2024 Institute for Athletic Directors | Speakers

Craig Ashley is currently in his second year as the director of athletics at Greensboro Day School (GDS) in Greensboro, NC. Prior to GDS, Ashley worked at Saint Andrew’s School (SAS) in Boca Raton, FL, for 23 years. At SAS, he worked as the head athletic trainer, upper school faculty member, and sports information director for 12 years prior to being named the director of athletics in 2011. While at Saint Andrew’s School, he received the Dena and Daniel Man Janusz Korczak Faculty Award which is presented to a faculty member who has been an especially giving, caring, and devoted teacher and friend of students. During his time as an athletic director at SAS, Ashley served on the FCIS leadership council representing independent schools working with the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA). He also served on the FHSAA’s international student task force and sectional appeals committee. Craig has presented similar lectures at athletic administrator conferences discussing how to develop, grow, and sustain an athletic program specific to the needs of independent schools.

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Kalon Davis grew up in Chester, SC, before attending Clemson University. In undergrad, he had the opportunity to play football and helped found the esports club. In graduate school, he played for the USF esports team. Post graduation, he coached high school football and soccer, then college football. In 2022, he decided to change career paths into esports. He spent a year launching an esports department in Virginia in 2022 at a standalone sportsplex. He now serves as the director of esports at Providence Day School.

Patrice Elder is the director of athletics and co-curricular programs at Oak Hill School and holds the distinction of a CAA (Certified Athletic Administrator) from the NIAAA. 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 movement sciences major. She is a frequent presenter at conferences throughout the region, speaking on topics about safety, risk management, 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.

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Mike Ellson, CMAA currently serves as the executive director of the Tennessee Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association, is a member of the NIAAA Professional Development Academy team, and is a state consultant for FinalForms. For nearly four decades, Mike served as teacher, coach, and athletic administrator, where he focused on transformational coaching as the foundational centerpiece of the athletic program. He has co-authored a book, two leadership training courses, has written several articles for local, state, and national publications, and has presented numerous athletic leadership workshops at the state and national level. He has been recognized at the local, state, and national level with multiple awards for distinguished service, leadership, coaching, and professional development for his commitment to education-based athletics.

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During his 32-year career, Tim Green has been as a teacher, coach, P.E. department chair, and director of athletics. His successful record of independent school athletic leadership includes oversight of teams, coaches, budget development, athletic facilities, mentoring programs, coaching staff evaluations, professional development, and athletic capital improvements. He has served on countless collegiate and independent school committees and is certified at the highest level (Certified Master Athletic Administrator) by the NIAAA. Now, Tim works assisting independent schools with athletic assessments, AD mentoring, and providing summer professional development opportunities for athletic administrators.

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Matthew Jones arrived at Kentucky Country Day School (KCD) in 2011 and was named head football coach at the conclusion of the 2011 season. He has a 12-year record of 100-39, including 7 district titles. The Bearcats also won the regional title in 2019 and 2020, playing for the state championship for the first time in school history in December of 2020. Matthew is the all-time winningest football coach in KCD history and was selected as Class A State Coach of the Year in 2017. Coach Jones began his coaching career at Cedar Shoals in Athens, GA, while an undergraduate at UGA and continued coaching at his alma mater, Darlington School, from 2004 to 2010. He has also taught 11th grade U.S. history, coached girl’s soccer and boy’s lacrosse, and served as a dean of students in his career. He is a member of the social studies department at KCD, teaching 9th grade world history. In addition, he serves as associate athletic director and is the leader of the NEXT program, helping student athletes with their college recruitment beginning in the 9th grade.

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Ernest Robertson, Jr., is a Certified Master Athletic Administrator and has served for over 23 years at Palmer Trinity School as an athletic administrator. Ernest has served many roles in his 23-year career including director of athletics, director of sports enrichment programs, auxiliary director, department chair, head coach, and admission applications coordinator while also serving on the leadership team and administration team.

He is an accomplished athletic director and leader who enjoys using his skills to contribute to exciting athletic advances. His role has allowed him to be a key part of bringing the first-ever State Championship to Palmer Trinity School and help lead the development of a 30-acre sports facility.

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