Our Mission.SpringSpirit exists to provide pathways for youth to realize life opportunities through sports, education, and mentoring programs based on Christian principles.
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Our Story
Melissa and Kenny Baldwin
Co-Founders and President
The foundation of SpringSpirit began several decades ago in San Antonio as Kenny Baldwin, President and Founder, grew up and played baseball in a neighborhood much like the one SpringSpirit serves today. He was given the opportunity to attend Rice University on a baseball scholarship and then played professional baseball before spending twenty-eight years as a successful consultant in the oil and gas industry. Kenny credits his success to strong coaches, great teachers, loving mentors, and faith leaders who encouraged him throughout his life. It is his greatest desire to create these same opportunities and relationships for other under-served youth through SpringSpirit Baseball.Our Team
Administration
Elaine Armitage
AccountingYesenia Merchan
OperationsJuan Ramirez
AdministrationRachel Owens
Director of OperationsLaura Smith
Pitner Campus DirectorJohnnie McCrory
Assistant to Kenny BaldwinAna Mendoza
Campbell Campus DirectorDevelopment
Alison Young
DevelopmentKatie Whalley
DevelopmentKakki Lange
DevelopmentJay Davis
Corporate DevelopmentCompetitive Sports
Elmer Villa
SoccerKevin Witt
BaseballChista Wallace
Softball Development PlayerGio Merchan
SoftballLizandro Salazar
SoccerEducation & Mentoring
Sergio Razo
EducationBlanca Gallegos
Whole Child ProgramCarin Thorn
EducationCommunity Engagement & Rec Sports
Miguel Arteaga
Community EngagementSergio Razo
Community EngagementCristian Melendez
MinistryJuan Ramirez
Rec SportsMichael Kidd
Community EngagementSaid Perez
MinistrySophie White
MinistryOur Community
Spring Branch is a vibrant, growing and dynamic part of Houston. Among the local churches, schools, businesses, non-profits and mix of residents there exist many interested stakeholders that are working to see the community grow and thrive. There is a level of passion and commitment shared for the overall development of Spring Branch. The 1970’s marked a significant change in Spring Branch with the building of apartment complexes. During the 1980’s the City of Houston sought to build public housing in the area and was opposed by concerned homeowners and civic leaders. During that same decade, Houston’s economy declined rapidly and area apartments were vacated to families looking for inexpensive housing. The change in occupants is significant because it changed both the demographic and socio-economic status in the region. Beginning in 1980 to recent times, U.S. Census figures show a rapid and growing increase in the number of Latin American immigration to the community. The clear characteristics, noted both in the past and present, is the abundance of inexpensive multi-family housing and the excellent education provided by SBISD.Our Board
Carlos AbelloJay GrahamMark McAdamsSteve ScottKenny BaldwinIra GreenBrooks McGeeAimee SnootsMelissa BaldwinMark HamiltonStephen McNairLaura SorrellLance BerkmanBill HermanPhilip McRaeRichard SpitzerKeith BookeDoug HodoJohn MeredithSteve StephensDavid BuckHoward HouseJeff MiersTrey StrakeSteve BuckleyEric HudsonDavid MilichKeith StubbsLinda CastanedaWill HuthnanceDavid MillerKen TheutDavid CecilSteve KimMichelle MoutonBrian ThompsonGus ComiskeyDuncan KlussmannMary Tere PeresquiaBeth TilneyJeff DietertPeggy KostialTony PileggeTim TullyBill DoreBob KurtzDavid PluchinskyJesse TutorGary EdwardsDan LangJon PratherLuke VammenCristina FederMark LangePaul PrimaveraTrey VickChris FerazziDavid LightLuis RojasEd FikseTommy MannMichael D. RudinTerrence GeeJason MartinezReid RyanMike GilbertBaker McAdamsSteve SchwarzbachOur Core Values
- Teamwork: We rely on the talent and experience of every member of our staff to meet our mission goals. We will work as one team to achieve our common and individual goals. We will communicate openly, share ideas and support each other.
- Respect for the Individual: We strive to create a workplace where employees learn from others and each person’s unique skills, gifts and experience are recognized. We will demonstrate grace, compassion and patience with colleagues, volunteers and participants.
- Integrity: We believe that trust is built on honesty and ensuring that our behaviors match our words. We will act ethically, legally and according to our Christian principles in all situations.
- Focus on the Family and Community: We are committed to improving the lives of the families and youth of Spring Branch. We will serve them willingly and with humility. We will listen to the community in order to understand the specific ways in which we can help and we will deliver quality programming.
- Perseverance: We will be consistent and dedicated in our mission. We will serve with a positive attitude and remain focused when we encounter obstacles.
- Operational Excellence: We are committed to building a team of competent, caring individuals who will represent the values of SpringSpirit.
- Teamwork: We rely on the talent and experience of every member of our staff to meet our mission goals. We will work as one team to achieve our common and individual goals. We will communicate openly, share ideas and support each other.
Elaine Armitage
Hometown: Tulsa, OK Hobbies: hiking, jogging, dancing Dream Vacation: Costa Rica Favorite Athlete: JJ Watt Favorite Quote: If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Why I Love SSB: I love our core values: Teamwork, Operational Excellence, Perseverance, Focus on the Family, respect for the Individual, Integrity |
Jay Davis
Jay comes to us as a seasoned and successful C-level business leader with many years of broad experience in the oil and gas industry. Additionally, he has been very involved as a baseball coach, where his teams have won over 30 titles, including 2 State Championships and a third place World Series finish. Finally, Jay and his wife Rhonda are extremely active and committed to their church, Faithbridge UMC in Spring, TX. Each of these facets makes Jay an ideal leader, positioned to take us to the next level as we continue to advance our mission of creating pathways that help our children become the well-rounded adults God created them to be. |
Laura Smith
Hometown: Houston, TX Hobbies: cooking, gardening, being outdoors, listening to music and going to concerts, watching sports and other TV shows, reading, traveling and doing DIY projects with my husband Favorite Quote: "Who has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8 Houston Restaurant Rec: Backstreet Cafe Favorite Athlete: Jose Altuve Why I Love SSB: I love the community! |
Alison Young
Hometown: Houston Hobbies: CrossFit, gardening, cycling, baking/cake decorating, hiking, reading Favorite Quote: "Everything will be all right in the end. If it is not all right, it is not yet the end." --Patel, Hotel Manager, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel Why I Love SSB: It is spiritually and emotionally fulfilling to see that, every single day, we are making a real and profound impact on kids' lives. |
Blanca Gallegos
Houston Restaurant Rec: Del Friscos Favorite Athlete: Michael Jordan Things I love: flipping homes, running, cycling, cooking, event planning, gardening, traveling Favorite Quote: Climb mountains not so the world can see you, but so you can see the world. Why I Love SSB: I love collaboration to uplift the community in a holistic way. |
Michael Kidd
Homewtown: Brownsville, Texas Favorite Athlete: Albert Pujols Things I love: playing baseball, swimming, the Lord My Mt. Rushmore: twin sister, parents, Pastor Dale, best friend Joey Favorite Quote: "Failure is not fatal, success is not final, it is the courag to continue that counts." -Winston Churchill Why I Love SSB: I love the mentality of serving without any expectation of accolades or praise. |
Johnnie McCrory
Hometown: Mobile, AL Dream Vacation: Switzerland, Austria Things I love: sewing, gardening and my grandchildren Favorite Quote: We can't help everyone, but we can all help someone. -Ronald Reagan Why I Love SSB: The people bring such happiness to so many children and you can see the love they have for their job. |
Yesenia Herera-Merchan
Nickname: Yessie Things I love: watching my kids play ball or watching Giovanni singing Dream Vacation: Turks and Caicos Favorite Quote: Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance. My Mt. Rushmore: God, My Dad, Mom, Maya Angelou Why I Love SSB: It gives young athletes a platform and the motivation to strive to go to college or bettering themselves by acknowledging God first. |