Gwen Holtsclaw is the founder and president of Cheer Ltd., Inc. A graduate of Methodist University and a former college cheer coach, Gwen is the designer of the private camp concept which Cheer Ltd brought to the spirit industry in 1988 as well as Cheer Ltd Nationals at CANAM and the National Cheer Conference. Among her other innovative contributions to the spirit industry are the two-day composite judging model currently being used in major cheer and dance championships across the country and the first national certification and education program for cheerleading judges, the National Cheer Judges Certification program.

Gwen's commitment to the spirit industry is reflected in her active role as a founding member of both NCSSE (National Council of Spirit Safety and Education) and SITA (Spirit Industry Trade Association). Gwen also serves as a founding member of the prestigious USASF (US All Star Federation) Sanctioning Committee, the OSIP (Organization of Spirit Industry Providers) board of directors representing NCSSE companies in addition to serving on various editorial boards. In 2006, Gwen coordinated the first National Safety Summit for industry leaders and served as an industry consultant for Cheerleading RIO, the first on-line injury reporting initiative.

Under her leadership, Cheer Ltd., Inc. was selected the North Carolina Small Business of the Year in 2004 and she was nominated for Ernst and Young's Woman Entrepreneur of the Year.

Gwen, who is the author of several cheerleading books and numerous magazine articles, is a North Carolina native and resides in Fayetteville, NC with her husband Tim. She currently serves on the Methodist University Foundation Board and is a former recipient of the Methodist University Outstanding Alumnus award.

Tim Holtsclaw

Tim Holtsclaw - Tim coordinates financial services at Cheer Ltd. and actually opened the company headquarters with wife Gwen in 1988. A West Virginia native, Tim was educated in North Carolina receiving his BS degree in Business Administration from Methodist University. As Vice President of Cheer Ltd., Tim has provided key leadership on both the finance side and the event operations side. Tim, in cooperation with the V Foundation, headed the "Cheerleaders Fighting Cancer" campaign in 1994 and launched the campaign at Cheer Ltd.'s National Coaches Conference with Duke's Mike Kzyzewski and ESPN's John Saunders. Tim is also a partner in Fox-Hol Properties.

Dick Fox

Dick Fox - Dick joined the Cheer Ltd. management team in 1989 and has served as the company's CFO since that time. A longtime Fayetteville native, Dick holds an MBA from Fayetteville State University and completed his undergraduate degree at Methodist University. With extensive and diverse business interests in the region, Dick also provides solid financial leadership and creative financial direction for Cheer Ltd., Inc. He is a partner in Fox-Hol Properties and a driving force in the CureAmericas organizations, providing medical assistance to rural areas of South America.

Darren Thompson

Darren Thompson - As Director of Project Development, Darren is responsible for researching and developing new projects, as well as scheduling and coordinating Cheer Ltd Regional Competitions, Open Championships and National Cheer Judges Certification Clinics. He oversees the Cheer Ltd National Directors in administering these events. An honors graduate of Methodist College in Fayetteville, N.C., Darren has over ten years of experience in the cheerleading industry and is the secretary of the NCSSE Board of Directors and Chairman of the Spirit Industry Trade Association (SITA). Darren was also the recipient of the 2005 SITA Leadership Award.

Scotti Marshburn

Scotti Marshburn - Scotti has worked through the ranks of the Cheer Ltd. family - first as a summer camp instructor and CANAM staff to the Director of Teams Sales. After her first year she was transferred to the National Cheer Conference Director and in 2005 was promoted as the Director of the prestigious Cheer Ltd. Nationals at CANAM competition. With 11 years of cheerleading experience, Scotti brings her unique passion and professionalism to the sport of cheerleading. In addition to the responsibility of being CANAM Director, Scotti also coordinates and directs the North Carolina High School Athletic Associations Invitational Cheerleading Championships as well as the Holiday Classic Competition. A cum laude graduate of Methodist College, Scotti resides in Fayetteville, NC with her husband Steve, son Blake and daughter Savanna.

Lisa Thompson

 

Lisa Thompson - Lisa is currently the National CheerCon Director, overseeing the annual event as well as the coaching and cheerleader recognition awards. Previously, she was the private camps/clinic director. Lisa's work also involves many creative aspects of Cheer Ltd, such as advertising, eBlasts and eNews promotions, and the website. In 2003, she reorganized the National Cheer Judges Certification program and instructional manual extending the judging certification to an eight-hour course. Originally from Portland, OR, Lisa's extensive dance, cheer, and gymnastics experience led her to coach high school and all-star cheerleading for 13 years as well as open Oregon's first cheerleading gym. She is a past-president of the Oregon Cheer Coaches Association, Oregon's 1999 Coach of the Year and she assisted in hosting the Cheerleading Forum of America in 2002. Prior to her full time position with Cheer Ltd., Inc., Lisa judged Cheer Ltd's Nationals in Myrtle Beach and served as a National Director for the company. Lisa resides in Fayetteville with her husband, Darren and 3 children, Ragan, Tate and Landen.

Lori Wickham

Lori Wickham - Lori's Program Director position is divided between Private Summer Camps/Clinics and retail/ team sales for The Cheer Shoppe. Lori has recently taken over the camps / clinics segment after working brilliantly on the National Cheer Conference since she was hired corporately. Lori works closely with M.J. Soffe on regional, open, and nationals merchandising and designs as one of Cheer Ltd's corporate partners. Prior to her full time position with Cheer Ltd., Inc., Lori was a cheer coach for 18 years among which she led her Edison High School (Richmond, Ohio) team to six national titles. Besides coaching, Lori has served the world of cheerleading as VP of the Steel Valley Association, the Advisory Board for the OVAC Cheerleading Committee, OVAC All Star Cheerleading Coach, and was named the National Coach of the Year at our 2003 National Cheer Conference (NCC). Lori has worked with Cheer Ltd since 1991 as a National Certified Judge and National Director. Lori enjoys cheering on her husband, HS teacher and head football & track coach as well as her very athletic children, Derek and Alex.

Abby Tyjeski

Abby Tyjeski - Abby joins our staff from the Mid-west! She is a recent graduate from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse where she majored in exercise and sport science emphasis in sport management and minored in public relations and organizational communication. Abby was part of the cheer and stunt team at UW-La Crosse, and has been actively involved in cheerleading for the past eight years. She was a Central Wisconsin Cheerleading Camp staff member for three years, and was a WACPC regional judge. Besides working at Cheer Ltd., Abby works as a game-day promotion intern for the Fayetteville SwampDogs.

2008-09 National Directors