Board Of Directors
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Elizabeth Bostick
Mrs. Bostick is the Director of Pharmacy Operations at the South Central Louisiana Human Services Authority. She is a highly skilled pharmacist and pharmacy administrative leader with more than 30 years of management experience, working for a variety of hospital and clinic settings in for-profit and non-profit businesses. Additionally, since 2002 she has been working as an adjunct faculty for Xavier University College of Pharmacy. Mrs. Bostick received a B.S. (Pharmacy) from Xavier University. 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. James B. Ewers, Jr., Ed.D., Vice-President
Dr. Ewers is a champion of tennis, community advocate, and an educator with 40+ years of experience at the college and secondary level. Dr. Ewers received his M. A. degree from Catholic University and Ed. D. degree from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. He is a recipient of several awards, including the Ohio House of Representatives special recognition for work in the community and commitment to diversity, and in 2021 he was inducted into The Black Tennis Hall of Fame. Most recently, Dr. Ewers was elected to the Morris Brown College (Atlanta GA) Board of Trustees and the Audubon Nature Institute (New Orleans) Board of Directors. Carey Chipps Friedler
Anna Monhartova, Ph.D., President, Co-Founder
Dr. Monhartova, co-founder of A's & Aces, is part of the Tulane faculty teaching social innovation and social entrepreneurship classes. Dr. Monhartova is a recipient of several awards, including the New Orleans Saints Community Quarterback 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. Alvin (AJ) Varnado, Co-Executive Director, and Director of Tennis
Coach Varnado, Co-Executive Director of A's & Aces and Director of Tennis, comes to A's & Aces with a wide range of tennis experience, including high performance training. He is a USPTA Elite Pro and USPTR Professional. Coach Varnado is a dedicated educator with over two decades of experience coaching players of all levels and educating the generation of next leaders. He has been awarded the 2025 Industry Excellence Award by the Southern Section of the RSPA. This honor recognizes RSPA-certified professionals who have made outstanding contributions to growing tennis at the grassroots level and increasing player participation in the sport. Kenny Waguespack, Treasurer
Mr. Waguespack is retired from Encompass Insurance Company, where he served as a Large Loss Property Adjuster. A lifelong tennis enthusiast, he has been a dedicated A’s & Aces volunteer since 2014, serving as a certified USTA Referee for our USTA-sanctioned tournaments. On weekends, Coach Kenny shares his expertise as a Professional Tennis Registry-certified coach, working with A’s & Aces participants. Throughout the year, he also plays an active role in supporting our fundraising efforts and operations. Kelli Wright, Secretary
Mrs. Wright is a graduate of Newcomb College and resides in New Orleans’ Broadmoor neighborhood with her husband, Kurt Hagstette, and their two sons. She is a real estate agent with Latter & Blum and previously worked as a graphic design consultant and marketing manager. Kelli has extensive community service experience, including roles with the Advocacy Center of Louisiana, the Broadmoor Improvement District Board of Commissioners, and as President of the Broadmoor Improvement Association. Introduced to tennis as a child through the Washington Tennis & Education Foundation—an NJTL chapter similar to A’s & Aces—Kelli remains an avid player and is also a USTA Certified Referee. Co-Founder and Emeritus Board Member:
David Schumacher, JD Mr. Schumacher, founder of A's & Aces, 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. In 2024, he was elected to the Louisiana Tennis Hall of Fame for his life-long achievements and dedication to the sport. |