Staff Update
From Christine Nickels, Executive Director
FWTEC is making some exciting changes to our staff structure to better serve and connect our patrons with each other and our mission.
This includes launching a combined Operations and Community Engagement department designed to bolster front desk operations, patron services, and community involvement with our mission. The team consists of 4 full-time staff plus all front desk associates and is led by a new face to our team, but not to our broader tennis community, Laura Meyer. Dan Swanson remains heavily involved, and Ryan Berkas has moved into this new department from his prior role as a TennisWorks Program Manager.
Our Tennis Department is still led by one of the best, Robin Coverdale. We have also elevated the roles of two integral coaching team members, Clay Sollenberger and Nguyen Vo, in a pilot Head Tennis Professional position. These individuals will be available during the busiest times of our junior programming to connect with students and families and enhance program quality measures. A new Tennis Coordinator, Andrea Claassen, was added to enhance communication with players/families and assist with the department’s administrative functions. We also have to take a moment to thank Isaac McBroom for his time as our Junior Tennis Director. He stepped back this summer to pursue an exciting new professional venture but remains on-court coaching part-time with us.
Our Education department increased to 5 full-time staff plus additional coach support toward the end of 2022, led by our Director of Youth Development and Community Impact, Leslie Oskey. This team is doing incredible work, already engaging more than 1,200 youth in 2023 with free tennis and leadership programming. If you are interested in volunteering with one of our many TennisWorks programs, please complete this volunteer inquiry form to be connected with Coral.
We also now have dedicated facilities staff who have been working hard to maintain our great facility and make improvements. Glen Birnstengel joined our team part-time in March to lead this effort with support from our new groundskeeper, Ben Herman. Behind the scenes, but also in a very important role, is our Accounting Manager, Richard Buckles.
We are here to help you get the most out of your experience with our community! You can find a complete list of full-time staff along with contact information by clicking here.
LEGAL NAME CHANGE ANNOUNCEMENT
TO FRED WELLS TENNIS AND EDUCATION CENTER, INC.
The FWTEC Board of Directors is excited to announce that our legal name has changed from Tennis and Education, Inc. to Fred Wells Tennis and Education Center, Inc., effective January 1, 2023.
We have been proud to do business as the Fred Wells Tennis and Education Center since 2007, and this change in legal name moves us forward into the new year with a strong and simplified brand that recognizes the legacy of our founder, Fred Wells.
In 2002, Fred Wells presented our community with the gift of a facility where people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds have access to the great game of tennis and the associated health benefits and life lessons. We take the responsibility of being a steward of this gift seriously to both honor our founder as well as to further our shared belief in the amazing combination of tennis and education to improve lives.
We are proud of the community that has been built and the progress that has been made over the past 20 years to deliver on our mission, and we are energized as we usher in a new phase of growth for the organization under the official legal name of Fred Wells Tennis and Education Center, Inc.
About the Fred Wells Tennis and Education Center (FWTEC)
FWTEC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public tennis facility that brings people together of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds to embrace the lifelong game of tennis while leveraging the sport to build opportunity, confidence and success with the youth we serve. Our tax ID number is 41-1965977. To learn more, visit www.fwtec.org or contact Christine Nickels at christine@fwtec.org.
LESLIE OSKEY named NEW DIRECTOR OF YOUTH DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNITY IMPACT
The Director of Youth Development and Community Impact is a key member of the FWTEC leadership team who oversees the implementation and growth of TennisWorks, our scholarship programs, and initiatives to improve physical, mental, and emotional well-being. They actively work in concert with our team to remove barriers to participation and leverage the sport of tennis to build confidence, opportunity, and success with the youth we serve.
"We are excited to welcome Leslie to our team! Her experience in sport-based youth development as well as her passion and commitment to improving outcomes for and with young people is a perfect fit for this role," said our Executive Director, Christine Nickels.
Leslie is a Wisconsin native who loved any and all sports, which led to her interest in health, wellness, and leadership. She attended Lakeland University in Wisconsin as a member and two-year team captain of the Women’s Soccer Team and graduated with a double major in Fitness and Sports Studies and Spanish. During her collegiate career, she received the NACC Student-Athlete Award and was a four-year Dean’s list student. Leslie began serving in the Marine Corps Reserves in her final year of undergrad. After completing her military service, she went on to earn her Masters in Exercise Science and Sport Studies at Smith College in Massachusetts. Leslie was the Graduate Assistant Coach for the Women’s Soccer Team at Mount Holyoke College, teaching assistant lecturing undergrad ESS courses at Smith College, and receiving the “Aspire Higher” academic achievement award.
After graduate school, Leslie became the Head Women’s Soccer Coach for Cornell College in Iowa and coached the FC United youth travel soccer club. Her continued passion for youth and community work brought her to the Twin Cities as a Sports Program Director at the YMCA and coach with the Edina Soccer Club. Upon earning a tier II teaching certification, Leslie taught Elementary P.E. at Minnesota Math and Science Academy while serving as the Athletic Director and starting the school’s first athletic program.
Leslie's official start date was mid-October, so please introduce yourself, if you see her! In her words, "I'm excited to work with such a great team who shares my passion for working with and for our community to positively impact youth. I look forward to adding my experience and enthusiasm for helping young people become the best versions of themselves to a program that already does this so well." We asked Leslie a few fun questions below to get to know her outside of the office:
1. Who is your favorite athlete or celebrity, and why?
LO: Megan Rapinoe because she’s an incredibly talented soccer player but has also used her platform to support Black Lives Matter and other social equity platforms
2. How do you like to spend your days off?
LO: Hiking, camping, biking, spoon carving, going to farmers markets, and going to restaurants.
3. What is your favorite Twin Cities spot? Could be a restaurant, park, brewery, landmark, etc.
LO: The Minnehaha Falls dog park
4. What is one thing you would tell all of the students that you work with?
LO: Take up space to learn and grow unapologetically.
5. Why are you excited to be working at the Fort?
LO: I’m excited to be a part of the vision and mission of the Fort because of how it aligns with my personal morals and how I want to impact community. I am also excited about working with such a great team of folks.
Christine Nickels named new Executive Director
From the Board of Directors, Fred Wells Tennis & Education Center (FWTEC)
The Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Christine Nickels as the Executive Director of FWTEC. Christine has been the Assistant Executive Director and the Director of Education at FWTEC since 2017. She has extensive experience working in the non-profit sector and in the Tennis community. The Board was impressed by Christine’s vision for the future of FWTEC, her passion for the mission of FWTEC and the leadership she has demonstrated thus far in achieving tangible results in the work of FWTEC.
Christine has been instrumental in providing strategic leadership for Education and Development departments, including budget management, staffing, and execution of short- and long-term goals. She has been part of the leadership team and has led in achieving the organizational goals. She has established and maintained mutually beneficial partnerships with schools, youth-serving organizations and community stakeholders that align with the mission of FWTEC. Christine has executed a diverse funding plan to support the TennisWorks programming. With her leadership, the annual financial support for TennisWorks program increased by 375%. Christine initiated a new distance learning program, remote engagement strategies, and family support actions to maintain connection and deepen relationships during the pandemic. Christine was instrumental in FWTEC receiving national recognition as 2021 National Youth Sports Strategy Champion and 2018 Aspen Institute Project Play Champion.
Prior to FWTEC, Christine worked for over 10 years at USTA Northern in a number of roles including as the Director of Community Tennis. While at USTA Northern, Christine worked on setting strategic direction, implementing policies, and managing department budgets. She was engaged in supporting more than 230 member organizations including school districts, parks and recreation departments, tennis clubs, and nonprofit community organizations through consultations and training. In addition, Christine has extensive volunteer experience in many organizations including at Minnesota Coalition of Women in Athletic Leadership. She has spoken extensively on youth development and engagement in tennis.
We are excited to have Christine lead as the new Executive Director of FWTEC. Christine will start as the Executive Director on May 16, 2022. We thank Linda Ewing for her service for the last two months. Linda’s last day will be May 20, 2022.
We look forward to working with Christine in her new role as the leader of the FWTEC community.
Sincerely,
The FWTEC Board of Directors
Special Announcement from the Board of Directors to outgoing Executive Director, Esther Tsai
Dear Esther,
It is with great pleasure that FWTEC’s Board of Directors dedicates Court 2 as the Esther Tsai Court.
This dedication achieves two objectives. First, it allows us to honor you for six years of exemplary service in a concrete and visible manner. Second, it helps us remember and celebrate everything that was accomplished under your leadership.
Read the full announcement here.
Appointment of Interim Executive Director, Linda Ewing
From the Board of Directors, Fred Wells Tennis & Education Center (FWTEC)
The Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Linda Ewing as the Interim Executive Director. Linda is a highly experienced consulting professional and senior nonprofit executive. She has proven track record of success in leading and advising nonprofit organizations in developing strategies to support significant growth and embracing a problem-solving culture, her substantial hands-on experience includes fundraising, strategic and organizational planning, marketing, public relations, community relations, and finance. Amongst her other roles, Linda has served as the Chief Executive Officer for Special Olympics for Minnesota for 15 years and has served in multiple interim executive director assignments for nonprofit organizations, including Inner City Tennis. We are excited to have Linda join as the Interim Executive Director during the transition from the outstanding service of Esther Tsai until a permanent Executive Director is in place. Linda will start the transition process starting March 14, 2022 and will start as the Interim Executive Director on March 28, 2022 upon Esther’s departure. Although we are sad to see Esther go, we are happy to welcome Linda to the FWTEC community.
Sincerely,
The FWTEC Board of Directors
20th Anniversary
Mark your calendars for this special line-up of events! Our ProAm will make its return on May 14, so we can cheer on our favorite coaches. The summer will feature a special event on July 20 with a 20th Anniversary luncheon. The festivities continue with our annual CommUNITY Gala on October 8th at the InterContinental Saint Paul Riverfront Hotel, a night you do not want to miss.
Learn more about our 20th Anniversary here!
2021 Year In Review
From all of us, thank you for making so much possible in 2021!
We invite you to take a tour through our 2021 here!