Our staff bring many years of professional experience
to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Lake and Sumter Counties. Let's
meet them... |
| Administrative
Staff: |
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BETH WORK, CHIEF PROFESSIONAL OFFICER
Beth has been involved with Boys & Girls Clubs in many
capacities over the past 26 years. She began as an Aquatic
Director with Boys Clubs in Pittsbugh, PA, then became an
Individual Services/Public Relations Coordinator with Girls
Clubs in Clearwater, FL. Beth took some time off to have
her three beautiful children, but remained active in the
Clubs by becoming a Board member in Jamestown, NY and the
Board President in Great Falls, MT. In 1998, Beth returned
to the Boys & Girls Club movement as Chief Professional
Officer in Great Falls. She moved to our Boys & Girls
Clubs of Lake and Sumter Counties in 1999. |
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CONNIE KOLISNYK, ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Connie recently made the switch from the banking industry to the not-for-profit world. After graduating with a B.A. in Communication from Flagler College in St. Augustine, she got her first taste of community service while serving a year with the Americorps *VISTA program, helping college teams develop programs in low-income areas. Although this is her first experience with the Boys & Girls Clubs, she really enjoys meeting the kids and working on a variety of projects that support the Clubs. |
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JOYCE BROWN, BOOKKEEPER
Joyce Brown, our Club Bookkeeper, retired and quickly became
tired of retirement. she sought a part-time position and
started with the Boys & Girls Club in February of 2001.
Joyce enjoys almost anything outdoors – camping, fishing,
boating, golfing, horseback riding and working in her yard.
She has two sons with beautiful wives and six grand children.
Joyce feels she is truly blessed! |
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| Teeter
Unit Staff: |
ALICIA BRINSON, UNIT DIRECTOR
Alicia coordinates programs for the kids and supports staff in implementing the programs. “My goal in life is to reach every person I can through the service I give. I like working at the Club because I get a chance to reach kids from every walk of life.” In her “spare time”, Alicia is a Youth Coordinator at her church. |
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PRICILLA POUNDS, TEEN OUTREACH COORDINATOR
Ms. P started at the Club working with the 9-12 year olds, and now works with the teens and serves as advisor for the Keystone Club. She tries to develop programs that will help show the teens that they can achieve almost anything with hard work and commitment. Her programs will help teens learn to work as a team toward improving themselves and the community they live in. |
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CRYSTAL SQUIRES, EDUCATION COORDINATOR
Crystal ensures that every child receives help with various school assignments, and also coordinates educational activities that our children can be a part of. She encourages them to challenge themselves and emphasizes the importance of education. “I am interested in brightening the futures of these children and giving them hope so that they can become better citizens in our community when they get older.” Miss Crystal also teaches at Leesburg High School. |
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SARAH POITEVENT, EDUCATION ASSISTANT
Sarah spends most of her time helping in the Homework Room. “I enjoy doing this, it makes me feel good to help a student with their homework.” Sarah is currently a student at Lake-Sumter Community College, majoring in Elementary Education, and her goal in life is to focus on school. |
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SARA TOBIN, PROGRAM STAFF
Sara works in the Art room helping members express their creative sides doing a variety of art projects. “I like working at the Club because I get to work with children who really look up to the staff.” In her spare time, Sara enjoys doing scrapbooking to utilize her own creative energy. She is currently attending Lake-Sumter Community College with a goal of eventually becoming a crime scene investigator. |
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SHANE POTTER, PROGRAM STAFF
Shane enjoys working at the Club because he loves working with kids and enjoys sports. He can usually be found in the gym, where he is able to combine both of those hobbies. Shane also works at The Lady Lake Soccer Club, and is a student at Lake-Sumter Community College. "My goal in life is to be a teacher and eventually be a principal." |
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TINA LOFTER, PROGRAM STAFF
Tina started as a member, and eventually became part of the staff at the Teeter Unit. She spends her time between the gym and the Technology Center. “I love the feeling of knowing I am a part of changing someone’s life.” Tina is currently attending Lake-Sumter Community College. |
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ROBERT SPENCER, MAINTENANCE/PROGRAM
STAFF
Robert (also known as Peewee) has been employed by the Boys & Girls Clubs for over 11 years. He started part-time doing outside maintenance and is now working full time in the game room and doing facility maintenance. “I really enjoy working with the kids and have enjoyed watching them grow into the people that they have become. I love interacting with the kids so that they can have fun and really enjoy being kids.” |
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FRAN "MR. C" CUNICELLI, PROGRAM STAFF/BUS
DRIVER
In addition to driving the bus, Mr. C also supervises the Gamesroom – where members might be found playing billiards, video games, cards, air hockey and other games. He also supervises outdoor activities including jump rope, kickball, volleyball, foot races and the playground. “I monitor all club activities as needed to provide a safe and fun place for our kids.” |
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PRECIOUS POUNDS, CHECK IN/OUT DESK
Precious is a Club member who is making the transition to staff by working at the Check In/Out desk. She is currently a student at Leesburg High School, and would like to some day have a PhD in Cardiology. Precious likes working at the Club because “it’s fun, easy, and a real big help to get community service, and it’s a job that keeps me somewhat on my feet.” |
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| NE Lake Unit Staff |
ROBERT ELMATTI, UNIT DIRECTOR
Robb Elmatti is the Unit Director of the NE Lake
Unit of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Lake and Sumter Counties.
Robb sees the importance of investing in area young people
as his roots are in the area. Robb graduated from Eustis
High School and received his AA from Lake-Sumter Community
College. He recently completed his Bachelor’s degree
in Organizational Management from Palm Beach Atlantic University
at their Orlando campus. Robb has a diverse background in
working with youth. He spent three years in New Zealand
as a part of Youth With A Mission serving as Outdoor Coordinator
for a missions training school. He, also, has served as
a Program Director for the Pilgrim’s Survival Journey,
an outdoor challenge and personal development program. Robb’s
vision is to see young people develop to their full potential.
“I am committed to making the Boys & Girls Clubs
be…The Positive Place for Kids… in
Eustis and Umatilla.” |
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ROBERT WILLIAMS, BUS DRIVER
Robert Williams has been married to his wife Brenda
for over 25 years. He serves as Pastor of Administration and
Ministries at Gospel Tabernacle in Umatilla. He is also
a bus driver for Lake County Schools Transportation. Robert
is coordinating field trips and driving the bus for BGC
during the Summer Program. He will also be leading programs
to encourage music and reading in the members' lives. |
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HOLLY TAYLOR, EDUCATION COORDINATOR
In the Homework Room, Holly can usually be found helping members with their homework, tutoring those who might be struggling in a particular area, and working with members to enhance their academic skills overall. She also works with the Scrapbooking Club to document NE Lake Unit activities. Currently a student at Lake-Sumter Community College, Holly’s goal is to become a high school math teacher and help children as much as she can. “I like working at the Club because it gives me experience for teaching and for becoming a future parent.”. |
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MARY OMERZU, EDUCATION ASSISTANT
Mary assists the Education Coordinator with projects that help Club members develop academic skills. “It’s great to see kids smile when they succeed at something they have worked hard on.” She loves helping kids, and enjoys playing games with them and just hearing about their day. In her “spare” time, Mary also educates her three sons at home. |
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SHEILA MCCAFFREY, YOUTH TECHNOLOGY INSTRUCTOR
Sheila works in the technology center helping kids learn about computers. She loves working with children and working with different types of technology, so it’s a perfect fit! Her goal in life is to raise her own children to become well-educated, productive adults. She likes working at the Club because “the children have a lot of different activities and the staff is great!” |
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RYAN GILLMAN, PROGRAM STAFF
Ryan is a Eustis High School graduate who loves working with kids. His goal in life is to grow his youth group, get married and have kids, and work with children and teens full-time. |
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ASHLEY THORNTON, PROGRAM STAFF
Ashley is a student at Umatilla High School, and plans to become a teacher one day. At the Club she works with various program areas, and also helps at the Check In/Out Desk. “I love kids and enjoy being around them.” |
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BRENDA WILLIAMS, STAFF (CHECK IN/OUT DESK and ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES)
Brenda works at the Check In desk, so she’s usually the first person kids see when they arrive. She enjoys interacting with the children and their parents, but she also handles phone calls, processes membership applications, and handles financial transactions for the NE Lake Unit. “My goal in life is to live a quiet and peaceful life and to encourage others along the way.” |
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IVAN GONZALEZ, PROGRAM STAFF
Ivan is a multi-talented graduate of Umatilla High School, currently attending Lake-Sumter Community College. He would like to eventually graduate from college with a degree in architecture, and also loves playing sports and drawing. Ivan likes working at the Club because it gives him an opportunity to be a role model. |
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KELSEY JIMENEZ, PROGRAM STAFF
Kelsey is a graduate of Umatilla High School and is currently attending Lake-Sumter Community College. Her goal in life is to be a better person and make a difference in life, and she enjoys working at the Club because of the kids. Kelsey can be found mostly in the Homework Room helping members with their assignments for school. |
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DESTINY BRANUM, PROGRAM STAFF
Destiny is a graduate of Apopka High School, and is currently attending Lake-Sumter Community College. She likes working at the Club because she enjoys working with children and “it’s great experience for the future.” Her goal is to eventually work in Elementary School education, teaching 2nd or 5th grade. |
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