Aspire Staff

If you would like to join our staff, please fill out and bring in our job application.

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Front Desk Application

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Recreational Gymnastics Program Director

Casey Chapel

Casey has been working at Aspire since 2001. In addition to being the Upward Bound Program Director, she has also coached in the Tumblebugs program, various teams, and at summer camps. Casey has an extensive past in the sport of gymnastics. She competed level 9 in St. Louis, Missouri and has been coaching since 1996. She is also a hip hop dancer with the entertainment crew “Foot Klan”.

Casey graduated from ASU with a Bachelors Degree in Kinesiology. She enjoys break dancing and walking on her hands. Casey’s favorite food is toasted ravioli and she also loves cats. When asked why she loves working at Aspire, Casey simply states that she “loves those kids”!

Tumblebugs Program Director

Lynn McDonald

Lynn has been working here at Aspire since 2004. She has coached in numerous programs including Tumblebugs, Upward Bound, Recreational Team, Parents Night Out, and birthday parties. Lynn started gymnastics at age 11 for fun in a small recreational program and went on to compete level 6.

Lynn graduated from ASU with a degree in Aerospace Engineering in 2004. She enjoys camping, hiking and shopping and her favorite foods are crème puffs and dark chocolate (“my weakness!”).

Swim Program Director

Erin Sampley

Erin has been at Aspire since we opened in 2005. She was an essential part of the development of an aquatics program in the gym. She coaches many different classes for a variety of ages in the swim program. Erin started competitive swimming at age 5 and continued for many years. She began coaching swimming in 1997.

Erin has degrees in Early Childhood Development and Elementary Education. She enjoys spending time with her husband and four wonderful children and her favorite food is ice cream.

Martial Arts Program Director

Christa Robinson

Christa has been the martial arts director at Aspire since 2006. She is a first degree black belt who has been studying the martial arts form of Ja-Shin-Do for 24 years. In 1987, she began teaching martial arts to college age students and adults and in 2002 she began doing kids classes.

Christa obtained her BS degree in K-12 physical education from the U of A in 1991, and her Masters in Counseling Education from ASU in 1998. She taught K-6 physical education in the Mesa Public School District from 1992-2000. Christa is currently a stay-at-home mom with two girls. She loves martial arts and spending time with her family and her favorite food is anything Italian. Christa enjoys working at Aspire because she “enjoys working with enthusiastic children and caring parents”.

Front Desk Manager

Carol Otto

Carol came to work at Aspire in 2005. She keeps the gym functioning correctly by managing the front desk. Carol describes her job as cleaning up and helping people, but in reality she does that and so much more! She keeps the registration process organized, orders many of Aspire’s supplies, and makes sure that your student is in the right class.

Carol graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Interior Design from S.U.N.Y. College in Buffalo, New York. She is in her 12th year of home schooling—”graduated two, one to go!” Carol enjoys reading, martial arts, and traveling. She likes to eat Italian food and her favorite drink from Starbucks is a grande extra hot decaf mocha. When asked why she enjoys working at Aspire, Carol responds, “I love kids and love to help people. My gifts and abilities are best utilized here and I feel blessed to be a part of this organization.”

Boys Team Coaches

Dan Hayden

Dan has quite a background in gymnastics! He has been involved with the sport for over 36 years, competed for 18 years, and has been coaching for more than 30 years. He competed collegiately, nationally, and internationally and spent 10 years on the Junior and Senior National Teams. He was the 1988 National Champion, a part of the 1985-1987 World Championship teams, an alternate at the 1984 Olympic Games, and on the 1986 NCAA National Championship team. Dan came to Aspire in 2005 to coach for the gym and the ASU Men’s Gymnastics Team.

Dan spent two years of college at ASU and three years at LSU. He enjoys reading and eating anything that tastes great! Dan likes working at Aspire because, “Aspire staff and organization put the children first”.

Evan Shaw

Evan has been involved with gymnastics for over 14 years. He is a 3-time All-American and has 3 National Championships with the ASU Men’s Gymnastics Team. He began coaching at Aspire in 2003 and has coached in the Upward Bound program, the Tumblebugs, and is currently one of the Boys Team Coaches.

Evan graduated from ASU with a degree in Biology. He enjoys scuba diving, snowboarding, poker, music, and movies. He really seems to enjoy food since his list of favorite foods include: pizza, steak, chicken, enchiladas, cheesesteaks, ice cream, pie, In-N-Out Burger, pancakes, omelettes, crab legs, sushi, lobster, egg rolls from Lynn Nguyen, pasta, and big sandwiches!

Rob Survick

Rob has been coaching at Aspire since 2006. He has been instrumental in starting Aspire’s first Trampoline and Tumbling competitive team. Since Rob has been at Aspire, he has coached boy’s team, girl’s team, Mighty Mites, T & T team, and is an assistant coach for the ASU Men’s Gymnastics Team.

Rob says that he has been involved with gymnastics forever! He competed on the ASU Men’s Gymnastics Team and was the team captain in 2002-2003. He graduated with a BS degree in Kinesiology. Rob enjoys playing golf and poker. He is also a realtor when he is not coaching. His favorite food is anything and he really likes to eat! He likes working at Aspire because “the kids are cool and I don’t have to wear shoes”!

Girls Team Coaches

Peter Weiging

Peter has been working at Aspire since 1996 (“I know...can you believe it!”) and has coached just about everything in the gym. He has 20 years of competitive gymnastics experience. He was a 9 time All-American for ASU and the ASU Men’s Gymnastics Team captain for 3 years. He brings 15 years of coaching experience and 10 years as a certified Men’s Gymnastics judge to the gym.

Peter graduated from ASU with a degree in Exercise Science. He enjoys hiking Four Peaks, and managing his championship fantasy sports teams. His favorite foods include Mexican, pizza, cheese steaks, burgers/brats, Chinese, and anything free unless it’s covered in white sauce.

Kim Brown

Kim is our compulsory and developmental director for our girls program. She comes to Aspire with years of experience in the gymnastics world. Kim started gymnastics at age 9 and was the Elite National Champion on vault and part of the USA National Team. Kim was an ASU gymnast and the Collegiate National Champion on floor and vault. While she was at ASU, Kim was an All-American and has been inducted into the ASU Sports Hall of Fame. After college, Kim danced professionally. She is currently a high level judge for women’s gymnastics.

In addition to gymnastics, Kim loves to hike, camp and do a variety of outdoor activities. She is married and has two boys.

Maryn Petera

Maryn came to Aspire in 2006 and has put a lot of time in many different programs. She has coached in our Upward Bound, Tramp & Tumbling, Tumblebugs, Girls Team and Developmental Team programs. She participated in gymnastics for 13 years. Maryn started competing Level 5 at age 7, became a TOPS team member, was a part of her gym’s elite training program, and went all the way to Level 10 where she was the AZ State Level 10 Floor Champion in 1999. She also did one year of collegiate gymnastics at ASU.

Maryn graduated from ASU with a B.S. in Kinesiology and is currently pursuing her nursing degree. She enjoys wakeboarding, snowboarding, working out and playing with her English Bulldog, Titus. Her favorite foods are BBQ snow crab from Joe’s and lemon sorbet from Cold Stone Creamery.

Monique Auger

Monique has been working at Aspire since 2005. She has coached in the Tumble Bugs program, girl’s team, and directed summer camps. Monique has more than 10 years of competitive gymnastics experience in Colorado. She was one of the original National TOPS Team members in 1992 and went on to compete through Level 10. She has been coaching for 7 years and works as the team manager for the ASU Men’s Gymnastics Team.

Monique received an associate’s degree from MCC and is currently attending Artistic Beauty College. She enjoys photography, arts & crafts, food, and movies. She says that her favorite foods are her Grandma’s cooking, pancakes, and Lynn Nguyen’s egg rolls.

Craig Kirby

Craig comes to Aspire with an extensive background in the sport of gymnastics. He has been coaching for 35 years and is working with our compulsory girls program. Craig competed for ASU as a member of the team for 4 years and was teammates with Scott Barclay for 3 years. He was the USA National Tumbling Champion in 1975 and placed third at the first World Championship of Tumbling in 1975. Craig has coached numerous collegiate athletes and 1988 US Olympian Kelly Garrison.

Craig recieved his BS Degree in Recreation from ASU. When he is not coaching gymnastics, Craig enjoys playing golf and eating Mexican food. He likes working at Aspire because "It is a positive, high energy, family atmosphere".

Trisha Driggs

Trisha came to work at Aspire in 2006. She has been involved with gymnastics since she was 9 years old and competed for 14 years, reaching level 10. Her freshman year of college she competed for Texas Woman's University and became the National Beam Champion. She then transferred to Brigham Young University and competed for 4 more years.

Trisha received her BS Degree from Brigham Young University in 2004. She enjoys playing with her daughter, Addison, going to the lake and waterskiing with her family, and working out. She loves all food and is willing to try anything! Trisha loves working at Aspire “because of the wonderful family, friendly atmosphere”.

All-Star Cheer Coaches

Bethany Juarez

Bethany began coaching for Aspire in 2004. She has coached in the Upward Bound program, the Tumblebugs, and currently coaches cheer. She also works at the front desk and does public relations and marketing for Aspire.

Bethany has been involved with gymnastics and cheer since she was four year’s old. She attended and cheered at Valley Christian High School and went on to ASU where she graduated with a degree in Journalism and Public Relations. Bethany married Brandon Juarez in January of 2007. She enjoys snowboarding with her husband, shopping, and riding her horse (when she finds the time). Her favorite food is cheese enchiladas with queso enchilada sauce from Abuelo’s Mexican Restaurant.

Amy McKenzie

Coming Soon

Ashley McKenzie

Ashley has been working for Aspire since 2002, and has pretty much coached in every program here at one time or another. She started gymnastics at age 3 and competed until she was 13. When Ashley was 7 years old, she joined the gym that eventually became Aspire! After she quit gymnastics, Ashley became a cheerleader and continued with cheer until she graduated from high school.

Ashley graduated from Chandler High School in 2005 and is currently a student at Pima Medical College. She enjoys fishing, shopping, wakeboarding, snowboarding, and like a true gymnastics coach-she also likes to practice her handstands! Her favorite foods are pasta and steak. Ashley enjoys working at Aspire because, “I love kids and I love gymnastics, so this is the perfect job for me”!

Anthony Damiani

Anthony has been working at Aspire since 2006. He has coached numerous upward bound girls and boys classes, tumbling classes, and is currently coaching the Aspire All-Stars Cheer teams. Anthony has been involved in gymnastics since he was 5 years old. He competed in the J.O. National meet when he was in high school and currently is a member of the ASU Men’s Gymnastics Team.

Anthony is currently a student at ASU and he enjoys snowboarding, hunting, and fishing. His favorite foods are Italian and Mexican.

Trampoline & Tumbling Team Coaches

Jon Black

Jon has been coaching at Aspire since 2006. He coaches our T&T Teams as well as tumbling and trampoline recreational classes. Jon has over 20 years experience in tumbling. He was the 2000 National Power Tumbling Champion, a USA National Team member from 200-2002, a World Championship Team alternate in 2001, and is still a Sr. Elite Power Tumbler. Jon is currently ranked in the US Top 10 for Power Tumbling.

Jon enjoys working out, reading, and traveling and he says that his favorite food is all food. When asked why he enjoys working at Aspire, Jon replied, “I have never been in a gymnastics facility with such a positive learning environment.”

Roumen Gabrovska

Coach Roumen comes to Aspire with over 40 years experience in gymnastics, tumbling and trampoline. He was a member of the Bulgarian Men’s Gymnastics team that competed in the 1968 Olympic Games. He has coached numerous Olympic level athletes including the Bulgarian National Women’s Team and USA Olympian Dominique Moceanu. Coach Roumen will also be joined by his wife Toni who also brings many years of experience in coaching gymnastics.

Toni Gabrovska