Employee Bios
Beaches
Nick Denker - Regional Manager
As a New Jersey native and Division 1 Collegiate athlete at Monmouth University, health & fitness resonated throughout Nick’s life, on and off the football field. Receiving his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Management, Nick has a winning attitude and a passion for success. He began his professional career in health & fitness during his under-graduate studies in college and has been driven to make a difference and change the lives of others ever since. This passion started at a very young age. His journey led him into the health club industry where he developed and continues a career in helping people change their lives. Previously General Manager of a New Jersey Health Club, Nick has relocated here in FL with family and is excited to be with Bailey’s and assist in bringing the club to the next level.
Email Nick at: NickDenker@baileysgym.com
Donna Vona - Director of Group Fitness
Donna has been teaching Group Fitness classes since 1991. She is Certified by AFAA in Group Fitness and Personal Training. Donna is also certified by TRX, Schwinn Indoor Cycling, Zumba, and YogaFit. Donna teaches various formats of Group Fitness classes as well as coaching small group trainings. She is currently working on obtaining the Performance Enhancement Specialist certification through NASM.
Email Donna at: DonnaVona@baileysgym.com
Derek Shropshire - Fitness Consultant
Derek Shropshire joined us as a fitness consultant in 2012. He starts every day with the mission of making a positive influence on everyone he interacts with, and is committed to helping every member reach their fitness goals. Derek was a member of Bailey's for two years before being offered his job, and has experienced the benefits of a healthy lifestyle and the value of a great gym facility.
Derek is a trained professional wrestler; he first met his friend and mentor Neil Krause at Dory Funk Jr.'s Wrestling Academy. It was Neil who first invited Derek to Bailey's. Derek regularly makes official appearances as MARVEL comic book characters such as Iron Man and Captain America at hospitals and charities, bringing much needed joy to the children there.
Derek is a big fan of our CHAOS and TRX classes. He attends both regularly and recommends them to anyone! Derek loves being a part of the Bailey's Jax Beach team. Getting to know every member's personal story and goals, and earning their trust really make him feel at home.
Email Derek at: DerekShropshire@baileysgym.com
Brad Dyruff - Fitness Consultant
Brad Dyruff joined Bailey’s Health and Fitness in December 2019 as a Fitness Consultant. Brad has earned an Associate of Arts degree from Santa Fe College and is currently working towards an Associate of Science in Cardiovascular Technology. He was drawn to fitness, having played baseball in high school, where his team played in the highest scoring playoff championship game in Florida history. When he is not working, he enjoys spending time with his girlfriend and going to the beach! He is also a HUGE Atlanta Braves and die-hard Gator fan.
Email Brad at: BradDyruff@baileysgym.com
Brian Phu - Cashier
My name is Brian Phu and I joined the Bailey's team in March 2021. I was born and raised in Jacksonville, FL. I graduated from Terry Parker High School and I'm currently going to school at FSCJ. I'm very passionate about basketball and currently play at the semi-pro level. I'm very excited to work at Bailey's and to be a part of the Jacksonville Beach crew.
Email Brian at: brianphu@baileysgym.com
Joseph Zgonc - Cashier
My name is Joseph and I am 25 years old. I am originally from Los Angeles California. I am a U.S. Navy veteran and served on board the U.S.S Dwight D. Eisenhower from 2015-2019, completing one tour in the middle east over the summer of 2016. I am currently using my 9/11 GI Bill to pursue my Bachelor's Degree in Construction Management. I look forward to working at Bailey's and seeing what opportunities the future has to offer.
Email Joseph at: JosephZgonc@baileysgym.com
Rosemary Vachon - Play Area Attendant
Hi my name is Rosemary Vachon and I have been working for Bailey's since 6/24/2019. I really enjoy working here and everybody is so kind. I have two children of my own, one boy and one girl, and an amazing grandson. I come to Bailey's with over 26 years of experience as a preschool teacher.
Jabron Clay - Cleaner
I joined the Bailey's Team December 14, 2020. I started at the Monument location and after a few months I transferred to the Jacksonville Beach location. Both of my experiences have been great. The members and staff have all been very supportive and helpful in making me feel welcomed. For this reason, I truly enjoy doing my part in making Bailey's a better place. I am a Jacksonville, FL native. I love to stay active. I’m a helpful and supportive person. I love to play basketball and write music in my free time but I also push myself to try different things in life. I initially became a part of the Team to help me focus on my own personal fitness goals. I ended up finding so much more than that. I consider myself to be a nature enthusiast and love that Beach location is so close to the ocean. I enjoy the beauty it has to offer and try to spend as much time as I can at the beach, clearing my head and being grateful for where my life has brought me. I believe you can go as far as you want to in life and the support I have found here at Bailey's is unlike anything I've experienced in previous jobs. The loving and caring atmosphere and people are what I have found I enjoy the most and I hope it keeps me here for the foreseeable future.
Gina George - Sweat PT Manager
My love for fitness began in High School and college as a multi-event Track & Field athlete in Gainesville, Fl. I began working out at Bailey's Health and Fitness after relocating to Jacksonville, and it inspired me to change my whole life. I had been a Preschool Director for 12 years and knew I needed a change and I wanted to help people with their health and fitness. I loved training at Bailey's so much that I set out to become a Personal Trainer for Sweat PT, and did just that, at our Baymeadows location. In 2015 I was allowed the opportunity to grow with Sweat PT and take on the role of Fitness Director at our Merrill Road location. In January 2019, I was promoted and given the opportunity to expand our program at our Jacksonville Beach location
My career with Sweat PT has given me the opportunity to share my passion for health and fitness with others as well as help them learn how to achieve their personal goals.
When not working with our clients and members I am a Nationally Qualified NPC Figure Competitor and Mother of 2.
Email Gina at: GGeorge@sweatpt.com
