At Hoops and Health Alliance, our mission is deeply personal.
Founded by a dedicated husband-and-wife team, our organization is rooted in a shared passion for empowering youth through fitness, nutrition, and mentorship. Together, we bring a unique blend of professional expertise and heartfelt commitment to every initiative we undertake.
As President and Vice President, we are not just leaders but active participants in our programs, working hand-in-hand with our community to foster environments where young individuals can thrive both on and off the court.
Beth Smith
President & Co-Founder
As President and Co-Founder of Hoops and Health Alliance, Beth brings a dynamic blend of leadership, strategic vision, and heart to every aspect of the organization’s mission. With a passion for youth development, fitness, and creating equitable access to health resources, Beth is dedicated to building programs that empower young people both on and off the court.
Originally from Upstate New York, Beth has called Maryland home for over two decades. Beth’s professional background spans corporate accounting, nonprofit management, marketing, and holistic nutrition. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and a Master’s degree in Holistic Nutrition — a combination that uniquely equips her to lead an organization focused on youth wellbeing, operational excellence, and sustainable growth.
In addition to serving as CFO in the corporate sector, Beth co-founded Hoops and Health Alliance alongside her husband, Vice President and Head Coach of Alliance Hoops DMV, Rick Smith. Together, they envisioned a nonprofit organization that would blend their shared love of wellness with their commitment to leadership development, nutrition education, and mentorship for youth in their community.
Beth’s leadership is deeply rooted in service — not just in overseeing operations and finances — but in creating programs that meet young athletes where they are, while helping them build healthy habits for life.
Through her guidance, Hoops and Health Alliance has developed its three core initiatives: Align & Move (basketball and fitness programming), Alliance Ally & Align & Lead (mentorship and sponsorship), and Eat to Align (nutrition education and healthy food access).
A dedicated runner, athlete, and wellness advocate, Beth leads by example. She has completed a full marathon, multiple half-marathons, triathlons, and countless local races — proof of her belief that discipline, courage, and perseverance are learned on the journey, not just at the finish line.
Above all, Beth is passionate about building strong kids, strong families, and strong communities. She believes that access to sports, mentorship, and nutrition education should never be a privilege — but a right.
Rick Smith
Vice President & Co-Founder
Born and raised in the heart of the DC and Maryland area, Rick Smith’s journey from standout athlete to dedicated community leader reflects his lifelong passion for using basketball as a tool for positive change.
As Vice President and Co-Founder of Hoops and Health Alliance, Rick brings a unique blend of competitive experience, mentorship, and service-driven leadership to the organization’s mission of empowering youth through fitness, nutrition, and personal development.
A decorated player at St. Vincent Pallotti High School, Rick made his mark early, scoring over 1,100 career points and earning All Prince George’s County honors, The City of Laurel Player of the Year, and a spot in the prestigious Capital Classic All-Star Game.
Rick continued his basketball career on a full scholarship at Division I Marist College, where he became a four-year impact player, earning All-Tournament Team and All-Conference honors while scoring over 1,000 collegiate points. While at Marist, Rick earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Social Work — a field of study that shaped his passion for community engagement, mentorship, and youth development.
After hanging up his sneakers, Rick continued his commitment to service by spending seven years as a police officer in Prince George’s and Montgomery Counties — a role that strengthened his dedication to building safe and supportive environments for youth and families.
Today, Rick channels that same energy into developing young athletes both on and off the court. As a Certified Basketball Skills Coach and mentor, he has trained hundreds of youth in the DMV area, using sports as a gateway to teach discipline, confidence, and resilience.
In his role as Vice President, Rick oversees the Align & Move program — the basketball and physical education arm of Hoops and Health Alliance — where he leads the Alliance Hoops DMV teams and designs programs that promote healthy movement, teamwork, and leadership skills.
His vision is simple but powerful: Create spaces where kids not only become better athletes — but better people.
Marco Johnson
Director of Impact & Engagement, Hoops and Health Alliance
Marco Johnson grew up immersed in martial arts, shaped from an early age by its discipline and resilience. Inspired by martial arts films and a family legacy in the sport, he discovered his calling at just four years old.
By the early 2000s, Marco had become one of the most dominant competitors on the tournament circuit. He was undefeated in empty-hand forms for two years, achieved a rare “triple crown” in weapons, forms, and fighting, earned the title of Best All-Around Competitor, and became an eight-time world champion with the North American Sport Karate Association. Yet his path wasn’t without hardship. Despite these early triumphs, Marco later faced profound challenges, including a period of homelessness—experiences that deepened his character and fueled his passion for youth empowerment.
At Hoops and Health Alliance, Marco channels that journey into his role as Director of Impact & Engagement. His lived experience gives him unique empathy and authenticity in building community connections, coordinating fundraisers, and creating engagement events. With high-octane energy and creative flair, he serves as both a leader and a bridge-builder—uniting players, families, and supporters around the mission of fueling youth with fitness, nutrition, and mentorship.
Beyond the mat (and the court!), Marco continues to pursue his career as an award-winning action star while mentoring young athletes, promoting fitness for all ages and abilities, and inspiring audiences as an event host throughout the DMV. Known for his signature performance style, he brings passion and presence to every community event as both an entertainer and motivational coach.