Our Team
Patrick Lynch
Chief Executive Officer
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Patrick has more than 15 years of experience leading nonprofits, raising funds and building community partnerships. Patrick also has strong experience working with schools and educational partners and knows how to bring people together around a shared mission. A Dublin resident, Patrick is actively involved in youth athletics as a coach in the Dublin community, making him a natural fit for FTCO’s mission of using golf to help young people build character, confidence and resilience.
Ethan Pinckney
Player Manager, LSE & Community Partners
Certified Coach Trainer
Level 4 Certified Coach
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Ethan has many titles because he has so many skills. Developing creative programs and positive experiences for kids is his passion! Ethan leads our team of coaches and volunteers in finding fun ways to create safe and welcoming spaces for kids. Notice his near-spitting image McConaughey impression (psst – check out the cover work for Greenlights).
Denise Vermillion, LPGA
Director of Operations for Girls Golf
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Our Girls Golf Director believes in her heart and soul that golf can be just as much a girls’ sport as it is a boys’. And she proves it. Helping direct our team of female volunteers and expanding our programming efforts, she consistently shows just how much a woman can achieve when she puts her heart into it. Don’t forget, she also knocked out her LPGA certification just a few years after picking up a golf club for the first time, showing it’s never too late to try something new.
Jon Wilson
School & Volunteer Engagement Manager
Level 2 Trained Coach
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Jon (aka Coach J-Wil) joins First Tee – Central Ohio by way of Southern Virginia and has spent the past eleven years working with youth at the Danville Parks and Recreation Department. Jon is passionate about creating programs that help expose youth to new thoughts and ideas, while also creating positive experiences through the art of play. When he’s not on the golf course, you can still find him enjoying the outdoors either hiking or camping with his wife, son and two pups.
Janae Miller
Marketing and Development Manager
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Janae brings more than 10 years of marketing experience to the First Tee — Central Ohio team. Having grown up in Central Ohio, she is passionate about serving the local community – especially its youngest members! Janae is responsible for telling First Tee — Central Ohio’s story and communicating to anyone who needs to know about the wonderful work the organization does (which is everyone!). When not at work, Janae keeps busy spending time with her family and enjoys getting outside, photography and any kind of baking.
Beth Taggart
Program Operations Coordinator
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Beth brings over 20 years of administrative experience to team, after previously applying her skills in the medical field. Her expertise will support our programming team and ensure smooth operations for our classes, camps, and clinics. She has been involved in giving back through volunteer work since she was 14 and enjoys making a positive impact on those around her. Beth’s passion for sports and children is evident as she supported her own four children through various athletic activities. Now, she eagerly looks forward to her grandson becoming a First Tee participant!
Abby Erkkila
Development Coordinator
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Abby is FTCO’s Development Coordinator. She spent several years in fundraising at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, most recently as Assistant Director of Individual Giving. Abby is passionate about building strong donor relationships that help organizations grow their impact. When she is not at work, Abby is most likely spending time with her family, trying out a new baking recipe, reading a good book, or spending time outside!