Staff

Manny Riera
Co-Owner, Chief Academic Officer, Principal

Manny Riera, born in Cuba and raised in Miami, Florida, began his illustrious career in education more than 30 years ago. Mr. Riera graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Education from Florida State University and a Master of Science in Educational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University. Manny Riera’s career in education initially started in the classroom where he found himself intrigued by the distinctive learning styles of children, Realizing his mission to provide every student with a quality education, he quickly earned promotions out of the classroom and into the world of school administration. For the next 20 years, Riera would strive towards enacting true change and reform in education beginning with the foundations of traditional ideas of school organizations. With several multi-million dollar, nationally scaled startups under his belt, Riera was afforded opportunities to enhance his business acumen and hone skills in budgeting, acquisition, marketing, and scaling all while staying focused on the business of profitable shareholder returns. In 2018, Riera joined ABF Learning Center in the roles of Owner, Chief Academic Officer, and Principal. He was tasked with providing business development and sparking growth. In his five years with the organization, Riera has expanded ABF’s offering to include K-12, special needs support via therapy, and project-based learning practices. Recently, Riera spear-headed the efforts to establish ABF Academy’s revered athletics-based learning program, a new program offered to students who wish to engage in elite sport while also receiving top-tier academic instruction, at both their Homestead and Hialeah locations.

Terri Amador
Assistant Principal

Terri Amador, born and raised in Miami, Florida, graduated from St. Brendan High School in 1999. Ms. Amador is a dedicated and experienced educator who brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to her role as Assistant Principal. With a strong commitment to fostering academic excellence and creating a supportive learning environment, she serves as a role model for both students and staff. She graduated from Barry University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education, a Master’s Degree in Reading, and is currently working on her second Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership. Ms. Terri has over 20 years of experience in the field of education. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated exceptional leadership skills, working collaboratively with teachers, parents, and administrators to enhance educational programs and student outcomes.

Beyond her professional achievements, Ms. Amador is a loving and devoted mother of three wonderful daughters. She understands the importance of balancing work and family life, and her experiences as a parent have further fueled her dedication to fostering a nurturing and inclusive school environment.

Dillon Riera
Director of Athletics

A true Miami native, Dillon Riera’s passion for sports was sparked at a young age. Shortly after graduating high school, Riera began his career in sports as an assistant basketball coach for various skills camps at Palmer Trinity School. He went on to attend Florida State University, where he earned both a Bachelor’s Degree and a Master’s Degree in Sport Management. During his time at Florida State University, Riera worked in the Intramural Sports Department; first as a basketball and volleyball official and eventually an Intramural Supervisor and Volleyball committee chairman. Riera’s
professional career since has afforded him opportunities across the country to work alongside iconic brands such as Jordan, Nike, the WNBA, Academy Sports + Outdoors, and more. In 2021, Riera returned to South Florida to take up the role of Athletic Director at ABF Academy and build the foundation for a new athletic program, where he remains today.

Manny Crespo
Director of Baseball Operations

Mr. Crespo is a graduate of Westminster Christian School, where he was member of the Varsity Baseball team and High School National Champion in 1996. He continued his playing career at the University of Miami as a member of the Hurricanes baseball team from 1998-2000. During that time, he was named Freshman of the Year and a two-time All-American (1998 and 1999), a member of the 1999 College World Series Championship Team, and a two-time alumnus of the USA Baseball national team. Crespo was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the 2000 MLB Draft and continued to play in baseball’s minor leagues for Seattle, Toronto and Boston in the years that followed.

Crespo made the transition to coaching in 2006-2007 when he served as hitting coach for the San Diego Padres’ minor league programs. His coaching path eventually led him to work with the USA Baseball in various coaching roles winning 2 gold medals, the 2018 World Championship, and the 2019 Pan-Am championship. In addition to his work at the highest level, Crespo has coached for various programs across South Florida. Manny brings a wealth of experience and passion to ABF Academy, where he leads the baseball program as Head Coach and Director of Baseball Operations.

Pilin Alvarez
Director of Basketball Operations

Art Alvarez, affectionately known by his nickname “Pilin,” has been a staple in the basketball community for over 21 years. Coach Pilin’s legacy is highlighted by his history of success in the South Florida area, where he led Miami Christian to State Championships in 2000, 2002, 2015, 2016, and 2017, received Coach of the Year honors in Miami-Dade County in 2002, and achieved an FHSAA record 40 wins and 2 losses during the 2002-2003 campaign. On a national scale, Alvarez has accumulated an illustrious career wherein he has received multiple nationally recognized awards, coached two NBA players in J.J. Barea and O.J. Mayo and various other NBA prospects, and sent over 300 student-athletes to collegiate institutions on scholarship.

In 2019, Pilin Alvarez, serving as founder and president, established Miami Prep School with the goal of offering young athletes in their post graduate year a unique opportunity to excel both academically and athletically in an effort to attain their dreams of playing at the next level.

Rafael Mesa head coach of the ABF Hialeah Baseball Program.

ABF Academy is proud to announce the promotion of Rafael “Mesa” III as head coach of the ABF Hialeah Baseball Program.

Mesa was brought in last year to help former head coach Alec Hernandez as his assistant, but will now be taking the reins and attempting to leave his own mark on the ABF program.

“I hope to build upon the foundation coach Hernandez established, by putting an emphasis on discipline, structure, and organization in order to push us to the next level and compete to be one of the premier baseball programs in South Florida.”

Mesa has decades of experience in baseball. He played high school ball at Sunset Miami Senior from 01’ to 05’, then played at the collegiate level for Dominican College from 06’-08. He first became an assistant coach at his alma mater Sunset Miami, where he won a district championship in 2013. He also became an assistant coach at Southwest Miami Senior, where in 2022 he won a GMAC championship. He’s no stranger to the duties of a head coach though, as in 2014, Mesa became the head coach of Ronald Reagan High School for 8 years, where he led his team to the only GMAC Championship in the school’s history.

Mesa hopes to develop the kids in his program tremendously, especially because he knows the potential so many of his players have. “I expect a bunch of our guys to move on to the next level,” says Mesa. Both ABF and Mesa are immensely excited to get to work and continue on the road to success.