Board of Directors
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Jane Cross, Vice-President
Ms. Cross is a native of New Orleans and mother of three. She is committed to volunteer work that aids in the continued revitalization of her home town. Jane has served as a volunteer for several local cultural organizations, including the New Orleans Symphony, Ballet, and Museum of Art. After Katrina, Jane became involved with Habitat for Humanity. She co-chairs the "Oldest Clubs Challenge Cup Tournament," an event between the two oldest tennis clubs in the Americas (the New Orleans Lawn Tennis Club and the Longwood Cricket Club of Chestnut Hill, MA) which was founded by her late husband, Dennis Cross. Michael Griffin
Mr. Griffin is the President and CEO of Daughters of Charity Services of New Orleans, a health ministry that is committed to strengthening health care in the greater New Orleans community by delivering health care that works, is safe, and leaves no one behind. He is responsible for strategic planning and development of short and long-range objectives, policies, operating plans and budgets, as well as the execution of the philosophy, mission, objectives, and initiatives of DCSNO. He received a BS degree from Dillard University, a MS in Health Care Administration/Management from Meharry Medical College, and a Doctor of Science degree in Health Services Administration from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He is the father of 5 children, including three A’s & Aces participants. Mike cares about many causes, including children, social action, economic empowerment, education, health and poverty alleviation. Cindy Hart
Ms. Hart was the Executive Director of Suite Sales & Services for New Orleans Saints since 2000 and New Orleans Pelicans since 2012 until recently retiring. She earned a B.A. degree from Louisiana State University with major focus in Journalism, Psychology, and French. She is an avid NTRP tennis player and has been a member of several league teams. Anna Monhartova, Ph.D., President
Dr. Monhartova, co-founder of A's & Aces, is part of the Tulane faculty teaching international development classes and service learning, and is the Director of Tulane's Social Innovation Social Entrepreneurship Program. Dr. Monhartova is a recipient of several community awards, including the New Orleans Saints Community Quarterback Award, St. Elizabeth Guild Volunteer Activist Award, Gambit’s 40 Under 40 Award, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana Angel Award, USTA Southern and Louisiana Educational Merit Award and is an honoree as one of the City Business Women of the Year. A top-10 nationally ranked college player, Dr. Monhartova was selected as the Conference USA "Player of the Decade" and in 2007 was inducted to Tulane University Athletics Hall of Fame. She served as the Men’s & Women’s Assistant Coach at Xavier University and Women’s Assistant Coach at Tulane. Prior to college, she was a member of the Czech junior national team and was ranked as high as #30 in the world ITF Junior Rankings. David Schumacher, JD, Executive Director
Mr. Schumacher, founder of A's & Aces, is responsible for its overall management and strategic direction. Mr. Schumacher was the top-ranked junior in Louisiana, a collegiate conference champion and played 50 pro events in Europe and the US. David practiced law for 18 years focusing on general civil litigation and appellate practice. He is an Elite-level USPTA pro who has taught tennis to thousands of children including over 100 who have played collegiately, many earning tennis scholarships. During a seven year term ended by Hurricane Katrina, he guided the never-before-ranked Tulane women’s team into the NCAA top-10, was five-times selected “Louisiana Coach of the Year", and was named Conference USA “Coach of the Decade”. He coached the first individual National Champions in any sport at Tulane in 50 years, Tulane’s first women’s tennis All-Americans, first Female Student-Athlete of the Year, 29 All-Conference selections, 35 individual ITA Scholar-Athletes and multiple Academic All-America teams. Post-Katrina he ran the Schumacher Tennis Club at Tulane until launching A's & Aces in January 2008. Jeffrey Smith. JD
Mr. Smith left his home in Springfield, MA to attend Tulane University on a tennis scholarship in 1971. Upon graduation he played on the tennis tour from 1975-1976 before attending Cumberland Law School in Birmingham, AL. He has worked as criminal law defense attorney in New Orleans since 1980. Mr. Smith still plays tennis both nationally and internationally on the Senior Tennis Circuit and has been a member of the USPTA (tennis teaching professional) since 1977. When not in a Court of Law he spends his spare time playing and coaching his children, Gavriella and Zachary, both public school student-athletes competing in top national level tennis tournaments. Kenny Waguespack, Treasurer
Mr. Waguespack is retired from Encompass Insurance Company as a large loss property adjuster. He is a life-long tennis enthusiast and has been a committed A's & Aces volunteer volunteering as a the certified USTA Referee for all A's & Aces' USTA sanctioned tournaments (five each year) . On weekends, Coach Kenny often provides mentoring and coaching (he is certified by the Professional Tennis Registry) to A's & Aces participants, and throughout the year he assists with our fundraising efforts. Following his retirement in 2019, Mr. Waguespack joined the A's & Aces staff and he now serves as the Director of Operations. Kelli Wright, Secretary
Ms Wright is a graduate of Newcomb College and lives with her husband, Kurt Hagstette, and two sons in New Orleans in the Broadmoor area. She is a real estate agent with Latter & Blum and previously worked as a graphic design consultant and marketing manager. She has multiple years of service served with the Advocacy Center of Louisiana, the Broadmoor Improvement District Board of Commissioners and as the President of the Broadmoor Improvement Association. Kelli was introduced to tennis as a child in the Washington, DC area through the Washington Tennis & Education Foundation, a National Junior Tennis & Learning chapter organization similar to A's & Aces. Kelli remains an avid tennis player and league competitor, as well as a USTA Certified Referee. |