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Meet the Paseo Club Ambassadors of 2023-24

October 27th, 2023 | 9 min. read

By Jen Azevedo

The Paseo Club is a social club in the Santa Clarita Valley that has been supporting people in their fitness journey for 20 years. We have members of all ages, interests, and athletic abilities. 

The Paseo Club’s Ambassador program was created so established members can welcome new members to the Paseo community, functioning as their liaisons to the club. Ambassadors can introduce people to the facilities and amenities of the club, answer questions, and listen to concerns or complaints.

This year there are 12 Paseo Club Ambassadors. Their backgrounds are varied, but they are all passionate about the club and want to help new members have the best experience possible. 

In this article, we will help you meet the Ambassadors. You will learn how they like to stay fit at the club, why they want to be an Ambassador, and who they are excited to support.

The Paseo Club Ambassadors of 2023-24 

Jane Austin 

What part(s) of the Paseo Club do you use?  
I joined The Paseo Club when it first opened 20 years ago. I played tennis, and my kids attended the camps. After some time, I got busy with work and left the club.  

In January of 2022, I was turning 59 and needed to get out of the house and engage in something new. I rejoined the club to start playing tennis again and take the workout classes (a feature they didn’t have when I first joined). The classes were amazing. 

Then I took the beginning pickleball class in August of 2022 and pretty much spent all my time at the porch. I am still there.

Why are you excited about being a Paseo Club Ambassador?  
I love the club. It has so much potential. I have been involved with many different activities in my life and they all involve members, social interaction, and fundraising. 

I think I can use my experience to help improve the club for the members and the staff.   I look forward to connecting with people to help them have a positive experience with every aspect of the club. 

I am honored to be a Paseo Club Ambassador, especially at this time in my life. I am grateful to be a part of something so positive.

Who are you looking forward to helping or supporting as an Ambassador?  
Members! There is too much to write about that. Jen, of course — nothing more needs to be said about that. Tyler, because pickleball is my jam and I love his energy and passion. Lynette, who is a rockstar, and her classes are so great on so many levels. Front desk gals, they make everyone feel so welcome.

Thomas Dierckman 

What part(s) of the Paseo Club do you use? 
I use the tennis facilities and attend many of the social events.

Why are you excited about being a Paseo Club Ambassador? 
I have been here since the beginning and invested in its success and value to our community. 

Who are you looking forward to helping or supporting as an Ambassador? 
I am excited to advocate for the club and see it become an even greater community amenity. I look forward to seeing it become especially rewarding for members.

Terrie Donovan 

What part(s) of the Paseo Club do you use?
I use all of the fitness areas. I try to work out 4-5 times a week. In a perfect world, I can work out for two hours each time. I have been working out consistently for over two years. It has become my sanity, safe place, and escape from the pressures of being a classroom teacher and mom. 

One of the things I have learned is that I need variety in order to avoid boredom or feeling stuck in a rut. The diversity of fitness spaces is one of my favorite things about the Paseo Club. I warm up on the back deck, and I use either room for weights. If I need some solo time, I love to be outside on the back yard.

I use the Tribe room often by myself or with my trainer, Andrew. I never feel stuck in one space and can move around depending on my needs or mood.

Why are you excited about being a Paseo Club Ambassador?
The Paseo Club has provided me with so much support and encouragement. It has become my community, and I have met so many amazing people on my journey. We are each other’s cheerleaders and accountability partners. The club is one of the places I miss the most when I travel. 

Being an Ambassador provides me a way to give back to the community that has given me so much. I am honored and proud to be a part of the Ambassador program. 

Who are you looking forward to helping or supporting as an Ambassador?
I look forward to helping or supporting anyone who is a member or considering membership at the Paseo Club. 

I think I may have some words or experiences to offer to women new to weight training, and find themselves intimidated by it or the weight room itself.  

I also feel like I could offer some encouragement to anyone who has thought about working with a personal trainer but for whatever reason, feels scared to start. I know without a doubt that without Andrew’s expertise, perspective, and friendship, my success would have been minimal at best. 

Chris Ewing 

What part(s) of the Paseo Club do you use? 
I mainly use the gym and the Kids Club. I have tried tennis for lessons and really enjoyed the instructors. However, I spend most of my time in the gym.

Why are you excited about being a Paseo Club Ambassador? 
I have really enjoyed my time at the Paseo Club. The people are the best part, and I am excited to help assist a club that seems to really strive to support their members.

Who are you looking forward to helping or supporting as an Ambassador? 
I am looking to help in any way needed. I’m sure I would focus on the area where I spend the majority of my time. However, I am just as happy to make myself available where needed. 

1c99a568-f9d1-4f43-8fbe-1eb5830a8597Irma Fernandez 

What part(s) of the Paseo Club do you use? 
I spend most of my time at the fitness center and attend all the fitness classes. I have participated in playing pickleball in the past, and I hope to eventually make my way to the tennis courts. 

Why are you excited about being a Paseo Club Ambassador? 
Since 2016, I have loved being a member of the Paseo Club. I’m excited to support and contribute further to better the Paseo Club. The people here are truly amazing, and have always treated me with the utmost respect and love. I hope to help the Paseo Club in any way I can.

Who are you looking forward to helping or supporting as an Ambassador?
I look forward to helping new members who aren’t familiar with the club and anyone else who may need a little encouragement as they embark on their health journey.

Gil Gartiez 

What part(s) of the Paseo Club do you use?
I frequently use the pickleball and tennis courts. In my first year, I think I never even set foot in a different part of the club. Lately, I have ventured out (hah!) using the swimming pool and hot tub and found it quite enjoyable. The same can be said about the executive locker room downstairs. 

Sometimes I use a treadmill and the stretching area on the second floor of the weight room for a pre-tennis/pickleball workout. I particularly like how the stretching area is quiet and somewhat secluded.

Why are you excited about being a Paseo Club Ambassador?
I am not sure if excited is the right word, but I am eager to give input from a tennis/pickleball player’s perspective that will hopefully have a bit more weight than emails or side conversations. 

I am also interested to see what this will entail. The Ambassador program was described as supporting or providing outreach to members, but I didn’t notice it when I first joined and generally got questions answered by emailing Jen or the director of tennis at the time.

Who are you looking forward to helping or supporting as an Ambassador?
I am not sure, but I have some ideas/possible solutions that might help alleviate common complaints. I look forward to hearing other perspectives on what could improve the club. I also enjoy helping pickleballers who may be stuck or struggling to improve by offering tips and ideas and pointing them to the coaching staff. 

45e07323-6fdf-4c3d-9498-9a7803368066Stacey Huey 

What part(s) of the Paseo Club do you use?
I use the group exercise room most often. I also use the Pilates, cycle, and tribe rooms for group exercise classes. I typically go to the Paseo Club five days a week.

Why are you excited about being a Paseo Club Ambassador?
I look forward to hearing about future changes and ideas from other members and staff. Together we can offer suggestions to improve everyone’s experience at the club. 

Who are you looking forward to helping or supporting as an Ambassador?
I hope that I can help support Paseo Club members and staff. I believe we all go to Paseo Club because it’s such a positive and fun place to be. I look forward to doing what I can to keep the positivity going!

Brenda Leon 

What part(s) of the Paseo Club do you use?
I primarily use the pickleball courts and Pilates room. I have participated in about 4-5 Greatest Results Challenges, and many private lessons (fitness and pickleball), pickleball leagues and drill lessons. 

My family uses the tennis courts, cardio equipment, and occasionally the Tribe room. My son goes to Legacy and has been part of some of the PE classes held there (tennis and pickleball). My most recent positive experience is teaming up with Cezanne💕 to help my daughter get fit, eat healthier, and maintain the results! 

Why are you excited about being a Paseo Club Ambassador?
I feel at home when I am at the club, and I want to share everything it has to offer with others. I’m a proud member of the club because not only does it offer amazing facilities, classes, and instructors, but everyone who works there is always willing to help and provide support depending on your goals and needs. 

For these reasons, I would like to give back to the club by promoting everything it has to offer, and by letting the staff know what I hear from other members. I would also like to be involved in the social side of the club.

Who are you looking forward to helping or supporting as an Ambassador?
Everyone at the club or whoever needs the support, but if I had to choose, I would say Cezanne, Tyler, and Jen.

Sean Ray-McTighe 

What part(s) of the Paseo Club do you use? 
I use the weights and pickleball facilities.

Why are you excited about being a Paseo Club Ambassador? 
I am looking forward to the opportunity to experience the club in other aspects with others who are enthusiastic about fitness. Also cross-training definitely strengthens your chosen sport!

Who are you looking forward to helping or supporting as an Ambassador? 
The pickleball community.

Larry Settle 

What part(s) of the Paseo Club do you use? 
We joined the Paseo Club in 2003, and it has been a wonderful fitness club for my wife and me. We’ve thoroughly enjoyed the club over the past 20 years! I play tennis mostly but also go to spin two to three times per week. I enjoy the weight room when I can get to it. I’ve also enjoyed pickleball as well. 

Why are you excited about being a Paseo Club Ambassador? 
My wife and I are at the club virtually every day. The Paseo Club has been an awesome opportunity to develop relationships with other members as well as the Paseo Club employees!  

Who are you looking forward to helping or supporting as an Ambassador? 
I’m looking forward to being an Ambassador at the Paseo Club. I look forward to representing the members and being a liaison between members and the club. I’m so thankful for the Paseo Club and believe we can make it an even better experience for all!       

Greg Straub 

What part(s) of the Paseo Club do you use?  
I play tennis at Paseo 6-7 days per week. I am captain or co-captain on several USTA tennis teams that play out of Paseo. I also participate in coaching and drills with the professional staff.  

I have also increased my activities on the pickleball court. I am currently building dedicated indoor pickleball facilities in Wisconsin and asking as many questions as possible of the expert, novice, and beginner players.

My true enjoyment and passion are found within the “community” of Paseo, both on the court and being part of the club before and after matches.  

Why are you excited about being a Paseo Club Ambassador?  
I am excited about the opportunity to share my enthusiasm with new members. I want to speak with current members to seek ways to improve their experience in our club. 

I hope that in my role as Ambassador, I can bring suggestions, ideas, and complaints forward that may otherwise go unnoticed to help create a more desirable environment for everyone.

Who are you looking forward to helping or supporting as an Ambassador?  
I look forward to supporting the membership and the staff. Too often people complain but offer no viable suggestions. I hope to show how positive feedback and compliments will help elevate all of the family at Paseo.

Mike Zeltser 

What part(s) of the Paseo Club do you use? 
I use the Tribe room, tennis courts, treadmill (cardio equipment), and outdoor CrossFit area.

Why are you excited about being a Paseo Club Ambassador? 
I want to implement some of the ideas/improvements for the club that I have, including improving our tennis program and convincing more members to join our Tribe/Greatest results program.

Who are you looking forward to helping or supporting as an Ambassador? 
I look forward to helping new members and our youth athletes, specifically our youth who are interested in playing tennis as well as weightlifting/Crossfit. 

Enjoying your membership at the Paseo Club

Every season the Paseo Club offers specialized programming in group exercise, small group training, tennis, and pickleball. Our social calendar also evolves with exciting events, fundraisers, and tournaments on the roster.

So whether you just signed up for a membership or have been coming to the Paseo Club for over a decade, there is always something new to learn about at the club. 

The Ambassador Program is here for you so you can not only connect to the club through staff and instructors, but also by getting to know other members. 

Please feel free to ask questions and voice concerns — although expressions of appreciation are always enjoyed too! The Paseo Club is becoming a better place each day due to the contributions of members just like you.

Jen Azevedo

Jen Azevedo is a tennis professional, pickleball professional, personal trainer, group exercise instructor, and the general manager of the Paseo Club. She loves the community at the Paseo Club and that it is also a safe and fun place for her daughter. Jen’s favorite activities are joining her tribe for trail races or her partners for tennis matches. Occasionally Jen slows down to relax with a book — she reads over 100 a year!