Gary Gantz

President ● CEO

Education/Certification: BA Degree, Ohio University, Masters Degree Education, Wright State University

Experience: 30 years high school teaching in Ohio, coached national level gymnasts over 30 years including numerous state, regional and national champions, Owner & President of TOPS Gymnastics since 1981

Family/Interests: Wife - Debbie, children and grandchildren

Contact: ggantz@kidsaretops.com

Dawn Malacos

Vice-President ● Director of Operations

Education/Certifications: Kettering College of Medical Arts, RN Degree, 1993, Registered Nurse, First-Aid and CPR certified, USAG Safety Certified Professional Member since 1995

Experience: 20 years experience coaching gymnastics, Former Class 1 gymnast

Family/Interests: I enjoy most being a mom. I have a beautiful 7 year old daughter named Bentley

Contact: dawn.m@kidsaretops.com
 

Melissa LaPeer

Assistant Director of Operations ●
Gymnastics Level 3-6 Head Coach

Education/Certifications: Attended Indiana State University 4 years, USAG Safety Certified Professional Membership, Meet Director Certified, KAT Certified, Certified Skill Evaluator Levels 1-4

Experience: Coached and judged high school gymnastics 2 years, coached since 1990.

Awards: Hard Working Award, Favorite Coach Award

Interests: Loves dogs

Contact: melba1971@aol.com

Donny Bent

Instructional & Competitive Gymnastics Director
● Gymnastics Level 7-10 Head Coach

Education/Certifications: Attended Sinclair Community College and the University of Dayton.

USAG Safety Certified Professional Membership since 1992.

Red Cross Certified: First Aid, CPR, AED

Experience: 20 years coaching gymnastics, Team USA staff member 1995 - 2005, trained w/Russian Jr. Olympic team in St. Petersburg, Russia.

Awards: Coached many state, regional and national champions.

Family/Interests: Wife - Emily. Daughters - Zoey (5) and Dakota (3).

Contact: donny.b@kidsaretops.com

Dan DeClark

Swim Director ● Gymnastics Team Coach
● Marketing & Public Relations

Education/Certifications: BA Degree, Kent State University, 1973; Dale Carnegie Graduate, USAG Safety Certified Professional Membership, Red Cross Certified: Lifeguard, WSI, First Aid, CPR/AED

Experience: Coached and judged men's & women's gymnastics off and on since 1969. Meet Director - 1979 Men's & Women's Gymnastics Championships of the USA. Coached many state & regional champions.

Swam competitively for Kettering Recreation Center Masters Swim Team.

Awards: 3 varsity letters at Kent State University - Men's Gymnastics.

Family/Interests: Wife Lynn and sons Jeff, Kevin & Tom

Contact: dan.d@kidsaretops.com

Tonya Strahler

Tumble Bunny Land Preschool Director

Education/Certifications: Attended Wright State University

USAG Safety Certified Professional Member

USAG Kinder Accreditation for teachers (KAT)

Red Cross Certified: First Aid, CPR, AED

Experience: Fairmont High School Cheerleader / Gymnast

Coached cheerleading and gymnastics since 1986

Interests: I love being with my family - husband, Ryan and daughters Kyrstyn and Kassie. I enjoy working with children!

Heather Lockwood

KIDS Dance Director

Education/Certifications: Point Park College, Pittsburgh, PA, studied Ballet.

Experience: Performed main stage at Disney World Tokyo for a year, then performed at Disney World Orlando, Florida for 6 years. She then became a staging specialist for Disney and choreographed and taught all shows on Disney World property from start to finish.

Heather has judged and taught master classes throughout PA & FL. Taught summer intensive dance at Wright State. Worked with Mia Michaels, Marion Petrov and Chita Rivera.

Awards: Award of Excellence for choreography from Point Park College.

Technical Masters Award for the Pennsylvania School of Arts.  

Family/Interests: Husband Jake and children Jack and Rosemary.

Contact: heather.l@kidsaretops.com

K. C. Rose

Cheer Program Director ● Gymnastics Coach

Education/Certifications: Alter High School Graduate, Attended Wright State University.  American Championship and AmeriCheer Judge Cert.  AACCA Member and Safety Cert. USASF Member and Cert. Level 1-5 NCSSE Member. USAG Professional Member, Red Cross CPR, AED

Experience: High School cheerleader and gymnast.  College cheerleader.  Five time All-American. Coached All-Star teams since 2002.  Coached school teams since 2000.  Choreographed countless All-Star, School/Rec., Individual and Stunt Group Routines.  Winning over twenty national titles and 100+ regional titles.

Awards: Nominated Coach of the year from American Cheerleader Magazine. 

Interests: Spending time with friends & family.  Being outside in the sun.  LuLu Lemon, MAC!! Loves Baseball, GO REDS!

Contact: cheerHERE@kidsaretops.com

Kelli Filson

Entertainment Director

Education/Certifications:
BS in Psychology, Columbia Southern University

Red Cross Certified: First Aid, CPR, AED

Experience:
Former Gymnast

Spent 8 years in the Air Force Reserve

Family/Interests:
I enjoy working with children as well as spending time with family and friends.

Contact: kelli.f@kidsaretops.com