Dan Morgan is a lifelong gymnast, coach, and educator who brings decades of love for, and experience in gymnastics.  Alongside that, Dan’s career in Education spans years of working domestically and internationally in public and private schools, non-profits and for-profits, and underserved native communities.  Dan began his gymnastics life at 4 years old at the YMCA in Madison, WI, and moved him onto a competitive team that took him through college at the University of California, Santa Barbara (back when they had a men’s team).  Dan coached boys and girls rec and team gymnastics throughout and after college and also had the pleasure of coaching adults and special Olympics athletes.  Key aspects of Dan’s career include opening and operating the international headquarters of a private education company in London, UK, and serving for several years as the President of Groves Learning Organization in St. Louis Park, MN.  At Groves, Dan was responsible for successful growth and development of the entire organization and dedicated significant effort to fundraising including launching a capitol campaign for the 50th Anniversary of the organization.  Today, Dan leads the Department of Education for the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community and works closely with their Business Council.   

Mini Hops is like a second home to Dan’s family.  Three of his four children competed on both the boys and girls team, and his son has been a coach for the past several years and absolutely loves his job.  The programs are outstanding and his kids have some great friends who they will likely be connected to for years to come.  Dan is extremely grateful to Mini Hops for a number of reasons.  Not only have the programs helped his children grow both physically and mentally, but the gym was there for them when they went through a tough time as a family for about a year. They will always be thankful for the way everyone stepped up and supported them which allowed his kids to continue at the gym uninterrupted.  He would like to pay that forward as a member of the board, serve other students and families, and bring joy into their lives. 

Mickey Lynch is a husband, father, and veteran. He became a gymnast at Mini-Hops when he was 3 years old. He continued with coach Samir for about 12 years. He loved the sport and continues to use the things he learned about preserving and teamwork today. Mickey served in the US Army for 4 years and deployed in 2012 to Afghanistan leading a team of 6. Mickey was medically discharged in 2014 after getting injured by an IED. Mickey continues to work in his local community as a Vantage mentor at Minnetonka High School and on his son’s school PTA. 

He is a dedicated father to two sons, Sage (7) and Mason (5). Mickey has worked as a landscaper and in the corporate security sector in the years following his military service. Mickey has experience in fundraising and leadership, as he served as the president of the Veterans and Friends club at Normandale Community College. He has served on the Mini-Hops Board for the past three years. He looks forward to continuing his service on the board, and giving back to the Mini-Hops community, something he has always had a passion for.

Alicia Al-Aryan is a Program Manager at Microsoft with experience in organizational leadership, governance, strategic planning, and operational management. She holds a doctorate in Educational and Organizational Leadership and Learning and brings a strong background in cross-functional leadership, process improvement, stakeholder engagement, and budget-informed decision-making. Her professional experience includes leading complex programs and initiatives requiring collaboration, accountability, long-term planning, and effective organizational oversight.

Alicia has a longstanding commitment to nonprofit and community service. She currently serves on the Women of Microsoft Fargo Board as Scholarship Lead, the Microsoft Disability Scholarship Review Committee, the Wayzata School District Curriculum, Instruction, and Technology Advisory Committee, and is the incoming Secretary for the Sunset Hill Elementary PTSA. Through these roles, she has gained experience in board governance, mentorship, community engagement, program oversight, and collaborative decision-making.

Her connection to Mini-Hops and youth movement programs is both personal and lifelong. Alicia began dancing in early childhood and continued through college, performing with the University of Minnesota Dance Team, choreographing, organizing recitals, and teaching dance and rhythmic movement classes. These experiences fostered her belief in the importance of movement-based programs in helping children develop confidence, resilience, teamwork, and self-esteem.

As a parent of a neurodivergent child who began attending Mini-Hops in infancy, Alicia has personally experienced the positive impact of Mini-Hops’ inclusive coaching and supportive environment. She is passionate about helping ensure all children and families feel welcomed, supported, and empowered to grow physically, emotionally, and socially.

Alicia wishes to serve on the Mini-Hops Board to support the organization’s long-term sustainability, strengthen inclusive programming, and contribute her leadership, governance, and operational expertise in service of the Mini-Hops mission to cultivate and enhance the development of every child for their future.

John is a Minnesota native and an experienced attorney who recently relocated to the West Metro area. He is married and a proud father of four children, three of whom are currently enrolled at Mini-Hops.  

John has significant leadership experience from his prior military service. After graduating from the U.S. Military Academy, John served as an Infantry officer, leading a 53-soldier platoon in Kandahar, Afghanistan in 2011. From 2013-2016, he attended law school at the University of Minnesota, graduating summa cum laude. As an Army judge advocate, John prosecuted felony-level crimes and advised senior military leaders on a wide range of complex topics, including international law, military ethics, and internal investigations. He continues to serve part-time in a legal operations detachment with the U.S. Army Reserves. 

In his civilian career, John is a business and tort litigation associate at a multinational law firm. Passionate about community involvement, he is excited to support an organization like Mini-Hops that empowers children to overcome their fears, build self-confidence, and lead healthy, active lives.

Robby is a seasoned finance and accounting executive and a CPA, with experience as Chief Financial Officer for both a public company and a private equity–backed firm. His son Nate is a Level 9 gymnast. In addition to his professional background, Robby currently serves on the Wayzata Youth Wrestling Board of Directors, bringing valuable experience in both corporate and nonprofit governance.

He is interested in joining the Mini-Hops Board because he believes the gym provides an exceptional experience for its athletes and is committed to helping every gymnast get the most out of their time at the gym.

Ruthie Tabone is a small business owner, music educator, and active supporter of the Mini Hops Gymnastics community. She currently serves as the Booster Club President and is passionate about helping create a positive and successful experience for athletes and families within the program. As a parent of two children on the Xcel team, Ruthie has firsthand experience with the dedication, teamwork, and strong community that make Mini Hops special. She was also a gymnast herself as a child, which helped develop her lifelong love and appreciation for the sport and the opportunities it provides young athletes.

Ruthie earned her degree in Music Education and has spent years mentoring and teaching students through her music studio, Lessons by Ruthie. Through her work as an educator, she has developed strong leadership, communication, organization, and mentoring skills while helping students build confidence, discipline, and personal growth.

In addition to her work in education, Ruthie owns and operates multiple businesses, including Ruthie Tabone Creations and Linked by Ruthie. Through managing her businesses, she has gained valuable experience in budgeting, profit and loss management, strategic planning, customer relations, marketing, and day-to-day operations. Her entrepreneurial background has strengthened her ability to lead, collaborate, and make thoughtful decisions that support long-term organizational success.

As Booster Club President, Ruthie has experience working with volunteers, organizing events, supporting fundraising efforts, and helping strengthen communication between families and leadership. She believes having strong collaboration between the Booster Club and Board of Directors is essential to supporting the continued growth and success of Mini Hops Gymnastics.

Ruthie is excited for the opportunity to serve on the Mini Hops Board of Directors and hopes to contribute her leadership experience, organizational skills, business knowledge, and passion for supporting young athletes and their families.

Uday, a father of two girls, one of whom is a student at Mihi-Hops, marvels at the dynamic and inspiring atmosphere of the Plymouth facility. His regular visits have allowed him to witness firsthand the unique opportunities Mini Hops provides to its participants, ranging from toddlers to adults. The organization excels in teaching individuals how to master their physical and mental abilities, a process that significantly shapes their personalities and life approaches. Uday expresses a deep desire to contribute to the Mini Hops community, hoping to impact future generations positively by being part of this empowering family

Uday, with his extensive leadership background from over 25 years in various roles at notable companies like Hewlett-Packard, Nokia, and Yahoo, and his involvement in non-profit organizations, stands out as a valuable candidate for the Mini Hops Board. His experience includes advising startups in the Bay Area on establishing scalable product organizations and participating in efforts to secure funding for these emerging companies. Furthermore, his role on the Board of Directors for Femmecubator, a non-profit aimed at advancing BIPOC women in tech and design, showcases his commitment to social causes and his ability to contribute effectively to non-profit management and fundraising.

Uday’s desire to join the Mini-Hops Board stems from his passion for the organization’s mission and its community impact. His diverse skill set, including leadership, non-profit experience, mentoring, and financial management, coupled with a multicultural perspective gained from international work experiences, makes him an excellent fit for the board. Uday is eager to leverage his capabilities to support Mini-Hops’ growth and success, reflecting his readiness to serve and contribute to the organization’s objectives.