Staff/jobs
Meet the Team That Drives Our Success and Explore Exciting Career Opportunities at Aspen Racquet Club!
OUR STAFF
Heather Alexander
Club Manager
Heather has become an invaluable asset to Aspen Racquet Club, proudly serving as the Club Manager for her fourth year. With a robust background in athletic administration, including her previous role as the Assistant Athletic Director at Ashland University, Heather brings a wealth of experience and leadership that enhances our club’s professional and welcoming atmosphere. A graduate of North Alabama University, she now calls Ashland home, where she shares her life with her two daughters, Mikayla and Lacey. Heather’s dedication to fostering a vibrant community resonates deeply with our mission to promote health and wellness, embodying the spirit of inclusivity and camaraderie that defines Aspen Racquet Club.
Adam Slomski
Director of Tennis
Adam is a USPTA-certified professional who specializes in technical player development. He has developed and worked with players at the USTA Midwest/national level. He has developed and worked with players at the high school district and state level. He is a former varsity high school head coach for Hawken Upper School boys and girls and a varsity assistant for North Royalton boys and girls. On top of being a USTA 5.0-rated player, he is also a former high school state qualifier for Brunswick High School. Adam’s goal is to help grow the modern game of tennis for all ages.
Kent Smith
Adult Tennis Coordinator
Kent spent the past 38 years working in education, 27 of which he was the athletic director for Orrville City Schools. He is an avid tennis player, whose success in the sport began at Orrville High School and continued while he studied at the University of Akron. Kent has spent over 30 years as the head coach for Orrville’s boys’ and girls’ tennis teams. He has served as an official at both the state boys’ and girls’ tennis tournaments for 25 years. Kent is also on the Northeastern Ohio Tennis Organization board and continues to play year-round in USTA adult leagues.
Ally Murphy
Tennis Pro
After falling in love with the sport as a sophomore in high school, Ally went on to be Chippewas’ first singles player and a multiple-time district qualifier throughout high school. Her tennis journey has been marked by success, including being a USTA 4.0 State Champion and Midwest Qualifier. As a USPTA Certified Instructor, Ally has helped elevate the tennis skills of many local players, guiding them to new heights in their game. With a passion for developing players and growing the sport in the local community, Ally has joined the Aspen team as a full-time tennis professional. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Kent State. Ally is able to combine educational expertise with a deep understanding of the game of tennis.
With years of playing and coaching experience, Ally is committed to helping young players develop both their technical abilities and love for tennis.
Claudia Jennings
Tennis Pro
Claudia’s passion for tennis began at an early age, and it didn’t take long for her to fall in love with the sport. Growing up in Orrville, OH, she excelled both on and off the court, setting multiple school records, including the most career wins at Orrville High with 125 victories. Claudia made history at Orrville as the first singles player to qualify for the state tournament, solidifying her place as one of the region’s top players.
She continued her tennis journey at Ashland University, where she played for three years and earned second-team All-Conference honors. As the team’s 1st singles player, Claudia led her team with determination and skill, capping her collegiate career with a lasting impact.
Today, Claudia is dedicated to sharing her love for tennis and passing on her knowledge to the next generation. Based in Wooster with her husband, Chase, she remains an active player and a passionate coach, inspiring others to discover the joy of the game
Jim Nelson
Ambassador & Tennis Pro
Jim has had a distinguished career in tennis including serving as the Director of Tennis at Aspen Racquet Club from its inception until his retirement in 2020. A Wooster High School and College of Wooster graduate, Jim has dedicated many years to playing and promoting the game of tennis with endless passion. He is an Elite Tennis Professional, which is the highest teaching level awarded by the United States Professional Tennis Association (USPTA). For the past 20 years, Nelson has been an executive board member of the Northeastern Ohio chapter of the United States Tennis Association (USTA). Developing junior players is one of Jim’s strengths.
Justin Crooks
Tennis Pro
Justin started playing tennis very early in his life and has continued playing and loving the sport to this day. Justin grew up in Ashland, OH, and played tennis for Ashland High School. He then went on to play at the collegiate level for Indiana Wesleyan University. He is a USPTA-certified professional with over 15 years of teaching experience. Justin is the Coach for the Wooster High School Boys Tennis Team. Justin also plays in the Aspen men’s singles and doubles leagues. Other than tennis, his interests include fitness and golf. He resides in Wooster with his wife Sara and two children.
Jeff Roberts
Certified Pickleball Instructor
Jeff has been a lifelong Wooster tennis player who started playing pickleball around 2012. He has played in several pickleball tournaments, mostly in Ohio. He has been teaching pickleball since 2018 and has a Level 1 Coaching Certificate from Pickleball Coaching International. He teaches beginner’s clinics as well as advanced skills clinics. His students have ranged from ages 9 to 79, as pickleball is a game for all age groups. If you are ready to learn the game or if you want to improve your game, call and schedule a private or group lesson.
Tan Nash
Tennis Pro
Sabrina Daugherty
Assistant Desk Manager
Belinda Raff-Angert
Assistant Office Manger
EMPLOYMENT
The Aspen Racquet Club in Wooster is the newest tennis club in Northeast Ohio. The state-of-the-art facility opened to the public in January 2018. The club is professionally staffed and offers the highest quality of programming and facilities to members and the general public. The club currently has openings for the positions listed below.
If interested, please contact the Aspen Racquet Club by submitting a cover letter and resume to jobs@arcwooster.com.
FRONT DESK – PART-TIME
The Front Desk worker is an integral part of the member services team and assists with the functions and activities of The Aspen Racquet Club. For more information here.