John Ballinger
President / CEO

​John Ballinger, a risk and crisis management expert, has helped many organizations navigate troubled waters. He is dedicated to helping commercial and nonprofit organizations get back on course and continue moving toward the goal and mission to which they have been called. His extensive knowledge into leading people,  risk management, and navigating complex legal matters has earned him the respect of his business colleagues as well as those in the legal profession. John is also a decorated veteran with over 20 years of service in the United States Army and holds more than a dozen awards and certifications in aviation safety and risk management.

Leah Courtney
Vice President of Operations

Leah serves as the Vice President of Operations for NACA/Fort Bluff, bringing over 13 years of dedicated experience to the organization. Her journey began as a summer staff member, working in various hands-on roles such as lifeguard, camp counselor, and dining hall staff, which provided her with a deep understanding of operations from the ground up. Since joining the team full-time in 2018, she has progressed from Office Manager to Operations Manager and was ultimately named Vice President in May 2025.

A lifelong athlete raised in Guthrie Center, Iowa, Leah developed a strong work ethic and team-first mindset through her extensive competitive career. In high school, she competed in four sports, earning numerous academic and athletic honors, and continued her career at the collegiate level in cross country and basketball.

Her notable achievements include:
  •        -Qualifying for the NJCAA National Cross Country Meet.
  •        -Setting a college record for the fastest women’s 5K time.
  •        -Winning the 2016 NAIA Division I National Championship as part of her basketball team.
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Leah holds an Associate of Science in Athletic Training from Iowa Lakes Community College and a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from MidAmerica Nazarene University. She is also a Licensed Massage Therapist and business owner.
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What Leah values most about NACA is its unique mission to use sports as a platform to share the gospel. She is passionate about creating Christ-centered environments where coaches and athletes can grow and be transformed far beyond the game. Outside of her work, Leah enjoys traveling—particularly through Europe—exploring health and wellness, and focusing on leadership growth and development.
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Douglas Ford
Director of Special Projects

Douglas serves as the Communications and Special Projects lead at the National Association of Christian Athletics (NACA), having joined the team over five years ago. With more than 15 years of experience in the sports industry—specifically in high school sports and as a football official—Douglas brings a wealth of practical knowledge to his role. He holds a B.A. in Mass Communication and Journalism, which informs his work in creating interactive communications for NACA’s marketing efforts and social media presence.

As a former three-sport high school athlete who played football, basketball, and baseball, Douglas is driven by a vision to enhance the NACA tournament experience. His background as an official and athlete has shaped his belief that the overall experience of a sporting event is just as vital as the final score. He is deeply committed to NACA’s mission of fostering an environment where athletes can grow their talents while maintaining a Christ-centered focus on life. Douglas values the opportunity to help student-athletes, coaches, and fans grow in both their love for the game and their spiritual maturity.
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While he enjoys the variety of events NACA hosts, he finds the high energy of volleyball and the intensity of cross-country to be particularly exciting. Outside of his professional responsibilities, Douglas is involved in several business ventures and enjoys spending quality time with his family.

Danny Baylor
Director of NACA Operations / Development

​​Danny's athletic career began with significant success as a placekicker, where he started all four years of high school and earned multiple All-District and All-State honors. During his junior year, he set a school record with a 47-yard field goal, and as a senior, he broke that record twice, ultimately setting a Tennessee state record with a 56-yard field goal. These achievements earned him a scholarship to Liberty University, where he played his freshman year before transferring to Cumberland College (now the University of the Cumberlands).

Beyond his time as a player, he served the sports community for 34 years as a game official, refereeing and umpiring baseball, softball, basketball, and football. His dedication to football officiating led him to work semi-final games and a 3A State Championship game in Tennessee, an achievement for which he received a State Championship Ring. His leadership experience also includes seven years as the President of a recreation center and eight years coaching fastpitch softball.

Parallel to his athletic pursuits, he has maintained a lifelong engagement with music that began at the age of four. He performed for years in a trio with his siblings and later toured extensively with a gospel quartet. His formal training included roles in high school choir, barbershop quartets, and show choir, as well as leading roles in multiple musical productions.
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Currently residing in Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia, with his wife, Karen, Danny considers his current role a "dream job". In this position, he focuses on helping student-athletes reach their full spiritual and physical potential. A family-oriented individual, he has two grown children, Kayla and Ethan; two stepchildren, Steven and Meagan; and three step-grandchildren. In his personal time, he is an avid outdoorsman who enjoys hunting, fishing, camping, and traveling to new places with his wife.

Maegan Miller
Social Media & Communication

Maegan is a dedicated communications professional originally from Dothan, Alabama, who moved to Cleveland, Tennessee, in June 2024. She relocated to the area with her husband, Caleb, following his call to youth ministry. Maegan graduated summa cum laude from Troy University in December 2023, earning a Bachelor of Science in Communication Studies with an emphasis in Public Relations. Her academic excellence is highlighted by numerous honors, including membership in the Phi Kappa Phi honor society and placement on the Chancellor’s List. She is also skilled in various digital tools, holding certifications in Hootsuite and HubSpot.

Her professional journey began with Social Media Marketing Internships in Troy’s Athletic Department and Dothan’s Parks and Rec, where she managed social platforms, created content, and tracked strategic KPIs. After moving to Tennessee, she gained diverse experience at a local pharmacy in Cleveland. Since September 2025, she has served as the Social Media and Communication Coordinator for Fort Bluff Camp and NACA Sports, where she develops social media strategies and manages event promotions.

For Maegan, her career is more than just a job; it is a ministry. She feels a strong calling to youth ministry and views her marketing work as a way to be a light and bring others to Christ. To further her expertise, she plans to pursue a Master’s in Strategic and Digital Communication from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, starting in the fall of 2026.
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Beyond her professional life, Maegan is deeply family-oriented and highly involved in her church. She enjoys spending time with friends, both from her hometown and those she has met in Tennessee, and loves her parents’ dog, Benson. Her personal interests include all things pink, Diet Coke, cows, and cheering on the Auburn Tigers. 

Brianna (Bri) Heiser
Registration Coordinator

Connie Smith
Bookkeeper/HR

David Christian
Campus Pastor

Josh Gilbert
Worship Leader

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CHRISTIAN ATHLETES ®