Carl is a senior level executive with more than 40 years of experience in business development, strategic planning, talent management and benefits negotiation across a diverse array of business verticals. After 22 years he recently retired as Executive Vice President of Strategic Staffing Solutions where he directed strategy for sales and delivery enterprise wide. Prior to his time at Strategic Staffing solutions, Carl was the Director of the Information Technology Services Department for the City of Detroit and also served as a Vice President at Comerica earlier in his career. Carl holds a business degree from Wayne State University and lives in Detroit with his wife, Saunteel. He enjoys traveling, golf and cooking also serves on the Boards of Mariners Inn, T.E.A. (Teach, Empower, Achieve) and the Detroit Phoenix Center, and the DMC Adult Central Campus Governing Board.

Heather Rupp currently serves as the Operations Director for First Tee – Greater Detroit and has been with the organization since 2015 where she began as a coach. As a coach, she completed two levels of the First Tee Coach Training and led several programming sites. During a transition period with the Chapter, she served in various operating roles while continuing to coach and maintain relationships with First Tee families.

Heather graduated from Eastern Michigan University with a bachelor’s degree in Emotional Impairment. She has taught elementary and secondary special education before working in the non-profit sector. She currently resides in the Metro Detroit area with her husband, two children, and Goldendoodle.  

John graduated from Michigan State University with a B.A. in Kinesiology. After college, he discovered the game of golf, and what quickly was considered a hobby turned into a lifelong passion. He started volunteering for First Tee – Greater Detroit in 2015 as an Assistant Coach. He is now a Level 4 coach, a certified chapter trainer within the First Tee Network, and plans to become a National First Tee Trainer. In 2020, he became the Program Director of First Tee – Greater Detroit. The following year, he started the PGA’s Professional Golf Management program and is currently a PGA Associate, working to complete his coursework to become a Class A PGA member. John is also TPI (Titleist Performance Institute) Certified. Outside of First Tee – Greater Detroit, John enjoys spending time with his wife and two children, and watching the Red Wings!

Zach grew up in Macomb, Michigan. Much of his life was consumed by basketball until his senior year of high school, when he began playing competitive golf. This sparked his passion for the golf industry. Zach majored in Sports Management at Northwood University. His first opportunity in golf came when he interned with the Callaway Meijer Junior Tour, where he traveled around Michigan hosting junior golf tournaments. After graduation, he worked with Octagon and the LPGA as the Assistant Volunteer Coordinator at the Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational. Zach then moved out of state to become the Assistant Golf Professional at Savannah Country Club. He later relocated to the mountains in Upstate South Carolina, where he worked for First Tee Upstate South Carolina as the Tournament Director, running events and fundraisers in Greenville and Spartanburg. He fell in love with the First Tee organization, which led to his next opportunity as the Detroit Area Program Coordinator. Zach is happy to be living back in his hometown to be closer to family. He is looking forward to building relationships and growing his passion for youth golf with his new chapter. 

Amanda Schaare graduated from the University of Michigan with a BA in Sport Management as well as Wake Forest with an MS in Management and an MBA. While at both universities she competed in Track and Field. Through track, she connected with some individuals, became passionate about golf, and has loved golf ever since. This year she is a PGA Fellow working with First Tee – Greater Detroit and the John Shippen. Amanda is from Michigan and currently resides in her hometown of Clinton. Amanda enjoys spending her free time golfing, listening to country music, and spending time with family and friends.