Dan Gimpel brings both experience and a personal understanding to the executive helm of Rising Stars. A former Rising Star himself since grade school, Mr. Gimpel returned as program director of the organization in 1999. Dan was inducted into the hall of fame at Adelphi University in 2006, scoring over 1400 points and holds records in career assists and steals. In addition to his duties as Executive Director, Dan is recognized as one of the best coaches and trainers in youth sports.
Paul Savramis is a pioneer in instructional basketball and innovative youth programming. He developed a reputation as one of America’s finest basketball instructors and was among the first to offer yearly programs of specialized instruction and training. His camps were the featured instructional programs at the Michael Jordan camp as well as NBA and college camps. His interactive clinics have been a staple of in 27 states, Europe and Canada. Notable stars to work at his camps included Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Tom Thibedeau, Stan and Jeff Van Gundy and many others.
Bethany LeSueur is a widely recognized expert and leader in basketball coaching and training. Bethany holds the Long Island scoring record with 3,167 points and played in the Nike-WBCA High School All-America game. She started every game of her career at Georgetown University as well as a two-year team captain. In three years for the Hoyas, she is one of only seven players in Georgetown history to record over 800 points, 200 assists and 400 rebounds. Bethany was twice named Gatorade Player of the Year for New York as well as Miss New York Basketball. She was a Street & Smith All-American as well as a USA Today All-American. Bethany’s accomplishments are so vast that is the only athlete in the history of Garden City to have their number retired.
Tom Hughes has worked with Rising Stars as a clinician and trainer for over 14 years. Tom serves as the Director of Operations as well as coach for several of our youth teams. In 2015, Tom received distinct recognition when he was inducted onto The University of Scranton’s Athletic Wall of Fame. Tom is a 5th grade teacher in the Great Neck School District which gives him a good perspective of the young student athlete’s ability to understand and internalize all phases of the game.
Mikaela Kelly knows mentoring successful students yields successful adults. As a full-time Guidance Assistant at The Sacred Heart Academy, she acts as liaison between the school administration, guidance counselors and the Sacred Heart student families. Mikaela holds a BS of Psychology from Molloy College, and is currently obtaining her master’s degree at St. John’s University in School Counseling. Mikaela is very well acquainted with all high school testing landscape and their administrational practices—and is an invaluable resource for the Rising Stars Scholars.
Jay was a product of the Rising Stars Youth Foundation since 5th grade and credits the program with helping him stay on course. “I have come back to work with Rising Stars because I see the need for positive programs to help guide children through life. Rising Stars is a special program for me and for every child that needs guidance in life. I have a story to tell that can help every child and Rising Stars provides the best vehicle I know for me to tell that story.” As Duke, Williams won the Naismith College Player of the Year Award, the John R. Wooden Award, and the Oscar Robertson Trophy. He was first team All-American and led Duke to the 2001 NCAA National Championship. Jay's No. 22 jersey was retired at Cameron Indoor Stadium and he was drafted second by Chicago in the 2002 NBA Draft. Jay joined ESPN as a full-time analyst in 2008.
Tim Thornton
Senior Vice President, First Verizon
Alex Carter
Assistant Head of Schools, East Woods School
Thomas Hopke
MLB/Newscorp
Leila Noor Lewis
Director of Development, Parent Resource Center
Kevan Abrahams
Director of Regulatory Process, Northwell Health
William Dersch
Managing Director, WallachBach Capital
Advisory Board
Tom Quinlan
Chief Executive Officer, LSC Communications Inc.
Nora Jabbour
Vice President, Investment Management Division at Goldman Sachs
Ted Virtue
Chief Executive Officer, MidOcean Partners
Mark Clouse
Chief Executive Officer, Campbell Soup Company
Joseph Feshbach
Chief Executive Officer, Joe Feshbach Partners
Jay Williams
Chairman, Clandestine Ventures and ESPN On-Air Talent
Seth Waugh
Chief Executive Officer, PGA of America
William A. Ampofo II
VP, Supply Chain Boeing Global Services
Matt Colicino * Syd Barrington * Jamal Wilson * Dan Gimpel * John Fischetti, Omar Atkinson * Willis Perry * Hank Williams * AJ Price * Prentis Small * AJ Allan, Jamaal Wilson * Tom Hughes * John Heitner * Connor McPartland * Nolan Kelly * Steve Torri * Becir Hot * Wayne Gibbs * Robert Venegas * Matt Kelly
Suzanne Kenney * Bethany LeSueur * Tom Hughes * Meghan O’Neill * Loreen Lawrence * Ray Anderson * Kristen Haggerty * Caitlin Wheeler * Veronica Peck * Tara Lonergan * Joe Cook * Devine Smith * Julia Anderson * John Sikiric * Nicole Christenson * Chris Pombar * Matt Kirk * Emma O’Connor
