About

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Phone: (804) 378-2188
Email: brent@thefirstteerva.org

Brent Schneider, a proven strategic leader, organizational builder and impassioned storyteller, has been CEO of The First Tee Greater Richmond since 2008. Through his values-based leadership, Brent is guided by purpose. At The First Tee of Greater Richmond, he came into a small start-up environment, and through best practices, attention to the little things, an entrepreneurial spirit and consistently leveraging the talent and potential of the team, he has led the organization to be a force for good. As a trusted strategist, he gets his energy by bringing multiple perspectives to the table for collaboration. He has strong business acumen and is a successful communicator with clients, boards, and employees; he believes deeply in people and the potential we all have inside of us. Before joining The First Tee of Greater Richmond, Brent was Assistant Director of Athletics at The University of Richmond where he was responsible for overseeing athletic fundraising. He served as the point person for the $25 million on-campus stadium fundraising project and was responsible for creating an overall development strategy for the athletics department.

Brent received a bachelor’s degree from Hampden-Sydney College in 1996 where he was a member of the varsity basketball team that advanced to two NCAA Division III tournaments (1994, 1995). Brent is married to his wife, Tracy, and they have one daughter.  Outside of work, Brent is an avid reader and enthusiastic chef who remains committed to fitness and enjoys outdoor activities with his friends and family.

Administrative coordinator

Email: carrie@thefirstteerva.org

Chief Operating Officer

Phone: (804) 378-2188
Email: kelly@firstteerva.org

Kelly leads the organization’s day to day operations to include: strategic planning, facility management, operational personnel oversight, and vendor relationships. In addition, she is responsible for driving facility patronage and seeking creative and innovative revenue opportunities and partnerships. Before joining the team in March 2018, Kelly worked for IMG where she served as Tournament Director for LPGA events with her last stop in Green Bay, WI for the Thornberry Creek LPGA Classic. She received her undergraduate degree in Business Administration from Longwood University where she was a member of the women’s golf team and earned her Masters of Education from VCU’s Center for Sports Leadership.

Vice President of Golf

Email: mark@firstteerva.org

Mark Lynch is the Vice President of Golf at First Tee – Greater Richmond.  He joined The First Tee – Greater Richmond as Director of Golf at The Elson Redmond Memorial Driving Range in March 2016 and became the Director of Golf of both First Tee Greater Richmond golf facilities in March 2018.

Over the last few years, Mark has developed the organization’s golf and customer service areas at both facilities to provide extraordinary customer service to all players.  Mark is a Member of the PGA of America and Club Management Association of America (CMAA) while holding credentials such as Titleist Performance Institute Level 2 (Golf) certified instructor and Level II First Tee Coach.  Additionally, Mark is a Major in the U.S. Army Reserves and now with a total of over 16 years of service.  His philosophy is to connect each player with the game and help each player reach their personal goals.

SENIOR DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMMING

Phone: (804) 378-2188
Email: brittany@firstteerva.org

A native of Richmond and First Tee Alumna, Brittany Woo is responsible for establishing high quality programs and improving the progression of Life Skills Participants. She is also responsible for creating a welcoming, inclusive, safe, positive, and nurturing youth center atmosphere. She leads both coach and volunteer recruitment and training to ensure proper coordination and delivery of First Tee’s curriculum. During her time as the Program Director, she has implemented virtual golf classes, promoted golf course playing opportunities, and developed new winter programs to engage with First Tee participants in the “off-season”.

Brittany’s favorite part of the job developing a relationship with participants, families, volunteers, coaches, and First Tee community members. She considers herself to be incredibly lucky to have a
profession that combines her love for the game of golf and positively impacting the community.

Growing up a participant in the Life Skills Experience Program at First Tee – Greater Richmond, Brittany has been involved with the First Tee network since 2004. As a former ACE participant, Brittany was selected and given the opportunity to attend various events on behalf of First Tee National, was recognized as a Distinguished Scholar and was a finalist of First Tee’s National Outstanding Participant of the Year. In 2017 she completed at the First Tee Headquarters. Additionally, Brittany has chaperoned national events and volunteered and coached classes for many years.

Prior to this role, Brittany was the Tournament Services Assistant for the Dominion Energy Charity Classic, a PGA TOUR Champions playoff event, and the USGA P.J. Boatwright Junior Intern at the Virginia
State Golf Association.

Brittany holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Richmond and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Nonprofit Management from the University of Richmond’s School of Professional and Continuing Studies.

If you cannot find Brittany on the golf course, you might see her at the gym, hanging out at local restaurants, or traveling to new places.

Bill Potter joins First Tee – Greater Richmond after 15 years working in intercollege athletics, including stops at IUPUI, the Horizon League, the American Athletic Conference and the CAA.

During his career, Potter has overseen communications, marketing, social and digital media efforts across multiple sports and platforms. Potter also served as the local media coordinator for the 2015 NCAA Final Four, 2013 and 2014 Midwest Regionals, and served on the media operations committee for multiple Final Fours.

Additionally, Potter assisted with championship operations for a variety of sports, including men’s and women’s basketball,  golf, soccer, cross country, men’s lacrosse, baseball, volleyball, swimming and diving, and tennis.

Potter is a 2005 graduate of Boston College. He and his wife, Kristin, live on the west end of Richmond with their two boys, Will and Jack, and dog, Harry.

Director of Golf – The Elson Redmond Memorial Driving Range

Phone: (804) 728-3857
Email: ian@firstteerva.org

Director of Turf Equipment

Email: scott@firstteerva.org

PLAYER DEVELOPMENT INSTRUCTOR

Email: sterling@firstteerva.org

PROGRAM COORDINATOR

Email: mary@firstteerva.org

Mary Kirkman, raised in North Carolina, joined the First Tee – Greater Richmond staff in February of 2021 as the program coordinator. Mary grew up playing golf, basketball and soccer but chose to play soccer at the collegiate level for Catawba College. She graduated from Catawba College in 2016 with a degree in Sport Management and Business. She is currently pursuing her Master’s in Sport Management from Wingate University.

Prior to joining the First Tee – Greater Richmond staff, Mary worked for the First Tee – Greater Charlotte in many different roles. Starting as a Site Director moving to Volunteer Coordinator, Program Coordinator and leaving as the Program Manager.

When Mary is not at First Tee – Greater Richmond, she loves exploring the city and working on DIY home projects!

Superintendent

Email: dave@thefirstteerva.org

Born and raised in Richmond, VA, Dave has been playing golf since 1973 and in his role at The Tattersall Youth Development Center at The First Tee Chesterfield Golf Course, he works meticulously every day to ensure top-notch golf course conditions. Dave was first introduced to The First Tee of Greater Richmond when his daughter Lyndsey was enrolled in our Life Skills Experience programs. From there, Dave began volunteering as a marshal and starter with the golf course operations team and eventually found his passion for golf course maintenance. What started out as a part-time opportunity cutting greens and raking bunkers, eventually turned into a full-time position as the Assistant Superintendent in 2005. Dave has worked tirelessly to increase his experience and knowledge of turf management and is currently a licensed spray technician. In 2017, he was promoted to Superintendent. In his spare time, he enjoys playing golf, model building, and playing the guitar.

Tim Faerber will have a wide array of responsibilities at Belmont, including assisting in the daily operations of the course, providing lessons and club fitting sessions, and overseeing the golf leagues, tournaments and patron relationships.

The four-year letterwinner on the College of Wooster men’s golf team, Faerber developed extensive club fitting experience during his time as a club fitter and sales representative at Miles of Golf, a Golf Digest Top 100 Club Fitter in his hometown of Ann Arbor, Mich. Faerber also has previous instructional experience as a golf instructor for children ages 5-16 at multiple summer camp programs.

Lee Gordon arrives at Belmont with 15 years of experience in the food and beverage industry. At Belmont, Gordon will oversee all aspects of food and beverage operations, working closely with local vendors to maintain First Tee – Greater Richmond’s mission of serving the community and fostering local growth.

A native of the Philadelphia, Pa., area, Gordon began his food and beverage career at Merion Cricket Club, working alongside Certified Master Chef Olivier Andrieni. Across clubs throughout the Philadelphia and northern Virginia areas, Gordon has worked at every level of restaurant and golf course operations.

Demitri is primarily based out of The Tattersall Youth Development Center in Chesterfield and serves as an Assistant Golf Professional at First Tee – Greater Richomnd.

A former collegiate golfer, Demitri will have a wide array of responsibilities, including assisting in the daily operations at The Tattersall, providing lessons and club fitting sessions, and overseeing golf leagues, tournaments, and patron relationships.

Demitri comes to First Tee – Greater Richmond after working at TPC Potomac at Avenel Farm shortly after concluding his collegiate career. At Wilson College, Demitri was chosen to the 2014-15 North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) All-Conference Second Team, becoming the first male athlete to be named on an NEAC all-conference team.

The opportunity at First Tee – Greater Richmond brings Demitri, a native of Springfield, Va., back to his home state.

Hello! I’m John Reynolds and I recently just finished my undergrad degree from Randolph-Macon College where I earned a Communications Studies Degree. In the fall I will be heading to VCU to get my masters in the Center for Sports Leadership. During my time at VCU I will be a grad assistant for the First Tee of Richmond so I will be around here for the next year or so. I am thrilled to be a coach this summer and can’t wait for camps to get started!