Justin also owns Twister Sports in Warrensburg, MO. His background is in Occupational Safety and Health. He spent 21 years in the United States Air Force before retiring in 2019. Justin spent seven years in the Missouri Highway Patrol. In his current role at Twisters, he is the facility manager of a 35,000 sq. ft. building and specializes in contracts and leasing agreements. Justin has general contracted all renovations at the gym to include a 1,000 sq. ft. ninja warrior obstacle course. Justin is the CEO of Next Generation Gym Owners and the first point of contact for all new Academy members. Justin can be seen alongside his wife, Danielle, on weekly episodes of Fireside Chat with the Johnstons.

Shelley owns and operates Five Star Athletics in Reno, NV. Shelley has owned cheer gyms since 2003. Along with her husband Tom, she opened Five Star in 2010 from the ground to now over 500 athletes. Five Star Athletics has a strong All Star Cheer Program known throughout the industry. Five Star also offers recreational cheerleading, tumbling, warriors, summer camps, and high school programs. Shelley has a bachelor’s degree in education. As a Next Generation coach, she specializes in teaching how to have a profitable All Star program and systemization. Shelley is the Chief Operations Officer for Next Gen ensuring the effective implementation of all programs within the company including conferences, programs, and sponsorships. Additionally, Shelley is a consultant in the Next Gen Owners Academy specializing in all star programs and all star budgeting.

Danielle owns Twister Sports in Warrensburg, MO. Twisters offers recreational and competitive cheerleading, tumbling, hip hop, gymnastics, ninja warrior, and indoor batting cages. They have about 700 athletes and host approximately 275 birthday parties each year. Danielle and Justin have founded 7 businesses over the past few years and have sold several. She has worked in digital media and marketing for many years. She has a bachelor’s degree in journalism and did public relations for the Air Force for 7 years. Danielle is an owner and consultant for the Next Gen as well as the CMO and CFO. As a consultant, Danielle specializes in staff management, partnerships, marketing, public relations, website development, and budgeting. Danielle and Justin are best known for Fireside Chat with the Johnstons and her daily blog.

Riana owns and operates Premier Academy in Red Deer, Alberta, Canada and is a co-owner in two other locations. Premier Academy offers competitive and recreation cheerleading, Ninja, tumbling, a licensed preschool and hosts a large number of birthday parties and camps throughout the year. As a mom of five young kids, she has been able to create systems to create freedom to spend time with her family and ensure the gym is successful. Riana is responsible for all curriculum in the Next Generation Academy. She develops the content for all courses, and also serves the company as a consultant. In her role as a consultant, Riana specializes in working with international gyms, staffing, and systemization.

Dan, along with his wife, Tori, own and operate Oregon Dream Teams in Beaverton, OR. ODT specializes in all star cheerleading, but also has a thriving recreational program. Dan is also the owner of Dream Camps, providing residential and at-home camp instruction to All Star and high school programs throughout the United States and Canada. Dan served in the United States Army National Guard for eight years. He currently works full-time as a police officer for the City of Beaverton. Dan is the Head Coach for the Next Generation Academy and the host of the Next Generation People and Profits podcast, which notably received more than 5,000 downloads in its first year. This podcast is the #1 business building podcast in the after-school industry.

Kierra co-owns and operates Premier Academy in Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada as well as coaches & manages the Keyano College Cheer Team. Premier Academy offers competitive and recreational cheerleading, tumbling, and hosts a large number of birthday parties and camps throughout the year. As a mom of two young kids, she has been able to create systems to create freedom to spend time with her family and ensure the gym is still successful. As a Next Generation consultant, Kierra’s primary strength is systemizing and time management. Kierra serves as a consultant for Next Gen and works with clients as they start their journey in the Next Gen Academy.

Liz Yntema is the owner of Pegasus Cheer Athletics in Belleville, Ontario, Canada. Liz has grown her program dramatically over the past few years to include all star cheerleading, recreational programming, preschool programming and a thriving summer camp program. As a consultant with Next Gen, Liz specializes in summer camp and events as well as delegation.

Lexi is the director of client relations at Twister Sports in Warrensburg, MO. For the past four years, Lexi has been in charge of the trial program, birthday party program, specialty summer camps and all events at the gym to include large-scale community events and performances. In her role at Next Gen, Lexi is the client success manager, assisting with on-boarding new clients and ensuring they see success in their journey.