2025 Executive Committee Candidates

Important reminder: Only one person per SSIA member organization can vote for the Executive Committee. This person is designated as the "primary contact" in your member record on the ssia.us. If you are not sure who the primary contact is for your organization, reach out to galen@ssia.us with any questions. To learn more about the Executive Committee, its members and function click HERE.

Ian Elston | Director of Partnerships | Club Sport

Years in the Industry: 17

Current EC Position: Vice President

Any new initiatives you would like to start?: More Marketing labs/studies/assistance.  Continued participation with Paula Beadle for Sponsorship education and pushing to organize a National Event that can provide ample opportunity for all member clubs to participate in that doubles as positive PR for the industry as a whole

Why am I re-running for the EC? I'm pursuing the role of President to the association to hopefully provide continuity in previously pursued  initiatives while pushing for my personal goals of creating a forward facing event that satisfies several needs.  I'd love to see the industry shine as a vehicle for bringing people together when all of North America is facing uncertainty and challenges.  Additionally, I'd love to see our industry continue to grow added in value in educational opportunities around marketing and sponsorship while focusing on a subset of PR marketing for the industry as a whole.  As the original Sponsorship Chair, I served in that role for roughly 9 years and have pursued many initiatives in reinforcing the overall growth of sponsorship in our industry.  I have now served as the VP for the past 2 years and I'd love to encourage new blood, new ideas, and a fresh perspective in the presidential role while providing guidance, access to documentation, and historical perspective on the advancement we've made across the last decade to a fresh board.  Having worked with and under each president and VP the association has had since the formation of the SSIA, I feel I have a unique perspective and knowledge of how the association has grown since its inception.  We've encountered new and different challenges and I'd like to see the board push forward with initiatives that bring unique value to all members while strengthening the industry as a whole.  If appointed to this role, I feel very strongly about echoing a powerful statement made by senior leadership in the past: Industry above self.  I would encourage all that serve to focus efforts on attaining feedback from members on what drives the most value and endeavor to strengthen the industry as a whole.

Chris Hastings | President  | Chicago Sport & Social Club

Years in the Industry: 28

Current EC Position: Treasurer

Any new initiatives you would like to start?: Continue to build relevant up-to-date data on our Membership to have to use to build programs for members that add value. I believe there is a need for more focus on technology and how it can help our industry and our members, and would like to focus some efforts there to create useful tools for members to use.  

Why am I re-running for the EC? I am seeking to continue serving on the Executive Committee to help build on the progress we have made over the years in driving value to our members through knowledge share opportunities, partner programs, expansion of our membership, and other initiatives that have a positive impact on our members.  I believe there are opportunities to drive value through working to enhance and develop partner programs with service, goods providers; through researching and exploring technological upgrades that could enhance member operations, marketing, or other initiatives, and working to continue to enhance knowledge share and connectivity within the Association.   

Felix Goodson | Vice President of Expansion | Volo Sports

Years in the Industry: 16

Current EC Position: Events Subcommittee Co-Chair

Any new initiatives you would like to start? In the years ahead, I hope to play a greater role in the micro/regional club collaborations that are focused on growing our industry. There are board members already championing this initiative and I look forward to being an active and impactful part of this mission.

Why am I re-running for the EC? As a current Executive Committee Member of the SSIA, it would be an honor to continue supporting both the EC Board and the broader SSIA organization. The initiatives led by SSIA and its members have played a major role in growing our businesses and elevating our industry, and I’m grateful to have been a part of that journey from the beginning and collaborating with some of the most respected leaders in our space on this prestigious board.  Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of contributing to five major acquisitions and mergers, including my time with VAVi, ROC Race/ WIPEOUT Run, CLUBWAKA, South Florida CLUBSport, and VOLO. These experiences have given me deep insight into varying business models, cultures, and operational strategies. Working with five different leadership teams has broadened my outlook and strengthened the contributions I'm able to make as a board member.  Our special industry is constantly evolving, and my goal remains the same: to offer growth ideas, support all size clubs, push for innovation, create energy and experiences that help move us all forward. Through my role on the Conference Committee, I’ve been proud to host the SSIA Conference, run the Challenge, present sessions, source impactful speakers, lead our monthly planning meetings and collaborate with friends in our industry.  I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished and truly hope to continue serving in this capacity. Watching our collective growth and the ways we each impact our communities has been nothing short of inspiring. I hope the relationships we’ve built over the years reflect my commitment to this organization and earn your continued trust and support as a representative of the SSIA.  Thank you for your consideration.  

Justin Jacobs | Founder/Owner | Come Play Detroit

Years in the Industry: 15

Current EC Position: Sponsorship Subcommittee Chair

Any new initiatives you would like to start? As we progress with the Thrive Together sponsorship program, I'd like to build on this to help provide a training program that helps improve sponsorship activations experiences for your league participants. Anyone can throw a logo on a t-shirt, website, or social media post, but having on-site activations is the real differentiator when you are seeking larger sponsors. Most of the Tier 3's have strong activation programs, and many Tier 2's and most Tier 1's could benefit from learning more about how to do these better. 

Why am I re-running for the EC? It's been a privilege serving on the Executive Committee for my first term. With Ian Elston moving to VP, he left some big shoes to fill as the Sponsorship Committee Chair. The first year I was getting my feet under me, but in year 2 I helped develop our partnership with the Sponsorship Marketing Association (SMA), and began the process of the Thrive Together program. This is an major effort to develop a National Sponsorship initiative that allows all clubs, no matter their size or market, to have access to sponsorship opportunities.      By working together, we have more buying power and are much more attractive to large brands than we are as individual clubs. With the advice from Paula Beadle (SMA) and Monique Jacobs (EssenceMediaCom, representing Adidias, AirBNB, Wrigley, etc.,), they have enforced the belief that this is strategy is what brands are looking for. I would love the opportunity to continue to develop this program, and help all clubs that are interested in participating to flourish in sponsorship opportunities!

Alli Thompson | Co-Owner | Striker Sports & Social

Years in the Industry: 2

Area of Interest: Marketing Subcommittee, DEI Subcommittee

Why am I running for the EC? Marketing Subcommittee - “Marketing” often feels like a catch-all term, but with just under a decade of hands-on experience—ranging from managing a $4M corporate budget to bootstrapping every creative effort in my small business—I’ve come to see marketing as the heartbeat of connection. From SEO and social media to customer experience and storytelling, I bring not only a broad toolkit but also a mindset of curiosity and resourcefulness. I may not have all the answers, but I do know how to ask the right questions, listen deeply, and translate feedback into action. Most importantly, I care about elevating brands in a way that’s genuine, inclusive, and fun. And yes, I often run ideas by my secret weapon, Rebecca Whitney (bonus points, right? 😉). My goal is to help businesses—whether scrappy startups or established organizations—navigate a crowded landscape full of marketing buzzwords and “experts,” and find what truly fits their voice and vision.

DEI Subcommittee - DEI is not a checkbox—it’s a culture. With a background in cultural studies and a heart for inclusion, I’m committed to helping the SSIA lead the way in equitable and inclusive practices. In our own leagues, we’ve started translating league materials into Spanish to better serve our community—a small step toward a larger vision where every player feels seen, respected, and welcome. I believe in meeting people where they are, listening with empathy, and building spaces where every voice has value. If elected, I’ll advocate for shared resources, continuous learning, and inclusive messaging that reflects the vibrant, diverse community we serve. Let’s create an industry where community isn’t just a value—it’s a lived experience.

Christian Crute | Managing Director | SportsLink

Years in the Industry: 27

Area of Interest: Officer (Pres, VP, Teas, Sec)

Any new initiatives you would like to start? I would like to establish an Education/Knowledge Share Subcommittee that focuses on establishing what are best practices in multiple facets of how Sport and Social Clubs operate and then find ways to inform members of these practices:    Publishing and Cataloging on the website  Regular online seminars  Developing curriculum for the conference  Possible certification of members' staff

Why am I running for the EC? I would like to return to the Executive Board after a five year hiatus (I served as member, treasurer and Vice President since the inception of the SSIA). I'm running because I'd like to contribute to the continued growth and development of the SSIA.  I believe there are some areas that could likely improve or develop that I'd like to focus on.

I'd like to: Establish an Education/Knowledge Share Subcommittee that focuses on establishing what are best practices in multiple facets of how Sport and Social Clubs operate and then find ways to inform members of these practices: Publishing and Cataloging on the website  Regular online seminars  Developing curriculum for the conference  Possible certification of members' staff. I also have some ideas around membership recruitment and public relations that I'd like to introduce and check out the viability of implementing.

Chris Corbin | Owner | Hive Athletic

Years in the Industry: 22

Area of Interest: 

I want members to get value from the SSIA all year round and not just for one week while at the conference. I would like to build on the incredible knowledge sharing and learning from the conferences and form a monthly Book/TED Talk/Podcast Club for anyone who would like to participate. Each month we would select a piece of content to read, watch or listen to and discuss what resonates and how it can be applied to our business. Anyone who participates can nominate content that they think others would benefit from, if selected they would then be tasked with moderating the discussion.

I would like to establish an SSIA mentorship program. I have been amazed at how knowledgeable and eager to help so many industry veterans have been and would like to leverage that amazing experience!  I would love to help Tier 1 and 2 clubs grow by pairing them with mentors who can help coach them through different growth stages.  

Additionally, I would like to find ways for all clubs to get their staff exposure to the SSIA and help them see the bigger picture.  I loved how Underdog brought some of their Hall of Fame referees to the conference.  While that may not be realistic for most clubs, I like the idea of rewarding our All-Star staff members.  One way of doing that is by including them in the learning process.  Online learnings/discussions and regional gatherings might be opportunities to include additional staff. 

Finally, I think there is opportunity for employees of all clubs to bond and vent about issues they are facing on a more regular basis. One of my takeaways from the Las Vegas conference was the importance of having an opportunity to vent to peers (also from Underdog Hall of Fame Referees).  This helps with moral and burnout; something that we all struggle with.  

Why am I running for the EC? 

I’ve been in the industry for 20+ years and have experience working at Tier 1, 2 and 3 companies.  I am uniquely positioned to know the different struggles that organizations in each Tier face, as well as the ones that all clubs struggle with.    

I have benefited tremendously from being a member of the SSIA and now, I want to pay it forward. Over the past 3 years, I have been hyper focused on growing my club and now I am at a point where I have some time to give back and help others.

Jeff Miceli | Director of Operations | Players Sport & Social Group

Years in the Industry: 6

Area of Interest: Officer (Pres, VP, Teas, Sec)

Any new initiatives you would like to start?  

Interactive Sessions & Workshops: Plan hands-on activities like skill clinics, leadership workshops, or DEI (diversity, equity, inclusion) panels.    

Why: Keeps the experience dynamic and inclusive.    

Networking & Social Mixers: Create structured (and casual) spaces for companies to connect outside of the conference.    

Why: Relationships built are often the most valuable takeaway.

Why am I running for the EC?

Passion for Sports & Community Building- I’m passionate about using sports as a tool to bring people together, build connections, and promote a healthy, active lifestyle.    

Desire to Foster Inclusivity & Engagement - I want to help create events and experiences where everyone feels welcome, valued, and included.   

Strong Organizational and Leadership Skills - I enjoy planning, organizing, and leading initiatives, and I see this committee as a perfect opportunity to contribute those skills to something meaningful.    

Opportunity to Build a Positive Culture - I want to be part of shaping a fun, respectful, and collaborative social environment where friendships can grow beyond the conference.    

Excited to Innovate & Elevate Events - I have fresh ideas and energy to bring to the table—whether that’s improving event logistics, boosting participation, or creating new traditions.    

Personal & Professional Growth - I see this as a chance to grow my leadership, communication, and teamwork skills while contributing to something I care about.

Britt Rheault | COO | United Fray

Years in the Industry: 11

Area of Interest: DEI Subcommittee, Member Relations

Why am I running for the EC? I believe it’s time to bring fresh energy and new perspectives to the board as we prepare for the next exciting chapter of SSIA. Having had the privilege of serving on this board in the past, I’d be honored to contribute once again—this time with even more passion, experience, and a forward-thinking mindset. I’d truly appreciate your vote and the opportunity to be part of shaping what’s next.

Ky Rapp | Operations Manager | Pittsburgh Sports League

Years in the Industry: 13

Area of Interest: Officer (Sec), Events Subcommittee, DEI Subcommittee, Member Relations

Any new initiatives you would like to start?  

Getting the gear program back on track - with tariffs in place this will be important moving forward. It’s important to make sure everyone utilizing Baden is receiving the SSIA discount, whether they order through their online portal or through a Baden rep. 

Sourcing bids - are there companies that can offer better discounts to leagues across the industry? This doesn’t have to be limited to equipment, and can be applied to shirts and prizes. 

Sponsorship - large clubs are regularly able to successfully activate sponsorships, but smaller clubs tend to miss out on these opportunities because the activation may not be feasible for them. How can we negotiate incorporating smaller clubs into more sponsorship deals so they also see a benefit?

Why am I running for the EC? Hey yinz - it's Ky from the Pittsburgh Sports League (PSL)! I'm running for the Executive Committee for a few reasons - the first being I will bring several different points of view to the table: I am not a club owner, but an Operations Manager; PSL is not a for profit sports league; I've worn - and continue to wear - many hats throughout my time with PSL, which has afforded me the opportunity to experience both what small club owners see and deal with on a daily basis, as well as understanding the problems that can arise with a larger club. Given my position, I'm confident I'll be able to support, and be open to, both small club and large club initiatives. Please bear with me - my submission is long, but I want to earn your vote, and I'm positive this submission will do just that.    

I'm excited to submit my nomination for the Executive Committee because I think it's important to get more women in the industry involved. There are so many strong, confident women in our industry, and I think it's time for those women to take the next step in making sure the voices of all women in the industry are heard. I want to play my part in taking that next step and doing my best to be a representative of the women in our industry.    

As stated above, I am not a club owner. I am PSL's Operations Manager, and - primarily - the name and face most PSLers know. This is largely due to the fact that, for the entirety of my career, I have been in the heart of PSL's day to day operations making sure our leagues go off each day. While my desire for PSL to be successful and run great leagues is likely no greater than any club owners', I bring a different, and important, operational point of view that the EC is missing: someone who is in the day to day operational trenches, getting my hands dirty while managing leagues, being out at fields, and communicating with our players on a daily basis.    

Unlike a majority of leagues, PSL is not a for profit league. PSL is a program of PUMP, which is a nonprofit that focuses on making Pittsburgh the most dynamic and diverse place by engaging, educating, and mobilizing all young people to create change in our community. PUMP does this primarily through PSL, but also offers advocacy, civic, and social programming. While an important part of my job is to collect team fees, all PSL programming is not driven by creating a profit - an example of that is PUMPed to Run, which won the SSIA's first ever award for Excellence in DEI; this has afforded me a unique perspective throughout my career.    

My experiences working with PSL have been vast...I've managed registrations, created schedules, sent league emails, taken inventory, ordered equipment, dropped off equipment, umpired, hired officials, fired officials, toured facilities, booked facilities, negotiated pricing, started leagues at new facilities, made sure fields were playable, taken phone calls from players, called players to remind them registration was open, handled ejections and suspensions - you name it, I've probably been lucky enough to have the opportunity to do it. These experiences are what gives me the ability to see things from the point of view of both a small club and a large club.    

For those of you I haven't met yet, hello! You may have seen me running around the conferences dressed up in a silly outfit while aggressively cheering on my team during the challenge activities, or busting out in song on a party bus...allow me to properly introduce myself: my name is Ky and I'm Pittsburgh Sports League's (PSL) Operations Manager. I've been with PSL for over 13 years, and am excited for the next 13+ - I look forward to meeting you at the next conference!    

Thank you for taking the time to read my submission - I'm very proud of the work that I've been able to do at PSL so far, but I'm more grateful I was afforded the opportunity to have a career in such an amazing industry. I would appreciate your vote, and am looking forward to the opportunity to serve clubs of all sizes by bringing new ideas and perspectives to the Executive Committee, as well as continuing to drive our industry forward!

Bill Coon | President | Milwaukee Sports & Social

Years in the Industry: 4

Area of Interest: Events Subcommittee, Sponsorship Subcommittee

Why am I running for the EC? Since joining the SSIA in 2022, I have grown to truly love the SSIA. The knowledge I have gained by being connected to so many seasoned veterans of our industry has helped me grow our operations in Milwaukee. After an incredible experience at my first conference in Kansas City, I was motivated to become more involved in the SSIA. In 2023, I joined the Sponsorship Committee. In 2024, I had the privilege of joining the Conference Committee, where I had a chance to play a role in the development of our recent conference in Las Vegas. Through this experience, I was afforded the opportunity to serve as the Tier 1 Liaison and work to assure content relevant to Tier 1 clubs was better represented in Las Vegas.  I truly believe in the importance of mentorship and that the SSIA (and our industry as a whole) will grow stronger by cultivating the talent found in smaller clubs and markets. As such, if I am fortunate to be nominated to the Executive Committee, I will make it my mission to serve as a voice for the smaller clubs/markets and push for ample mentorship opportunities at the conference and beyond.

Pedro Garcia | Director of Operations | Houston Sports & Social Club

Years in the Industry: 4

Area of Interest: Officer (Pres, VP, Teas, Sec), Events Subcommittee, Sponsorship Subcommittee, Member Relations

Any new initiatives you would like to start? Revive and expand the partnership agreement with equipment manufactures.

Why am I running for the EC? As a non-owner, I understand the importance of collaborative leadership. I bring a non-owner perspective that can challenge assumptions, infuse fresh energy, and help bridge gaps between employees and owners throughout the SSIA. Additionally, I would like to revive and expand partnership agreements with equipment manufacturers to provide members with the best equipment at the lowest possible prices.