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Jerome Jones
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Jerome Jones is a highly motivated tennis industry veteran with 30 years of experience. He has leveraged his diverse professional background and career as a world-ranked professional tennis player to cultivate authentic, long-term relationships with key industry partners. His hallmark qualities include unparalleled integrity, a relentless work ethic, a powerful network, and excellent follow-through.
Jerome recently served as a District Sales Manager for HEAD/Penn Racquet Sports where he was continually a top producer and winner of the coveted DSM of the year award. Jones’s experience includes managing the Arthur Ashe Safe Passage Foundation Program in Los Angeles, and he has served in sales and promotions with Prince Manufacturing Group. Jones also worked in Program Administration and Development for the USTA National office during the governing bodies successful plan for growth initiative.
During his playing days, Jones was an All-American in singles and doubles at Pepperdine University and won the 1984 NCAA Doubles title with Kelly Jones.
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Brendan Harden
TEACHING PROFESSIONAL
Coach Brendan started playing tennis at the Safe Passage Tennis Program located at Dignity Health Sports park at the age of 10. He improved his game to the point he made the varsity tennis team as a freshman at Lakewood High and led the team all four years. He now plays for Cerritos College and is looking forward to seeing how far his tennis takes him. Coach Brendan is PTR certified and enjoys coaching and giving hitting lessons.
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Bettina
TEACHING PROFESSIONAL
Started playing tennis at the age of 6. By the time she was 14 years old she was traveling through out South America representing her country Peru in junior tournaments.
She earned a full tennis scholarship for East Tennessee State University where she played all 4 years.
Bettina has a Masters Degree in Business Administration. Bettina has been working in Business Baking for over 18 years and currently holds a position as Business Relationship Manager for Bank of America. Mother of 3 young tennis players and proud Breakers.
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Isabelle Garvanne
TEACHING PROFESSIONAL
Coach Isabelle was born and raised in Los Angeles. She started playing tennis at 8 years old and quickly fell in love with the sport. She grew up playing and competing all over southern California. In high school, she played all four years on the Varsity team at Chadwick School. After Chadwick, she attended Wheaton College in Massachusetts. There she played at the #2 singles spot and in between the #1 and #2 doubles spots throughout her career, finally finishing her senior year at the #1 singles and doubles spot. Isabelle graduated from Wheaton in May 2020 and she is happy to be back home in Los Angeles. Isabelle is so excited to be a part of the First Break Academy staff and looks forward to not only coaching, but mentoring the students.
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Tyler Kudla
MARKETING AND EVENTS DIRECTOR
Tyler has been traveling on the ATP Tour with husband, Denis Kudla, for 7 years. Prior to entering the world of tennis, Tyler spent her time serving homeless women and children as a Counselor in Tampa, FL. She graduated with a M.S. Degree in Mental Health and Substance Abuse Counseling from Nova Southeastern University.
Simutaneously, Tyler was building her portfolio in the Social Media/Digital Marketing space. She has 8+ years of experience growing brands online presence and creating new brands from the ground up. You can catch her with a camera in hand capturing the everyday moments that makeup the heart and soul of a business/brand. Tyler also enjoys managing, marketing, organizing and coordinating all the moving parts of our annual LA Tennis Bash.
Tyler is currently a WSET student, a Social Media Manager for multiple businesses, a helping hand at her families restaurant in St. Augustine, FL, a dog mom and a supportive tennis wife!