Samantha Ezell joins Elite Sports Academy in its flagship year as Executive Director.

Ezell has over 25 years of experience in collegiate athletics, including coaching women’s basketball and serving as a college athletic director. Most recently, she worked for NCSA/IMG Academy as a senior recruiting specialist, helping families find the best academic and athletic fit while providing student-athletes exposure to college coaches for recruiting purposes. In her five years at NCSA, Ezell was awarded Rookie of the Year and the Core Values Award twice.

As Athletic Director at Phoenix College, Ezell spearheaded the Student Athletic Scholastic Success Program (SASS), a program in which faculty tracked student-athlete progress in the classroom and faculty mentors, along with coaches, provided follow-up support. In 2009, Samantha presented the SASS program at the Southwest Association of Developmental Education Conference. She organized an awards program for student-athletes who achieved higher GPAs, where they received medals, t-shirts, and public acknowledgement for their hard work.

In 2012, Ezell developed and implemented the CAVE (Center for Athletic Victory and Education) as a resource for student-athlete academic and athletic development. Phoenix College Athletics was recognized twice for Innovation of the Year: once for the CAVE and once for the PC Playbook QR code, both while Ezell was Athletic Director.

Marketing and promoting athletics has also been a priority for her. Ezell commissioned the current Phoenix College logo, which is now widely implemented campuswide, and initiated the streaming of every Phoenix College athletic event.

Under her tenure as Athletic Director at Phoenix College, two teams won national championships in softball and men’s basketball. The men’s basketball national championship was the first community college national championship in Arizona history. Ezell is also the only female athletic director of a school that offered football in the more than 100-year history of Maricopa Community Colleges.

For 18 years, Coach Ezell mentored women’s basketball players and included them in many community service projects. She has always felt that it is important to give back to her community. Many of the women’s basketball players came from less fortunate backgrounds, and she was committed to assisting and encouraging them as they applied for and received scholarships to complete their education.

In spring 2011, Ezell was honored by Phoenix College as the Woman of Distinction.

An Arizona native, she played at Central Arizona College, competing in two national championship tournaments. She is also a proud member of the Yuma High School Athletic Hall of Fame.

Education has always been a priority for Samantha. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Arizona State University and a Master of Education from Bloomsburg University. The greatest passion in Ezell’s life is being mom to Tiegan and Kai.

Debbie Kunes is an accomplished educator with more than three decades of experience dedicated to empowering students through language, mindfulness, cognitive development, service learning, and personal growth. She is a bilingual educator who has built a career centered on fostering meaningful learning experiences that help students thrive academically and personally.

In addition to her classroom expertise, Debbie has coached athletics for over 20 years, using sports as a platform to develop leadership, resilience, teamwork, and character. She is a collaborative professional who has presented at national conferences. Debbie Kunes has served as Key Club International Sponsor with student-athlete servant-leaders at Kiwanis events, providing services and celebrations for children with physical disabilities and youth in foster care.

Known for her commitment to student success, lifelong learning, and educational excellence, Debbie Kunes combines proven instructional methods to create engaging learning experiences. She is also a devoted wife and proud mother of two sons, one a recent college graduate and the other preparing to begin his senior year, whose family remains at the heart of her work and values.

Jay Jabari joins Elite Sports Academy as a History Teacher, bringing experience in military service, education, athletics, and leadership. A U.S. Army veteran and former Aircraft Electrician, he earned a Master’s in Teaching and has taught secondary social studies while coaching football, track & field, basketball, and strength and conditioning. His diverse background helps students connect history to leadership, decision-making, and real-world challenges.

Jay is passionate about developing student-athletes both academically and personally, emphasizing character, accountability, discipline, and resilience. He strives to create an engaging learning environment that fosters curiosity, critical thinking, and leadership, and is excited to contribute to Elite Sports Academy’s culture of excellence.

Jared L. Taylor is the Governing Board Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Heritage Academy Schools. Prior to joining Heritage in 2009 he worked for 10 years with high technology global manufacturing firms in various talent acquisition and IT roles. There he learned the value of attracting, developing, and rewarding best talent. At Heritage, Jared loves bringing together the best scholars and teachers to “Build America’s Heroes” and participate in our civil society. He has helped grow Heritage Academy into the expanded network of schools it is today. He holds a BS In Management and MBA from Arizona State University.

Josh Barnett is a multifaceted entrepreneur, fitness-industry leader, former collegiate athlete, and community advocate. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Health and Fitness from Purdue University, with minors in Philosophy and Political Science.

A former NCAA Division I Big Ten football player at Purdue, he was also a two-time Indiana First Team All-State wide receiver in football, a First Team All-State baseball player as a pitcher and utility player, and an All-Area and All-Conference basketball player. He also competed on the 1994 Junior Olympic baseball team.

As a business leader, he previously owned three Anytime Fitness locations in Fort Wayne and Auburn, Indiana, before accepting buyouts. He also owned Metroflex Gym in Phoenix, Arizona, which he recently sold, and continues to co-own Metroflex Gym in Oceanside, California. He is the co-founder and Athletic Director of Elite Performance Sports Academy.

He is also the founder and co-host of the Real Bodybuilding Show podcast, where he and other respected professionals share their experience and expertise with a global audience.

An accomplished competitive bodybuilder, his titles include the 2012 Arizona Heavyweight Championship, the 2010 Arizona Open Heavyweight Championship, and the overall title at the 2003 Hoosier Muscle Classic. His additional competitive achievements include 15th place at the 2012 USA Championships, a Top 15 finish at the 2008 Junior Nationals, fourth place in the Super Heavyweight division at the 2006 Arnold Classic Amateur, sixth place in the Heavyweight division at the 2005 Junior USA Championships, and first place in the Light Heavyweight division at the 2001 Northern Kentucky Championships.

Formerly sponsored by MuscleTech, Twinlab, and Pro Supps, he has been featured in Muscle & Fitness and Flex magazines. He also authored three articles for MD Latino covering nutrition and training.

His professional certifications and advanced training include credentials from the American College of Sports Medicine and the National Strength and Conditioning Association, as well as specialized education through Paul Chek, Charles Poliquin, DC Training, and Kinesis Wall. His Poliquin training includes Strength Coaching Theory, P.I.C.P. Levels 1 and 2, and Biosignature Modulation.

His diverse career reflects a relentless commitment to inspiring and empowering others through fitness, athletics, leadership, entrepreneurship, and community impact.