Teaching Staff

Todd Ashdown
Director of Tennis

Todd has been the Director of Tennis at Paramount Tennis Club Westlake since the club's inception in 2010. Prior to working at Paramount, Todd was the Director of Tennis at River Oaks Racquet Club in Rocky River for fourteen years. Todd was a graduate of St. Edward High School, where he currently has been the Head Varsity Tennis Coach since 2005, and received his bachelor's degree in Sport Management from Bowling Green State University. Todd is married to his wife Maureen, and together they are blessed to have three children (Ryan, Erin and Colin). In his spare time, Todd loves to cheer on all Cleveland sports teams.

Email Todd: tashdown@paramounttennisclub.com

Brad Groleski
Head Tennis Pro

Brad Groleski is the Head Teaching Professional at Paramount Tennis Club Westlake. He has been a teaching pro at the club since 2010. A native of Springboro, OH and two-time OHSAA state qualifier at Springboro High School, Groleski played collegiate tennis at Cleveland State University. During his tenure, he played #1 singles and doubles during a 4 year career where the Vikings earned a NCAA Tournament berth. After college, he earned a Master's Degree while coaching at Drexel University in Philadelphia. Groleski is also the Director of Tennis at Westwood Country Club in Rocky River, OH. He enjoys teaching and coaching in the Cleveland area and being around people who are passionate about the sport of tennis!

Email Brad: bgroleski@paramounttennisclub.com

Zach Long
CO Director of Junior Programs

Zach was born in Ashland, Ohio and after playing tennis for Ashland High School, he went on to play four years of college tennis for Baldwin-Wallace College. Zach was a Captain for the team his Senior year and graduated with a B.A. in Education with a History and Social Studies degree. Zach has directed the Ashland city Summer tennis program for the past six years where he teaches all ages and directs the Summer tournaments. Zach has been the Junior Director in Westlake since 2019.   Zach teaches all ages and works especially well with our younger Junior players getting them started with the proper fundamentals necessary to advance their skill levels.

Email Zach: :zlong@paramounttennisclub.com

Laura DiPaola

Laura is a USTA certified tennis instructor and concentrates on youth programs at Paramount Tennis Club. Laura also supervises the tennis programs for the Pee-Wee, Juniors, and Beginning Adult programs for the Rocky River and Westlake Recreation Departments.

As an active member of USTA, Laura competes on various USTA teams. Laura is a graduate of Baldwin Wallace University and has a teaching degree in physical education.

Laura is married to John and has two children, Joe and Leann.

Email Laura: ldvolley@aol.com

Steve Kuri

Steve comes to Paramount Tennis Club with 20 years of teaching experience in the Northeast Ohio area. He was born and raised in the Cleveland area and attended Western Reserve Academy and The College of Wooster where he was a two-time All American, and was ranked as high as #9 in the NCAA rankings. In 2019 he was inducted in the Wooster Hall of Fame. Steve has been the Assistant Coach at St. Joseph Academy since 2020. 

He enjoys teaching all ages and levels of players. Steve is married to Michelle, who is the club manager at the Paramount Westlake facility.

Email Steve: steveakuri@aol.com

Mark Merchant                                                                                                                                                                    CO-Director of Junior Programs

Mark Merchant comes to Paramount with 30 years of teaching experience. He played high school tennis at Gilmour Academy and his senior year went to States as a doubles team. Mark played tennis at Marquette University, singles and doubles and then played for 2 years on the National Amateur tour. Mark is the Head Tennis Coach for the Brunswick High School Girl's tennis team, completing his 3rd season in 2019. He is available for private and group lessons to players of all ages. Mark resides in Berea, with his wife Nicole, and children Savanna and Anthony.

Email Mark: mmerchant@paramounttennisclub.com

Stephen Sundra

Stephen came to tennis late, at the age of 18, during the Connors, Evert and Ashe era. He was obsessed with the game from his very first hit. A little later, he was playing Division I tennis for Cleveland State University which he did for two years and began teaching soon after. Stephen has taught tennis as a certified professional in seven states, on both coasts and from Massachusetts to Florida. He has taught tennis for over 30 years in the Cleveland area. Tennis is his passion and he takes pride in all the students he has taught through the years, including some of the staff at both Paramount clubs.

Email Stephen: sundratennis@gmail.com

Bob Irwin

Bob played tennis at Ashland High School and Baldwin Wallace College, where he graduated with degrees in Accounting and Business Management. He joins us after spending 11 winters coaching at Lakewood Racquet Club in Lexington, Ohio. Bob is a USPTA certified tennis professional who enjoys teaching players of all ages and abilities. 

Email Bob: robertstevenirwin@gmail.com 

Sue Geringer

Sue started her tennis career at Cloverleaf Senior High School, playing first singles her sophomore through senior years.  She was inducted into her high school’s Athletic Hall of Fame for her accomplishments in Tennis, Basketball, and Softball.

After graduating from Cornell University, she held a variety of positions in corporate America (Quality Assurance Manager, Research and New Product Development Manager, Sales Manager, and Factory Manager).

After earning her MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, she pursued a career in marketing at Dean Foods, Hershey Foods, American Greetings, and Nestle.

Sue had always enjoyed playing tennis, whether with family, friends, or USTA teams.  She decided to make her passion her career, and joined Paramount Tennis Club in Dec. of 2019.  Sue teaches juniors and adults through classes, drills, and private lessons.  In addition, she coaches boys and girls high school tennis, and stays on top of the latest tennis equipment and technology by helping manage the pro shop.  Sue is excited to see her students improve, excel, and enjoy the game as much as she does.

Email Sue: sgeringer@gmail.com

Steve Beans

Steve Beans came to Paramount Tennis Club with over 30 years’ experience in the tennis and sporting goods industry. Steve played #1 singles throughout his high school years and went on to become a professional instructor. Steve has been a Director of Tennis, Junior Development Director and Head Pro at various clubs throughout the Midwest and South, including time at one of his favorite spots in Hilton Head, South Carolina. Part of his career was spent as Director of Sales for major tennis brands where he achieved success and many awards. In his spare time, Steve enjoys golf, antiques, interior design and his Catholic faith. Steve is excited to work with players of all different ages and skill levels.

Email Steve: sbtennispro7@gmail.com