Membership Spotlight
April 2024 Member Spotlight
Albert Hulley, PTA
APTA RI Secretary
Al’s Path: A Journey of Healing, Leadership, and Purpose 
Al currently serves as the Secretary for APTA RI and as the Chapter PTA Council Representative. His impressive career as a Physical Therapist Assistant includes working at Meeting Street, where he collaborates with two Physical Therapists, SLP’s, OTA’s, and special educators and treats students aged three to twenty-two on land and in the water doing Aquatherapy. He was recognized as an Emerging Leader by the APTA in 2016, completed the Certificate Program in Aquatic Physical Therapy Clinical Competency (PTA) in 2018, awarded the Zelia Celona PTA Award in 2019 and completed the PTA Advanced Proficiency Pathways – Pediatrics in 2020. Additionally, Al is a PATH registered therapist and engages in hippotherapy at Greenlock Therapeutic Riding Center.
Hippotherapy is a therapeutic approach that harnesses the movement and gait of a horse to provide motor and sensory input, focusing on improving posture, pelvic tilt, head and trunk control, balance, and core strength. It can be thought of as a moving therapy ball that can provide a 1000 consistent inputs in a half an hour,
Al’s journey with APTA RI began during his time as a student at CCRI. He had the opportunity to attend the Component Sections Meeting in Boston, shadowing the PTA Caucus representative in the House of Delegates and volunteering at the conference. After graduation, he participated in a Board meeting where a Treasurer position became available.
Before transitioning to a PTA role, Al worked in a higher-level corporate business position. His MBA and prior experience as a corporate financial controller made him an ideal candidate for the Treasurer role. Al served as Treasurer for eight years, followed by a two-year term as Director. He also served as chair or co-chair of the Program committee bringing professional development programs to the membership. Currently, as Secretary, he diligently records actions during meetings and contributes to the Executive Committee.
Al’s most significant accomplishments include his midlife transition from the business world to full-time education, ultimately finding his passion in working with children as a PTA. His involvement with annual meeting began serendipitously when he accidentally attended the wrong meeting and was invited to stay. Since then, he has actively contributed to organizing successful annual meetings, which last year attracted over 140 attendees and sponsors, raising funds for the organization.
In addition, Al has advocated for legislation by engaging with state senators to address conflicts between students’ Individual Education Plans and Department of Health regulations. Despite challenges, the legislative committee and APTA’s lobbyist successfully pushed for necessary changes.
Looking ahead, Al aims to revise the chapter’ by-laws, armed with a comprehensive 12-page guide from the APTA. He also strives to make the 2024 annual meeting even more successful than the last. Al remains content in his current position and is committed to making meaningful contributions within APTA.
Article and interview by Calla Puccetti, Biology Major, Bryant University
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