Meet Our Operating Team
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Scott
Branovan Senior Director of Sales and Marketing, Regional Business Manager Western PA
Scott's Bio
Get In Touch: sbranovan@blackbearsportsgroup.com 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 BA in Business Administration from Lakeland College, 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 Johns Northwestern Academy, and served on the Board of Trustees leading the strategic planning committee for five years. |
Andrew Goldman
Director of Junior Hockey
Andrew's Bio
Get In Touch: andrew@blackbearsportsgroup.com Andrew brings his love for the game of hockey and a wealth of business experience and leadership to the Black Bear Youth Hockey Foundation. As a lifelong Washington Capitals fan and now a youth hockey coach and parent, Mr. Goldman’s passion for hockey developed at a young age and has blossomed while coaching and then supporting his son Ethan, a 2003 birth year hockey player. In his professional career, Mr. Goldman currently serves as President of the Youngstown Phantoms, a member of the United States Hockey League, the world’s top junior hockey league in terms of NCAA scholarships and NHL draft picks. Aside from developing tomorrow’s hockey superstars, Mr. Goldman focuses on community engagement, relationships with NHL organizations, youth hockey partnerships, and expanding the in-game fan experience with cutting edge promotions, entertainment and family-friendly opportunities. Prior to joining the Phantoms, Mr. Goldman served as the Managing Director of Cormony Development, a Maryland-based real estate development firm, developing self storage facilities, office, mixed use properties and most recently, the Hercules Development Project, an adaptive reuse project in Canton, Ohio, that added 125,000 square feet of multi-family residential to the city. |
Matt
Kiernan Vice President of Hockey
Matt's Bio
Matt Kiernan is Vice President of Hockey for Black Bear Sports Group. Matt oversees all aspects of the Atlantic Hockey Federation and Defender Tournaments. Matt is the co-founder and co-owner of the New Jersey 87's, a member of the Eastern Hockey League (EHL) where he serves as an Executive Committee member and is also on the league's Board of Directors. He has held various coaching titles including Associate Head Coach of the EHL and EHLP teams and Head Coach at the U18 AAA level. Matt is a graduate of the University of Scranton. Prior to shifting his career to youth and junior hockey, Matt was an equity derivatives trader for 20+ years. |
Terry
Pomeroy Director of Facilities
Terry's Bio
Ms. Pomeroy joined Black Bear Sports Group in October of 2021 as the Director of Facilities. She comes to Black Bear after working for over twenty-six years in Healthcare – Hospitals and Senior Care. Terry has a Business Degree from Mansfield College, Charleston. She is a Licensed NJ Red Seal Stationary Engineer, a Licensed NJ Red Seal Refrigeration Engineer, and holds a Universal Refrigerant License. She has over twenty years’ experience in Facilities Management and Project / Construction Management. Terry was born and raised in the New Jersey Shore area. She began ice skating on the of the frozen lakes in the area and outdoor arenas and then transitioned to Competitive Artistic Roller Skating. |
*In Alphabetical Order*
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Nik Breitenstine
Program Manager, Northeast Division
Nik's Bio
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. |
Patrick Choules
Director of Youth Hockey
Patrick's Bio
Patrick grew up in Beaconsfield,Quebec, a suburb west of Montreal. Growing up, Patrick played multiple sports through his high school years. After graduating high school, Patrick played two years of Junior A hockey in Canada before heading to play DIII NCAA for SUNY Potsdam where he was an alternate captain his junior season. Patrick graduated from Potsdam in 2011 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration and a concentration in accounting. Patrick began working for Black Bear in 2019 as the General Manager of Skylands Ice World and the Skylands Kings Hockey Club. Prior to that, Patrick spent 5 years as the Hockey Director for the rink and the Kings travel program. Before coming to Skylands, Patrick worked at Ontario Hockey Academy where he taught high school Economics & Business while serving as head coach at the U16AAA level. |
Jeremy Dallow
Commissioner NGHL
Jeremy's Bio
Jeremy is the Founder and President of SuperSeries AAA which is one of the largest operators of elite hockey tournament and showcases for 8 to 18 year-olds in North America. NHL players such as Clayton Keller, Matthew Tkachuk, Logan Brown and Victor Mete have all participated in SuperSeries events as well as countless players playing NCAA hockey and players currently in the USHL and NAHL. Additionally, Jeremy operates DHI Hockey, a subsidiary of SuperSeries which operates Elite Spring teams that travel to the top tournaments in North America and Europe. Jeremy is also the Vice President of the Black Bears’ USHL affiliate, the Youngstown Phantoms, and most recently was named Interim Commissioner of the National Girls Hockey League (NGHL) , a national girls hockey league dedicated to the growth and promotion of girls ice hockey. |
Julia
Duncan Marketing Manager, Teams and Leagues
Julia's Bio
Julia Duncan just joined Black Bear as the Marketing Manager for the teams and leagues. Julia is a recent graduate of the University of Georgia with degrees in both Sport Management and Advertising. While in school, she managed UGA Hockey’s social media, where she grew her passion for the sport. She is excited to have a NHL hockey team to cheer for in DC (RIP Atlanta Thrashers). |
Tim
Fingerhut Commissioner, Atlantic Hockey Federation
Tim's Bio
Timothy Fingerhut was hired in the Fall of 2020 as Atlantic Hockey Federation’s first League Commissioner. As commissioner, Mr. Fingerhut’s responsibilities include but are not limited to overseeing the day-to-day operations and all business aspects of the league, including but not limited to scheduling competitive games, overseeing showcases, handling all league marketing, enforcing all rules & regulations and coordinating player development. Mr. Fingerhut directly reports to the Board of Directors and will work closely with them on any potential expansion or league wide enhancements. In addition to Mr. Fingerhut’s commissioner responsibilities, he is entering his 11th year as Varsity Head Coach of St. Augustine Preparatory School and is Head Coach of the Igloo Jaguars, a Tier-II Youth Hockey program that participates in both the Atlantic Hockey Federation and the New Jersey Youth Hockey League. |
Frankie Gerbasi
Marketing Manager, DC Region
Frankie's Bio
Gerbasi joined black bear as a program and marketing manager for the NJ/DC region. Gerbasi grew up playing youth and junior hockey for the Jersey Shore Whalers before deciding to pursue an education and committed to play for West Virginia University's Division I ACHA Team where he played all four years. Upon graduating in 2019, Gerbasi decided to take a job as the Head Coach of Rowan University's ACHA Division III Team. Now he helps coach the Jersey Wildcats and plans to continue coaching his way through the ranks. |
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Jim
Gracey Senior Facilities Manager, Chicago Region
Jim's Bio
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. |
Cindy
Irving Director of Operations, Defender Tournaments
Cindy's Bio
Cindy has strong analytical and administrative skills. She worked 20 years for Alamo Rent a Car in Fort Lauderdale as Senior Assistant Director in charge of utilization and yield management for over 60 airport car rental locations before transferring to the Philadelphia location as City Controller and Assistant Facility Manager. She over all has spent 22 years. She has operated several businesses to include a Day Care Center, and currently runs an in home bakery business. In 2003 she took a position with the Pond Ice Arena (which is now the Patriot Ice Arena) and has been with the arena for 19 years. She began as a Special Events Coordinator and then took on the role as General Manager/Tournament Director from 2005-2017. She currently handles the administrative side to the Patriot Ice Arena and is the Director of Tournament Operations for Defender Hockey, handling the tournament registrations and scheduling for all Defender tournaments throughout the Defender territory. She has been putting tournaments together since 2000 where she was a volunteer with the Delaware Ducks and booking in their Flight on Ice Tournament, and from there tournaments have grown at The Patriot Ice Arena to 11 tournaments a year. |
Jerre
Lieberman Marketing Director, Northeast Region
Jerre's Bio
Jerre Lieberman is the Marketing Director for the Northeast Region for Black Bear Sports Group. In this role, Jerre will be overseeing all marketing initiatives for each of the Black Bear facilities in the northeast region. Jerre will be supporting local rink personnel to create standardization of marketing elements across all locations and identify marketing best practices across our network of facilities. Jerre has spent the previous five years executing successful marketing initiatives for Flyers Skate Zone, creating unique promotions and digital marketing initiatives to increase followers and engagement to increase new customers and revenue at each facility. Between Comcast Spectacor and the Lancaster Barnstormers professional baseball team, Jerre has over a decade of sports marketing experience. Jerre has a master’s degree in sport management from Drexel University along with a bachelor’s degree in business management from Lehigh University. A huge Philadelphia sports fan, Jerre is likely watching or talking about the Phillies, Eagles, Flyers or Sixers in his spare time, or he is slicing drives on the golf course or relaxing on the beach. |
Kayla McKelvey
Marketing Manager, Western PA
Kayla's Bio
Kayla McKelvey is the Marketing Director for the Western Pennsylvania Region for Black Bear Sports Group. In this role, Kayla oversees all marketing initiatives for each of the Black Bear facilities in the Western PA region. Kayla will be supporting local rink personnel to create standardization of marketing elements, campaigns, dashboards across the locations and identify the best marketing practices across our network of facilities. Kayla has spent the past 10 years at Printscape Arena in Canonsburg, PA. She is now overseeing more facilities creating unique branding, promotions and digital marketing initiatives to increase followers and engagement of new customers and revenue at each facility. Kayla has a bachelor's degree in Sport Management from Slippery Rock University along with minor in Coaching. Kayla is likely watching Men's College Hoops, but more specifically the North Carolina Tar Heels in her spare time, or she is spending time with her spouse and two children. |
Gregg Naumenko
Director of Business Operations, Chicago Region
Gregg's Bio
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. |
Jim
Padgitt Marketing Manager, Chicago Region
Jim's Bio
Jim Padgitt brings over 20 years of Sports Marketing and Broadcast experience to Black Bear Sports Group's operations team. Most recently, Jim led technology implementation projects for Major League Baseball's Broadcast Products & Services division. Prior to MLB, Jim served as Manager of Broadcasting for the NFL's Chicago Bears, where he earned 3 Emmy Awards for Sports Production excellence. In addition to guiding Black Bear Sports Group's Marketing and Program efforts in the Chicago Region, Jim also spearheads multimedia initiatives for the Atlantic Hockey Federation and other vertically integrated Black Bear Sports Group properties. Jim received a B.A. in Communications from the University of Illinois-Chicago and has long supported the Illinois Youth Hockey community through several volunteer leadership positions. |
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Ryan
Patrick Program Manager, Western PA
Ryan's Bio
Ryan is the Program Manager for the Western Pennsylvania Region of Black Bear Sports Group. He is an innovative hockey professional with over 30 years combined coaching and playing experience. Ryan played his college hockey at Penn State University while earning a degree in Recreation Management. After graduation he turned to professional hockey working with the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Hockey Operations Department and their minor league affiliate the Wheeling Nailers as an Assistant Coach and Assistant Director of Hockey Operations. From there Ryan was involved in youth hockey coaching in Pittsburgh and the Head Coach of the Sewickley Academy. He also served as the State Vice President for the Mid-American District of USA Hockey as well as an evaluator and coach for district select camps. For the last 8 years he was the Hockey Director at Penn State University. He utilizes his organizational and time management techniques to develop and implement impactful programs while earning the respect of players, parents, and colleagues. His core skills include program development and design, player development, budget management, video analysis, and player/parent education. |
Ed
Seeley Senior Facilities Manager, Northeast Region
Ed's Bio
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. |
Mary Kate Snyder
Sponsorship Sales Coordinator
Mary Kate's Bio
Mary Kate is the Sponsorship Sales Coordinator for all Black Bear Sports Group facilities. Assisting the Senior Director of Sales and Marketing, Mary Kate manages contract fulfillment and the activation of Black Bear's corporate partnerships for it's 30 ice rinks. Prior to joining Black Bear she fulfilled roles in event management, ticket sales and ticket operations with various organizations including the Liacouras Center, Temple University Athletics, Trenton Thunder, and Philadelphia Soul. A Philadelphia native, Mary Kate has a bachelors of science in Sport, Tourism and Hospitality Management from Temple University. |
Jeff
Sturm Senior Director, AHF and Defender
Jeff's Bio
Jeff Sturm is the Senior Director of the Atlantic Hockey Federation and Defender Tournaments. Jeff assists the Vice President of Hockey in overseeing all aspects of the two divisions. Mr. Sturm has served as a Board Member and the Master Scheduler for the past 2 years for the Jersey Shore Wildcats in Wall Township, New Jersey. Before that, he held the same role for four years with the Old Bridge Jr. Knights organization. Mr. Sturm is an Executive Board Member and serves as the Master Scheduler for the Regional Ice Hockey Association which oversees and funds high school hockey for the Freehold Regional High School District schools. In addition to being a scheduler, Mr. Sturm has eight years of experience serving as a team manager for several Tier I and Tier II youth hockey teams. Mr. Sturm holds a Master of Science in Information Systems from the New Jersey Institute of Technology. |
Lexi
Zoldan Director of Corporate Communications
Lexi's Bio
Lexi Zoldan joined the Black Bear team in the Summer of 2020. Graduatingfrom The Ohio State University with a Bachelor's in International Business and minor in Entrepreneurship; Lexi loves being a part of such a fast growing company. Lexi oversees day to day marketing operations for the Black Bear Sports Group corporate account, the Black Bear Youth Hockey Foundation, Team Maryland EHL, along with many other rink level accounts and initiatives. |
Interested in working with us?
Please visit our page on TeamWork Online for a complete listing of open positions:
Black Bear Sports Group Careers Page |
*In Alphabetical Order*