MACH Academy, Inc. has brought together a strong group of professionally trained individuals who are truly interested in providing education, community development and recreation to our youth.
Mike Harden
President/CEO
Mr. Harden holds a Master of Science in Computer Systems Management from the University of Maryland University College. He was the recipient of the 2021 USTA Georgia John Callen Excellence in Leadership Award. He is a Certified Internet/Intranet professional and also received a professional certificate in Web Development & Administration from Learningtree International. Mr. Harden received his Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Wayne State University. Mr. Harden is a USPTA Elite Pro, PTR Certified Junior & Adult Development Tennis Professional and has provided tennis instruction, mentoring and personal skills development training to MACH participants since 1992. Mr. Harden was Captain of the Men’s 5.0 1997 USTA National Championship Team. He was the winner of the 1999, 2000 and 2001 American Tennis Association (ATA) Men’s 35 Doubles and 2017 Men’s 55 National Championship Doubles. He also won the American Tennis Association Men’s 60’s singles in 2018. He serves as Program Director of the Augusta National Junior Tennis League chapter. Mr. Harden is a Life member of the United States Tennis Association (USTA) & the American Tennis Association (ATA). Mr. Harden has worked with and trained state, sectional and nationally ranked junior players. He also serves as the Project Director for the Family Housing program. Mr. Harden is one of the original founders of MACH Academy, Inc.
Henry Taylor
Vice President
Mr. Taylor serves as a volunteer Fitness & Conditioning coach for MACH Academy, Inc. Mr. Taylor has a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work and Criminology. He has a Master’s degree in Social Work from Florida State University. The former Seminole earned All American honors as a linebacker and was Captain, MVP and four time Letterman. Following his collegiate career, he played two years of professional football with the Ottawa Roughriders Canadian Football League. He has been an avid tennis enthusiast for the past 23 years and has served his community as a volunteer coach in little league sports for the past 10 years. Henry is a PTR certified Junior Development Professional. He brings a positive attitude, great work ethic, and discipline.
Donald Moody
Secretary
Mr. Moody has a Bachelor of Science in Management Studies with a minor in Business Law and Public Policy from the University of Maryland University College and a Masters in Public Administration from the American Military University. Don is certified as a USPTA Elite Professional and USPTR Professional and he has successfully completed the USTA Level One Sport Science Competency Test. Don is also a licensed Cardio Tennis and TRX Cardio Professional. His teaching career includes two years as Head Tennis Professional at Houndslake Country Club and approximately four years as Head Tennis Professional at Woodside Country Club, both in Aiken South Carolina. He also served as Assistant Tennis Coach to the South Aiken Thoroughbred Boys High School Tennis Team which won back-to-back South Carolina State 4-A Championships in 1999 and 2000.
Deirdre Skolfield
Treasurer
Deirdre has served as a Volunteer Tutor and Coding Club founder for MACH Academy, Inc., including leading a Kids’ Coding Club during each school year, Coding classes during Summer Academic Camps, and a year round Saturday Girls’s Tennis & Coding Club. Prior to joining MACH Academy, Deirdre served as volunteer/tutor/mentor for Ten Books A Home, Illumination Foundation, and School on Wheels – non-profits focused on sparking a love of learning in underserved communities. Ms.Skolfield holds a BBA in Marketing from the University of Houston, an MBA in Finance from the University of Texas at Austin, as well as a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation. Deirdre has over 20 years experience leading Investor Relations programs for NYSE and NASDAQ listed technology and business services companies.
Helen Thomas-Pope
Operations Manager
Ms. Thomas-Pope is a graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS, with degrees in Fashion Merchandising and Marketing. She worked in the college arena for 18 years. She has been with MACH Academy, Inc. since 2018. She holds a Director Training Certificate from the Bright from the Start approved training program. Currently, Ms. Thomas-Pope provides Social Media coverage, creates Public Service Announcements, attends community outreach events and writes grants.
Andrea Thomas
Learning Center Director/Finance
Andrea Thomas has obtained her Master’s Degrees in Human Resource Management and Business Administration from Keller Graduate School of Management. She also possesses a Certification of Professional Résumé Writer, CPRW. She has served as a parent volunteer at MACH Academy, Inc. for the last six years. Mrs. Thomas has 3 daughters who participate in the tennis program. Her daughter Arien is ranked number three in Georgia in the 10 and Under Division; the oldest daughter Aleynah is ranked number 23 in Georgia, 12 and Under Division. During Mrs. Thomas’ tenure with the program, she has also served as team captain for the USTA Junior Team Tennis (JTT) league for the 10 and Under, 12 and Under, and 14 and Under teams. In 2018, her team won the USTA Sectional Championship for 10 and Under Intermediate and the USTA Georgia State Championship 10 and Under Gold JTT tournament. In 2019, Mrs. Thomas served as the co-captain of JTT in which her team won the USTA Sectional 10 and Under Advanced Tournament. Mrs. Thomas is a highly accomplished professional with diverse experience in Administrative Management. She has received multiple accolades for being exceptionally organized and disciplined, exhibiting superior customer service, and motivating and directing others. Mrs. Thomas’ invaluable skills are a great addition to MACH Academy, Inc. Mrs. Thomas most recently served as our CCLC Assistant Director; she has since transitioned to the recruitment of participants for our programs and she oversees our education enrichment offerings. Additionally, she plays an integral role in our grant development and oversight processes. She is instrumental in the daily/monthly bookkeeping activities of our receipt and distribution of funds in QuickBooks (rental payments, participant fees, credit card reconciliation, etc.).
Mark O’Neal
Director of Tennis
Mr. O’Neal was born in Augusta, Georgia and graduated from Richmond Academy. He holds an AA Degree from Hutchinson Junior College and a BS Degree from Missouri State University. Mark has served as a High School Football and High School Tennis Coach. He also served as a professional football coach in Europe. Mark is a PTR certified Junior Development Professional. Mark has served as a volunteer and Ameri*Corps VISTA Member for MACH Academy, Inc. He serves as Director of tennis and fitness professional for in-house and outreach projects.
Mary Harden
Volunteer
Ms. Harden holds a Master of Science in Management from Southern Wesleyan University. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Health Care Management from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. Ms. Harden received an Associates of Science degree in Respiratory Therapy from the Medical College of Georgia and an Associates of Arts in Nursing from Georgia Southwestern College. Mary has extensive experience dealing with adolescents, working as Director of Mental Health and as a Nurse Manager on an Adolescent Psychiatric Unit. Mary provides education for participants in the area of healthy eating and tobacco-free lifestyle. She provides administrative support in the development, implementation, and marketing of various programs. Additionally, she assists with coordinating activities of support staff, editing grants and bookkeeping.
Jordan Dingle
Tennis Instructor
Coach Dingle is a native of Aiken, South Carolina. He has an Associate degree in Science from Frank Phillips College in Borger, Texas; a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Lander University in Greenwood, South Carolina; a Master’s degree of Management and International Business from Nottingham Trent University in England. During his junior tennis career, he was ranked between 15-40 in the Southern Rankings. Coach Dingle also won a State Championship in 2013, while at South Aiken High School, where he played #1 for the team. He won over four All-Region awards playing for South Aiken. Coach Dingle was also a star basketball player. He won a State Championship, as well as earned Player of the Year while attending Augusta Christian Schools, in Martinez, Georgia. Coach Jordan went on to play tennis and basketball at Alabama A&M University in Huntsville, Alabama, where he won MVP in tennis, while playing as the #1 and #2 player on the team during the 2014-2015 season. Coach Jordan then transferred to finish his college career playing basketball and got the opportunity to play professionally overseas in Spain, Mexico, and England. Coach Dingle is PTR Certified and he started his tennis coaching career when he was eighteen. He has been with Mach Academy, Inc. since the summer of 2021.
Nathaniel Pinkney
Tennis Instructor
Nathaniel Pinkney native of Memphis, Tennessee, has an A.S in Computer Information Systems from Itawamba Community College, and a B.S. in Sports Management from Benedict College and he is a PTR certified Instructor. Coach Nate is a Champion Tennis player starting at the early age of five years old. He has played numerous Junior events including Billy Jean Kings World Team Tennis and National Events. Coach Nate started stringing racquets and coaching in high school. He taught his high school team to play and they won the city, regional, and went to the state in his junior year. Nathaniel was awarded two FULL tennis scholarships. He went on to play college tennis at Itawamba Community College at the #1 position from 2013-2015. During his time they won the conference championship and he was awarded MVP both years. Nathaniel finished his college tennis at Benedict College on a Full Tennis Scholarship. From 2015-2017, Nathaniel played #1 Singles and Doubles, the team won their conference both years. Nathaniel was awarded Player of the Year and MVP both years, and went to the NCAA to compete. Coach Nate also continued coaching during the summers with Memphis Tennis Academy with high performance and pro tennis players. He has since relocated to Augusta, GA to work with MACH Academy.