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Paul Van der Grift

Paul Van der Grift

In Memoriam

Mr. Van der Grift is the chariman of the board of directors of First Serve PAL. First Serve was originally founded as Palm Beach Area Tennis Patrons in 1993 by the late Palm Beach Civic Association director and philanthropist, A. Lachan Reed. As a Police Athletic League (PAL) organization, First Serve partners with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, the USTA, Palm Beach Atlantic University, The Breakers Palm Beach, the Salvation Army, and many other civic minded organizations to provide after school tennis lessons, academic tutoring, life-skills, and mentoring to more than 300 students each year. He is retired from acting and documentary filmmaking and has a BA in International Affairs, with a minor in Social Work from Florida State University. He received his acting training at Uta Hagen’s HB Studio and his film training at New York University. He has produced, directed, and written numerous projects, working with such historical figures as Mohammad Ali, Mikhail Gorbachev, Desmond Tutu, Dr. Maya Angelou, Althea Gibson and Billie Jean King. His social work experience includes work in eldercare, grief, and crisis counseling. He is certified by the Enneagram Worldwide, Professional Training Program as an Enneagram Teacher in the Narrative Tradition. Mr. Van der Grift lives with his wife Joanie in Palm Beach.

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