Board of Directors

A group of talented, dedicated Christians Pray, Serve and Give to support FCA Cheerleading.

Marilou Braswell, FCA Cheerleading National Director

Raised in the beautiful New England town of Bethel, Connecticut, Marilou Halastra Braswell’s family moved to Athens, Georgia, during her teenage years where she quickly acquired a Southern drawl. Although she played softball, basketball and soccer up North, the only thing offered at her school was cheerleading, so Marilou jumped right in with both feet!

After cheering in high school, she became a physical education major at the University of Georgia (UGA) where she was a cheerleader for three seasons and a member of the gymnastics team for two years. She was also an NCA (National Cheerleaders Association) College All-American her senior year.   

After coaching high school cheerleaders and teaching P.E. at the Lovett School in Atlanta, Marilou returned to her alma mater as the head cheerleading coach from 1993-2004. Afterward, she was named the Dean of Women at Whitefield Academy in Atlanta. Marilou has served in her current role as the National Director for FCA Cheerleading since October 2007.                                                                

For 11 years, Marilou directed a nationally-recognized cheerleading program at UGA. Marilou, who was raised Catholic, became a devoted Christian in college and often invited the UGA cheerleaders she coached to participate in team Bible studies and prayer sessions. With the advent of FCA Cheerleading in 2006, Marilou now has an unprecedented opportunity to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with thousands of cheerleaders and coaches across the nation as she leads cheer camps and huddles.

Marilou and her husband Matt, an All-Conference offensive lineman for the Bulldogs who also played for the Oakland Raiders and Denver Broncos, have been married for 32 years. They are the proud parents of two adult children, Laci Ann and Beau Matthew, and two granddaughters. The Braswells currently live in Athens. 

Marilou's favorite Bible verse is: “These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me you might have peace. In this world you will have tribulation, but be of good CHEER, for I have overcome the world!” (John 16:33, NKJV)

Laura Wellon, FCA Cheerleading Board Chair

Laura is a native Atlantan who attended Pace Academy and graduated from the University of Georgia. She joined UBS as a financial advisor in 2001 and her primary responsibilities include financial planning, asset allocation, performance reporting and relationship management on behalf of families. Laura holds Series 7 and 66 securities licenses and is working toward her Certified Financial Planner designation. She is an active member of Buckhead Church, board member for the Robert D. Fowler YMCA and Chairman of the Board for FCA Cheer. Laura enjoys spending time with her husband and their four children.

Vesta Jones

Vesta Jones is the former Director of Guidance and College Counselor at Whitefield Academy and is now an Independent Consultant and Area Manager with Arbonne International. In addition to FCA Cheerleading, she serves on the Board of the School of Education at Georgia State University. Vesta is an active member of Christchurch Presbyterian Church and regularly volunteers at the Edna Wardlaw Women's Shelter located in First Presbyterian Church, Atlanta.

Gloria Perkins

Gloria Perkins and her husband, John, live in the Athens area and have a ministry to the elderly. They have two grown children, Julie and Matthew. Matthew's wife, Laura, came to know Christ through FCA.

Ryan Boulton

Ryan Boulton is a former University of Georgia Varsity Cheerleader and a South Carolina State runner-up for N.P.C. Fitness. Her husband, Eric Boulton, played for the Atlanta Thrashers hockey team. They have been happily married for 12 years and have four beautiful children: Aidan, Reaves, Sawyer and Ryder. Their family resides in Duluth, Georgia, and they attend Crosspointe Baptist Church. Avid sports fanatics, they have thoroughly indoctrinated their children as Georgia Bulldogs!

Erin Johnson

Erin is currently the Gym Director and All-Star Director for Spring Creek Athletics (SCA) in Tomball, Texas. The mission of SCA is similar to FCA Cheerleading because it is an openly Christian cheer, tumbling, and hip-hop gym. Erin also serves as a Texas Instructor for the USASF (US All-Star Federation). Prior to SCA, Erin was a cheerleader and softball player at Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, WV, and Chantilly High School in Chantilly, VA. Erin has coached and judged cheerleading for more than 20 years.

Carmen Wright

Carmen Wright was privileged to cheer for former University of Georgia cheerleading coach Marilou Braswell for four years. Carmen became actively involved with FCA during college and saw firsthand the impact athletes can make when they take a stand for Christ. She continues to love and support the FCA family today through active involvement with FCA Cheerleading. Carmen and her husband Chris live in Watksinville, GA, with their two daughters Camryn and Charlie.

Charity Kassa

Charity is a multitalented performer, choreographer and coach with more than 20 years of performing arts experience. A native of Waycross, GA, she earned a degree in public relations from the University of Georgia where was a majorette in the Redcoat Band during football season and a member of the Dance Dawgs basketball dance team in winter. In addition to her career as a public relations and marketing consultant, Charity continues to teach dance, twirling and fitness classes at various locations across metro Atlanta. Charity brings her love of Christ and her passion for performing arts to the FCA Cheerleading Board. She and her UGA sweetheart Tim Kassa live in Atlanta with their two young daughters. 

Shannen Fields

National Advisory Board Members

Susan Banke

Jona Braden

Mark Cathy

Bucky Cook

Archie Crenshaw

Denise Demick

Tina Gaa

Lauren Griffeth

Peggy Lundy

Pat Parks

Fran Sizemore

Marcia Ulm