Rick earned a B.S. in Physical Education from Berea College in Kentucky. His 30-plus year YMCA career began in Sommerset, KY, and continued in Corpus Christi, TX, Bainbridge, GA, and Greenwood, SC. Rick has been with the YMCA of Greater Spartanburg since 2004.
Fun Fact: Rick was the president of the boys choir in 8th grade.
Angie began as a Fitness Director at a YMCA in South Georgia after graduating from Valdosta State University with a bachelor's degree in Health, Fitness, and Wellness. She worked her way up in the organization, doing everything from payroll to managing the aquatics program. She worked at the Y in Greenwood for a time before she moved to the Middle Tyger YMCA in 2005.
Fun Fact: An accomplished runner and athlete, Angie has competed in a half ironman, three marathons and several triathlons. She is a certified personal trainer and currently teaches yoga and spin classes at the Middle Tyger YMCA.
A Chester, SC native, Leebo attended Wofford College, where he played baseball. He earned a B.S. in Sociology in 1997. His YMCA career began in Rock Hill, SC in 1991 where he worked as a Summer Resident Camp Counselor. He became a full time Program Director in 1997. Leebo moved to the YMCA in Greenwood, SC in 2002 as Senior Program Director. He has been with the Pine Street YMCA since 2007 as Branch Executive Director. Leebo and his wife, Jessica, have two children, Mary Chandler (8) and Jackson (6).
Interesting Fact: Leebo was diagnosed with Type I diabetes in 1992. He controls his insulin levels with an insulin pump and is vigilant about proper nutrition and exercise.
A Spartanburg native, Sheila has worked with the YMCA of Greater Spartanburg since 1991. She attended USC Columbia and USC Upstate, and worked for 10 years as a secretary for School District 7 before her YMCA career began.
Ernie Roy, Administrative Assistant
YMCA of Greater Spartanburg
An Upstate native, Ernie has been active in our association since his early childhood. Ernie began working for the Y as a part-time lifeguard at the Middle Tyger YMCA, and has enjoyed the opportunity to work for our association in multiple capacities. He enjoys the atmosphere that the Y creates, and is a strong advocate of our cause.
Fun Fact: Ernie is an avid golfer, and will rarely turn down the opportunity to play!
After graduating from high school in Florida, Jennifer moved to North Carolina to attend Gardner-Webb University. While at Gardner-Webb, she worked in various roles with the Cleveland County Y for 3 years. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a minor in the YMCA Professional Studies Program. Through the YMCA program, Jennifer was able to complete the requirements to be a Senior Director in the Y. Jennifer has been with the Middle Tyger YMCA since 2006, first as the Christian Emphasis Director and for the past 5 years as the Membership Director.
Simone Mack, Wellness Director
Thomas E Hannah Family YMCA
Simone has a Degree in Communications from the University of South Carolina- Upstate. A former “latchkey” kid, Simone has 10 years of fitness experience and is passionate about bringing awareness to the community on living a healthy lifestyle and helping people recognize their fitness potential. She has served on several boards and committees such as SYP & The United Way Young Leader's Board and she is a Leadership Spartanburg graduate. She recently earned her IFBB Figure pro card, which means Simone is a professional body builder.
Fun Fact: Simone is a vocalist and songwriter and has performed in Europe as well as auditioned for Season 2 of American Idol. She’s the lead vocalist for Okra and The Strictly Business Band!
Born and raised in Greenville, SC, Blake played lots of sports
growing up, but he always struggled with his weight. When he was in his
sophomore year of high school, he decided to make a lifestyle change. He joined
the Y and lost nearly 75 pounds. Blake started
working at the Caine Halter YMCA in Greenville in October 2009
in membership and wellness coaching, and he quickly became a personal trainer. A
"people person," Blake loves to talk to members and to help people
set and achieve their goals. Although Blake has a college degree in Exercise
Science and several wellness certifications, his personal journey from being an
overweight kid to a YMCA Wellness Director has given him an enormous amount of
empathy and compassion for others who are on a similar journey.
Cassie earned her B.A. in English at Appalachian State University and her M.A. in school counseling at Gardner-Webb University. She began her career in sales and marketing and taught high school English for 10 years before joining the Y as a yoga instructor in 2010. She became the Marketing Director in March of 2011 .
Fun Fact: Cassie lived in seven different states while she was growing up, including Virginia, Connecticut, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, Illinois, and Michigan. She loves to mountain bike and she hikes almost every weekend with her family.
Crystal Sharpe, Aquatics Director, Thomas E Hannah Family YMCA
Crystal earned her bachelor's and master's degrees in Physical Education at Western Carolina University. She taught physical education activity classes and coached the women’s basketball and volleyball teams at Spartanburg Methodist College (’80-’84) and Wofford College (’84-’95). From ’95 to ’97, she was the aquatic director at the YWCA on Augusta Street in Greenville. Crystal joined the Middle Tyger YMCA as the Aquatics Director since 1997.
Crystal's Fun Fact: "I was born in Spartanburg and lived in Enoree until I was in the second grade. We moved to Asheville in 1964, and when I returned in 1980 my best friend from Enoree saw me at Wendy’s and recognized me. Evidently, I had not changed much between age 7 and 23!"
Adam Beasley, Sports & Childcare Director, Thomas E. Hannah Family YMCA
Adam was born and raised in Hendersonville, NC. He graduated from Appalachian State University in 2008 with a degree in Recreation Management. He worked at the Henderson County Family YMCA in the Sports and Summer Camp departments, and has been with the Middle Tyger YMCA since February 2009 as the Sports and Child Care Director.
Fun Fact: Adam played catcher for the Appalachian State University baseball team.
Jason graduated from Shawnee State University in Portsmouth, OH with a B.S. in Sports Management. He worked in retail management and for the Special Olympics in Ohio before starting his Y career as the Youth Programs Director for the YMCA in Teays Valley, West Virginia. Jason joined the Pine Street YMCA staff in 2009. He has two daughters, Emmah, 8, and Madelynn, 5.
Fun Fact: Jason played college soccer and is a HUGE Ohio State fan!
John graduated from high school in Woodstock, IL. He was an independent manufacturer's representative for several fitness equipment companies for 17 years. Before he moved to Spartanburg, John worked as the facilities director at another workout facility in Columbia, SC He came to the Spartanburg YMCA in October 2009.
Fun Fact: John grew up near Chicago and has four children. He loves to play golf and cook.
Steve has been with the Middle Tyger YMCA since 2007. A local high school football and track star, Steve has coached youth sports leagues and helped countless young people get involved with the Y. He has two adult sons.
Cool Fact: Steve opens the doors every weekday morning well before the official 5am opening to let folks get an extra-early start on their workouts.
Originally from Overland Park, Kansas, Coach Pete was raised in Westfield, NJ where he spent 11 years swimming for the Westfield YMCA. Pete graduated from Oberlin University in 1993 with a BA in Biology and History. After college, Pete worked at the Ridgewood YMCA in New Jersey and at the Mecklenburg Aquatic Club before joining the Middle Tyger YMCA in 2002. He is married to the lovely Meghan Wright and has a daughter, Scarlett.
Fun Fact: Pete is a devout Kansas City Chiefs fan and loves to collect live music.
Say Hello to YSSC’s Head Age Group Coach Tim Conley. In his first FIVE seasons he was named South Carolina State Age Group Coach of the Year (2005 - 2009). Tim is the first Age Group Coach to recieve the honor 2 years in a row let alone 5! Tim hails from Drexel Hill , PA where he graduated from Monsignor Bonner High School . Tim graduated from Shippensburg University with a degree in Accounting. While attending college, Tim coached at the Chambersburg YMCA. Tim also coached the James Buchanan High School during his collegiate years.
Fun Fact: Tim is a devout fan of the 2008 World Series Champs Philadelphia Phillies, Philadelphia Eagles, Philadelphia Flyers, and he guesses the 76ers. He also enjoys spending time with his poochs Colby and Sophie.
Coach Erin has been a member of the Cukes Coaching staff now for 5 years, but she is a lifelong Fighting Seas Cucumber. Erin grew up as part of YSSC as a swimmer and was then recruited heavily during her Clemson college years to become part of the coaching staff. Erin also participated in the SAIL program in Greenville as a swimmer and coach. Coach Erin joined the YSSC coaching staff in the fall of 2005. Erin is married to her husband Travis McConkey and is the proud MOMMY of Jackson and Knox.
Fun Fact: She enjoys spending free time with pooch Peppers or at the lake!
Ted Pierson, Swim Coach - Thomas E. Hannah Family YMCA
Coach Ted was raised in the suburbs of
Washington DC, where he swam for John Flannagan at the Alexandria Y Flying
Fish, and was a member of the 1990 short course Y-National championship
team. He continued his swimming career
as a walk-on at Virginia Tech, where Ted lettered all 4 years and was a conference
finalist the final 3 years he swam. Va-Tech was where Ted began his coaching
career as an undergrad assistant while he was finishing up his degree. In the fall of 1995, Ted moved back to the DC
area to coach with Sea Devil Swimming. Coach Ted comes to the YSSC program from Raleigh
NC, where he was the Head Senior Coach at the Ravenscroft Site for the Marlins
of Raleigh. Coach Ted is happily married to his wife,
Kirstin Lemme, and has twin daughters, Gianna and Farrah.
Fun Fact: In his free time Ted is a musician, playing the
bass guitar. He is also an avid
supporter of all sports teams from the Washington DC area, particularly the
Washington Capitals.
