My story: I retired and moved to Florida in 2008 not knowing that pickleball would become the center of my life. What started as a casual activity at a community court turned into a deep passion — for the sport, for the competition, and most of all for the community it creates. I started competing in 2010 and played in the US Open in Naples for nine consecutive years.

But what drives me as a coach isn’t the medals, it’s the same thing that drove me through 15 years of coaching and a career as a school Principal: watching people grow. Whether it was a student figuring out a math concept, an athlete mastering a new skill, or a pickleball player finally landing that third shot drop — that moment of breakthrough is what I live for.

My approach: I bring the same passion, enthusiasm, and structured approach to pickleball that I developed over decades of coaching and educational leadership. As a PPR-certified instructor, I focus on building strong fundamentals while creating a fun, competitive, and encouraging environment. I believe that every player at the 2.5-3.0 level already has more than they think, my job is to help them see it, build on it, and use it to push confidently toward 3.0.