AFRICAN    AMERICAN     TOUR   QUEST

OUR TEAM

AATQ has a very experienced team of professionals dedicated to breaking barriers in the golf industry

by providing access for people of color to compete on the PGA/LPGA Tour.

Preston Pinkney- Co-Founder and President of The Pinkney Foundation / Director of AATQ

Preston has over 20 years’ experience in youth development and managing junior golf programs. He has grown the City of Oakland Ace Kids Golf Program from 200 to 960 participants annually. Through his passion and dedication to at-risk youth and the sport of golf, Preston recognizes the need for fairness, equity, and inclusion for minority golfers to participate on the PGA/LPGA Tour. Preston assembled this team of individuals to remove financial and social barriers to allow for AATQ golfers to become exceptional athletes and compete on the highest level in the world. Preston is the CEO and Co-Founder of The Pinkney Foundation, a member of Oakland Rotary, and on the Board of Directors of the Northern California Golf Association.

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JaVonnie Pinkney- Co-Founder and Co-Treasurer of The Pinkney Foundation

Mrs. Pinkney has over 22 years of experience in the financial industry.  She is the Financial Center Manager at Bank of America.  JaVonnie specializes in leading a team of associates to become successful professionals through the power of mentoring, coaching, and developing.  She helps her clients by giving them financial guidance and empowering them by using various tools that aid them in meeting their financial goals.  JaVonnie attended college at Cal State East Bay where she completed several courses in marketing and business administration.  She is a Notary Public for the State of California.  JaVonnie is a loving wife and mother of a beautiful daughter and son.  Her interests are cooking, writing, DIY projects, and interior/exterior design.  “It makes me happy to see I’ve changed a client’s financial life and they walk away with a smile on their faces feeling empowered.” 

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Spencer Tyrus- Board Chair

Mr. Tyrus has an extensive career. He was the Executive Director of Interfaith Network for Community Help (INCH), Executive Director of Reality Mentor Inc., Procurement Senior Contract Manager for AT&T, and Director of Workforce Development Program for Columbus Urban League. As a volunteer he has served in many capacities including Community Patients Advisory Board for San Ramon Regional Medical Center, Chairman of Ace Kids Golf Leadership Council, Chairman of The First Tee of Oakland Board of Directors, Past-Chairman of Diablo Black Men's Group, Board of Directors of American Red Cross Bay Area Chapter, Chairman of American Red Cross Bay Area Contra Costa County Leadership, Co-Chair of Bay Area Chapter Youth Services and Men of Color Board Advisory for Casey Family Program. Mr. Tyrus is also a retired U.S. Army Rank Sergeant E5. His formal education includes an MBA from Golden Gate University, MA from Central Michigan University, B.A. from Park University, and a Nonprofit Management Certificate from California State University. He is also a proud member of Sigma Phi Pi Fraternity.

Dr. Bill Riley- Vice-Chair /Partnership Development Officer

Dr. Riley is a native of Oakland, California. He attended Oakland public schools and transferred from Merritt College, where he was student body president, to the University of San Francisco (USF) where he earned a B.A. in Sociology and Physical Education and an Ed.D. in Educational Policy. Dr. Riley’s M.A. in Educational Administration was received from San Francisco State University. With his doctorate in Educational Policy, he served in public education for over 39 years, including the Oakland, East Palo Alto/Ravenswood, and San Ramon School Districts. Over the years in education, he has served in the roles of teacher, counselor, coach, principal, vice-principal, and administrator on special assignment; Dr. Riley has also served as the Alameda County Office of Education's Coordinator of Pupil Services and Child and Family Advocacy.

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Aaron Grant III- Secretary

With almost a century of history in the Bay Area, Aaron Grant III comes from an international family with roots in Cairo, Egypt, and Richmond, California. Born in Oakland, Aaron has been serving Youth in his local community since 2008, first as a continuation high school teacher until 2017, and later as a mentor and coach with the Ace Kids Golf Program. Aaron continues to mentor several of his students who have graduated high school. Aaron is the owner of Grant Property Management and Investments in Oakland.

He is fluent in French, Spanish and speaks a little Arabic and Italian. This multicultural gentleman is an avid and passionate golfer. He is equally passionate about supporting African American student-athletes. He is thrilled to be on the Board of Directors for the Pinkney Foundation in support of the African American Tour Quest.

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Dr. Lynda Donahue- Board Member-At-Large

Lynda has lived in the Bay Area all of her life.  After graduating from Loma Linda University, Riverside, CA, Lynda began her career as a Speech and Language Specialist in Hayward.   She continued her education at the University of San Francisco where she earned a Masters and Doctorate in Education.  In 2012, after 38 years in education, Lynda retired from the Vacaville Unified School District as the Director of Special Education.

Lynda’s golf “career” began 25 years ago with her husband’s encouragement.  She is a member of the Rancho Solano Women’s Golf Club, the Half Moon Bay Women’s Golf Club, and Sistas on the Links Golf Club.  She served on the Board of the Women’s Golf Association of Northern California (WGANC) for 4 years.  In 2019, as the President of the WGANC, she successfully participated in the merger of the WGANC, PWGA, and NCGA.  She continues to serve on the Women’s Golf Committee to support and increase the opportunities for women’s golf in Northern California.

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Jeffrey Callaway- Director of Player Development

Jeffrey (JC) Callaway received his Associate of Arts Degree in Radio & Television from Los Angeles City College, and a Bachelor of Arts Degree (concentration in Television, Film, & Journalism) from California State University, Dominguez Hills—where he was a member of 1984 (13th ranked) Toros Golf Team.

He has 40-years of experience in the golf industry.  As a native of Los Angeles, California, he played on the Fairfax High Golf team during his sophomore year, he later became the Driving Range Manager at Rancho Park. After graduating from Cal State Dominguez Hills, he turned professional and played in a limited number of professional tournaments and qualifiers. He was an instructor, and caddie at Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, CA, and the associated director for the “Joe Norwood: Anatomy of Golf” instructional DVD, featuring the teaching of the late-renown & legendary PGA Golf Instructor Joe Norwood.

Jeff wrote and self-published a book entitled, Invisible Golfers: African Americans PGA Tour-Quest (©1999), in which he researched & investigated reasons why African Americans were, and still are, virtually non-existent on the PGA Tour. In 1998, Mr. Callaway was hired by the Ace Foundation in Oakland, CA., as the first executive director for its Ace Kids Golf Program (in partnership with the City of Oakland Parks & Recreation Department) where he was in charge of the program’s budget & daily operations.

Mr. Callaway developed a definitive golf program for the UCLA Cultural & Recreational Affairs Department, where he coached & instructed students about the biomechanics of a golf swing and introduced to them his “SkeleSwing Fundamentals.” He co-founded SkeleSwing Golf Productions, LLC, where he served as Senior Managing Director in charge of day-to-day operations. Presently, Mr. Callaway is serving as Director of Player Development & Head Coach for the African American Tour Quest (AATQ ) professional golf tour development program in Oakland, CA.

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Shareef Salaam- Sport Psychology Performance Enhancement Coach

Shareef Salaam is the Director of National University’s LEAP (Life Enhancement Through Athletic Participation) program as well as the founder and CEO, of the Sport Psychology athletic performance enhancement consultation group, YOU LLC (Youth Onward & Upward LLC).  Shareef also serves as an early intervention clinician for UCSF Benioff’s Center for The Vulnerable Child SPARK program. Currently, Shareef is completing a dual degree program at John F. Kennedy University where he will obtain a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology coupled with a master's in Sport Psychology.

Angel Cabrera- Sports Fitness and Nutrition Consultant

Angel has over 17 years of industry experience, as a Performance Coach and Manual Therapist. Angel specializes in corrective exercise, nutrition, strengthening and conditioning, and lifestyle coaching. His integrative and personalized programs have helped athletes and individuals improve performance, prevent injuries, and improve their overall health and vitality. He has studied with C.H.E.K. Institute in San Diego, California, and has a long list of certifications in Golf Performance, Holistic Lifestyle Coaching, and Sport/Therapeutic Massage. Angel understands the needs of his clients and strives to stay on the cutting edge of training, nutrition, rehabilitation, and performance enhancement. He is committed to changing lives and helping clients reach their goals

Steve Barretto- Marketing and Communications Consultant

Steve is the Principal Owner of Barretto-Co. He has over 30 years’ experience in graphic design and marketing working for Clement Mok Designs, Apple, Silver Line Group, GSI Commerce, eBay, and Words Pictures Ideas. His company seeks to partner with "change" agents—those organizations and individuals working in support of communities, sustainability, and the public good—helping them with expert design and unique brand experiences to market their products and services, incorporate best practices, and apply new thinking in the digital age.

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Anthony Keeton-Board-Member At-Large

Anthony Keeton is the President of Keetone Enterprises, Keetone Tax & Financial Services, Chief Executive Producer of Keytone Productions, Lovetone Records, Keytone Records, and a Director with LegalShield. He is a philanthropist that wears his heart on his sleeve.

Mr. Keeton was an athlete in high school and college. He was recruited by San Francisco State in 1972 to play Football, majoring in Psychology. When the football team was defunded, Mr. Keeton was recruited by Merritt and Alameda college track teams. Eventually, he competed on Alameda’s track team as a javelin thrower and received a medal for 3rd place. Mr. Keeton has had a passion for golf since he was introduced to the game at 11 years old. He is a member of the Golden Gate Par Chasers Golf Club and enjoys the fellowship with his group.

Mr. Keeton always sets aside time to give back to his community. He has been a volunteer for The First Tee of Oakland and the treasurer for the Lake Chabot Junior Golf Academy in which he provided pro bono tax services for over nine years.

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Tony Canedo, Director, PGA PGM Level 1 Professional
Having taught golf for over 15 years to all levels and ages, Tony’s philosophy in teaching golf is simple: Golf is a skill sport, so learn the skills. No matter when you picked up the game, learn correctly, learn early, and keep learning. Grounded in the fundamentals of the golf swing, Tony’s goal isn’t only to create ball-strikers but to teach how to play the game, to be self-reliant, confident, and to inspire his students to reach their full potential. Golf isn’t about the perfect swing. It’s about the perfect swing for you. Tony believes in teaching the entire game from ball-striking to course-management, mutual respect and sportsmanship, and teaching skills for troubleshooting and mental toughness.
 

Formerly a professional tennis player, college coach, and academy owner, Tony brings a wealth of experience in course structure, curriculum, phased-learning, and goal attainment. Tony has competed in the US Open qualifier and USGA events including the US Amateur qualifier. He currently resides in Oakland with his wife and two daughters.

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Chris Staples-Golf Professional
I am excited to join the AATQ team. Growing up in Los Angeles as an elite junior and collegiate player, I could not even have imagined this. I have spent the last 2 years in New Jersey as First Assistant Professional at Medford Lakes, where I coached some of the top juniors at the club and learned more about golf course operations. 

I am currently enrolled in a PGM program and on my way to earning my Class A certification. Prior to my role there, I had extensive experience in golf and technology retail management. In my time at Roger Dunn Golf, I became adept at club repair and had even worked on clubs for PGA Tour players as they came in town for the L.A. Open. Working my way up the ranks to the manager gave me the opportunity to learn the practices and policies of ordering, inventory, scheduling, and accounting for one of the largest golf retailers in the country.

As the spouse to an active-duty Navy officer, I have supported her responsibilities as a recruiter stationed in major cities in the U.S. This part of our journey has brought us to the Sacramento area for the next four years. 

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