JOIN US ON

Call Us: 937.433.TOPS
(or 937.435.7626)

Meet KIDS Are TOPS Staff:

Gary Gantz

President ● CEO

Education/Certification: BA Degree, Ohio University, Masters Degree Education, Wright State University

Experience: 30 years high school teaching in Ohio, coached national level gymnasts over 30 years including numerous state, regional and national champions, Owner & President of TOPS Gymnastics since 1981

Family/Interests: Wife - Debbie, children and grandchildren

Contact: ggantz@kidsaretops.com

Dawn Malacos

Vice-President ● Director of Operations
● Marketing & Public Relations

Education/Certifications: Kettering College of Medical Arts, RN Degree, 1993, Registered Nurse, First-Aid and CPR certified, USAG Safety Certified Professional Member since 1995

Experience: 20 years experience coaching gymnastics, Former Class 1 gymnast

Family/Interests: I enjoy most being a mom. I have a beautiful 7 year old daughter named Bentley

Contact: dawn.m@kidsaretops.com

Melissa LaPeer

General Manager ●
Compulsory Head Coach

Education/Certifications: Attended Indiana State University 4 years, USAG Safety Certified Professional Membership, Meet Director Certified, KAT Certified, Certified Skill Evaluator Levels 1-4

Experience: Coached and judged high school gymnastics 2 years, coached since 1990.

Awards: Hard Working Award, Favorite Coach Award

Interests: Step-daughter Nikki and dogs (Zowie, Ebonie, Frannie,

Contact: melba1971@aol.com

K.C. Rose
K. C. Rose

Cheer Program Director ● Gymnastics Coach

Education/Certifications: Alter High School Graduate, Attended Wright State University. American Championship and AmeriCheer Judge Cert. AACCA Member and Safety Cert. USASF Member and Cert. Level 1-5 NCSSE Member. USAG Professional Member, Red Cross CPR, AED

Experience: High School cheerleader and gymnast. College cheerleader. Five time All-American. Coached All-Star teams since 2002. Coached school teams since 2000. Choreographed countless All-Star, School/Rec., Individual and Stunt Group Routines. Winning over twenty national titles and 100+ regional titles.

Awards: Nominated Coach of the year from American Cheerleader Magazine.

Interests: Spending time with friends & family. Being outside in the sun. LuLu Lemon, MAC!! Loves Baseball, GO REDS!

Contact: cheerHERE@kidsaretops.com

Donny Bent

Instructional & Competitive Gymnastics Director
● Gymnastics Level 7-10 Head Coach

Education/Certifications: Attended Sinclair Community College and the University of Dayton.

USAG Safety Certified Professional Membership since 1992.

Red Cross Certified: First Aid, CPR, AED

Experience: 20 years coaching gymnastics, Team USA staff member 1995 - 2005, trained w/Russian Jr. Olympic team in St. Petersburg, Russia.

Awards: Coached many state, regional and national champions.

Family/Interests: Wife - Emily. Daughters - Zoey (5) and Dakota (3).

Contact: donny.b@kidsaretops.com

Tonya Strahler

Tumble Bunny Land Preschool Director

Education/Certifications: Attended Wright State University

USAG Safety Certified Professional Member

USAG Kinder Accreditation for teachers (KAT)

Red Cross Certified: First Aid, CPR, AED

Experience: Fairmont High School Cheerleader / Gymnast

Coached cheerleading and gymnastics since 1986

Interests: I love being with my family - husband, Ryan and daughters Kyrstyn and Kassie. I enjoy working with children!

Contact: tonya.s@kidsaretops.com

Kelli Filson

Entertainment Director

Education/Certifications:
BS in Psychology, Columbia Southern University

Red Cross Certified: First Aid, CPR, AED

Experience:
Former Competitive Gymnast

Served 8 years in the Air Force Reserve

Family/Interests:
I enjoy working with children as well as spending time with family and friends.

Contact: kelli.f@kidsaretops.com

Melissa Bolivar

Dance Director

Education/Certifications:

Ohio State University

Experience:
26 years dance experience, as well as, competitive Salsa dancing and has 9 years teaching experience.

Family/Interests:
Biking, Reading, Painting, Knitting

Contact: dancedirectormel@gmail.com

Becky Stewart

Office Manager

Education/Certifications:

Sinclair Community College, Associates Degree. USAG Safety Certified, USASF Level 1-5, Cheer Power Coaches Certification, Red Cross First Aid & Safety Certified.
Experience:
14 years experience in Customer Service, Competitive Dancer for 8 years, former Preschool Gymnastics Director.

Coached All-Star Cheer for 10 years including several Regional & National Champion cheer teams.

Family/Interests:
Daughter Brilyn age 4, Husband Bob and Dog Diesel. I love camping & spending time with my friends and family. I enjoy reading & working at such a fun and fast paced facility.

Contact: becky.s@kidsaretops.com

Molly Reid-Ebright