Meet Our Corporate Team
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*In Alphabetical Order*
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Diana Beyrer, Controller
Ms. Beyrer is the Controller. She is a graduate of Dominican University with a B.A. in Accounting. She has over 20 years of experience focusing on financial statement preparation, financial controls and budgeting. She has also served in the capacity of treasurer for various youth sports organizations in Illinois.
Scott Branovan, Senior Director of Sales and Marketing, Regional Business Manager Western PA
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.
Patrick Choules, Director of Youth Hockey
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.
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.
Rob Dragonette, Chief Financial Officer
Rob Dragonette is the Chief Financial Officer. Dragonette is a graduate of the Robert H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland. Dragonette has 20 years experience as a CFO in several industries and the roles of President and General Manager. Rob is a life-long Washington Capitals fan and was pleased to witness the Caps' Cup Championship in 2018.
Andrew Goldman, Director of Junior Hockey
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 form, developing self storage facilities, office, mixed use properties and most recently, the Hercules Development Project, and adaptive reuse project in Canton, Ohio, that added 125,000 square feet of mult-family residential to the city.
Murry Gunty, Founder and Chief Executive Officer
Murry Gunty is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Black Bear Sports Group, Inc. Gunty is also CEO and founder of Blackstreet Capital Holdings, LLC and Blackstreet Capital Management. Previously, Gunty was a General Partner at Jacobson Partners, LP, and was a partner at Lazard Freres Real Estate, LLC. He also worked at the Blackstone Group, where he was an Analyst. Gunty graduated from Harvard College, where he received an A.B. in Economics, and Harvard Business School, where he received an M.B.A.
A lifelong hockey fan, Mr. Gunty grew up in Portland, Maine, where he spent countless hours playing hockey and watching the former Maine Mariners of the American Hockey League. He has coached and managed his sons' AA and AAA hockey teams from Mite through Bantam and is passionate about growing the game. His vision for Black Bear was to combine his turnaround experience with his passion for the sport to bring professional management to the rink industry, turning around poorly run facilities and investing badly-needed capital in 20-30 year old rinks thereby saving them for their respective communities.
A lifelong hockey fan, Mr. Gunty grew up in Portland, Maine, where he spent countless hours playing hockey and watching the former Maine Mariners of the American Hockey League. He has coached and managed his sons' AA and AAA hockey teams from Mite through Bantam and is passionate about growing the game. His vision for Black Bear was to combine his turnaround experience with his passion for the sport to bring professional management to the rink industry, turning around poorly run facilities and investing badly-needed capital in 20-30 year old rinks thereby saving them for their respective communities.
Kevin Kuby, Executive VP of Operations
Kevin Kuby is the Executive Vice President of Operations. Kuby received an MBA from the University of Chicago and a B.A. in Economics from the University of Illinois – Urbana / Champaign. He has worked in the turnaround and restructuring industry for over 19 years, with experience across a wide variety of industries. He was previously a Managing Director at Alvarez & Marsal, a Senior Managing Director at FTI Consulting and a Director at PricewaterhouseCoopers.
Kimberly Martin, Operations Associate
Kimberly joined Black Bear in October 2021 as the Operations Associate. Kimberly was graduated from George Mason University with her Master's degree in Spanish and spent two years teaching Spanish at St. John's College High School. When not working, she enjoys chasing around her toddler and spending time with her family.
Ryan Patrick, Director of Adult Hockey
Ryan is the Director of Adult Hockey for Black Bear Sports Group. He is an innovative hockey professional with over 30 years combined coaching and playing experience. Ryan played 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 as the Head Coach at 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.
Keith Primeau, President of Hockey Operations, Youngstown Phantoms
Keith Primeau is President of Hockey Operations for the Youngstown Phantoms of the USHL. Keith is a former NHL player who spent 15 seasons with the Detroit Red Wings, Hartford Whalers, Carolina Hurricanes and Philadelphia Flyers. Drafted 3rd overall in 1990, Keith played in two All-Star games and finished his career as captain of the Philadelphia Flyers.
Susan Saarnio, Director of Human Resources
Ms. Saarnio is the Vice President, Human Resources. She is a graduate of Northern Illinois University with a B.S. in Human Resources Management and is certified with a Senior Professional in Human Resources with both SPHR and APHR-CR certifications. She has over 20 years of Human Resources experiences supporting multi-unit/multi-state organizations.
Ryan Scott, Vice President
Ryan Scott is a Vice President of Black Bear focused on acquisitions, real estate and equipment financing and facility operations. He previously held positions of Associate and Vice President for Blackstreet Capital Management and Blackstreet Capital Holdings where he focused on M&A and leveraged buyouts of distressed companies. Mr. Scott graduated from Williams College with a Bachelor of Liberal Arts Degree in Political Science and Leadership Studies and captained the Varsity hockey team as a defenseman.
Mr. Scott grew up skating on the outdoor ice rinks of Montana and competed at the high school, Junior "A" and NCAA levels and won a National Championship with the USHL's Omaha Lancers in 2008. In his free time, Mr. Scott enjoys staying on the ice coaching youth hockey and playing in adult leagues in Maryland and Virginia.
Mr. Scott grew up skating on the outdoor ice rinks of Montana and competed at the high school, Junior "A" and NCAA levels and won a National Championship with the USHL's Omaha Lancers in 2008. In his free time, Mr. Scott enjoys staying on the ice coaching youth hockey and playing in adult leagues in Maryland and Virginia.
Dave Wandell, Director of I/T
Dave Wandell joined Black Bear Sports Group in December 2021 as the Director of Information Technologies. Wandell brings a diverse background in IT, starting in the late 90s as a Network Administrator for two rapidly growing Biotech companies. Prior to signing on with Black Bear, Dave owned Blue Crab Networks, a successful Managed Services company, and was also co-founder of New Market Enterprises, a consumer electronics marketing company.
Born and raised in a Maryland suburb of DC, Dave grew up a life-long Washington Capitals fan. In his free time, he chauffeurs his son to Montgomery Blue Devil travel hockey practices and games.
Born and raised in a Maryland suburb of DC, Dave grew up a life-long Washington Capitals fan. In his free time, he chauffeurs his son to Montgomery Blue Devil travel hockey practices and games.
Spenser Young, Business Analyst
Spenser grew up outside of Boston, MA and was graduated from Providence College with a degree in Finance. He captained the Men's Ice Hockey Team and appeared in three NCAA tournaments and a Frozen Four. Prior to joining Black Bear, he spent two years playing with the Milwaukee Admirals and Texas Stars organizations.
Tony Zasowki, Vice President, Leagues and Teams
Tony Zasowski is the Vice President, Leagues and Teams for Black Bear Sports Group. In his role, Zasowki is the Commissioner of the Tier 1 Hockey Federation and the Atlantic Hockey Federation. Tony comes to Black Bear from the NAHL where he was Commissioner of the NAPHL and led all aspects of NAHL Combines, NAHL Central Scouting and Education Initiatives for the NAHL, NA3HL and NAPHL including serving as General Manager for Team NAHL at the 2019 World Jr. Club Cup in Sochi, Russia.
Prior to his position with the NAHL, Zasowski served as Head Coach and General Manager for the NAHL's Springfield Jr. Blues from 2012-16. During that five-year span, Zasowski had over 40 players make NCAA commitments under his watch. Tony's players include goalies Dryden McKay (Hobey Baker Finalist 2021 & 2022), Tommy Nappier (2019 Big-10 Goalie of the Year / WBS AHL), Stefanos Lekkas (5th All-Time in NCAA Saves / Rochester AHL), Devin Cooley (Nashville Predators), and defender Nikolai Knyzhov (San Jose Sharks). Before heading to Springfield, Zasowski was President and Goaltending Coach of the San Jose Jr. Sharks along with Head Coach of the 16 & 18U tier I teams. Tony was one of the founding members of the NAPHL back in 2009. In San Jose, Tony won 2 CAHA state Championships and promoted over 20 players to junior and college hockey.
Tony Zasowski had coaching stints in his career as Assistant Coach/Goalie Coach for the Pensacola Ice Pilots (ECHL). Assistant Coach/Assistant General Manager with the Chicago Steel (USHL), and Assistant Coach with the Springfield Spirit (NAHL). In addition to his regular coaching duties, Tony has worked numerous USA Hockey Select Festivals as a goalie coach and evaluator.
As a player, Zasowski grew up playing goaltender. His junior career included winning an Anderson Cup and National Championship with the Green Bay Gamblers of the USHL and playing in Omaha where he won a Clark Cup where he set a league record with 35 wins in a season winning USHL Goalie of the Year. From there, he earned a scholarship at the University of Notre Dame where he was named Freshman of the Year for the Irish. He finished up his playing career with the Dayton Bombers in the ECHL.
Zasowski and his wife DJ have a daughter, Esmee.
Prior to his position with the NAHL, Zasowski served as Head Coach and General Manager for the NAHL's Springfield Jr. Blues from 2012-16. During that five-year span, Zasowski had over 40 players make NCAA commitments under his watch. Tony's players include goalies Dryden McKay (Hobey Baker Finalist 2021 & 2022), Tommy Nappier (2019 Big-10 Goalie of the Year / WBS AHL), Stefanos Lekkas (5th All-Time in NCAA Saves / Rochester AHL), Devin Cooley (Nashville Predators), and defender Nikolai Knyzhov (San Jose Sharks). Before heading to Springfield, Zasowski was President and Goaltending Coach of the San Jose Jr. Sharks along with Head Coach of the 16 & 18U tier I teams. Tony was one of the founding members of the NAPHL back in 2009. In San Jose, Tony won 2 CAHA state Championships and promoted over 20 players to junior and college hockey.
Tony Zasowski had coaching stints in his career as Assistant Coach/Goalie Coach for the Pensacola Ice Pilots (ECHL). Assistant Coach/Assistant General Manager with the Chicago Steel (USHL), and Assistant Coach with the Springfield Spirit (NAHL). In addition to his regular coaching duties, Tony has worked numerous USA Hockey Select Festivals as a goalie coach and evaluator.
As a player, Zasowski grew up playing goaltender. His junior career included winning an Anderson Cup and National Championship with the Green Bay Gamblers of the USHL and playing in Omaha where he won a Clark Cup where he set a league record with 35 wins in a season winning USHL Goalie of the Year. From there, he earned a scholarship at the University of Notre Dame where he was named Freshman of the Year for the Irish. He finished up his playing career with the Dayton Bombers in the ECHL.
Zasowski and his wife DJ have a daughter, Esmee.