Home > About Us > Our Mission & Philosophy | Our Facilities | What We Offer | Our Staff

Gym Ventures – The Three C’s

Caring
Caring is who we are at Gym Ventures. We care about our customers (kids, parents, families, friends). We care about our staff.  We care about our community. This is part of everything we do…it’s what makes us different to all other gymnastics programs. Every single customer is THE MOST IMPORTANT CUSTOMER.  We know their names, we know their friends, we know them.  They are part of our family!

Communication
Communication is what makes it possible to be the best we can be. Communication with each other (staff). Communication with our customers (kids and parents).  In order to give the best possible service, be the best possible team members, and offer the best possible work environment, we need to constantly communicate with each other to make sure we have the support we need and are providing the services our customers want.  Without communication, the whole system breaks down.

Consistency
Consistency is what takes us from good to great. By consistently delivering the best quality programs, services, and experiences to our customers, they know what to expect time and time again. They develop trust that Gym Ventures will always be there for them and will provide them with the highest quality staff and services.  

Gym Ventures Staff

Our staff members are qualified instructors who are fingerprinted and FBI cleared.

Alicia Graves, Gymnastics Coach

Education

1. Currently attends San Diego State University, studying Child and Family Development.

Certifications

1. CPR/First Aid
2. USAG Safety
3. Lifeguard Training

Specialization

1. Teaches gymnastics to ages and abilities from the tiny tots up through the competitive compulsory teams.

Bio

• San Diego is my home!
• I have been involved in gymnastics since I was 5 years old, and have also enjoyed the sports of cheerleading, swimming, springboard diving, and dance.
• I love working with children, whether it is coaching, teaching, tutoring, mentoring, or child care, I find it a great joy!
• A few of my favorite things:  riding bikes, swimming at the beach, listening to piano, dancing, eating ice cream, and spending time with close friends and family!

Casie Warren, Coach

Education

1. A.A. in Liberal Arts from Lake Tahoe Community College
2. A.A in Natural Science from Lake Tahoe Community College

Certifications

1. USAG Safety Certified
2. USAG Men’s and Women’s Pro Instructor Member
3. KAT / MELPD Certified, Kinder Accreditation for Gymnastics

Specialization

1. Gymnastics instructor and love of coaching kinder through competitive
2. Competitive and optional women’s gymnastics instruction & choreography

Bio

• Started coaching at age 16 in Lake Tahoe.  Traveled around with my brother who was on the men’s gymnastics Olympic Team and dad who sold gymnastic equipment and was the first World Champion on Trampoline!
• Established a women’s gymnastics team, now with over 25 gymnasts and seven years of successful competitions.
• I am a full time Biology student at San Diego Mesa College.
• I have traveled to eighteen countries and love to see new places, love to study biology and environmental sciences, but my heart is in coaching fun little athletes!

Cindy Cunningham, Office Manager

Education

1. Graduated from Regis University in Denver
2. Degree in business administration and accounting

Certifications

1. CPR/First Aid

Specialization

1. Customer Relations
2. Giving the Highest Quality Service

Bio

• After college, Cindy worked in accounting and sales for a commercial kitchen equipment company in Colorado and skied as much as possible. 12 years later, she moved to San Diego and married her husband Kevin.
• Cindy spent 10 years raising her 2 wonderful children and is now enjoying working as an office manager for Gym Ventures.

Debbie Fricker, Owner & Coach

Education

1. Child Development and Physical Therapy

Certifications

1. CPR/First Aid
2. USAG Safety Certified
3. Kinder Accreditation/Pre-School Development Certification

Specialization

1. Coaching all Levels infant through adult.  Working with special needs children.

Bio

• Debbie is the founder of Gym Ventures and has been involved in gymnastics, both as a competitor and as a gym owner/operator for over 28 years.
• She grew up with a love for the sport and for inspiring children of all ages and all ability levels.
• Debbie loves her family and all of the Gym Ventures families.

Emily Drennan, Dance Teacher & Coach

Education

• Graduated high school in 2005
• UCSD Revelle College full time student, majoring in Psychology and with a Literature and Writing Minor

Specialization

• Ballet is my specialty, but I also do hip hop
• Gymnastics 

Bio

• Born in Denver, Colorado, moved to Bakersfield, California at age 10.  Now living in La Jolla and attending UCSD.
• Began ballet and gymnastics at age 3, then figure skating at 9, which I did competitively until I was 18.  I took ballet along with skating to help improve my grace and artistry, and when I had to quit skating due to an injury, I started taking more ballet.  Now I perform in shows and do pointe.
• Took gymnastics in Jr. High for about a year, got to level four.  I also was a cheerleader for my school.
• I enjoy relearning gymnastics and refining my skills, which helps me become a better teacher.
• I have been skiing and snowboarding since I was two, and have been playing piano and singing since age 5. I also love composing my own songs.

George Zorn, Boy's Coach

Education

• B.A. in English, Minor in Theater Arts

Certifications

• Certified Personal Trainer, National Academy of Sports Medicine

Specialization

• Men’s competitive and recreational gymnastics
• Athletic and Sports Training

Bio

• Born in Richmond, VA.  Raised in Louisville, KY.
• I have lived in South Lake Tahoe, Santa Monica, Philadelphia, and Houston.
• I was competitive in sports through high school, including cross-country, track, wrestling, football and gymnastics.
• I love music (making and listening), exercise and fitness, writing, and acting.

Kate Mahaley, Coach

Education

1. Currently working toward a B.A. in Psychology from UCSD
2. Graduated from C.K. McClatchy High School in Sacramento, CA

Certifications

• CPR/First Aid

Specialization

• Parent and Tot and Preschool levels
• Gymnastics coach through USAG Level 2

Bio

• Born and raised in Sacramento, California.
• Began gymnastics and dance as a toddler and continued until about age 10.
• Started coaching at Planet Gymnastics of Sacramento in high school.
• Played competitive soccer until I graduated and still play intramural soccer at UCSD.
• In my spare time, I love to go to the beach, surf, read, listen to music and spend time with my roommates.
• My most prized possession is my dog Patch who is coming to live with me in San Diego next year!

Kody Dog, Security

Education

1. PhD from Bark Academy – Honors Student

Certifications

• Kody has absolutely no certifications to speak of but claims to be fully capable of protecting all of Gym Ventures families

Specialization

• Barking, Eating, Sleeping, Sniffing

Bio

1. Kody is the longest standing employee (other than Gym Ventures owner) of Gym Ventures.
2. He has been voted Employee of the Year for 10 consecutive years and has almost perfect attendance.
3. Kody Dog has been awarded with numerous hugs, kisses and petting sessions as he is the admiration of all who visit Gym Ventures.

Laurene Pena, Lead Coach

Education

1. Background in Art

Certifications

• CPR/First Aid
• USAG Safety Certified

Specialization

• Coaching all Levels infant through adult

Bio

• Laurene started gymnastics at age 8 and competed for a club as well as in high school here in San Diego.  She started teaching at Gym Ventures when her children began taking classes. Like all Gym Ventures instructors.
• Laurene loves the sport of gymnastics and loves kids—two very important attributes in a Gym Ventures team member.

Mandy Shefman, Evening Office Manager & Coach

Education

1. B.A. in Art History & a minor in Studio Art from the University of Arizona
2. M.A in Educational Psychology from University of Colorado in Denver

Certifications

1. CPR/First Aid

Specialization

1. Office administration
2. Gymnastics coach levels Parent Tot levels through Level 5 Team

Bio

• Born and raised in Houston, Texas, however, I don’t have an accent.
• Trained briefly as a Level 10 gymnast, but due to injury never competed at that level. I loved all events except beam.  Now beam is the event I coach best!
• Earned a 5-year college scholarship for Shot put, Discus, & Hammer throwing.
• Besides Houston, I have lived in Tucson, Denver, and now San Diego!
• My loves are boating, water skiing, sea kayaking, rollerblading, softball, San Diego & GYMNASTICS! 

Mauricio Cortes, Senior Coach & Trainer

Education

• Currently working on Bachelor of Arts in Human Development

Certifications

• CPR/First Aid
• USAG Safety Certified

Specialization

• Coaching all levels and team.
• Best birthday party coach in San Diego BIO.
• Mauricio has been coaching gymnastics since 1999.
• He loves the sport, and loves working with children – his passion is coaching team.
• Mauricio is constantly increasing his knowledge and coaching skills in the ever growing sport of gymnastics and has taught all different age groups and levels.