OUR BRANDS
With an operating history of over 20 years, MVP Sports Clubs currently owns and manages 11 facilities within the Central Florida and West Michigan markets. We believe that strategically placed facilities, combined with a strong brand of quality and customer service allows us to be industry leaders.
OUR COMPANY
MVP Sports Clubs represents quality and success in health and recreation. Through our premier facilities, state-of-the-art equipment, industry leading programming, cutting edge technology, world-class service and strong community outreach, we are committed to building healthy communities that change lives!
OUR MISSION
To enhance our communities through exercise, sports, coaching, and recreation, by providing world-class facilities and programs all within an environment of active fun!
Karl Droppers
President
Karl Droppers earned a bachelor’s degree from Hope College in 1982, and a master’s from Michigan State University in 1984.
Karl started in the health club industry in 1985 when he was named sales manager of East Hills Athletic Club in Grand Rapids. By 1990, at the age of 32, he became the sole proprietor of the 40,000-square-foot Lakeshore Athletic Club, in Holland, Michigan.
Although club ownership was his “dream” job, an inquiry by the DeVos family – the founders of Amway and owners of the NBA’s Orlando Magic – changed his plans.
Preparing to build the RDV Sportsplex, a 365,000-square-foot facility in Orlando, the family hired Karl as a consultant and subsequently made him director in 1996.
With the success of RDV Sportsplex in Orlando, Karl was named president and the business expanded to West Michigan in 2005. Since then, MVP Sports Clubs has grown to 11 facilities in Central Florida and West Michigan serving over 50,000 members.
Karl finds balance and passion in working closely in the community with various organizations. His involvement includes Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Time Ministries, Children’s Healing Center and Hope College.
Chuck Osterink
VP, Athletic Clubs
Coming from Holland, Michigan, Chuck Osterink joined the team in 1999 as RDV Sportsplex Ice Den director. With the expansion of the business to West Michigan, Chuck was named Director of Human Resources in 2005. In 2013, Chuck was named Vice President of Human Resources & Leadership.
Prior to 1999, Chuck received his bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University and worked at Lakeshore Athletic Club in Holland, Michigan in sales, operations and eventually as an owner and operator.
Chuck currently serves on the board of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
Scott Hendrickson
VP, Operations
Scott Hendrickson was named Vice President of Operations in 2018. Since joining the company in 2005, Scott worked in various roles in member services, operations and sales at MVP Sportsplex and MVP Metro Club in Grand Rapids.
In 2010, Scott become Senior Manager of Operations for MVP Sports Clubs, followed by Director of Operations in 2014.
Scott has a bachelor’s degree in sports management and communications from the University of Michigan and currently serves on the campus leadership team at Jamestown Harbor Church in Hudsonville, Michigan.
Jason Johnson
VP, Sales & Marketing
Jason Johnson was named Vice President of Sales & Marketing for MVP Sports Clubs in 2017.
Prior to joining the MVP team, Jason held several progressive roles with Qualigence International, a full-service talent acquisition and talent optimization company located in Livonia, Michigan. Spanning a five-year period, Jason’s roles included Marketing Manager, Vice President of Sales & Marketing and Chief Marketing Officer.
Jason earned his bachelor’s degree in business from Ferris State University and in 2017 served as the Executive Director for G.R.A.P.E. (Grand Rapids Area Professionals for Excellence, Inc).
Ali Svendsen
VP, Studio Operations
Since joining the company in 2006, Ali Svendsen has worked in various departments including member services, fitness, and group fitness at MVP Metro Club and MVP Sportsplex in Grand Rapids, MVP Athletic Club in Rockford, and RDV Sportsplex Athletic Club in Orlando.
Ali moved into a corporate position for MVP Sports Clubs in 2015 and in 2017 played an integral role in the planning, opening and managing of MVP’s first boutique studio, 4G Athletic in Jenison, Michigan. Ali was named Director of Studio Operations in 2019 and currently oversees 4G Athletic and Well-Fit by MVP.
Ali is a video presenter and trainer for our group fitness program content provider, MOSSA. She earned her bachelor’s degrees in sustainable business and sports management from Aquinas College.
Pete Opresko
Director, Finance
As one of our original team members, Pete Opresko was named RDV Sportsplex Business Manager in 1997. Following the success of RDV Sportsplex and the expansion of the business to West Michigan, Pete was named Director of Finance in 2005.
Prior to his roles with MVP, Pete worked as a senior auditor for Coopers & Lybrand and a staff accountant for Restaurant Administration Services [Wendy’s Franchisee]. Pete earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Central Florida in 1987.
Pete was named 2018 City of Maitland Volunteer of the Year, is a member of the Florida Lacrosse Officials Association as a high school referee and served six years on the City of Maitland Parks & Recreation Advisory Board.
Alisha Meritt
Director, Marketing & Communications
Alisha Merritt joined the team in 2004 and served in both a Marketing Coordinator and Communications Coordinator role for RDV Sportsplex in Orlando.
With the growth and development of MVP Sports Clubs, Alisha joined the corporate team in 2006 as Communications Manager, and was named Director of Marketing & Communications 2007.
Alisha earned her bachelor’s degree in communication and information science from the University of Alabama and currently serves on the marketing and development advisory board at St Mary Magdalen Catholic School in Altamonte Springs.
Mike Lodes
Director, Information Systems
Hired as a Help Desk team member in 2000 by RDV Sports, Mike Lodes provided technology support for the Orlando Magic, RDV Sportsplex and Orlando Solar Bears. Over the next few years, Mike served as lead support, database administrator and eventually co-manager of the RDV Sports Information Technology department.
In 2004, Mike become Information Systems Manager for RDV Sportsplex focusing on Help Desk and Network Support and was named Director of Information Systems for MVP Sports Clubs in 2006.
Mike is a Microsoft Certified Database Administer (MCDBA) and proudly served in the United States Army Military Police Corps. Mike volunteers in his community through the Boy Scouts of America, Orlando’s Children’s Church and The Foundry Church in Winter Springs, Florida.
Ken Runge
Director, Property
Ken Runge was named Director of Property for MVP Sports Clubs in 2009.
Prior to his role with MVP, Ken was the Vice President of Property Management for NAI Realvest, the Orlando-area representative of NAI Global and President of Kuhn Management.
Ken proudly serves his community through various organizations including Painting for Jesus, Kingdom Courts, International Community School and MAN UP Mentoring.
Tiffany Caiazza
Director, Medicare Sales
Tiffany Caiazza joined the RDV Sportsplex team in 2001. For the next 10 years, Tiffany worked in various positions including member services, operations and sales. In 2011, she was named RDV Sportsplex Athletic Club Sales Manager.
In 2013, Tiffany joined the MVP Sports Clubs corporate team as Senior Sales Manager, and in 2014 was named Director of Sales.
Tiffany earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Central Florida and currently serves as a volunteer for The Foundation of Foster Children’s Power Readers Program.
Dave Nykerk
Director, Fitness
Dave Nykerk was named Director of Fitness for MVP Sports Clubs in 2017.
Dave joined the MVP team in 2009 and gained experience in a number of fitness positions including Fitness Trainer and Fitness Manager at MVP Athletic Club in Holland and Sports Performance Team Leader at both MVP Sportsplex, Grand Rapids and MVP Athletic Club, Holland.
Dave earned his bachelor’s degree in movement science from the University of Michigan. He currently serves his community as a Boys & Girls Clubs volunteer and youth baseball coach.
Emily Thomas
Director, Human Resources
After graduating from Michigan State University, Emily started her career at Walt Disney World where she held many different roles in Entertainment, Resort Leadership, and College Recruitment. After fulfilling her dreams at the happiest place on earth, she set her sights on recruiting for the largest Starwood property- the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin.
Emily started her career with MVP leading the Talent Acquisition teams in both regions, with prior recruitment experience in both markets in her pocket she was promoted to Director of Human Resources over both regions to kick off 2020.
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We welcome you to contact us for more information
about any of our facilities.
- FLORIDA CORPORATE OFFICE
- 8701 Maitland Summit Blvd - Orlando, FL 32810
- (800) 517.7712
- MICHIGAN CORPORATE OFFICE
- 4085 Burton St. SE - SUITE 200 - Grand Rapids, MI 49546
- (800) 517.7712