Bob is living proof that robots and pickleball can coexist perfectly in one's life story. An Aiken native and proud 1977 graduate of Aiken High School, Bob went on to earn his Electrical Engineering degree from Clemson University, setting the stage for what he considers "one of the best jobs in the world" - working with robotics at the Savannah River Site for 38 years. Together with his wife Jane, Bob has built a life rich in family connections, including their two adult children and two grandchildren who keep their hearts full and their schedules entertaining. As a man of faith and community, Bob has been an active member of St. Johns Methodist Church for over five decades, where his steady presence has been as reliable as his engineering calculations. Now, you are likely to find Bob on the pickleball court, where he's discovered his post-retirement passion. Since picking up a paddle in 2019, he has expanded his social circle by over 100 new friends - proving that you can teach an engineer new tricks! His enthusiasm for the sport is contagious, and Bob has found his newest calling in helping to grow Southern Pickleball Academy and First Paddle into their next era, sharing the joy of the game with others and building an even stronger pickleball community.

When folks ask Beth what brought her to Aiken, her reply is, "the stork." A native Aikenite, in her career as a teacher she met many people. However, when she and her husband retired and took up pickleball, she met and befriended so many more. The social aspects and the sheer fun of the sport have captivated her such that she plays every chance she can get. Her teacher-brain recognizes the power of pickleball to encourage youth to put down their phones and pick up a paddle. Engaging kids with pickleball--she says there's nothing better!

Cindy fell hard for pickleball after recovering from an accident and finds great joy in playing an easily adaptable sport. She went to college as a non-traditional student (older than normal) and graduated the same week her oldest graduated from high school. Cindy worked 15 years at Morris Communications in HR as a training specialist and brings a bit of technical experience to the team. She also served six years as the Business Admin in a local church and has the valuable non-profit bookkeeping experience we need to manage our accounting and guide our financial stewardship. Cindy is married to Robbie, another Pickleball aficionado. About the only thing they enjoy more is spending time with their three adult children and four grandchildren.

Born in Greenville, David is a lifetime resident of South Carolina, moving to the Aiken area in 1981 with his wife, Paula. They have three children, Ryan, Morgan and Paul, and two grandchildren, Tucker and Caroline. David’s passions have been time with family, his dental profession, love of flying, golf, and sports of any kind. He played baseball and basketball in high school, and served 4 years in the USAF as a Medical Service Specialist at Myrtle Beach AFB. He earned a BS degree from the University of South Carolina and a Masters Degree in Public Administration from Webster University and graduated from the MUSC School of Dentistry. After practicing dentistry for 35 years, David retired in 2015. Since retiring he has enjoyed playing golf, shooting sporting clays, and traveling, but now is concentrating on getting better at Pickleball!

BonnieAnne Fulghum is an Aiken native with a lifelong passion for helping others, particularly those who need an advocate in their corner. With deep roots in her hometown, she has dedicated her career to supporting vulnerable populations in various capacities. Since April 2020, BonnieAnne has served as the executive director of Mental Health America of Aiken, Barnwell and Edgefield counties. In this role, she manages Nurture Home, a sanctuary for homeless women with mental health diagnoses, and handles suicide prevention crisis calls. Her dedication to mental health advocacy earned her the state affiliate award from Mental Health America of South Carolina. Whether through her work, advocacy, or community involvement, BonnieAnne continues to fulfill her mission of fighting for the underdog and giving voice to those who need it most. We are so pleased to gain from BonnieAnne's expertise in managing nonprofit organizations.

JD Ross is the Host and Producer of The Circle of the Panda Podcast. Circle of the Panda creates platforms for those that have great value but are often overlooked, and if the right things line up, we develop collaborations. You can find the podcast at https://circleofthepandapodcast.com. JD is also a big believer in what pickleball can do. He has played for over 5 years and is a certified instructor.

Davion is not only a championship pickleball player, he is also a certified referee. He freely uses those skills for the Academy to bring an extra-special experience to our tournament players. Davion will also answer your questions about USAP rules as the author of our "Ask the Ref" blog.

Lisa Barrett-Johnson (LBJ) comes to us with over twenty years teaching experience in racquet and paddle sports. After achieving a 5.0 rating in tennis, she moved to the south and found that lovely plastic yellow ball. It was love at second sight. A PPR Certified Teaching Professional, Lisa teaches pickleball at various facilities in Georgia and South Carolina. With a focus on strategy, she believes you don't have to be the best player on the court, just the smartest. Lisa is committed to the expansion and development of pickleball at all levels and in her spare time, (which is none) she cleans her house.

Kiss is a former beach volleyball player who instantly fell in love with pickleball when she discovered it also featured a "smash." A native of Brazil, Kiss and her husband made Aiken their home in 2019. She works as a budget analyst at the Savannah River Site and has a passion for spreadsheets and numbers. With extensive experience running volleyball tournaments and leagues in Florida, Kiss has also successfully managed a pickleball league in Aiken. She is dedicated to improving her own skills and sharing her love for the sport with others.

As a professional firefighter, Dennis has volunteered his photography skills to raise money for hospitals and charities such as the Ronald McDonald House and the Loma Linda Children’s Hospital. He continues to find worthwhile programs that contribute to the health and fitness of our next generation.