Pickleball
Meet our Charbarian
Pickleballers
Join us in celebrating the hardworking staff at Char Bar who bring our pickleball operations to life! With their dedication and passion, they’ve turned Char Bar into a local hub for pickleball enthusiasts.
Josh Vaughn
COMING SOON
Annie Saunders
Hi! My name is Annie, I’m 23, from Kansas City, and I am currently studying Political Science at UMKC. I grew up playing tennis which helped with my transition to Pickleball. I have been playing for a handful of months now, and I am excited for more opportunities to represent Char Bar at tournaments. I work with guests of all skill levels to help improve their game!
Jake Smith
Jake is a seasoned entrepreneur with a successful track record of opening over 30 companies, demonstrating his ability to identify opportunities and drive growth. Born and raised in Kansas City, he spent time in Florida and Arizona before returning to the Kansas City Metro area, drawn back by his love for the local community and its renowned CharBar BBQ. In addition to his entrepreneurial ventures, Jake was able to pursue golf and now pickleball, specializing in youth and beginner instruction. He is dedicated to creating an engaging and enjoyable learning environment, fostering a love for the sport while helping students develop their skills!
Malia Shimabukuro
Aloha! I’m Malia, I was born in Kansas City and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii. I competed in college ice hockey and lacrosse in Nebraska. With fivers in college athletics, I am now the assistant women’s lacrosse coach at William Jewell College where I love mentoring student-athletes. In my free time, I enjoy playing pickleball competitively, a passion that started in 2023. I treasure the sense of community in the sport and the meaningful relationships I have built along the way. That is why I enjoy working at Char Bar, to continue growing and developing relationships on and off the pickleball courts!
Alexis Termini
Alexis here! I’m 27 years young and full of energy, bringing a love for sports and a passion for pickleball to the Charbar community. Originally from Kansas City, I spent the last eight years in Arizona, where I developed my skills as a high-level tennis player, even competing at the collegiate level. Recently, I’ve become hooked on pickleball and have found a deep connection with the sport and its vibrant community. Now back in Kansas City, I’m excited to team up with great friends at Charbar, where I combine my athletic background with my love for pickleball to help players of all levels reach their full potential on the court!
Sam Kleinsasser
COMING SOON!