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Company founder Brian Kelly has been a coach and physical education teacher for over 15 years. He works with children of all ages, from preschool through college.  Brian offers exercise programs in numerous area preschools, elementary schools, after-school programs and rec centers. He also coaches soccer for a number of organizations throughout Massachusetts including Mass Youth Soccer, Newton Youth Soccer, Delta Football Club, and recently signed on with FC Greater Boston Bolts.  Brian also served as the Assistant Men's Soccer Coach for Mount Ida College for 3 seasons. In 2006 Brian was named "Number One Soccer Tutor" by Boston Globe Magazine.  Brian holds a B.A. in Biology from Plymouth State University and is a member of the National Sports and Conditioning Association and the National Exercise and Sports Trainers Association.  He earned his National Diploma in June 2011 from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.

Ken Shifman has been with Be Ahead of the Game since 2005.  He leads preschool classes, coaches YMCA basketball and soccer teams, and runs several after-school sports programs.  Ken also serves as Camp Director for Camp Avoda in Middleboro, MA.  Ken resides in Needham with his wife Jill and his two boys, Alex and Ethan.

Mike Almeida has been with Be Ahead of the Game for two years and currently directs Tennis and Soccer camps and clinics. Mike is a senior at Mount Ida College majoring in Psychology and minoring in Child Development and English. Mike played soccer his first two years at Mount Ida as a starter and was also a varsity soccer player at his two high schools, Bishop Stang and Dartmouth High School. He played for travel clubs including Noreaster, Rexclub and ScSporting. Mike is CPR and first aid certified, holds a MYSA G Coaching License and is a MYSA E candidate.

Hermes Lima is a lead coach for our soccer camps and clinics.  Hermes was born in Cape Verde, moved to the U.S. in 1999 and graduated from Mount Ida College in 2011 with a degree in Sports Management. Hermes has been playing soccer since he was three years old and loves to share his knowledge of the game with younger kids.   He holds a MYSA G coaching license.  Hermes is a new father to baby McKenzie born in 2011.


Merrilee Keller has over 40 years of experience in playing, teaching and coaching tennis. She is a former world ranked tennis professional who has competed in the Wimbledon and U.S. Open qualifying tournaments. Merrilee has served as head coach of the MIT varsity women’s tennis team, and as an assistant coach at Brown and Harvard. She is currently the Tennis Professional for the Town of Weston Recreation Department.  Merrilee brings a patient, supportive, upbeat and enthusiastic teaching style to Be Ahead of the Game and is excited to be part of the Be Ahead of the Game team!     

Ian Kilpatrick runs programs for kids of all ages at Be Ahead of the Game and is also an athletic trainer for the Competitive Athletic Training Zone (CATZ) in Needham. Ian received his BS in Sport Management from UMass Amherst where he trained with the varsity basketball team for 3 years while obtaining his degree. At Newton North High School he played varsity basketball and was team captain his senior year. Ian also worked as a special education aide at Franklin Elementary School in Newton for two years.  His specialty is basketball clinics and personal/small group trainings.  Ian is CPR and first aid certified.

John Carver-Gustin has been working for Be Ahead of the Game since 2009. He runs Creative Movement and Introduction to Sports classes, as well as flag football clinics and private/small group athletic trainings.  John graduated from Springfield College with a degree in Sport & Recreation Management. He enjoys working with all types of kids, playing all types of games, and most importantly having a lot of fun! John is also a NASM certified personal trainer and fitness enthusiast and is CPR and first aid certified.