Chief Relationships Officer
Dr. Mathes Mennell, Ed.D., brings a wealth of real-world leadership experience from collegiate and youth athletics, as well as the United States Air Force, to GFL. His lifelong dedication to learning, fostering excellence, and serving others shines through in his impressive background.
With over 25 years of coaching experience in soccer, Mathes has left his mark on various prestigious institutions. He has coached at the NCAA level for the United States Air Force Academy, Loyola Marymount University, UNC Asheville, and Warren Wilson College. Beyond coaching, he has held leadership positions with the NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Committee and the United Soccer Coaches Association NCAA Division I All-America Committee. He has also contributed to numerous non-profit boards, including the Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club, Asheville Youth Mission, Genesis Alliance, and as a Vestry Member of Grace Episcopal Church.
In addition to earning his Ed.D. in Global Sports Leadership from East Tennessee State University, Mathes holds an M.A. in General Education from Loyola Marymount University and a B.S. from the United States Air Force Academy. Outside of work, he treasures spending time with his family and continually strives to embody the person his Goldendoodles believe him to be.
Founder & CEO
In April 2015, Janna received her doctorate in Leadership Development from the University of Florida’s Department of Agricultural Education and Communication. Her dissertation focused on Authentic Leadership and Curriculum Development. Magette is also certified in the behavioral DISC assessment and well versed in Strengths Quest.
From 2013-2017, Magette served as the Executive Director of Girls Place, Inc., a grassroots non-profit organization that focuses on introducing girls to their passion and preparing them to pursue that passion. Before accepting her position with Girls Place, Janna was the Director of Basketball Operations for the Florida Gators Women’s Basketball team for six years. While working at UF, Janna completed her master’s in sport management in 2010. Prior to Florida, Janna was an assistant women’s basketball coach at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte and Francis Marion University.
Dr. Butler currently serves as a full-time lecturer within Clemson University's Athletic Leadership Graduate Program. Janna believes leadership is about bringing all of yourself to everything you do. Her favorite word is “go” and encourages everyone to live life with a fierce and fearless authenticity. A four-year letter winner in basketball from Davidson College (NC), Janna received her bachelor’s degree in religion in 2002. Janna is originally from Hoover, Alabama where she also played softball. She enjoys family time, traveling, reading, and fitness (sometimes).
About Mathes
Chief Operating Officer
Dr. Eric J. Lapin serves as the Chief Operating Officer for GoFollowLead, LLC. He holds a Ph.D. in Higher Education Leadership, an MBA in Entrepreneurship, and Masters and Bachelors degrees in Music Performance.
In addition to serving as Editor for go.follow.lead.: from my journey to yours by Janna Magette Butler, Ph.D., Dr. Lapin is also the co-author of The Artist Entrepreneur: Finding Success in a New Arts Economy.
As a Principal Lecturer at Clemson University, Dr. Lapin teaches courses in arts leadership, music business, and arts entrepreneurship. He has presented at state, national, and international conferences on leadership, music business and entrepreneurship, and music history. He also serves as a member of the SC Humanities: Speaker’s Bureau. His articles on music business, leadership, teaching pedagogy, and curriculum development can be found in several peer and editor-reviewed journals and publications.
He loves searching for shark’s teeth on the beach, reading, watching the Atlanta Braves, and exploring the world with his wonderful wife, Leigh.