Redwood Empire Gymnastics is headed by Steve Klotz. Steve has been in and around gymnastics most of his life. As a youngster, he was a champion gymnast in Miami, earning all-city recognition. Appointed to the U.S. Naval Academy, he became captain of the Academy's gymnastics team.

Redwood Empire Gymnastics maintains a staff of approximately 30 instructors. Instruction qualities include:

• Love of children foremost requirement
• All master coaches are former collegiate gymnasts
• All coaches are Safety Certified with United States Gymnastics Association
• CPR and First Aid certifications updated annually
• On going evaluation in all areas of teaching and motivating students
• New staff constantly trained and developed

Dimitri Alexandrov
Boys Team Coach  

Dimitri comes from Bulgaria where he was a National Junior Team Member from 1988-1992. He is National Rings Champion and took 3rd place all around in 1986. He holds a Bachelor's Degree of Education from The National Academy of Sport - Sofia. He was also a 2 time College Champion. 
  
Dimitri had been coaching in the best gymnastics club in his native city Rousse for 4 years and he has been assistant coach to the Bulgarian National Coach - George Videnov. His dream is to see his son Yordan Aleksandrov as a world champion in gymnastics. Dimitri likes to watch movies and he is a huge soccer fan.

"The more effort at practice, the more fun at the meet."

Janeen Belsardi 
Rhythmic Program Director and Head Rhythmic Team Coach  

Janeen started gymnastics at REG in 1980 at the age of 10. In 1984, she was chosen as one of the first members of the new Rhythmic gymnastics program and became the first competitive gymnast in Sonoma County, competing in that discipline for 2 years and placing 2nd at the State Championships in 1985. She began coaching in 1988.  
 
She also teaches Tots as well as Girls levels A-F, and has occasionally worked with REG's boys and girl's teams. In addition, she is a Level 6-rated Rhythmic judge. Her Rhythmic gymnasts have won State and Regional medals each year since 1994 and earned a spot on the Region 1 Jr. Olympic National Team in 1995. Janeen earned her B.A. in Communications Studies from Sonoma State and is considering returning to school for her elementary teaching credential.
 

Taffi Bosanco
Office Assistant

Taffi was born and raised in Santa Rosa. She graduated from Montgomery High School in 1989. She was married in 1991. spends her time caring for her two daughters, Ashley and Amber.  Amber has enrolled in a class and loves it!
 
Taffi previously worked for Pacific Bell (now SBC) as a Customer Service Rep, answering customer calls and providing superior customer service.  As a single parent in 2001, she returned to school full-time at Empire College and earned a specialized Assoc. Degree in Computer Tech. in 2003.  Then a Legal Assist. Degree in 2005, as well as completing a Legal Receptionist internship.
 
Taffi joined REG in 2005.  She hopes to help the students, parents and coaches whenever possible.  She enjoys the students personalities and is inspired by their enthusiasm and hard work.

“It’s better to shoot for the stars and miss, than aim low”

Howard Bunce
Girls and Boys Recreational Coach

Howard has been Teaching gymnastics Since 2002.  He also attends Sonoma State Univ. as a full-time student, where he is studying in the Environmental Technology program.  He plans to graduate in 2006.

Howard has been taking the adult gymnastics class here at REG for 5 years, where he has been able to learn and improve the skills that he teaches.

Howard also works for the Marin French Cheese Co. as their Operations Manager and Master Cheese Maker.  Howard has a son Jordan, who spent 2 years on our competitive team, and is now in the trampoline class.  He is the reason Howard became interested in coaching.

“I really enjoy working with children, watching them develop, and learn new skills”.

Linda Gueretta 
Office Assistant  
 
Linda joined the staff of REG in 1998. She has been involved with REG since 1992 when her daughter started taking gymnastics. Her daughters are now members of the girl's competitive team. Linda works in the office and is managing the girl's and boy's team fund.  
 
When Linda is not at REG you can find her camping and enjoying the outdoors with her family. On many weekends the family is away attending the girl's meets, cheering on the girl's team. 

Melanie Lovrin
Girls and Boys Recreational Coach

Melanie grew up in Petaluma and was a Casa Grande High Graduate.  She then went on to earn a BS in exercise Science in 1999, from UC Davis. She began gymnastics at the age of 7 here, at REG. While she attended Davis, she continued to train, and competed in many Masters competitions.

At the age of 21 she joined the UC Davis track and cross-country teams, and also became a competitive swimmer for the city of Davis.  Then, after Melanie had competed in triathalons for a couple of years, she has now decided to go back to training in acrobatics.  Currently training as a Trapeze artist at San Francisco’s Circus Center.

Melanie’s favorite part of coaching is the look on a child’s face when they accomplish a skill, that they have worked so hard on.  “I believe that gymnastics gives children a fun outlet for their energy, and also teaches them important life skills”.  “I love the chance to give back to the sport that has been such a huge part of my life”.

Kathleen McHugh 
Admin. Assistant  

Kathleen has lived in Petaluma since 1985. Although not a gymnast herself, she has attended the adult class. Kathleen has been assisting in the office since 1994 and recently has expanded her duties into coaching when needed. Previously, she has worked with sports camps and youth programs while attending Chico State University where she graduated with a degree in Graphic Design. Her oldest daughter Danielle, is a team level gymnast.
 
Following in their sisters footsteps are her son Cameron, just beginning his gymnastics journey and youngest daughter Markie. In the spare time she has, Kathleen enjoys skiing, camping, and hiking in Yosemite. Kathleen has seen many young children merge from preschool through aspiring team gymnasts.

"It's very exciting to see dedication, love of a sport, reward of hard work, and dreams come true."

Bogomil Michovsky 
Boys Compulsory & Optional Team Coach  

Bogi, is originally from Bulgaria, where he was a National Team member, from 1988 to 1992 and was National High Bar Champion. He has attended the National Academy of Sport, where he earned his Bachelor's degree in Physical Ed and Sport. Bogi made his coaching debut as Head Coach in club CSKA-Sofia from 1993-1997 where he earned the title of National Aerobic Head Coach.  
 
This led him to participate in four World Aerobic Championships where the Bulgarian Team received 1st place in 1997 in Perth, Aus. He moved to the US in 1998, Bogi began coaching at "Above & Beyond", in Napa as Heads Boys Coach. When Bogi isn't coaching, he enjoys spending time with his wife and daughters - Yonnie, a REG team member, and Tia.

"You never know what you can do until you try"

Liz Monize
Recreational and Tots Coach

Currently, Liz attends Casa Grande High School. She has lived in Petaluma since 2003.  Liz started gymnastics at the age of four years old, in New Jersey.  At the age of 5, she joined
the pre-team program. She later moved to Connecticut where she continued Gymnastics classes for four more years.  When she moved to California, Liz joined the R.E.G. advanced tumbling class. 

Aside from gymnastics, Liz likes going shopping, hanging around with her friends, listening to music, swimming and sailing.

Mark Olson 
Masters Program Director 

Mark begins his 20th year in association with REG. He has the distinction of having been teaching gymnastics in Sonoma and Marin for over 2 years. He was a high school and college gymnast. Some of the many certifications Mark holds include; Cert. Physical Therapy Asst. through CA Occup. and Sports Therapy Clinic, Nationally Certified Gymnastics Professional Development programs I and II, Credentialed Early Childhood Specialist, National Kinder Accreditation training, former Physical Education Director of the Marin YMCA. 
 
Currently Mark is Program Director for our Masters Adult Gymnastics program as well as being Owner/Director of "Gymkids Gymnastics", serving preschool and elementary school children in San Anselmo. Mark also answers gymnastics questions for All Experts in the New York Times online newspaper. Mark is also a dad of two former REG students. 

McKenzie Rush
Rhythmic and Girls Recreational Coach

McKenzie has been doing gymnastics at REG since she was 8 years old.  Starting in our recreational class, then switching to tumbling, and found her forte in Rhythmic Gymnastics. McKenzie joined the competitive team in the summer of 2003.

McKenzie started her coaching experience volunteering at REG for her school work experience credits. She very quickly fell in love with working with the children. 

McKenzie attends Petaluma High School and is hoping to go to a UC after she graduates.  Besides gymnastics, she loves singing and has been a member of the school choir for 3 years.  She also enjoys hanging out with her friends, and going horseback riding. McKenzie loves the feeling of helping a child accomplish a goal they have set.  She feels like she gets to do this every time she coaches. 

Steve Sassone 
Program Director / Pre-school Program  

Steve began gymnastics at the age of 18 where at Sonoma State he became team captain. He began coaching in Palo Alto in 1981 where, as head Boys Team coach, he trained Zone and State champions. It was there that Steve began teaching a women's self-defense course. In 1984 he became the Boys Team coach at REG and in 1991 took the first boy from Sonoma County to the USA Jr. National Championships. 
 
In 1993 he and wife Lea started Sonoma County KIDPOWER teaching abuse and assault prevention skills to children, families and at schools. With his interest in giving children a foundation of physical development and self-confidence he became Pre-school Director at REG in 1992. In his leisure he enjoys woodworking, gardening, drumming and singing.

"My goal is to assure that REG continues to be the best place with the best teachers for developing self-confidence through gymnastics in children"

Danny Schmieding
Girls & Boys Compulsory Team, Tumbling Coach
 
Danny was born and raised in Petaluma. He became involved in Gymnastics at Redwood Empire at the age of three. Now, Danny was a member of the Redwood Empire Gymnastics Advanced ACRO tumbling class. He began coaching at REG during the summer of 2001, and at this time, also helped with the summer Gym and Swim Sports camp.

Danny was a member of the Casa Grande High School Track and Field team, and also enjoys playing baseball and basketball.

"Although I did not compete in gymnastics, I am still passionate about the sport."

Trevor Sennello
Gym Tots, Girls & Boys Recreational Coach

Trevor has been involved in gymnastics since he was two years old. He began in an REG Kinderbear class, and eventually moved up to become a boys team member.  He has had 10 years of very successful competition experience, competing at the National level many times.  Trevor now is a member of the NorCal Gymnnastics Judges Assn. and gaining new experience and knowledge throughout each year.

Trevor is a 2004 graduate of Casa Grande High School. He currently attends Santa Rosa Junior College, where he plans to transfer to a UC or a SCU Campus.

Trevor enjoys coaching, because he remembers how much fun he had in gymnastics when he was younger. He wants now to pass that on.