GACTA Staff
Addison Staples
GACTA/AIM Executive Director
Phone: 352-514-9975
Addison Staples was born and raised in Gainesville, FL and now calls it home with his beautiful wife, Tracy, and three daughters. He enjoys spending time with family, church community, surfing, and good food. Addison obtained his Bachelor’s degree from Methodist University in Professional Tennis Management where he played college tennis. He obtained his Master’s degree from the University of Florida from the Department of Tourism, Recreation, and Sport Management and Family Youth & Community Sciences (FYCS) where he focused on research in the area of positive youth development and community development through sport. Addison’s employment as a professional tennis coach has employed him at various private country clubs, resorts, public facilities, nonprofits, and collegiate coaching. He founded Sports In Motion, a sport-for-development program in rural Guatemala for impoverished communities. Addison is currently the Executive Director of Aces In Motion, which supports Gainesville’s under-resourced youth by providing academic assistance and life-skills through tennis. As someone who faced trials as a youth, Addison is passionate about sharing the power of sport and its ability to heal and develop a youth to thrive
Shelley Rogers
AIM Program Director
Shelley Rogers serves as the Program Director for Aces In Motion. Prior to this position, Shelley was a documentary filmmaker and produced media content for nonprofit organizations for nearly fifteen years. Most of her work focused on amplifying the voices of food system stakeholders to humanize issues so that sharing knowledge can open pathways for understanding and collective action. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Art History from Smith College and a Master’s degree in Media, Culture & Communication from New York University. For the past 9 seasons, she has been a work-share Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) member of The Family Garden Organic & Food Justice Certified farm, located in East Gainesville. She also volunteers with other nonprofits in town, Grace Grows and Constellation Charter School. Shelley is excited to share her passion for non-profit work with the AIM Family.
Terea Ward
After School Director
Terea Ward is the After School Director for Aces in Motion. Terea’s goals for serving AIM are to continue to support and help the students succeed in any way that she can. Originally from South Florida, Terea moved to Gainesville to further her education at Santa Fe College where she received two degrees and a certificate in International Studies. In her youth, Terea was a member of a program similar to AIM and this is just one of the reasons why she chooses to pursue a future with the AIM family. Terea hopes to one day further her career in child services and achieve her Doctorate in Educational studies.
Aizalyn Garcia
Middle School Director
Aizalyn Garcia serves as the Middle School Director for Aces in Motion. Aizalyn graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Family Youth and Community Sciences with a minor in Educational Studies. Aizalyn has always had a passion for serving her community and empowering the youth. For years, Aizalyn has worked with children encouraging them to always put their best foot forward despite their everyday challenges. Aizalyn believes the catalyst for change begins with creating positive experiences for our children.
Ms. Aldreka
Full-Strength Mental Health Counselor
Ms. Aldreka is a graduate from the University of Florida (’14) & Liberty University (’21) with a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. She is passionate about working with youths with a special focus on the family system. She has previously worked with Children’s Home Society of Florida as a Clinical Counselor at Howard Bishop Middle School.