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Staff

 

Where there is great love there are always miracles.

 

Willa Cather

 

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With 150 combined years of professional coaching, our world class staff is what sets us apart from all other cheer
programs. Most coaches at UC are a “product of the program” meaning they were athletes in our program long
before they became coaches. We are also fortunate to have many talented coaches that moved to Houston and
chose Air Force as their home. Our staff teaches together without egos demonstrating by example to our students
how to be a team player and a leader. We challenge anyone to find a coaching staff in cheerleading with our
diversity, expertise, and professionalism

 

Nicole Leago Devall
Founder
(22 years)

Founder of University Cheer Air Force, Inc. in 1991
28 years experience in the spirit industry.
Professional coach & choreographer for schools and all star teams (19 years)
Former NCA Super Center Facility Director and Franchise Trainer
Former NCA Southeast Texas State Director
Founder of the TIFI Youth Youth Cheer & Drill Camps in 1991.
Professional music production (10 years)
Has been awarded the prestigious NCA Innovative Choreography Award 7 Times.
Certified NCA judge.
Served on the U.S.A.S.F. Worlds Score sheet Committee (2007)
Professional national competition event judge for NCA, Jamfest, and Cheer America.
Public speaker at national coaches conferences including GSSA and Cheerpower.

   

 

 

 

Jason Powledge

Hesd Coach
Dance and Cheer Instructor

(14 years)

 

  •  Professional Dance & Cheer Instructor & Choreographer (14 years).
     Graduate of University of Houston with a Bachelor’s Degree in Kinesiology.
     Former U of H coed team cheerleader and captain (3 years).
     Former competitive gymnast (5 years).
     Former gymnastics boy’s team head coach (5 years).
     Houston Comets Dancer (3 years).
     Houston Rockets Power Pack Dancer (2 years).
     Stage Dancer, Los Angeles Opera (1 season).
     Back up Dancer, “VH1 Best in 2007” Awards.
     Performed in videos for famous music artists including Marc Anthony, Britney Spears and Pink!

   
   
   



Tara Mitchell

Head Cheer Coach
 (13 years)

 

 Former University of Houston cheerleader.
 Former UC Air Force Varsity squad member (3 years).
 Former competitive gymnast (11 years).
   
   



Lauren Haganagan

Head Cheer Coach
 (12 years)

 

 Graduate of University of Houston Clear Lake with a Bachelor’s Degree in Fitness & Human Performance.
 Texas State Certified Teacher specializing in Physical Education.
 Former UC Air Force Varsity cheerleader (4 years)

   
   

 

 

 

Cassi Thomason

Account Executive and Head Instructor

(10 years)

 

 Graduate of Devry University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Accounting.
 Former cheerleader at Stephen F. Austin University.
 Currently attending the University of Houston.
 Former UC Air Force Varsity cheerleader (6 years).
   
   

 

 

 

Kristen Barre

Head Cheer Coach

(10 years)

 

 Graduate of University of Houston with a Bachelor’s Degree in Nutrition.
 Former University of Houston coed team cheerleader and captain (4 years).
 Former competitive gymnast (7 years).
 Former NCA staff (3 years).

   
 

 

 

 

Michele Mitchell

Head Cheer Coach and Dance Instructor
 (12 years)

 

 

 Over 14 years experience coaching cheerleading and gymnastics.
 Graduate of University of Houston.
 Bachelor of Science & Sports Administration with a minor in Health.
 Former University of Houston cheerleader.
 Former competitive gymnast (8 years).
 Texas State Certified Teacher.
 Former Houston Comets Dancer.

   



Julio Valleio
Choreographer, Head Cheer Coach,and
Air Force Fly Girls Assistant Dance Director
 (9 years)

 Graduate and former dancer & cheerleader from Clear Creek High School.
 Former member of the nationally known Planet Funk Professional Dance Company.
 Former dancer, captain and assistant choreographer for the Houston Comets dance team.
 Former dancer, captain and assistant choreographer for the Houston Rockets Power Dancers.
 Danced, performed and choreographed for local Houston artists.
 Performed for the DAC Professional Company, named in Dance Houston as “One of the Best” in 2008.
 Former choreographer and mentor for VIBE Company.

   
   

 

 

 

Cassie Thiessen

Head Cheer Coach

(8 years)

 

 Current head skills coach for the Clear Lake High School cheer program, 2010 NCA High School Intermediate JV
    National Champions & 2nd Place in Small Varsity Elite Division.
 Graduate of Southern Methodist University with a Bachelors Degree in Corporate Communications.
 Former SMU coed team cheerleader & captain (4 years).
 Graduate & former head cheerleader from Clear Lake High School, NCA Small Varsity National Champions.
 NCA High School All American (4 years).
 NCA Collegiate All American (4 years).
 Former UC Air Force One cheerleader & captain (7 years).
 Spirit of Texas International Coed Cheerleader in 2009, NCA All Star Champions.

   
   

 

 

 

Patrick Daley

Video Production, Head Cheer / Tumbling Coach

(6 years)

 

 Former UC Air Force One cheerleader (2 years).
 2007 Worlds Champion Runner Up.
 Ranked 5th at NCA All Star Nationals, Best Male Tumble Pass (2005).
 NCA All Star All American (7 years).
 National Tumble Pass Champion (6 years).
 CheerPower High Point Champion (4 years).
 2002 CheerPower Partner Stunt National & High Point Champion.

   
   



Tharin Cowan
Head Cheer Coach
 (5 years)

 Graduate of University of Colorado with a Bachelors and Masters Degree in Business Administration.
 Former college cheerleader for Barton County Community College, UH and CU (4 years)
 Former competitive gymnast (10 years).
 Professional gymnastics coach (8 years).
 Professional high school and all star team coach (7 years).
 Choreographer for high school and all star cheer teams (2 years).
 USAG certified. 

   
   



Lindsay Portis
Head Cheer Coach
 (4 years)

 Graduate and former varsity cheerleader from Dobie High School (4 years).
 Professional all star team coach (10 years).
 Former UC Varsity cheerleader (2 years).
 Former CheerPower coaching staff (4 years).

   
   


Kaitlyn "KP" Parker
Cheerstop Sales Representative
Air Force Fly Girls Dance Director
Camp Coordinator
 (4 years)

 Graduate of Texas A&M University, Major in Sport Management.
 Double Minor in Business Administration and International & Cultural Management.
 Graduate and former head cheerleader from Clear Lake High School.
 Former NCA Staff (2 years).
 Former competitive gymnast (10 years).
 Former UC Air Force One cheerleader & captain (5 years).
 NCA High School All American (3 years).
 Featured in American Cheerleader Magazine.
 Camp Director & Coordinator for TIFI Youth Drill & Cheer Camps (5 years).
 Former member of the Texas A&M Fade to Black Dance Ensemble Hip Hop Team (3 years).

   
   



Jennifer Holbert
Special Forces Director
(4 Years)

 Over 30 years experience in tap, ballet and jazz.
 Professional studio dance instructor (16 years).
 Dance instructor for award winning competitive dance teams.
 Former youth cheer & drill director in the Bay Area.
 Creator & director of dance program for children with special needs.
 Special needs dance instructor (5 years).
 Featured in Dance Teacher Magazine (May 2009).

   
   


Jeremy Gregg
Music Production Editor, Adminstrative Assistant
Camp Coordinator and Cheer Coach
 (2 years)

 Currently attending the University of Houston.
 Double majoring in Architecture & Corporate Communications.
 Former University of Houston large coed team cheerleader.
 Graduate and former varsity cheerleader from Port Neches Groves High School.
 Former UC Air Force One cheerleader & captain (5 years).
 NCA High School All American (4 years).
 Professional music editor specializing in cheer routines.

   
   



Lindsey Bourgeois
Head Cheer Coach
 (2 years)

 6 years experience competing with high school, all star and college cheer teams.
 Graduate and former varsity cheerleader from Clear Brook High School.
 Former cheerleader for the University of Houston collegiate squad.
 Former San Jacinto College cheerleader.
 Former competitive gymnast (6 years).
 Competitive gymnastics coach (3 years).
 USAG Certified Instructor.

   
   



Natalie Sass
Head Cheer Coach
 (2 years)

 Graduate of the University of Houston with an Early Childhood Education Degree.
 Former U of H collegiate cheerleader (2 years).
 Graduate and former varsity cheerleader from Clear Brook High School.
 Former UC Air Force all star cheerleader (4 years).
 15 years experience in cheer industry as a competitor, coach and director.

   
   



Sarah Jachimiec
Cheer Coach Support Staff
 (2 years)

 Currently studying at the University of Houston
 Working on a Masters Degree in Business Administration with a Focus on Brand Management.
 Currently interning at Hewlett Packard; a Fortune 10 Company
 Graduate of Texas Tech University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing.
 Former Texas Tech Coed Team cheerleader (3 years), 3rd Place Division I - NCA College Nationals
 Graduate and former varsity cheerleader from Clear Lake High School, 2001 NCA High School National
    Champions.
 Former UC Air Force One competitive cheerleader (6 years), 2 Time UCA All Star National Champions.
 Former Member of the UC Air Force China Dolls Cheer Team, traveled to China in 2002 representing the U.S.
 NCA High School All American (4 years)
 NCA Collegiate All American (3 years)

   
   



Debbie Kloetzer
Office Manager
  New 2011 - 2012

 Former Program Director at MGA Gymnastics.
 USA Gymnastics safety certified meet director and professional coach (30 years).
 B.S. Degree in Education, Texas certified teacher.
 Member of the National Association of Women’s Gymnastics Judges
 Former collegiate coed cheerleader and gymnastics team member.
 Graduate and former Falcon Flair drill team member from Clear Lake High School.

   
   



Tim Anderson
Head Cheer Coach
 New 2011 - 2012

 Current 6 year member of NCA Staff.
 Current 2nd season member and captain of the Houston Rockets Launch Crew Stunt Team.
 Graduate and former cheerleader from Sam Houston State University; Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design.
 10 years experience in the cheer industry as a professional all star, high school and collegiate cheer coach.
 Former all star cheerleader at Cheer Athletics in Dallas, Texas & Texas Cheer in Houston, NCA All Star Champion
 Former TCU Head Cheer Coach.
 Former Assistant Coach for Sam Houston State University Cheer Squad.
 Former collegiate cheerleader for Weatherford College and University of North Texas.
 Former dancer for Weatherford College.

   
   



Michael Curtis
Cheer Choreographer and Cheer Coach
 New 2011 - 2012

 13 years experience in cheer industry as a professional all star cheer coach & high school choreographer
 Choreographed national competition routines for Berkner High School, Conroe High School, The Woodlands High
    School, Montgomery High School, Oak Ridge High School, Klein Collins High School & Permian High School
 Individual competitor coach & choreographer specializing in Best Cheer & Crowd Pleaser routines (8 years)
 Former Navarro College cheerleader (3 years), 2000 NCA Collegiate National Champions
 Graduate and former cheerleader from Odessa Permian High School
 Former Elite level gymnast (14 years)
 Former NCA Staff (3 years)
 Former Cheer Athletics competitive cheerleader (4 years), 2001 & 2002 NCA All Star National Champions
 Former Cheer Athletics all star team coach (2years)

   
   



Ashley Efird
Cheer Coach Support Staff
 Returning 2011 - 2012

 Currently attending the University Of Houston Law Center.
 Graduate of the United States Naval Academy, Bachelors Degree in Information Technology with a second
    discipline in Space Operations.
 Completed Primary and Advanced Strike Navy Flight School.
 Former cheerleader at the United States Naval Academy.
 Graduate and former varsity head cheerleader from Clear Lake High School, NCA Small Varsity Champions
 Former competitive gymnast (6 years).
 NCA High School All American (4 years).
 CheerPower Varsity Stunt Group High Point Champion (2 years)
 Former UC Air Force One member and captain (5 years), 2 time UCA Large Varsity National Champions

   
   



Ashley Ray
Cheer Coach Support Staff
 Returning 2011 - 2012

 Graduate and former head cheerleader at Clear Lake High School, NCA National Champion 2001.
 Attended and former cheerleader of the University of Kentucky.
 Graduate of Texas Tech University with a Masters in Molecular Pathology.
 Former Texas Tech coed team cheerleader (3 years), 3rd & 5th place at NCA College Nationals
 NCA High School All American (4 years).
 NCA Collegiate All American.
 Former UC Air Force One Head Cheerleader (6 years).
 Traveled to China with University Cheer in 2002.
 Former Cheer Athletics competitive cheerleader.
 Member of Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society.