Meet Our Operating Team
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Brian Reagan,
Director of Business Operations Brian developed a love of hockey at a young age and was fortunate to play for Pennsylvania State College, where he studied Early Childhood Education and Hotel & Restaurant Management. He has shared his passion for over 15 years hockey with hundreds of children and adults by coaching successful Learn-to-Play programs for all ages. Mr. Reagan joined Black Bear Sports Group as the General Manager of Revolution Ice Gardens (RIG), located in Warminster, PA, in September of 2019. Brian added Bucks County Ice (BCI) under his management when Black Bear acquired it in March of 2020. He took on the position of Director of Business Operations for RIG, BCI, York Ice Arena and Twin Ponds Arena as of January 2022 and will provide support for the management of all four arenas. Brian serves as the President of Royals Ice Hockey, full members of the Delaware Valley Hockey League (DVHL) and the Atlantic Hockey Federation (AHF). Prior to joining Black Bear, Brian was the General Manager of Center Ice of Oaks and the Head Scheduler of the Valley Forge Colonials, also a member of the DVHL and AHF. |
Jim Gracey,
Senior Facilities Manager Jim joined Black Bear in October of 2021. He has an Associates of Arts degree and is a Certified Facility Manager with over 25 years experience in the field. Jim has managed multiple buildings - commercial office spaces, a 24/7 broadcast facility and a technology innovation center. His expertise is in maintenance of buildings and grounds, mechanical systems and infrastructure. Jim has two adult children and has lived in Downers Grove with his wife Kathy for over 35 years. In his free time, he enjoys home improvement projects, fostering dogs and singing in the Cantores Community Choir. Gregg Naumenko,
Director of Business Operations Gregg Naumenko is a Chicago native and played youth hockey in the area until the age of 14. Gregg then embarked on a four year Junior career before playing Div. 1 for The University of Alaska Anchorage. One of seven Illinois born goalies to ever play in the NHL (Mighty Ducks), Gregg enjoyed a career that had several stops where he was able to play for some of the top hockey minds in the world. After retiring from pro hockey, Gregg came back to his roots in Chicago to start his coaching career where he could start giving back to the game. He has spent several years on the AHAI and Central District player development committees as well as coaching at USA Hockey’s National Select Festivals. Gregg has coached nearly 2000 games with recent stops in the USHL as Associate Coach and Assistant G.M. of the Omaha Lancers. |
Paul Shimko,
Director of Business Operations Paul grew up in Hershey, Pennsylvania where his passion for hockey began. His love of all sports continued to grow playing for various youth teams. Paul mainly focused on the game of golf throughout college. He currently has over twenty plus years coaching various youth sports programs. From the 2000’s to present Paul has served as the Silver Stick International Regional Tournament Director and the Northeast Doritos Tournament Director hosting over 300 teams annually. He is presently the GM/coach for the Team Doritos Peewee Quebec hockey club (12th year). He took on the position of General Manager upon the acquisition by Black Bear of the Milford Ice Arena in 2018. |
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Nik Breitenstine,
Program Manager Nik Breitenstine is the Program Manager for the Northeast Region for Black Bear Sports Group. Nik oversees the growth of skating and ice hockey participation across the region through different grassroots initiatives and events. Nik will work with our local rink personnel to standardize Learn to Skate and Learn to Play Hockey Programs, instill best practices for on and off ice coaches, and provide a clear youth hockey and figure skating pathway for new participants and their families. Before his time with Black Bear Sports Group, Nik spent two years with the San Jose Sharks as a Youth Hockey Coordinator. His duties included overseeing their Little Sharks Learn to Play program, Sharks Play On Bridge Series, assisting with the Jr. Sharks House League operations, as well as helping the Sharks Foundation with different hockey based community events. Before his time with the Sharks, Nik spent four years working with the Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation to help make ice hockey more accessible in underprivileged communities around Philadelphia and Camden, NJ. Nik has a bachelor's degree in Sport Management with a minor in Communications and Business Administration from Drexel University. Evan Chizik,
Director of Business Operations Evan graduated from Pennsylvania State University and immediately began a career in hospitality. After college, he spent over 20 years in a corporate hospitality setting throughout multiple states, working his way to Managing Partner and then Joint Venture Partner. Evan brings years of multi-unit management experience, including openings in new markets, relocations and remodels. His management background is in people, budgeting, P&Ls, marketing and sales building. Evan and his family also understand the hockey lifestyle from the family perspective, with a son heavily involved in youth hockey. Ed Seeley,
Senior Facilities Manager Ed Seeley is a Senior Facilities Manager and was previously an Operations Manager at Ice Land Skating Center and Aspen Ice Arena. Mr. Seeley has over 20+ years of ice rink experience. In his current role, Mr. Seeley oversees the maintenance and upkeep of our ice rink portfolio, with significant focus in the New Jersey and Pennsylvania markets. |
Mike Weiss,
Director of Business Operations Bio Coming Soon! Bob Weiss,
Director of Business Operations Bio Coming Soon! |
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Evan Chizik,
Director of Business Operations Evan graduated from Pennsylvania State University and immediately began a career in hospitality. After college, he spent over 20 years in a corporate hospitality setting throughout multiple states, working his way to Managing Partner and then Joint Venture Partner. Evan brings years of multi-unit management experience, including openings in new markets, relocations and remodels. His management background is in people, budgeting, P&Ls, marketing and sales building. Evan and his family also understand the hockey lifestyle from the family perspective, with a son heavily involved in youth hockey. |
Scott Branovan,
Director of Business Operations Scott Branovan is well versed in consumer marketing and employing sound business knowledge in sales including profit/loss center management. Branovan, a 25-year consumer products executive, spent 13 years with the world-class company, Nestles USA. His experience in sports marketing, brand development, market strategy and execution involve such national brands as: Quaker Oats, Gatorade, Campbell's, General Mills, Perrier Group of America, Tropicana, Very Fine, Clorox and Nestle USA. Prior to leading the sponsorship and marketing as well as overseeing the operations for the facilities in Western PA for Black Bear Sports Group, Branovan has been serving privately owned participatory sports facilities for consulting as well as management oversight for over 12 years. Branovan received his B.A. in Business Administration from Lakeland College in Sheboygan, WI in 1982 where he was an outstanding athlete. He has since been inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame and for his participation in both Tennis and Football. He is also a graduate of St. John's Northwestern Academy, Delafield, WI where he was the Athlete of the Year and was later elected to the Athletic Hall of Fame, having participated in Football, Basketball and Tennis. Branovan was also named to the top 100 athletes of the century at St. John's Northwestern Academy, and served on the Board of Trustees leading the strategic planning committee for five years. |
*Organized By Region*