Koru Village would not be the relaxing sanctuary it is without our brilliant, helpful staff.
Learn a bit more about the people who work at Koru Village:
Founders
Joe Thompson
Owner
Hometown: Winston-Salem, NC
A native of North Carolina, hometown of Winston-Salem, Joe met his wife Tami at University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, discovered the Outer Banks, and never looked back. He moved to Hatteras Island on his bicycle and after four days and 450 miles, Joe was home. He has spent over 15 years as a builder and developer for his company Lands End. His company has built hundreds of homes as well as businesses including; The Cape Hatteras Life Saving Station, which is home to Health East and the Villas of Koru Village. Joe’s time is mainly devoted to the Life Saving Station, Frisco Sandwich Co., Koru Village, and the renowned event destination, The Love Boat. When Joe is not working, you can find him with his family, standup paddle boarding, kiteboarding, or boating. He is proud to be a part of Koru Village and the wellness campus at the Life Saving Station. “It’s all about doing better!”
Tami Thompson
Chief Financial Advisor
Hometown: Virginia Beach, VA
Tami not only won Joe’s heart, but has worked her way into so many of our hearts here at Koru Village. Born in Virginia, Tami came to the Outer Banks when she was 12 years old, and has loved living on Hatteras Island. Tami graduated from UNC Chapel Hill with a BA in Education, and is a trained, certified Yoga instructor with Yoga Alliance. She is a Yoga Instructor and enthusiast here at Koru Village. She also is the behind the scenes Financial Genius and Mother Extraordinaire. She enjoys walking the beach, listening to her son Elijah play music, or just spending time at the Frisco Pier with her family.
Directors
Grace Souter
Director
Hometown Tannersville, PA
Grace grew up in the mountains of Pennsylvania, and went on her first Outer Banks vacation when she was just five weeks old. Grace was recruited by Columbia University where she was member of the Varsity Diving Team, and in 2005 she graduated with a BA in Archaeology. She then moved to the British Virgin Islands with her now husband, Justin, where she taught kiteboarding, sailed, and generally lived without a care in the world except her overexposure to UV rays. She loves coming to work every day and creating a campus people are excited to be a part of. When Grace is not working, you can find her surfing, training for marathons, spending time with Justin and their son Cash, or being dragged around Avon by her giant lab, Wyatt.
Tatum Clements
Assistant Director of Operations
Hometown: Cumberland, VA
Growing up on a farm in rural, central Virginia, Tatum lived for her summer vacations to the Outer Banks. In 2002, she spent her first of many summers living and working in Nags Head before heading off to Radford University in the fall. Tatum earned a Bachelor of Science from Radford in May 2006, majoring in Media Studies and minoring in Photography. After graduation, she moved to London, England to complete an internship in fashion public relations. Upon returning from London, Tatum moved back to the Outer Banks, determined to work as much as possible to save money for graduate school. In January of 2009, she packed up and moved across the world to Australia’s Gold Coast to attend Bond University. Tatum earned a Master of Communication with a concentration in Public Relations from Bond in October 2010. In her spare time, Tatum practices yoga, travels, makes jewelry, and goes to the beach with family, friends and her Westie, Magie. She is thankful to be a part of such an awesome work atmosphere and is excited about the continual growth of Koru Village.
Concierge
Ellisa Thompson
Beach Klub Manager
Hometown: Frisco, NC
A Hatteras Island native, Elissa has been a part of Koru Village from the beginning. Ellisa is currently a student at East Carolina University, participating in the Walter & Marie leadership Program. She is majoring in Hospitality Management with a minor in Business Administration, and hopes to gain the skills needed to further her career in the industry. Elissa enjoys standup paddle boarding in the ocean, being with friends, and spending time with her family. We look forward to seeing Elissa come home on college breaks, and wish her the best of luck at ECU!
Paulette Boyden
Front Desk Concierge and Yoga Instructor
Hometown: Frisco, NC
Paulette moved to the Outer Banks full time in 1996 to raise her two boys T.J and Daniel, and ended up finding her true love! Paulette loves being at the beach, gardening, surf photography, yoga, and anything that involves dancing! Paulette thinks of Koru Village as her big, loving family, and enjoys extending that feeling to all of our guests. She enjoys teaching yoga and living a peaceful, happy life while being marooned on beautiful Hatteras Island.
Therapists
Angela Cothren
Massage Therapist
Hometown: Ashville, NC
I lived most of my life in the Appalachian mountains of North Carolina. Hatteras Island was my first beach trip adventure, when I was fourteen years of age. At that time, I traveled a long bus trip with the Junior Beta Club to see all the different places of the Outer Banks. After that trip, I knew I would love to live here one day. In the fall of 2008, I found Koru Village and just loved the Center and this beautiful island. Since April 2009, I’ve been living and working on Hatteras Island and feel blessed. Some of my hobbies on the island have been competitive running, kayaking, weight lifting, and this summer I am going to attempt kite surfing and paddle boarding.
I started my education at a private college called Young Harris College, and received an Associate of Science Degree. Later, I continued my education of health and body through massage therapy. I have been a licensed massage therapist since July 2008. Since then, I have taken extended studies in myofacial release, craniosacral therapy, Thai yoga, Thai-table, and most recently Accupressure. As a fulltime Massage therapist, I value practice. I always appreciate all my clients’ feedback, and the time they give to themselves to rejuvenate. I look forward to continuing my education in this therapy and enhancing my skill for the benefits of the people visiting Koru Village.
Emili Harmon
Massage Therapist
Hometown: Raleigh NC
Emili did her massage training at the Body Therapy Institue in Siler City, NC. She also has a B.S. in Theatre from Portland State University Emili holds a Permaculture Design Certification and is currently studying Sustainable Agricultue through Central Carolina Community College in Pittsboro, NC. Emili is new to Cape Hatteras and has gained past experience at Massage Envy in Cary, NC for two years. Her approach to massage is holistic and integrative. I take my clients goals seriously and design a session to meet clients individual needs. In addition to working individual muscles and soft tissues I also work to release fascial binding and break up connective tissue to increase overall space and movement in the body. I’m available for advanced body work sessions as well as deep relaxation. I specialize in swedish, myofascial, sports, prenatal, reflexology and energy work. Emili also enjoys holisitic health care, permaculture design, community and urban gardening, medicine making, kundilini yoga, boardsports, kayaking, and hiking.
Jamie Pitetti
Massage Therapist
Hometown: Hatteras Island, NC
Jamie is a native of Hatteras Island and takes pride in the fact that she was born and raised on the Outer Banks. Jamie is one of Koru Village’s year-round massage therapists and specializes in Swedish and Deep Tissue massages and body treatments such as scrubs and wraps. When she is not helping clients with much needed relaxation, Jamie can be found drawing, painting, writing, spending time at the beach, or hanging out with friends and family.
Jennifer M. Williams
Acupuncturist – MSTCM, L.Ac., Dipl.Ac., CMT
Hometown: Durham, North Carolina
Jennifer Mary Williams has had an interest in Asian philosophy and culture since a young age. Her current doctoral work in Counseling Studies focuses on emotional challenges, addictive behaviors, cognitive changes, stress, families, and teenagers. Jennifer is nationally certified by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. She is licensed by both the North Carolina State Board of Medicine and Virginia State Board of Medicine to practice Acupuncture.
Jennifer began her study of medicine while working at the Veterans’ Hospital in Durham, North Carolina where she managed the Dermatology and Endocrinology clinics in a partnership with Duke University School of Medicine. In 2008, Jennifer completed a Traditional Chinese Medical program and earned a Masters degree at the Academy of Chinese Culture and Health Sciences in the California San Francisco Bay area. During her training, she completed an internship at the Huaihua Red Cross Hospital in the Hunan province of China. She completed her clinical internship in the San Francisco Bay area of California before moving to North Carolina.
Her clinical focus includes musculoskeletal issues, internal medical disorders, repetitive stress injuries, psyche, and wellness. She specializes in pain, sports Tui Na, depression, trauma, menopause, insomnia, infertility, addiction, weight loss, and allergies. Her clinical goal is remedy in few visits possible. She uses high quality painless needles and technique. Internal imbalances often respond favorably to Chinese herbs. These are prescribed and ordered by the client directly through Kan Herb Company in Santa Cruz, California.
Joshua Christ
Massage Therapist
Hometown: Buxton, NC
Joshua is a graduate of the Hawaiian Islands School of Medical Massage and Bodywork Therapy in Kealakekua, Hawaii. He has been living, working, and surfing in the Outer Banks for 13 years. His specialties include Pohaku Wella therapy and Swedish, Deep Tissue, and Hot Stone massage. When he is not at Koru Village he is busy being the best father and friend to his family. Joshua enjoys; music, coaching youth league soccer, traveling, cooking, fishing, and woodworking.
Meredith Dills
Esthetician
Hometown: Gloucester Point, VA
Meredith grew up on the Chesapeake Bay and has made the Outer Banks home since. Following several years in a flight career with American Airlines, she enrolled and graduated from Esthetician school at The Carolina Academy of Cosmetic Arts and Science in Gastonia, NC. Her specialties include diagnosing and treating all types of skin, helping clients understand maintenance of healthy skin and providing rejuvenating and relaxing treatments. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time at the beach, visiting family and friends and helping her husband run his local business.
Rachel Weishaupt
Massage Therapist
Rachel just recently relocated to Hatteras Island from Providence, Rhode Island. She began her professional life in Army Counterintelligence, but changed gears to natural healing in 2004 when she attended Phoenix Therapeutic Massage College in Arizona. She has lived and worked as a therapist and massage college recruiter all over the country, and most recently graduated from the University of Rhode Island with her B.A. in Psychology. Motivated by the connection between mind, body and spiritual health, she is pursuing her graduate degree in psychology while working as a Licensed Massage Therapist. Her modalities include myofascial release, trigger point therapy, lymphatic drainage, prenatal massage and energetic healing, along with basic Swedish and deep tissue massage. She enjoys hiking, camping, painting and looks forward to learning some of the local water sports from Koru’s outdoor adventure staff.
Stylists
Chloe Christ
Hair Stylist; Nail Technician
Chloe has been living on the Outer Banks for five years with her husband and family. She is originally from Columbus, Ohio, which is where she studied cosmetology at Nationwide Beauty Academy. Chloe enjoys all aspects of her work and loves the detail of working with brides on their big day and creating art with each hair style. She also works with make-up design and application and does amazing manicures and pedicures. When Chloe is not working she loves running, biking, and hanging out with her kids. Working at Koru Village has been an amazing experience for Chloe, because she has learned so much and benefited from the healthy lifestyle that the Village promotes.
Desiree Lewis
Cosmetologist
Hometown: Marshallberg, NC
Desiree is from the Southern Outer Banks region, and we are thrilled to have her on board. A licensed Cosmetologist, Desiree trained at the Carteret Community College School of Cosmetology in Morehead City, NC. A true beach girl at heart, you can find Desiree soaking up the sun on the beach, beachcombing, surfing and taking part in other watersports when she has a spare moment. Looking for an adventure, Desiree found herself on Hatteras Island and travels back and forth between Hatteras and Ocracoke to work. Her other interests include spending time with family and friends, traveling and photography. Call to schedule an appointment with Desiree today!
Tara Parks
Hair Stylist
Hometown: Santa Cruz, California
Tara is new to the Outer Banks. She moved here from California where she was a licensed hair stylist for the past 18 years. She grew up in Santa Cruz where she studied cosmetology at Wayne’s College of Beauty. Tara enjoys all aspects of being a hairstylist from the super edgy and creative to the very polished and precise. When she’s not working, you can find her soaking up the sun and exploring the island with the love of her life, her 11 year old dachshund, Bosco. Shhh… Don’t tell her husband that!
Fitness Instructors
Anna Tucker
Zumba Instructor
Anna is originally from Winston-Salem, but claims the coast as her home at heart. Having always dreamed of living beside the ocean and sand, Anna is now fulfilling her dream by living on Hatteras Island. Anna says that she have fallen in love with the people, surroundings, and the serenity of the Island. She graduated from East Carolina University in 2010 with a B.A. in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing. Wanting to share her love for fitness with others, Anna went and got certified to teach Zumba. She loves coming to Koru Village and teaching Zumba! When she is not working, you can find her on the beach with family and friends.
Carole Price
Burn and Firm Instructor
Hometown: Virginia Beach, VA
Carole moved to Hatteras Island with her husband and two dogs 18 years ago. She loves the beauty of the island and the people. She enjoys artwork, watersports, working out at the gym and teaching the Burn and Firm class at Koru. Her Burn and Firm class is a high intensity isometric class that uses free weights and step for a strength-increasing and overall body workout.
Caroline Luckett
Burn and Firm and Crossfit Instructor
Caroline has lived in Buxton for 10 years. Prior to Hatteras she trained horses in Delaware before meeting her husband Ty and moving to the Outer Banks. She has been teaching at Koru since we opened 6 years ago. Her Burn and Firm class is a local favorite. Fun music, high energy, and calorie torching make working out with Caroline a must! When she is not making our members and guests sweat she enjoys spending time with her two daughters, Marlee and Lana, kite surfing, surfing and horseback riding.
Izabela Rydzowska
Zumba Instructor
All the way from Poland, Izabela has been coming to the Outer Banks since 2003 and officially moved here a few years ago. As Koru’s first ZUMBA teacher she has certainly brought some spice to the Koru Krew. Dancing for over 11 years, including jazz through High School, Zumba came natural to Izabela. Her classes are energetic, fast paced and SO much fun! This Spring she and her fiancé Istvan are expecting their first child together, a baby girl names Lia. When she is not dancing or preparing for the birth of Lia, Izabela takes classes at the College of Albemarle and works at local restaurant, Diamond Shoals.
Mariah James
Zumba Instructor
Hometown: Outer Banks
Mariah was born and raised on the Outer Banks. She currently attends College of The Albemarle and plans to graduate at the end of summer 2011 and transfer in the fall. She loves to go kayaking, cycling, and spends a lot of time at the beach. Mariah took dance classes for 13 years, which led to her love for ZUMBA Fitness classes. She became a licensed ZUMBA instructor in March of 2011 and would love to see you in her classes!
Sara Flowe, Outdoor Adventure Coordinator
Sara grew up near Norfolk VA and took many family vacations to the Outer Banks. She moved to Annapolis MD for high school and was recruited to St. Mary’s College of MD as part of the Varsity Sailing Team, winning the National Championships twice. Sara graduated cum laude from St. Mary’s with a BA in Political Science. Sailing since she was 7 years old, Sara spent her summers and some time in college working at various sailing and outdoor adventure programs across the country. While at St. Mary’s she learned to windsurf and this brought her to Avon upon graduation. After working as a windsurfing instructor for a few years Sara joined the team at Koru to continue her exploration of sports and outdoor adventure. When she’s not working Sara likes to windsurf, kiteboard, wakeboard, SUP surf, do yoga, or go clamming for free dinners of her favorite food!
Terri Mohnal
Cardio Happy Hour Instructor
Hometown: Frisco, NC
Terri has been living on Hatteras Island for about 10 years. She has been teaching at Koru for the past four years. You can often find Terri in the fitness facility or in our many different yoga classes. For only teaching one class at Koru, Terri is super involved in the Koru culture. Terri’s Cardio Happy Hour class on Friday nights is a local favorite. The class will get your heart pumping and features step, cardio and lots of calorie burning. When she isn’t at Koru, Terri spends time with her family, volunteers at the elementary school and furthers her fitness training.
Wendi Palmer
Yoga Instructor
Wendi has been practicing yoga for the past seven years. Her passion began as a desire to become stronger through exercise then a desire for rehabilitation from sport injuries. Yoga has been the answer for Wendi in all aspects of her life since her first experience. Wendi says that yoga has helped her self- awareness and made her calmer and stronger both inside and out. Wendi spent a full month at the Nosara Yoga Institute in Costa Rica in 2009 and says that experience was transformational. She enjoys practicing yoga and loves sharing her training with others at Koru Village.
Personal Trainers
Drew Scalia
Personal Trainer
Drew graduated with a BS from VCU in Health Education/Sports Medicine. While there, he also worked with the University of Richmond football team in the Sports Medicine department. Drew attended George Mason University for one year of graduate school. While there, he worked with GMU wrestling and baseball teams, and also did some work with former USA women’s soccer star Mia Hamm and Washington Redskin Daryll Green. After one year at GMU, Drew transferred to and graduated from James Madison University with a M.A. from the Department of Kinesiology Exercise Physiology. He moved to Avon, to open Hatteras Island Boardsports with his brother, in 2002. Drew has been working at Koru Village since 2005 as a personal trainer. Drew can be found at Hatteras Island Boardsports, surfing, running outside, working out at Koru Village, or playing at the beach with his niece and nephew.
Accounting
Linda Klein, Accountant
Hometown: East Aurora, New York
After growing up in Western New York, Linda headed south for college and graduated from the University of South Florida with a BA in Finance/Accounting. She then moved to the Atlanta area where she raised her four children and worked in corporate accounting. She has been coming to the Outer Banks for vacation for many years. She and her husband decided to follow their dream and move to Hatteras Village. She is happy to be joining the Koru Village family. She enjoys walking on the beach, baking, reading, and spending time with her family (including their 3 rescue dogs).
