Our Team
Addison Staples
Executive Director
Addison Staples was born and raised in Gainesville, FL and now calls it home with his beautiful wife, Tracy, and three daughters. He enjoys spending time with family, church community, surfing, and good food. Addison obtained his bachelors degree from Methodist University in Professional Tennis Management where he played college tennis. He obtained his masters from the University of Florida from the Department of Tourism, Recreation, and Sport Management and Family Youth & Community Sciences (FYCS) where he focused on research in the area of positive youth development and community development through sport. Addison’s employment as a professional tennis coach has employed him at various private country clubs, resorts, public facilities, nonprofits, and collegiate coaching. He founded Sports In Motion, a sport-for-development program in rural Guatemala for impoverished communities. Addison is currently the Executive Director of Aces In Motion, which supports Gainesville’s under-resourced youth by providing academic assistance and life-skills through tennis. As someone who faced trials as a youth, Addison is passionate about sharing the power of sport and its ability to heal and develop a youth to thrive.
Shelley Rogers
Program Director
Shelley Rogers serves as the Program Director for Aces In Motion. Prior to this position, Shelley was a documentary filmmaker and produced media content for nonprofit organizations for nearly fifteen years. Most of her work focused on amplifying the voices of food system stakeholders to humanize issues so that sharing knowledge can open pathways for understanding and collective action. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Art History from Smith College and a Master’s degree in Media, Culture & Communication from New York University. For the past 9 seasons, she has been a work-share Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) member of The Family Garden Organic & Food Justice Certified farm, located in East Gainesville. She also volunteers with other nonprofits in town, Grace Grows and Constellation Charter School. Shelley is excited to share her passion for non-profit work with the AIM Family.
Casey Jones II
After School Director
Casey Jones II was born and raised in Gainesville, FL where he graduated from Eastside. He joined our team two years ago as a Middle School coach and currently serves as the After School Director for Aces In Motion. He is most passionate about leading youth from his community through mentorship and sports based teamwork. He believes that the framework of Aces in Motion provides countless opportunities for youth to prosper. He knows from experience that a program like this can change lives for the better and hopes to do the same by giving all his energy and attention to the youth involved.
Brillion Williams
High School Director
Brillion Williams was born and raised in Gainesville, FL. She played collegiate basketball at Saint Leo University, where she graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in English. Brillion has extensive experience working with youth and has previously worked for the School Board of Alachua County and the Department of Juvenile Justice. She is very passionate about working with youth by strengthening their skills in order to help them become successful members of society. Brillion currently serves as the High School Director at Aces In Motion. She aims to create a safe and secure environment for the youth by emphasizing the importance and power of participating in sports.
Aizalyn Garcia
Middle School Director
Aizalyn Garcia serves as the Middle School Director for Aces in Motion. Aizalyn graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Family Youth and Community Sciences with a minor in Educational Studies. Aizalyn has always had a passion for serving her community and empowering the youth. For years, Aizalyn has worked with children encouraging them to always put their best foot forward despite their everyday challenges. Aizalyn believes the catalyst for change begins with creating positive experiences for our children.
Ms. Aldreka
Full-Strength Mental Health Counselor
Aldreka is a graduate of the University of Florida (’14) & and Liberty University (’21) with a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. She is passionate about working with youths with a special focus on faith, trauma, and the family system. She has previously worked with the Children’s Home Society of Florida as a Clinical Counselor at Howard Bishop Middle School.
Mr. Eric
Full-Strength Mental Health Counselor
Mr. Eric is a graduate of the University of Kentucky ('08) with a B.A. in Philosophy & the University of Florida ('22) with a M.Ed./Ed.S. in Mental Health Counseling. Eric has been working in youth development on the Eastside of Gainesville for 7 years. Eric has also volunteered for the Alachua County Democratic Party as a Precinct Captain. In addition to being a counselor at AIM, Eric also works with elementary-aged children and their families at Kids County of Alachua County.Mr. Lanham has clinical experience as a therapist at A. Quinn Jones School, Eastside High School, and UF Shands Psychiatric Hospital. Eric is also a phone volunteer and trainer for the Alachua County Crisis Center.Mr. Eric believes that healing happens in community and connection and that we must understand ourselves within the systems that we live to grow. Eric has experience working with anxiety, depression, suicidality, anger, crisis intervention, life transitions, identity, neurodivergence, and family counseling. Eric practices primarily from a Relational Cultural Therapy perspective and uses existential, mindfulness, play, art, movement, narrative, CBT, and neuroscience-informed interventions.
Ms. Nasseeka
College and Career Coordinator
Nasseeka serves as the College and Career Coordinator for Aces In Motion and has served various positions during her time here at AIM. Nasseeka is a double University of Florida graduate with a Bachelors in Anthropology & African American Studies and her Master’s Degree in Family, Youth, and Community Sciences. Nasseeka has 8 years of experience working with the east Gainesville community and has developed relationships and connections with the youth and their families. Over the years, Nasseeka has been able to connect with over 300 students ranging from kindergarten through college and has gained experience working with the various ages and grades. Nasseeka also partners with various community organizations including Dream On Purpose, Education Equalizers, and Open Door Ministries. Nasseeka credits her success and desire to advance in life to her mentors who poured wisdom, planted seeds of hope, and spoke life over her. Her desire is to continuously do that for the participants of Aces In Motion.
Staff
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Sanjeev Radhakrishnan
Staff
Cassandra Gustama
Staff
Jennifer Sonaly
Staff
Chaz Pilkey
Staff
Alex Foege
Staff
Lily Ball
Staff
Elisa Ligero
Staff
Bert Everett
Staff
Cynthia
Staff
Wolf Charles
Staff