Goal

Educate the public about chess.

Chess Education Foundation Team

Ryan Velez
President & CEO

Ryan is a top 1% player and has achieved the National Master Title. He is a multi-time state champion, has served in various chess roles at the state and national levels, and has helped educate over 10,000 people on how to play chess. Ryan also helps organize chess tournaments in Kentucky.

John Simons
Treasurer & NTD

John is a National Tournament Director, the highest certification. He has worked at over 30 national chess tournaments and has been responsible for pairing thousands of players together at various competitions. John has served as the Kentucky Scholastic Coordinator, is a multi-time state team champion, and has helped teach over 10,000 people how to play chess.

Richard Williams
Secretary

Richard is a senior level tournament director and has had many state level roles to help serve chess, including vice president, treasurer, secretary, and scholastic coordinator. He has worked at various national level chess tournaments and has been coaching for almost a decade. Richard is also an attorney in Kentucky.

James Peden
Board Member

James Peden is a retired JCPS teacher and a former Louisville Metro Council member. At both the government level all the way down to the individual level, James has been an avid chess supporter for decades. James is helping Chess Education Foundation grow and we are grateful to him.

Eric Yussman
Board Member

Eric worked for LG&E for 17 years analyzing utility planning, operations, legislation, regulation, technology, and economics. He has a masters in Public Policy and a Bachelors in Psychology from U of L. Eric is a huge local supporter of chess and opened the first dedicated chess club in Kentucky since the Louisville Chess Club back in the 1800s.

Conway Stone
Board Member

Conway is an avid Wednesday Night Chess attendee. He has been a big supporter of all CEF does, and helps us with fundraising. Conway has strong connections to various musicians throughout the country, and often hosts them at his home. Conway also authored the book Dream High, and has done motivational speaking for many years.

Randas Burns
School Coach

Randas is an expert level chess player, which puts him in the top 5% of all chess players. He is a local level tournament director and has served at the state level as president and secretary. Randas has also served as the president of the state chess association for four terms. Randas has helped teach over 10,000 students in chess and has worked at national tournaments.

Gary McAdams
School Coach

Gary is a club level tournament director and long time chess player. He has been coaching for over 15 years. He has headed up many JCPS FRC/FRYSCC programs and received many compliments on his coaching style. Gary has contributed toward the chess education of over 10,000 students.

Earnest Herrod
Classroom Coach

Earnest is a respected chess player and tournament director in the Louisville, KY area. He is an accomplished chess coach who also teaches home school for various children out of his home.

Todd
School Coach

Todd is a chess coach who speaks fluent Chinese. He has many years experience working in schools and as an online chess tutor.

Natasha Triplett
Coach

Natasha is a classroom coach who works with chess students on the basics of chess. She is also a Yoga instructor.

Marty Polio
Classroom Coach

Marty is an excellent chess player, and is excellent with kids. Marty is a former, and sometimes current, comedian who appeared on the Johnny Carsen show. He is related to former superintendent Marty Polio, but they are indeed different people.

Steve Russell
Classroom Coach

Steve has worked with CEF for many years. He is an excellent coach, and specializes in video editing.

Allison Pullen
Coach

Allison is one of our newer coaches, and she has done a phenomonal hob working with the kids in our clubs. She helps all kids learn the basics of chess, and has a background in advertising and design.

Maxwell Manhema
Coach

Maxwell looks to begin teaching chess with CEF in the 2025 – 2026 school year. He is excellent with children, and specializes in helping students learn the basics. Maxwell is from Zimbabwe, Africa, and has lived in many places throughout the world. He settled in the USA many years ago, and is a very kind and joyous person.

Matt DeVore
School Coach

Matt DeVore is an excellent chess coach who we have been working with for a few years. He also works sound equipment and video editing for movies.

Jacob Johnson
WNC Assistant Director 

Jacob is an excellent chess player in the Louisville, KY area. He attends Wednesday Night Chess nearly every Wednesday, and is always playing and helping people improve. Jacob is also one of the top players in the area.