Meet the Staff

Lisa Wissmar

(Owner)

Lisa has been involved with gymnastics since she was young. In 1972, Lisa’s mother started the first Gymnastic Academy of Boston (G.A.B.) in the family’s backyard with just a few mats and a few area children who were eager to build their gymnastics skills. Word of the excellent training offered by G.A.B. quickly spread and before long, the family-run business had grown into a chain of gymnastic facilities in the greater Boston area. Lisa took all of her experience and branched out to start a new G.A.B. location here in Plainville in 2004. In 2014, the gym celebrated its tenth anniversary of serving area children and is proud to showcase its newly expanded space. 2014 also marks the introduction of its new name, All Around Gymnastic Academy, or A.A.G.A., which encompasses all of the gym’s exciting program offerings, including pre-enrichment classes, recreational classes, strong competitive girls and boy’s programs, parkour, tumbling, camps, clinics, birthday parties, and much, much more.
 Lisa says that the change to the A.A.G.A. name really reflects the gym’s commitment to serving the local community and to providing exceptional programs to serve children of all ages, all interests and all skill levels, both now and in the future.


 Allen Phinney

(General Manager)

Allen has been with the A.A.G.A. family as a staff member since January 2006. Beginning at age 7, Allen has been involved in gymnastics for the past 29 years and, aside from gymnastics, has an extensive background in Hip-Hop, Jazz and Ballet.  His formal teaching career began at the University of Costa Rica where he taught English as a Second Language, helping to support his training as a competitive Latin Ballroom Dancer.  Allen says, “The most rewarding thing about coaching here are the relationships I have formed with the students, staff and parents.  I love watching the timid and uncoordinated leave each class a bit more extroverted and graceful and am proud to be a part of developing students’ characters and growing self-confidence.”

Personal Description:  Kid at heart.  Lemonade Lover! Coach by day…Italian chef by night. Kid tested, mother approved!
Favorite TV Show/Movie:  Anything that makes me jump! There is nothing like watching a good horror move alone in the dark!
Superpower:  Captain Mutitasker!
Favorite Color:  ROYGBIV
Favorite Pastime:  Watching Movies, Making Music.  Extroverted Introvert, so spending time at home.
Favorite Food:  Chinese all day long!  D11 with a hot and sour soup from Dragon Garden in North Attleboro.
Favorite pet: Bolty Cakes

Amy Wainwright

(Office Manager/Superstar)

Personal Description:  The sunshine that light up every room.  Always positive!
Favorite TV Show/Movie:  The Office
Superpower:  Always looks on the bright side of life!
Favorite Color:  Purple
Favorite Pastime:  Beach vacations with my family on the south shore.  I live for the beach!
Favorite Food:  Chicken Parm.   Anything my mom cooks.
Favorite pet as a kid: I’m allergic :/

Paula Lupien 

(Team Director, Franklin High School Head Coach)

Paula has been part of the AAGA Family for the past 6 years primarily focused on the High School level
program. She comes to us with 18 years of experience coaching/directing JO, Xcel and High School
programs. She has been involved in sports her entire life and was a multi-sport athlete at the college
level. She built the Franklin Program from the ground up and in a short 6 years coached her team
through 2 Undefeated League Championships, 2 Hock Cup Championships, 3-time State Sectional
Qualifier, 1-time State Sectional Championship, and 1-time New England Championship. Her passion for
coaching her athletes realize the best version of themselves is a main driver in all that she does. Her
coaching goes “beyond the mat” and views the time she has with her athletes not only as an opportunity to teach them great gymnastics but also to be a positive role model in the athletes’ life.  Paula balances her coaching with her Professional work life where she is the Vice President of Enterprise
Critical Vendor Management at Northern Trust. Paula has been married to her amazing husband Tedd
for 25 years and has 2 adult children; her son Camden (24) who lives in South Carolina and was a
graduate of University of SC. Her daughter Lexi (20) is a sophomore at The University of Tennessee at
Knoxville and is competing for their club gymnastics team.

Personal Description: Progress over Perfection. Everyday is a NEW day, don’t let your past define your
future. Do not let yourself be your own obstacle.
Favorite TV Show/Movie:  Anything on Food Network. The Greatest Showman
Superpower: Time Management and Organization
Favorite Color: Blues and Purples
Favorite Pastime: Drawing, Painting, Beach, reading a good novel.
Favorite Food: Mexican
Favorite pet as a kid: Buffy (my dog)

Abigail King

(Developmental Director,  TeamGym Coach, Developmental Gymnastics Instructor, Party Instructor)

Personal Description:  Responsible, Energetic and Loves Kids!
Favorite TV Show/Movie:  Grey’s Anatomy
Favorite Color:  Green
Favorite Pastime:  Working Out
Favorite Food:  Pasta
Favorite Pet as a kid: My chicken Pebbles.

Jordan Griffin 

(Master’s Student Mental Performance Consultant)

Personal Description:  Sport Psych. Student, Gymnastics Coach. I’m a tough cookie with a big heart and a big smile! 
Favorite TV Show/Movie:  The Office, Silver Linings Playbook
Super Power:  Making gymnasts’ muscles sore just by looking at them.
Favorite Color:  Maroon
Favorite Pastime:  Relaxing my muscles on the couch after hours at the gym catching children flinging themselves through the air.
Favorite Food:  Carbs.
Favorite pet as a kid: Bearded dragon named Louie.

Jessica DiBacco

(Xcel Team Head Coach)

Jess has been involved with the sport of gymnastics since she was 6 years old. She competed from the ages of 12 to 18 and remains an avid fan. By joining the A.A.G.A. family in May 2013, Jess found a way to stay involved in the sport she loves.  In addition to gymnastics, Jess cheered for a year while attending Emmanuel College.  Although she is still a part of the A.A.G.A. family, Jess spends most of the year attending Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law in Pennsylvania.

Personal Description:  A human bean!
Favorite TV Show/Movie:  Finding Nemo
Super Power:  Reading people’s minds
Favorite Color:  Purple
Favorite Pastime:  Telling the Bronze girls what to do!
Favorite Food:  Chocolate
Favorite pet as a kid: A puppy named Dakota.

Kristi Bender

(TeamGym  Head Coach, Developmental Gymnastics Instructor)

Personal Description:  My gymnastics career began after I fell in love with the 1996 “Magnificent 7” Olympic team. I became a student-instructor at age 13 and have been coaching ever since.  I have a degree in Mathematics from UMass Dartmouth, where I was also a National Champion Cheerleader.  Outside of the gym, I am a programmer, wife, donut lover and a mommy.  I prefer odd numbers to even.  I only buy candles that smell like food. I have never eaten a peanut butter and jelly sandwich!
Favorite TV Show/Movie:  Jeopardy!
Superpower:  Seeing and unlocking potential!
Favorite Color:  Purple
Favorite Pastime:  Crossword puzzles.
Favorite Food:  Is coffee a food?

Aislyn Fort

(Xcel team Coach, Gradeschool Gymnastics Instructor)

Personal Description:  Started in dance at the age of 4.  My mom decided gymnastics was a better fit as I was doing backflips in dance class instead of any actual dancing. The gym has been my forever home ever since then.  I’m a total theatre/choir kid at the core and very into spirituality. I LOVE to cook.  Baking is my specialty!
Favorite TV Show/Movie:  I love a good thriller! Shows like The Blacklist keep me entertained.
Super Power:  Seeing potential and boosting confidence in others.
Favorite Color:  Green.  All shades.
Favorite Pastime: Singing…and leg day.
Favorite Food:  Thai food!  I’ll try the mango curry anywhere I go.

 


Gianna Angerame

(Developmental and Preschool Gymnastic Instructor, Birthday Party Director, Summer Camp Counselor)

Personal Description: 
Favorite TV Show/Movie:  Criminal Minds
Super Power:  
Favorite Color:  Lavender, Light Purple
Favorite Pastime: singing/dancing to music- even though I am not very good 
Favorite Food:  Ice Cream
Favorite pet as a kid: My cat Ash and Sparky my dog.

Danielle Glidden

(Developmental Gymnastics Instructor, Party Instructor)

Personal description: Sophomore at Bridgewater State University majoring in Early Childhood Education,
I love being around children of all ages and making them smile and laugh and learn new skills!
Favorite tv show/movie: Blended 
Favorite color: Blue
Favorite past time: Working out
Favorite food: Chicken Parm
Favorite pet as a kid: Turtle Named “Shellshocker”

Angie King

(Developmental and Preschool Gymnastics Instructor, Summer Camp Counselor, Party Instructor)

Personal Description:  I started cheerleading and gymnastics at the age of 10 and still am involved with it.  I enjoy working with children of all ages and love helping them realize their potential and see them grow.  I love being part of the AAGA family and look forward to the years ahead!  
Favorite TV Show/Movie:  9-1-1, Grown Ups
Superpower:  Patience with the students.
Favorite Color: Black
Favorite Pastime:  Reading! 
Favorite Food:  Steak and French Fries
Favorite pet as a kid: My dog Lola.

Mary Gallant

(Developmental and Preschool Gymnastics Instructor)

Coach Mary started gymnastics in 2004 and has been in love ever since! She loves coaching all levels and ages. When she isn’t coaching, she’s watching the Florida Gators gymnastics team on TV with her Mom. During the day, Coach Mary is a third grade teacher! 

 

Favorite TV Show/Movie: Love Island 

Superpower: Control the weather
Favorite Color: Purple
Favorite Pastime: Reading and snuggling on the couch with my two cats Birdie and Bogey
Favorite Food: Pizza
Favorite pet as a kid: My cats Mittens and Kitty 🙂

Erin McGinnis

(Xcel Coach and Grade School Instructor)

Personal Description:  Teacher, coach cheerleader for all of the kids I have had the pleasure of working with over the years!

Favorite TV Show/Movie: New Girl/Matilda

SuperpowerBringing out the BEST in peolple.

Favorite Color:  Pink

Favorite Pastime:  Spending time in New Hampshire or on the couch with my dog Kody.

Favorite Food: Crab Rangoons

Favorite pet as a kid: Kody


Emily McNally

(Preschool Program Director and Gradeschool Instructor)

Emily grew up as a competitive gymnast and has been coaching for fifteen years. She was born and raised in a gym! She works part time at AAGA as preschool director and school age instructor and full time as a mom to two amazing kids. 

Personal Description: Clean Queen. Entertainer of tiny humans.

Favorite TV Show/Movie: Friends, Parks & Rec, Diners, Drive ins & Dives.

SuperpowerCleaning!

Favorite Color:  Pink.

Favorite Pastime: Baking, travel, wondering the aisles of home goods/TJMaxx.

Favorite Food: Mexican, Italian, anything sweet!

Favorite pet: My dogs

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