DC ELITE STAR TEAM
Danielle Cox, BS, HOF 09'
President & CEO
Danielle is an Alabama native, a philanthropist, an adventurer, and a Florida State University softball Hall of Famer. Danielle holds some impressive records from her time on the FSU diamond. She holds the highest batting record at FSU and the second-most stolen bases in a season, 73, in the NCAA. She was also a first-team National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-American. Danielle went on to play professionally in the National Pro Fastpitch league for 4 years, making the All-Star Team each year.
After earning her bachelor’s degree in sports marketing, Danielle became the Director of Operations for the National Pro Fastpitch as well as the Sports Coordinator for Florida Atlantic University. Prior to starting the company, Danielle was a high-level event producer that contributed to producing world-record-breaking events in South Florida and the Bahamas for over a decade where all the proceeds went back to underserved children.
In 2016, Danielle started DC Elite Productions and began working with more than 100 colleges, universities, and professional and Team USA players. Two years later, she saw the need to produce high-quality showcases in the areas athletes needed most. In 2018, Danielle created Stars Over Alabama and went on to create Stars Over Mississippi in 2019 and Stars Over Georgia in 2021.
Danielle’s goal for DC Elite is to deliver high-level showcases and exposure camps in a competitive setting. Danielle is working to provide resources that empower female athletes, coaches, and their families. Through DC Elite, female athletes can grow in ways that will lead them to success on and off the field.
In addition to her passion for helping female athletes, Danielle has a heart for helping those in need. She has worked with the Forge Breast Cancer Survivor Center, the Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama, and the Special Olympics. She is also a member of The Junior League of Birmingham. In her free time, she enjoys biking, hiking, the beach, and spending time with her family and friends.
Lauren Leach, APRN, MSN
Vice President & COO
Before joining DC Elite Productions, Lauren had a seasoned career in healthcare working in trauma, surgery, neonatal ICU, child/adolescent psychiatry, home health, hospice, and managed care. She holds a master’s degree in nursing from The University of Arizona and is proud to “bear down” with DC Elite.
In 2020, Lauren partnered with Danielle, merging her healthcare and leadership expertise, leading event athletic safety, supervising athletic trainers, EMTs, and event staff. She coordinates event athletic injury prevention and manages post-event injury status. Additionally, Lauren directs accounting, marketing, hospitality management and overall business and quality operations.
With Lauren’s wealth of knowledge and experience, she is driven to see young athletes achieve their dreams, recognizing the value of physical health and injury prevention, mental health, academics, character, self-worth and long term success. Lauren also has a special interest in community relations and impact alongside Danielle, as well as working with a variety of organizations raising funds for health-related awareness.
Lauren has a heart for serving others, as she grew up with a strong philanthropic family influence. She is a member of the Junior League of Birmingham, has worked with veterans with PTSD, breast cancer research, medical missions, the Alabama Center for Law and Civic Education/Teen Court Case management, Crisis Center Rape Response Advocate Program, The Juvenile Diabetes Association, Magic Moments, and the American Heart Association.
Lauren is an Alabama native. She enjoys traveling, skydiving, cooking, animal rescue and spending time with family and friends.
Horace Johnson
Director of Event Operations
Horace is a distinguished professional in the world of fastpitch softball, with a career spanning over a decade. Since 2011, Mr. Johnson has been an integral part of the officiating community, demonstrating exceptional skill and dedication in his role.
Horace’s expertise has been recognized at the highest levels of the sport, as evidenced by his participation in national tournaments for prestigious organizations such as USA/ASA, USSSA, and Triple Crown. This experience has honed his abilities and deepened his understanding of the game's intricacies. Further cementing his status in the softball community, Mr. Johnson became an NCAA umpire in 2017, bringing his expertise to collegiate-level competitions and contributing to the development of the sport at this elite tier.
Beyond his professional achievements in softball, Mr. Johnson is a well-rounded individual with a successful career outside of the diamond. Since 2008, he has been a valued employee of Atlantic Corporation, where he currently holds the position of Assistant Manager. His dedication and work ethic have been instrumental in his longevity with the company.
In 2022, Mr. Johnson's leadership qualities and comprehensive knowledge of fastpitch softball led to his position working with the DC Elite team as the role of Umpire-in-Chief (UIC) and Director. Since this time, he has excelled in this position, working alongside DC Elite leadership with the transition of organizational independence in 2024. Mr. Johnson is an instrumental part of the DC Elite team, overseeing operations, and leading site directors, UICs, and event staff to ensure the highest standards of core values and event operations are maintained at DC Elite events.
A resident of the Atlanta, Georgia area, Mr. Johnson balances his professional life with a rich personal one. He is a devoted husband and father to three daughters, embodying the values of family and community. In his leisure time, he finds joy in organizing family vacations, exploring the great outdoors, and watching softball.
Kelly Bragg
Manager of Event Development & Marketing
Kelly has a strong background in visual/digital arts and customer service. She has professional experience as a photographer and graphic designer dating back to 1999. Kelly grew up on the diamond accompanying her mom on the softball tournament circuit beginning at age 4. She developed a passion for softball and began playing at the age of 6. In her adult years, she played co-ed softball, but had to hang up her bat and glove due to injury. This sport is in her blood!
In 2020, Kelly began working as DC Elite Softball’s graphic designer and brand consultant to build and create our website. She has worked in tandem with Lauren to manage the site as well as the production of our logos, apparel designs, and marketing collateral. In 2024, Kelly was promoted as the Manager of Community Development & Marketing. In addition to her former role, Kelly will also work more with community relationships, marketing, and team management/relations.
Kelly has a special interest in early childhood development. She worked as a volunteer as a physical and occupational therapist assistant at the Clayton Early Intervention and Developmental Services Center for children with health and developmental challenges. She also volunteered as the photographer for the annual Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta “Heart to Hearts” holiday party event from 2012 to 2014. Her love and compassion for children is endless.
Kelly was born and raised in Georgia. She has three amazing children. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, traveling, writing, singing, music, and cranking up the volume on Saturdays for some UGA football! Kelly is the published author and illustrator of three children’s books. Her quirky upbeat personality, coupled with her love of communication and networking will continue to be an asset to the DC Elite Softball team.
Rachel Pendergrass
Star Camp/Event Team Lead
Rachel Pendergrass is a dedicated and passionate educator and coach bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience to the DC Elite team. She graduated from Athens State University in 2017 with a Bachelor's degree in Social Science and a minor in Secondary Education. In addition to Rachel’s coaching career, she has spent time in the classroom as a teacher, working with students of all ages and backgrounds and has a proven track record of helping her students achieve academic success and personal growth.
Rachel's coaching philosophy emphasizes the importance of hard work, teamwork, and sportsmanship. She strives to create a positive and supportive environment for her athletes, where they can grow not only as players but also as individuals.
In addition to her coaching and teaching careers, Rachel initially joined the DC Elite Softball team in 2021 to empower young female athletes and help them further their educational careers through softball. Rachel’s roles have evolved over the years. She currently leads events for DC Elite and assists with planning and implementation from start to finish.
When not coaching or teaching, Rachel enjoys traveling, and playing with her two rescued bulldogs and is always eager for new opportunities to grow and learn as a coach, teacher, and mentor.