Meet Our Team

Our Group Study Exchange team that will visit Brazil in May and June has been selected and we are excitedly preparing for our trip!


Team Leader: Paul Elminowski




Team Leader Paul Elminowski is a member of the Rotary Club of Monroe. he is a Chiropractor and Acupunturist and is married to Christine. They live in Monroe with their two daughters. Hobbies: Judo, Karate, and running.








Team Member: Tracy Blackmon

Tracy Blackmon was nominated by the Rotary Club of Cabarrus County. She is employed by Opportunity Middle School as a Secondary School Science Teacher. In 2008-2009 she was a Middle School Science Teacher in Costa Rica and in 2002-2004 was a Peace Corps Volunteer in South Africa. She has a BS in Biology from the University of Northern Colorado and a Masters in Urban Education from the University of Denver, Colorado. Tracy is engaged and lives in Charlotte. While in Brazil she hopes to gain more exposure to diverse perspectives, cultures and languages. She looks forward to sharing her experiences with her students, colleagues and community members when she returns. Hobbies: Snowboarding, surfing, swimming and running.

Team Member: Nicole Sanders

Nicole Sanders was nominated by the Rotary Club of Charlotte. She oversees recruitment for the 4-H after school programs in Mecklenburg County. Nicole is single and lives in Charlotte. In Brazil she hopes to have many opportunities to learn from other driven professionals and to participate in discussions that are important and relevant to educators, public servants, and those in related industries. Hobbies: Golf, cooking and dancing.

Team Member: Scott Treon

Scott Treon was nominated by the Rotary Club of lake Norman-Huntersville. He is employed by the government as an Assistant Director in the town of Huntersville's Park and Recreation Department. He has a BS from Northland College in Wisconsin, and is a Certified Arborist. Scott is married to Lenae and they live in Huntersville with their three children. In Brazil he hopes to see how others plan parks, develop athletic and event programs, and plan for the future. Hobbies: Golf and Vintage Baseball.

Team Member: Erik Turner

Erik Turner was nominated by the Rotary Club of Charlotte. He is in Administration with the Citizens Schools where he is a Program Director. He has a BA from the North Carolina Central University and a MA from Gonzaga University, Washington. Erik is married to Kaneka and they live in Charlotte with their two children. In Brazil he hopes to develop friendships with public and private school educators so that he can learn creative and logical solutions to roadblocks that stand in the way of quality education for all children. Hobbies: Reading, golfing, coaching youth basketball and studying Egyptology.

Team Member: Margaret "Meg" Williams

Meg Williams was nominated by the Rotary Club of Concord. She is the Director of Business Development for CESI, a land development company. She has a BA in Political Science from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She is single and lives in Charlotte. In Brazil she hopes to use and incorporate the ideas, viewpoints, and new marketing methods that she earns from the trip into her role as a business development professional. Hobbies: working out, shopping, socializing with friends and family, and painting.

Alternate Team Member: Kamilah Thomas

Kamilah Thomas was nominated by the Rotary Club of Charlotte-South. She is a Social Worker and manages services for foster parents with the Alexander youth Network. She has a BA from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and is enrolled in a Masters of Social Work program at Winthrop University, South Carolina. She is single and lives in Charlotte. She is not a primary team member but will serve as first alternate in the event that one of the team members is unable to continue. Hobbies: cooking, shopping and playing sports.

Alternate Team Member: Jeffery Neff

Jeffery Neff was nominated by the Rotary Club of Charlotte. He is employed as Bank Analysis with US Bancorp. He has a BS from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. He is single and lives in Charlotte. He is not a primary team member but will serve as second alternate in the event that one of the team members is unable to continue. Hobbies: trading currencies, and intramural sports.

Alternate Team Leader: Debbie Corbett

Debbie Corbett was nominated by the Rotary Club of Mecklenburg County-South. She is a Professional Licensed Counselor and is married to Bailey. They live in Waxhaw with their three sons. She is Chair of the Board for Union county's "Girls On The Run" program. Hobbies: Music and dancing.

She is not a primary team member but will serve as Team Leader in the event that Paul Elminowski is unable to continue.