LET US INTRODUCE OURSELVES

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Brett 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).

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.

Connor joins the team after serving at in multiple Arkansas based clubs, one of which had him working alongside Brett Walster.  They kept in touch and have now re-teamed as colleagues again.  

"I  was very fortunate to be Brett's assistant at the Russellville Country Club," Connor said.  "When the opportunity arose to work with him again, I was eager to apply and become a part of such a wonderful club with a promising future!"

Connor is excited to grow the membership's participation in golf through events, clinics, and building a great junior program.  

Connor was raised in Van Buren, Arkansas.  He enjoys duck hunting and turkey hunting in his free time.

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.

Jeff is a hometown boy who's enjoyed working at the club he grew up in.  For 15 years, he has been working in the RidgePointe tennis department where he loves building a love for the game with the best people.  

"I'm always excited to see our players improve and grow into better players," Jeff said.

When he's not working, he enjoys supporting Arkansas State Athletics.  

"I  am a big fan of Arkansas State!  I  love to watch all of their teams compete."

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

Jaime was raised in Blytheville, Arkansas.  She followed jobs across the country to work in such places as New York and Montana.  Jaime moved back home and now enjoys working at RidgePointe.  She loves experiencing the nuances of service in the club industry.

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

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 the staff to coordinate tournaments and the daily running of our golf operations.