LET US INTRODUCE OURSELVES

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Andrew was raised in Kennett, Missouri. He has spent many hours at RidgePointe over the years, first working as a college student in the golf shop, coordinating golf tournaments, serving tables, running payroll, and any task asked of him. Andrew has a marketing degree from  Arkansas State University and has lived in Jonesboro since 2011.

He and his wife, Lindsey, have two small daughters.

Over the years Joseph has worked along the western coast -- from California to Oregon and back to California -- doing what he loved. His experiences include:

• Executive Chef for Honduras Cultural Food Museum
• Fannie Farmer's Lifetime James Beard Award Event
• Training with Chef Glenn Blackwell, voted best chef in Oregon 2000, 2001, 2002
• Voted California’s Platinum Chef while filming a three-part Iron Chef spinoff
• Johnnie's in the historic Hotel Diamond in Chico, California
• Food & Beverage Director at Butte Creek Country Club in Chico, California
• Executive Chef & Operations Manager
Highlands Ranch Resort, The Village at Childs Meadows, California

Which brings us to date. In October 2022, RidgePointe discovered Joseph and began the process of interviews. After several visits -- both on-site and virtual -- Joseph was eager to bring his expertise to Arkansas.

Vanessa Roper came to Arkansas on a tennis scholarship to Arkansas State University in 1984 from Johannesburg, South Africa. She played No. 1 singles and doubles for the team and was awarded the Terry Gwin Athlete Award. She has a Master of Science in Education degree with an emphasis in exercise science. After graduation, she worked for 12 years as an exercise physiologist at Healthsouth Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinic.

She is on the board of the Arkansas Tennis Association and the committee of the Northeast Arkansas Tennis Association. Vanessa is a Pro-1 Certified United States Professional Tennis Coach. She also is a personal trainer, certified by the American College of Sports Medicine and the National Strength and Conditioning Association. Vanessa is rated 5.0 and plays on league teams out of Little Rock and Memphis.

Brett Walster considers himself a native of Branson, Missouri, where he grew up watching his dad love and play golf.

“My father is a lifetime member of the PGA. His career and influence shaped my career path from a young age. I knew that I wanted a career in golf so I attained my class A PGA membership. Shortly after that, I continued my education through the PGA of America and achieved the ranking of Specialized PGA Professional in Golf Operations. I’ve spent the last two years in Russellville, Ark. as General Manager and Director of Golf at Russellville Country Club.”

Brett hopes that his expertise will serve to elevate the member experience and golf programs here at RidgePointe.

“I look forward to building new and exciting programs designed to increase player development and member participation. I also look forward to introducing the next generation to the game through the PGA Junior League.”

We hope that you will join us in welcoming Brett and his family to our community. Brett is joined by wife, Lakyn, and their two children, Della (4) and Doak (2).

Deane Pappas came to Arkansas from Phalaborwa, South Africa, to play on the University of Arkansas golf team. In addition to being an All-American at U of A, his name is in the university’s Sports Hall of Honor. Between 1996 and 2007, Deane played three years on the PGA Tour and won two events on the web.com tour in 2000 and 2001. He’s also won tournaments in South Africa — the 2001 South African PGA Championship and the 2009 Dimension Data pro-am.  

Deane enjoyed success for years as a junior golf instructor at his academy in Fayetteville. 

He continues to enjoy teaching children to love the game, his own included. His younger son, Devyn, plays for the Arkansas State University golf team. Deane jokes that his older son, Callen, would rather drive a car than a golf ball.

Deane and his wife, Shona, enjoy spending time 

on the course and making RidgePointe home. 

Dan was raised in Ripley, Tennessee. He attended Tennessee Tech University where he decided to "grow grass for a living!" He has much experience across the midsouth keeping courses above par.  

He and his wife Erika, have two children.

After working with clubs in Tennessee, Michelle and her husband moved to Jonesboro and both taken jobs here at RidgePointe.  Michelle will be in the Golf Shop working with Deane to coordinate tournaments and the daily running of our golf operations. 

Jaime was raised in Blytheville, Arkansas. After stints in various areas of the country such as New York and Montana, Jaime moved back home. She enjoys working at RidgePointe and  experiencing the nuances of service in the club industry.

When Jaime is not working, she enjoys spending time with her family.

Erika