Jim DaughdrillDirector of Business Development, Enrollment Management Association
Prior to joining the Enrollment Management Association as director of business development, Jim was the dean of admission at McCallie School in Chattanooga, TN, where he also served in a variety of roles on the school’s admission, development, and residential life teams. He transitioned to the independent school world in 2010 after working as an investment banking analyst in Atlanta. He earned a bachelor’s degree from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, where he was a member of the varsity rowing team. He returned to Penn to earn a master’s in education entrepreneurship in 2017.
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Patrice ElderDirector of Athletics and Co-Curricular Programs, Oak Hill School
Patrice Elder is the director of athletics and co-curricular programs at Oak Hill School. She brings a wealth of experience in sports management, athletic training, and student instruction to OHS. She most recently served as an instructor and student success coordinator at Delaware State University, where she created student engagement programs and mentored students within the kinesiology major.
Previously, Patrice was an instructor and academic advisor within the Human Performances and Sport Sciences Department at Tennessee State University. She also served as the associate head of athletic training at TSU, implementing and maintaining all policies and procedures for student-athletes, staff and athletic training students, as well as supervising medical coverage for women’s athletics. She is a frequent presenter at conferences throughout the region, speaking on topics about safety, athletic administration, and youth in sports. In addition to this, Patrice is well versed in all areas of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Patrice received a master’s degree in education from Tennessee State University and a B.S. in physical education from Kent State University in Ohio. She is currently studying to earn a doctoral degree in educational leadership from TSU.
Allison GasuikWellness Coach, D&G Wellness
Allison Gasuik played Division I ice hockey at The Ohio State University where she experienced a career ending injury after her sophomore year. Previously, Allison served as the assistant coach of the Nichols Girls’ Varsity Hockey Team in Buffalo, NY. Allison is currently enrolled as a graduate student at St. Bonaventure University where she will obtain her master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling. She earned her Wellness Coaching Certificate through Cornell University and works as a wellness coach for D&G Wellness, helping athletes prioritize their mental health during their athletic careers. Allison’s goal is to normalize conversation surrounding mental health and encourage people to ask for the help they need.
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Tim GreenAthletics Consultant, Southern Teachers
During his 32-year career in schools, Tim Green has served as a teacher, coach, P.E. department chair, and director of athletics. His successful record of independent school athletic leadership includes oversight of teams and coaching staff, budget development, athletic facilities, mentoring programs, coaching evaluation, professional development, and athletic capital improvements. He has served on numerous committees at the collegiate and independent school levels and is certified at the highest level (Certified Master Athletic Administrator) by the NIAAA. Tim currently serves as the director of athletic consulting performing athletic assessments, mentoring, leading the Southern Teachers AD Training Camp, and presenting across the south.
Jeff McGinnisExecutive Director, Nashville Coaching Coalition
Jeff McGinnis is the executive director of the Nashville Coaching Coalition. His success in athletics reinforced equating good performance with attention, but thankfully, Jeff had coaches and professors who helped him see a different perspective on his athletic ability. Jeff has spent his career coaching and teaching on and off the court. He has worked in the banking industry and has served at several nonprofit organizations in middle Tennessee.
Jesse OlveraDirector of Athletics, The Covenant School of Dallas
Jesse has worked in the education field for 17 years and has completed his sixth year as the director of athletics at The Covenant School. Prior to his current position, he served as the assistant athletic director, head football, and head baseball coach at Abilene Christian Schools in Abilene, TX. Jesse also served as a campus administrator and athletic department development coordinator his final two years at Abilene Christian Schools.
Jesse’s primary responsibilities at The Covenant School include overseeing the JH and HS athletic programs, the hiring process of coaches, working alongside administrators, and serving as the head baseball coach. Jesse has participated on several site-based management projects along with overseeing the installation process of new turf on the Frank Miller Field and the gym floor renovation in the Carson Leslie Center. In his six years at Covenant, the athletic department has won 14 state championships amongst the cross country, boys soccer, boys track, and boys golf teams; 5 state runners-up in girls cross country, boys soccer, and boys golf; and 2 state tournament appearances in boys basketball and baseball.
Jesse is a member of THSCA, THSBCA, THSADA, and NIAAA. Jesse earned a M.Ed. in administration and leadership of learning, a master certificate in conflict resolution, and B.S at Abilene Christian University. While earning his degree at Abilene Christian, he competed on the NCAA Division II baseball team.
Gabriella Pelosi Co-Founder, D&G Wellness Consulting
Gabriella Pelosi is a licensed mental health counselor, a former school mental health counselor, private practice clinician, and co-founder of D&G Wellness Consulting. As a school mental health counselor for an independent school in Buffalo, she led faculty, staff, and parents to create and implement a social and emotional learning program for grades PK-8. At her private practice, Gabriella treats clients with eating disorders, substance abuse, anxiety, depression, and a variety of other mental health needs. Previously, Gabriella served as a clinical supervisor at Cazenovia Recovery Systems, Turning Point House, an inpatient residential treatment facility for men recovering from drug and alcohol abuse. Gabriella graduated from John Carroll University with a bachelor’s degree in communication and theatre arts and a minor in English. She completed her master’s degree in education in clinical mental health counseling from St. Bonaventure University and is a licensed therapist in New York. While currently working in her private practice, Gabriella also serves as a wellness consultant providing training and professional development to corporations, schools, and athletic teams on a variety of health and wellness topics. She works with many athletes in her private practice and believes in early intervention and prevention of mental health for athletes.
Ernest Robertson, Jr.Director of Sports Enrichment Programs/Auxiliary, Palmer Trinity School
Ernest Robertson, Jr. currently holds the position of director of sports enrichment/auxiliary at Palmer Trinity School in Miami, FL. He is an accomplished athletic director and leader who enjoys using his skills to contribute to the exciting athletic advances that happen every day at PTS. His role has allowed him to be a key part of bringing the first ever state championship to PTS and leading the development of a 40-acre sports facility. Ernest is a graduate of Southern University with a bachelor’s degree in accounting/management and Florida International University with a master’s degree in sports management.
Ernesto has published an article in Spring IAA 2022 called “Guiding Fan Behavior.” He has also been a speaker at the the National AD Conference, Florida International University, NIAAA, FIAAA, SAIS, and the Florida Coaches Association. He has been the commissioner/founder of the F.I.F.C Football Conference since 2015; was a FHSAA Sectional Appeals committee member from 2017 – 2020; was a FHSAA General Assembly representative from 2018 – 2021; is a Certificated Master Athletic Administer; and has been the head boys basketball coach, physical education department chair, sportsmanship task force chair, and coached football, track & field, and softball.
Daniel RussellAthletic Director, Chattanooga Christian School
Larry SalleyAthletic Director, Porter-Gaud School
Larry Salley has 29 years of experience in athletic leadership and is in his 9th year as athletic director at Porter-Gaud in Charleston, SC, where he oversees 60 teams in 25 sports run by over 100 coaches. Larry also serves on the staff of Southern Teachers Agency’s AD Training Camp and AD Retreat.
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Jeff SchroederMiddle School Athletic Director, Second Baptist School
Jeff Schroeder is currently the middle school director of athletics at Second Baptist School in Houston, TX. He is a veteran head coach and administrator with over 30 plus years of experience in a variety of roles and executive leadership. He follows in the footsteps of his father who was a long-time collegiate coach and administrator.
Jeff holds a bachelor’s degree in physical education, health, and Bible from the University of Northwestern-St Paul, MN. He has served on state and national levels with the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA), Houston Area Athletic Directors Committee, District Vice-President, USA Perfect Game Advisory Board, and Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools (TAPPS).
His distinguished career in Texas includes numerous COY awards, multiple state championships, and 70 plus former players at the collegiate or professional level. Jeff has used the platform of athletics to impact and mentor both student athletes and coaches.
Danielle VallasCo-Founder, D&G Wellness Consulting
Danielle Vallas is a licensed mental health counselor, a former school wellness director and mental health counselor, private practice clinician, graduate school professor, yoga teacher, and co-founder of D&G Wellness Consulting. For over 16 years, Danielle worked as the director of wellness education at an independent school in Buffalo, where she created and implemented wellness program curriculum for grades 5-12 and trained faculty and staff on various wellness topics. In addition to her role as director of wellness education, Danielle served as the school mental health counselor since 2013. Additionally, Danielle teaches as an adjunct professor at University at Buffalo Graduate School of Education. She is a faculty member of Mindful Counseling for Wellness and Engagement Advanced Certificate Program. Danielle is a graduate of William Smith College, where she received a bachelor’s degree in psychological and physical health and well being. She completed her master’s degree at Canisius College in physical education and health education. She is a graduate of the University at Buffalo master of mental health counseling program, is a New York State licensed mental health counselor, and has a wellness coach certificate from Cornell University.
Mike WalkerDirector of Athletics, Second Baptist School
Mike Walker is the director of athletics at Second Baptist School in Houston, TX. He has been leading athletic departments at three different schools since 2003 in Pennsylvania and now Texas.
Mike holds a bachelor’s degree in physical education, health, and bible from Clarks Summit University and a master’s degree in organizational leadership from Eastern University. He as served on the Pennsylvania State Athletic Directors Association Executive Counsel, was league vice president, district committee member, and was a two-time Athletic Director of the Year in his league in Pennsylvania. He has been published in Coach & Athletic Director magazine writing about a coach’s influence in the lives of students.
Leading a team of nearly 70 coaches, Mike is passionate about helping student-athletes learn how to have victory on the field by first learning how to have victory over the small things in life.
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Jay WattsDirector of Athletics, Girls Preparatory School
Jay Watts was named GPS athletic director in 2017. He graduated from the College of William and Mary with a B.S. in psychology. He then completed his master’s degree in education/sports administration from Georgia State University. Watts also holds a Certified Master Athletic Administrator certificate from the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. He has served as a guest lecturer in the Sports Administration departments at both Georgia State and Kennesaw State University, and he is currently an adjunct professor in the Health and Human Performance department at UTC.
As a coach, Watts was selected as the Georgia State Coach of the Year five times and Area Coach of the Year 11 times in lacrosse. He was selected as Georgia Lacrosse Foundation Man of the Year in 2006 and elected to Georgia Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 2007. Watts volunteered with U.S. Lacrosse from 2001 to 2017, serving on the board of governors for the women’s division of U.S. Lacrosse from 2005 to 2009. He chaired the organization’s safety education committee and was a member of the U.S. Lacrosse rules committee for six years. Watts also served on the NFHS Girls Lacrosse Rules Committee for eight years, working as the chair of the committee from 2011 to 2015. In 2018, he was named the head coach of the Polish Women’s National Lacrosse Team and in 2020, he was named the head coach of the Polish U20 Women’s National Lacrosse Team in addition to his duties with the senior team.
He has been published in the Journal of Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance as well as Interscholastic Athletic Administration and presented at numerous conferences across the United States.
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