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!