Board of Directors
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Jane Cross
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. Scott Edwards, Secretary
Mr. Edwards is the father of two tournament-training, long-term participants in A's & Aces programming. Scott brings an educated, paternal, constituent perspective to our Board, as well as a passionate commitment to the New Orleans community and its children. 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 has been the Executive Director of Suite Sales & Services for New Orleans Saints since 2000 and New Orleans Pelicans since 2012. 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. 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. Steve Usdin, JD, Vice-President
Mr. Usdin is a founding member of Barrasso Usdin Kupperman Freeman & Sarver, L.L.C. His practice is concentrated in commercial litigation, including insurance coverage, contracts, class actions and complex litigation, oil and gas litigation and intellectual property. Mr. Usdin has been named to The Best Lawyers in America in the field of Business Litigation, and for the past 9 years he has been recognized by Chambers USA as a top commercial litigator in Louisiana. Mr. Usdin has been involved in professional and community activities for the past 25 years. He served as Co-Chairman of the Louisiana State Bar Association's Summer School for Lawyers in 2003 and again in 2004. Steve served on the Boards of Directors of the Audubon Institute, Isidore Newman School, and Tulane University Medical Center, and was Co-Chairman of the American Cancer Society's New Orleans Hope Lodge Capital Campaign. He is a past Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Trinity Episcopal School and the Tulane University Hospital and Clinic, and a past Board member of the New Orleans Bar Association, the New Orleans Children's Museum, the Jesuit Program for Living and Learning Boys' Hope Program, the Anti-Defamation League (South Central Region), and the Louisiana Nature and Science Center. Kenny Waguespack, Treasurer
Mr. Waguespack works for Encompass Insurance Company as a large loss property adjuster. He is a life-long tennis enthusiast and is a committed A's & Aces volunteer who assists with A's & Aces' tournaments as a USTA Referee. On weekends, Coach Kenny often provides mentorship and coaching to A's & Aces participants, and throughout the year he assists with our fundraising efforts. |
