB Draft League and recently signed a professional contract with the Joliet Slammers. Sullivan will be in house at NES during the offseason training athletes and giving catching lessons.