Friends of MGA

Ensuring the long-term future of Mountain Gymnastics Academy through community stewardship, scholarships, and sustainable growth.

Why We Created Friends of MGA

Mountain Gymnastics Academy has always been more than a gym. Since purchasing the land in 2018, our vision has been to build something that would outlast us — a place where children could grow stronger, more confident, and more resilient for generations to come.

As founders Michael and Gail Hayes step back from daily leadership, Friends of MGA was created to ensure the gym remains stable, mission-driven, and community-focused for decades to come.

By transitioning ownership to a nonprofit governed by an independent Board of Directors, we are protecting the future of the athletes, supporting our coaches, and strengthening MGA’s long-term sustainability.

Our Mission

Friends of MGA exists to support and sustain Mountain Gymnastics Academy so that every child — regardless of financial circumstances — has access to high-quality gymnastics and athletic development in a safe, positive environment.

We are committed to:

Subsidizing tuition and fees
Supporting coach development and safety training
Maintaining and upgrading equipment and facilities
Ensuring long-term financial stability
Strengthening MGA’s role as a community institution

Meet Our Board of Directors

Gail Hayes

Gail Hayes is the founder of Mountain Gymnastics Academy. As Head Coach, she has built MGA into a respected regional program serving children from diapers through advanced competitive levels.

With a strong background in competitive gymnastics and track, Gail brings decades of hands-on experience in athlete development, program design, and coach mentorship.

On the Board of Friends of MGA, Gail provides deep institutional knowledge, program oversight insight, and a steadfast commitment to maintaining athlete safety and coaching excellence as the organization transitions into long-term nonprofit governance.

Her focus remains simple: building strong, confident kids — in the gym and beyond.

Michael Hayes

Michael Hayes brings more than three decades of executive leadership and organizational development experience to Friends of MGA.

He founded Hayes Software Systems in 1990 and served as CEO until its successful sale in 2017.

Under his leadership, the company grew into a nationally recognized education software provider, serving school districts across the United States.

His experience in financial oversight, governance, strategic planning, and long-term sustainability directly supports Friends of MGA’s mission to build a stable, community-driven institution designed to serve families for generations.

Alison Whitehair

Alison Whitehair brings more than two decades of leadership experience in higher education and athletics to Friends of MGA.
Currently Vice President for Student Affairs at West Virginia Wesleyan College, she oversees student development, compliance, budgeting, and organizational leadership. She previously served as Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance and Academic Services and holds a Master’s degree in Sport Psychology.
Alison competed under USA Gymnastics for 12 years and at the collegiate level at Hamline University. She later served as Assistant Coach for Ithaca College Gymnastics and was a USAG-certified judge from 2012–2022, including serving as West Virginia State Judging Director from 2015–2022.
As both a lifelong gymnast and a parent of a young athlete, Alison brings a deep commitment to ensuring gymnastics remains accessible, supportive, and enriching for children in our region.

Adriana Channell

Adriana Channell brings executive leadership and financial services experience to Friends of MGA. She serves as Secretary and Vice President of Marketing at Davis Trust Company, where she works closely with community organizations, fundraising initiatives, and sponsor partnerships.

Her professional background includes strategic marketing, community engagement, and organizational development within highly regulated financial institutions.

As a parent of an MGA athlete, Adriana has seen firsthand the positive impact gymnastics has on children’s confidence, discipline, resilience, and sense of belonging. She is passionate about removing barriers to participation and expanding access to enriching, screen-free opportunities for youth in our community.

On the Board, Adriana contributes expertise in community outreach, fundraising, sponsor development, and strategic communications.

Vicki Fenwick-Judy

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What Your Support Makes Possible

Every donation directly strengthens opportunities for local children.

Your support helps fund:

🏅 Athlete Scholarships
Making competitive and recreational programs accessible to more families.

🛠 Equipment & Safety Improvements
Upgrading/adding equipment and training tools.

🎓 Coach Education & Certification
Investing in ongoing professional development.

🏢 Facility Improvements
Maintaining a high-quality, safe training environment.

🏆 Meet Hosting
Bringing positive economic and community impact to our region.

When you give to Friends of MGA, you invest in the physical and emotional development of children across our community.

Strong Governance. Clear Accountability.

Friends of MGA is governed by an independent Board of Directors committed to financial responsibility and long-term planning.

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, we operate with:

Independent board oversight
Clear financial reporting
Conflict-of-interest policies
Annual transparency reporting
Responsible allocation of funds

Looking Ahead: A 3–5 Year Vision

Friends of MGA is focused not only on sustaining the gym, but strengthening it.

Over the next several years, we aim to:

Expand scholarship funding
Build a financial reserve for long-term stability
Enhance programming options
Improve facilities and training spaces
Deepen community partnerships
Explore endowment development for permanent sustainability

We are building something designed to last.

How You Can Get Involved

You can support Friends of MGA in several ways:

One-time donation
Monthly recurring giving
Corporate sponsorship
Banner sponsorship program
Event sponsorship
Planned giving

Every contribution — financial or otherwise — strengthens the future of MGA.

Friends of MGA: Frequently Asked Questions

1. Does this change daily operations at Mountain Gymnastics Academy?
No. Day-to-day programming, coaching, and athlete development remain consistent. Friends of MGA provides governance and long-term oversight to ensure sustainability.

2. Is MGA now a nonprofit?
Mountain Gymnastics Academy has been donated to Friends of MGA, a nonprofit organization. The gym operates under the nonprofit’s governance structure.

3. Why make this transition now?
As the founders look toward retirement from daily leadership, we wanted to ensure stability, continuity, and mission-focused governance well into the future.

4. How are funds used?
Funds are allocated toward scholarships, equipment, facility improvements, coach education, and long-term financial stability initiatives.

5. Is my donation tax-deductible?
Yes, donations to Friends of MGA are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law (501(c)(3) status pending/approved).

6. Who makes financial decisions?
The Board of Directors governs financial decisions with fiduciary responsibility and oversight policies in place.

7. Can I designate my donation for a specific purpose?
Yes. Donors may designate funds for scholarships, equipment, or general support unless otherwise restricted.

8. How can businesses partner with Friends of MGA?
Businesses can support through donations, sponsorships, banner programs, event partnerships, and corporate giving initiatives.

9. How will you ensure long-term sustainability?
Through responsible governance, reserve-building, scholarship growth, diversified funding sources, and strategic planning.

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