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.

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.

Marion Fitch Connell, Volunteer Director, joined WTEF in February 2005 after more than 30 years of public service in Federal, state, and local government capped by a two year stint as the Executive Director of a national nonprofit. She started her career with the Peace Corps in 1962 and retired from HUD after managing a variety of its national programs. In 2000, Ms. Connell was HUD’s representative to the Vice President’s National Partnership for Reinventing Government, where she was responsible for expanding after school programs nationwide. She graduated from Mount Holyoke College and holds a Master’s in Public Administration from the University of Hartford. Tennis is her passion.

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.

Lauren Hungarland, Development Associate, graduated from Davidson College in 2006 with a degree in Political Science. Ms. Hungarland comes to WTEF from the Corporate Executive Board in Washington, DC.

Deyon Johnson, Executive Associate, is a graduate of the WTEF Academy and Center for Excellence (CFE) college preparatory program and a recent graduate of Williams College where she earned a degree in English. Ms. Johnson has since returned to WTEF and is currently working as the Executive Associate for the CFE programs, Executive Director and WTEF Board. Ms. Johnson attended Williams College on a full academic scholarship. She was an invaluable member of various organizations throughout her four years.

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.

H’Cone Thompson, Program Associate, Center For Excellence, is a graduate of the WTEF Academy and WTEF’s Center For Excellence (CFE) college preparatory program and a recent graduate of Lafayette College where he earned a degree in Business & Economics. Mr. Thompson has since returned to WTEF and is currently working as the Program Associate for the CFE. Mr. Thompson attended Lafayette College on a full academic/athletic scholarship. He was an invaluable player for the college’s varsity tennis team, holding the #1 spot for four years and served as captain of the team during his junior and senior years. Most recently, Mr. Thompson was named to the Bahamas Davis Cup Team, an option available to him due to his dual citizenship.

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.