Leadership

Eleni A. Rossides, Executive Director, joined WTEF as executive director in September 2004. A native Washingtonian, Ms. Rossides grew up playing tennis on area tennis courts. She attended Stanford University and then spent eight years on the women’s professional tennis tour, during which time WTEF’s present Program Director, Willis Thomas, Jr., was her coach. Following her professional tennis experience, Ms. Rossides received her MBA from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University and spent several years in the private sector, first as a consultant with McKinsey & Co. and then as a Product Marketing Director for Black & Decker.

Willis Thomas, Jr., WTEF Program Director, is an experienced coach on both the grass roots and professional levels. A former junior doubles partner of the late Arthur Ashe, Mr. Thomas is one of the first African American tennis talents from our nation’s capital; he has played tennis since the age of ten. After a stint on the tour as coach to professional African American tennis stars such as Zina Garrison, Lori McNeil, and Rodney Harmon, Mr. Thomas returned to his roots to direct the Arthur Ashe Children’s Program at WTEF, a program combining tennis and educational opportunities for at-risk youth. In 1998, NBC-TV featured Mr. Thomas during Black History Month, profiling him as a community leader who has made a difference in the lives of at-risk children by helping them to choose sports over the streets. In 2001, Mr. Thomas was named Washingtonian of the Year. In 2005, local PBS station WETA recognized Mr. Thomas as “Hometown Hero” for the entire month of February.

Program Director Willis Thomas and WTEF alum Kevin
Tindle share a moment at the 2008 Tennis Ball

AACP Academic Advisor Virginia Byrd reads questions
during the 2008 AACP Academic Competition.

Staff

Betty Brooks, Reading Specialist, brings over thirty-five years of experience as an educator to WTEF. A former teacher, principal, and administrator, Ms. Brooks is dedicated to improving academic prospects for disadvantaged students. Ms. Brooks co-founded Mentors, Inc. in 1987, an innovative effort to connect disadvantaged students enrolled in DC public schools with mentors among the city’s highly educated professionals. Ms. Brooks holds a Masters degree in Elementary Education from New York University, and advanced certifications from Harvard University, George Washington University, and Teachers College/Federal City College.

Dr. Mary Johnson, College Counselor, Center for Excellence (CFE), joined WTEF in September 2004, bringing to the program the skills and organizational eye for detail needed to help run the many aspects of the CFE. Dr. Johnson has more than thirty years of experience in education with the DC Public Schools, including her tenure as founder and principal of the Washington Math & Science Technology Public Charter High School and Director of the Frank W. Ballou Mathematics Science Technology Academy/School-Within-A-School Charter School. Dr. Johnson holds a Masters in Mathematics Education from Hampton University and a Doctorate in Mathematics Education from the University of Maryland. She is also a founder and director of SUCCESS IN LEARNING MATH CENTERS (Math in the Mall) in Maryland and Washington, DC. Johnson’s success with her students has been featured in local and national publications and on television. She is the author of several books and articles on mathematics education and the recipient of numerous professional and community awards in recognition of her work.

Josh Dee, Special Events and Marketing Coordinator, graduated from The George Washington University in 2009 with a degree in Business Administration and a double concentration in Sport/Event Management and Finance. Josh comes from the U.S. Green Building Council in Washington, DC.

Maria Graziano, Public Relations and Events Associate, will receive her degree from Virginia Commonwealth University this Spring with a degree in Health, Physical Education, and Exercise Science, and a concentration in Community Health Education. She comes to WTEF with experience in the culinary field, with a degree from New England Culinary Institute, and service as a chef at several prominent restaurants and resorts .

Bill Hawthorne, Development Associate, graduated from the University of Richmond in 2009 with a degree in English and Anthropology. Mr. Hawthorne comes to WTEF after a year of service with AmeriCorps VISTA, where he helped support and administer a youth mentoring program in rural Western New York.

Allison Hutchins, Volunteer Coordinator, graduated from The George Washington University in 2008 with a degree in Political Science. She worked for the Democratic Party of Virginia on the Obama Campaign in 2008 and currently works as a Fiscal Affairs Specialist at the Department of Treasury.

Alfred (AB) Morgan, Coordinator, Center for Excellence Academic Program, has more than thirty-four years of experience with the DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DCCPR) in developing, organizing, analyzing, implementing, and evaluating recreation and education programs designed primarily for youth and young adults. Morgan was a unit director at the Anacostia Recreation Center and the Langdon Park Recreation Center and was Manager for Region Three of the DCDPR. Responsibilities included management of sports leagues for various activities and complementary educational activities to improve self-esteem and improve grades. Morgan received his B.S. Degree in Sociology from Elizabeth State College and has continued to take professional educational courses through the University of the District of Columbia and the University of Maryland, College Park.

Jeff Thomas, Coordinator, Arthur Ashe Children’s Program, is responsible for the administration and implementation of the academic portion of the AACP. A native Washingtonian, Mr. Thomas played in Junior USTA tournaments and attended the University of the District of Columbia. In 1993, Mr. Thomas was one of the first coaches for the Arthur Ashe Children’s Program, and in 2004 he was appointed to oversee and coordinate the program full-time.

Dr. Geraldine Glover Slaughter, Assistant to the Director for the Center for Excellence, served in DC Public Schools for more than 25 years, working with all ages of children, from elementary school through high school. She has served as an assistant principal and coordinator. She received her B.A. in Music Education from Northwestern University, her Masters in Music and in Music Education from Roosevelt University, and her Ph.D. in Special Education Administration from Gallaudet University. A respected educator, Dr. Slaughter has won several awards.

Teresa Smith, Accountant

Gerald Weston, Counselor, for the Center for Excellence, brings to WTEF thirty years of experience in career counseling, program development and management, and job placement and monitoring in correctional institutions and community-based rehabilitation programs. Mr. Weston received a B.A. in Political Science and Psychology from Howard University and has also done graduate work there.

Tennis Center Coaches

Agathe Belibi
James Johnson
Phillip Lucas
Eric Seymour
Mark Williams

Arthur Ashe Children’s Program Coaches

Joseph Bacon
Isaiah Benjamin
Amasa Coleman, Jr.
James Dancy
Herbert Gray
Marjorie Gray
Richard Hawkins
Phillip Lucas
Lynn McClarrin
Ernest Randsome
Ray Richardson
Clarence Short
Lloyd Taylor

And 45 dedicated Teachers and Instructional Aides of the Arthur Ashe Children’s Program.