our team
administrative
tina hoerenz
Head of Finance, HR
Originally from Berlin, Germany, Tina moved to the US at age 8. With a backyard facing the woods, she literally climbed everything: trees, boulders, rock walls, onto the roof of her house, you name it, she was on it.
After finishing up her education in New York, Berlin, and Paris, she jumped into a career in public relations, marketing, information technology, and graphic design for a major not-for-profit organization in New York City. After several years of daily commutes to the noisy hustle and bustle of NYC, however, it was time for a change: Tina is now Administrative Manager for Pine Brook Fitness, home of The Rock Club, The New Rochelle Racquet Club and The Studios.
valerie ferrara
Chief Operating Officer, HR
Val has been the Chief Operating Officer of The Clubs at Pine Brook Fitness since early 2014. She joined the team from Philadelphia, PA, where she managed a health club with over 4,000 members.
When she is not overseeing construction projects or touring prospective members to the Clubs, Val enjoys daily long drives, her 2 cats, and chasing after her 2 young sons and taking in the sights of the northern Hudson Valley.
She has been enjoying playing tennis at NRRC since 2015 and loves the weekly clinics and Blitz, as well as smashing volleys that the pros canāt get! She also is an Airbnb Superhost and a Notary Publicāand always has her stamp on her if you need signature-related assistance!
Val looks forward to meeting you on or off the courts, and if you need anything, she can be found in the middle office to the right of the Front Desk.
charlie chait
General Manager
Charlie has been involved with tennis since she was around 10 years old, playing in the street in front of her house and finding any available place possible to play with her sisters. As a summer job, she helped the top Pro in Hawaii, teach all ages the love of her sport. Ā An Apparel Designer by trade, she has worked in Los Angeles, Portland, Oregon and NYC designing swimwear, childrenās wear and bridal gowns. Her hiatus from tennis lasted quite a while, but her love for the sport brought her back after starting a family. Ā
Charlie soon began running Menās and Womenās Playing Leagues at her neighborhood club. This soon turned into a full-time job. At Rye Racquet Club, she became the Office Manager for 5 years. All the while getting back her game, she managed to make it all the way to Nationals. Coming to NRRC in 2009 as Office Manager, Charlie has worked in all parts of the Club including teaching Summer Camp. All the while, spreading her passion for the sport and working on her game, in 2014 she took over as General Manager of NRRC.
maureen neary
Front Desk Supervisor, Admin Assistant
Maureen was born and raised in New Rochelle and began working as a front desk employee at the New Rochelle Racquet Club in 2013, before the Studios was even a thought. She went to school at Iona College for Speech Pathology but took a break from school and continued to work at the front desk part time which later switched to full time. Maureen left the club for a short period of time, during which she began a family. She attempted to work elsewhere but something pulled her back to Pine Brook Fitness where she is now the front desk supervisor.
While Maureen does not play tennis, she still loves her work family and customers at Pine Brook Fitness. When she is not at the front desk, she is taking care of her daughter, taking care of her daughter, or taking care of her daughter. Maureen loves all things food and music. The band Nirvana, and Harry Potter are also a few of her favorite things.
paul cesario
Marketing Director
Paul was born and raised in NY and joined the team in 2016. He brings many years of marketing and entrepreneurial experience to the club, having previously run two businesses of his own, a professional recording studio and teaching practice. He has worked in the marketing department for NJ Transit and a variety of tech startups in NYC. He is an avid lover of all things tech, whether it is the latest gadget or new marketing software. He holds an B.A in Music from SUNY Purchase and an MBA in Marketing from CUNY Baruch.
Paul is an avid lover of fitness and understands the importance a healthy and active lifestyles plays in ones overall well being. He is a lover of the outdoors, enjoys traveling, cooking, playing his guitar and drums, and investing in the stock market.
When he's not at the club, you can find him exercising, reading, working on his car, teaching music lessons, and taking care of his ten year old american bombay cat, Lucy.
belissa velasquez
Social Media Director
director
Adam Homan
Director of Adult Programs
Adam was born and raised in the Great White North of Canada where, at the age of 7 years old, he decided to pick up a tennis racquet instead of a hockey stick and has not put it down since. After being successful on the Canadian tennis junior tour, Adam expanded his tournament play to the United States. When reaching a top 50 ranking in the 18 and under, he earned a scholarship to Ferris State University where he studied under the Tennis Management Program, knowing coaching was in his future. From there, Adam has been coaching in Michigan, Chicago, New York and Connecticut.
Jean-Benoit (JB) Belin
Director of Junior Programs
Born in France, JB was a nationally ranked French junior player. During his collegiate career, he played for New Mexico University and was the captain of the men's team, receiving doubles All-RMAC first team honors. His team reached the top 20 in the national in Division II.
As a coach, JB coached Swedish junior players in Tennis Europe Tournaments in Sweden and Denmark. From 2013-17, he coached at Mount Vernon Tennis Center where he trained junior players in international tournaments such as the Orange Bowl and ITF Tournaments.Ā In 2017, he also was the Women's Volunteer Assistant Coach at Columbia University.
From 2014-2017, JB coached top ranked juniors at Zonals, 12s, and 14s Intersectionals and National team Competitions.
In 2019, he completed an internship at Harvard University in strength and conditioning and also received his strength and conditioning (CSCS). Additionally, he is certified in USPTA and USTA High Performance.
master pro
daniel scopp
Tennis Professional, Director of Men's Program Development
Daniel started playing tennis at the age of 6 at New Rochelle Racquet Club.Ā He fell in love with the sport and continued training at NRRC through high school.Ā He competed in USTA tournaments and became the captain of his varsity tennis team during senior year.Ā
While studying for a degree in political science at Quinnipiac University, Daniel got his first experience coaching at a tennis camp in Scarsdale, NY.Ā This is where he developed a new passion for teaching the game to others that gave him so much joy growing up.Ā After graduating college he decided that he wanted to pursue a career in coaching and became certified by the USPTA.Ā
Since 2015 Daniel has worked for the town of Mamaroneck and Scarsdale tennis programs.Ā He has also been the Lead Coach for TGA Premier Sports in Southern Westchester where he has run after school tennis clubs and camps.Ā
Daniel is very excited to be back as a coach in the place where he was first introduced to tennis.Ā Itās a great opportunity for him to help make great memories for his students at NRRC the way his coaches once did for him.
julian brown
Junior Tournament Director, Tennis Professional
Julian grew up in Queens NY where he excelled as a junior. Reaching sectional and national rankings, he went on to play at St. Bonaventure University.
Julian has coached in Long Island and New York City for the last 20 years, and had countless players make their school teams along with establishing players to achieve rankings.
Julian will bring his passion and love for the game to make sure everyone has the best experience on court every lessonš¾
albert tetteh
Tennis Professional
Albert Tetteh is a High Performance Coach with 22 years of teaching experience. He has the expertise to develop players of all ages and abilities. His passion for the game of tennis is Infectious and comes through on the Court.
He was born in West Africa, Ghana to be precise and his playing days were in the continent of Africa.
He was mentored to drift off into coaching at an early age by his Coach because of his affection for the sport. He studied Business Management at Accra Polytechnic before he moved to the United States of America.
He came to the United States to develop his coaching career and became a certified PTR high performance coach.
He had the privilege to work under Liezel Huber, two- times US open doubles champion.
Ryan Ginley and Kris Hrisjovulos at Intensity Academy- Westport CT and a lot of Division 1 Players came through their Academy.
Heās also worked with Jayadeva Devashetty, former national coach for the United States Tennis Association at Caryleeds Tennis Center and many more high profile coaches.
He has developed a lot of students to play division 1 tennis. And his motto for teaching is:
Perfect techniques and footwork (Stances). Learn the proper grip to each stroke. And an Introduction to the proper swings paves way to all strokes which helps to develop self rally and partner rally.
senior pro
karabulie suso
Tennis Professional
paulo chiapponi
Tennis Professional, 10 & Under Program Coordinator
Julian grew up in Queens NY where he excelled as a junior. Reaching sectional and national rankings, he went on to play at St. Bonaventure University.
Julian has coached in Long Island and New York City for the last 20 years, and had countless players make their school teams along with establishing players to achieve rankings.
Julian will bring his passion and love for the game to make sure everyone has the best experience on court every lessonš¾
kachinga sinkala
Tennis Professional
Kachinga Sinkala was born and raised in Mufulira, Zambia where he started playing tennis at the age of 9. As a junior tennis player in Zambia, Kachinga competed on the National and ITF Junior Circuit and obtained a ranking as high as number one in the country. After graduating from the junior rankings, Kachinga joined the Zambia Davis Cup. He also went on to compete ITF men's satellite and ATP tournaments and consequently gained enough points to be ranked in the world.
Kachinga moved to United States and was immediately awarded a tennis scholarship at Huntington University where he played #1 singles and doubles. In his first year Huntington University, Kachinga was ranked number 18 in the conference.Ā
Since moving to the United States in 2002, Kachinga has taught at many different tennis clubs and facilities. He has taught at Joel Ross tennis camp in Kent, CT for two summers. He also coached at Tennis Rhode Island for several years. Most recently, he taught at the Kela Simunyola Tennis Academy in NY where he was an instrumental part of building a top level junior program.
Kachinga hold a ITF level 2 coaching certificate as well as a Olympic attendance coaching workshop certificate.
william matthew
Tennis Professional
WilliamĀ has over 25 years of quality teaching experience on the tennis court. He has completed the course at Dennis Van Der Meer Tennis Academy and USTAās level 1 Sport Science course. Prior to coming to the New Rochelle Racquet Club in 2000, William has worked with nationally ranked juniors in his native country of Antigua. He was also the Tennis Director of two of the local exclusive resorts on the island; William has also taught at the Bronxville Field Club for 7 years. His love of teaching the fundamentals of tennis is what he enjoys the most.
staff pro
fernanda poblete
Tennis Professional
Originally from Valdivia, Chile, Fernanda was a division II player at Lindenwood University from 2018 to 2022 thanks to tennis and academic scholarship, reaching the number one position in singles and doubles.
In her college years, she was a 2020-21 ā ITA Scholar-Athlete, GLVC Brother James Gaffney Distinguished Scholar honoree, and Awarded Athlete of The Year: Recognition of achievement in the development of improved athletic performance through strength and conditioning excellence.
Fernanda graduated with a degree in Literature with an emphasis in creative writing and a minor in History, gaining entry to the Sigma Tau Delta English Honors Society and Alpha Chi National College Honor Society. Moreover, Fernanda will begin an online master's degree in writing at Johns Hopkins University in Spring 2024.
sara valentini
Tennis Professional
Sara Valentini is a passionate tennis player and coach with a deep love for the sport. Born in Italy, she began playing tennis at the age of 7. Tennis has been a central part of her life, leading her to compete at a high level in Tennis Europe tournaments and other competitions across Europe. In May 2024, she graduated from Limestone University, Division II, where she had the privilege of playing for the women's tennis team. This experience allowed her to enhance her skills on the court and grow both as an athlete and as an individual.
With over three years of experience teaching tennis, Sara is excited to share her passion and knowledge with others. Her goal as a coach is to impart everything she has learned over the years and help players reach their full potential. In addition to tennis, she loves to travel and discover new cultures, which drives her to explore the world and connect with diverse people, enriching both her life and her teaching approach.
She is a warm and affectionate person who enjoys building new connections and continuously learning and growing. Sara is always open to meeting new people who can help her improve every day. She is thrilled to embark on this new journey as a tennis coach in the United States and looks forward to contributing to the success and development of future players.
ricardo machado
Tennis Professional
concierge
Rudy Trosa
Front Desk Concierge
Lisa John
Front Desk Concierge
chris serrano
Front Desk Concierge