The LKN Tennis Foundation is a 501 ©(3) tax-exempt, charitable organization which will engage in outreach through tennis programming to underserved youths and adults and to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities within in the Lake Norman region in North Carolina. We welcome all volunteers, including non-tennis players, to help us achieve this mission.
Lake Norman Tennis Foundation is committed to diversity and inclusion in all of its relationships – players, volunteers, staff, vendors and beyond. We embrace our diverse Lake Norman area and surrounding community, including but not limited to: race, ethnicity, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation or identity, socioeconomic status, religious and political beliefs, and physical ability or attributes. By striving to invite and include all Lake Norman and surrounding area community members, we work to remove barriers and create opportunities within the sport of tennis that last a lifetime.
Our Board of Directors
Amy Brandon
Founder
Amy is a co-founder of the LKN Tennis Foundation. Since 2008 she has served as a board member, community tennis coordinator and is currently the Executive Director of the Lake Norman Tennis Association. Her commitment to the growth of tennis programming in the Lake Norman area also includes the creation of the ServeAces Mini Tennis Bar/Brewery league. She looks forward to continuing her contributions by offering tennis opportunities to populations that may have limited access to the sport of tennis.
Laurie Cleveland
Founder
Laurie, originally from Chicago, IL, has enjoyed tennis since she was 5 years old. After taking a 20+ year break from the sport, she started playing local league tennis in 2013 and has been an avid player and captain since then. In 2015, Laurie joined the board of Lake Norman Tennis Association in charge of grants then eventually acted as President and Treasurer. In 2020, Laurie left LNTA and co-founded the Lake Norman Tennis Foundation in order to focus efforts on bringing tennis programming to the underserved areas of Lake Norman as well as for those with physical and mental challenges.
Lori A. Gougeon
Lori has been the President/CEO of InReach, an organization serving individuals with developmental disabilities, since 1990. She received her bachelor’s degree in public administration from Eastern Michigan University and a certificate in non-profit management from Duke University. She is a graduate of Leadership Charlotte Class 17 and serves on the boards of Hinds Feet Farm and the Mecklenburg Provider Network. Lori is an avid tennis player and captain of a Lake Norman USTA 55+ team. She and her husband, Dan (empty nesters), live in Huntersville.
Perry Chapman
Perry has been a resident of the Charlotte area since moving here in 1988 after serving 4 years in the US Army. Since then, after a long career in Information Technology working for companies including Wells Fargo, IBM and CSC, he is now pursuing opportunities in his areas of interest which include tennis, children, Spanish and coaching. Being on the Board of the Lake Norman Tennis Foundation gives Perry the opportunity to combine these passions and introduce tennis to new generations of players who will gain lifelong benefits from the sport. As with other members Perry is an avid tennis player who regularly Captains USTA teams that play in the Lake Norman area.
Will Robinson
We are always looking for dedicated volunteer board members . If interested , click here for our application.
Tennis, which can be played by persons of all ages and abilities, has many health benefits which include muscular development, heart health, balance and coordination. It also promotes positive social skills, family bonding, critical thinking and problem-solving, leadership skill development, and the management and reduction of stress. Tennis reinforces hard work and self-discipline, personal achievement through goal setting and competition, stresses fair play and good sportsmanship, encourages teamwork and communication, and improves self-esteem.
