Staff
• Dan Foster — Chief Executive Officer
• Geoff C. Hixson — Chief Operating Officer
• Christopher D. Torgusen — Vice President, Legends Entertainment Group
• Mike Groll — Director of Special Events
• Nikki Warner — Public Relations Coordinator
• Elaine Vanek — Development Coordinator
• Tyler Kourajian — Special Events Coordinator
• Michael Obyc — Special Events Coordinator
• Kate Hutchinson — Membership Development Coordinator
• Matthew K. Hazzard — Director of Memorabilia, Legends Memorabilia Collection
• Billy Horn — Memorabilia Coordinator
• Matt Tissi — Memorabilia Coordinator
• Greg Thomas — Memorabilia Coordinator
• Ryan Thomas — Marketing Coordinator
• Mary Russell Baucom — Administration Director
• Dayna Watts — Office Manager
• Danielle — Database and Administrative Assistant
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MLBPAA, MLAM, MLAS
719-477-1870 ext. 112
dan@mlbpaa.com
CEO Dan Foster began his tenure at the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association in 1986. He has been a part of the leadership team from the incipient stages. Foster has witnessed the incredible growth from every aspect of the organization and is extremely proud of the team that has been assembled under him.
Foster is a graduate of Ohio Northern University. He currently resides in Colorado Springs, Colo., with his wife, Margaret, and their son, Austin.
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MLBPAA
719-477-1870 ext. 110
geoff@mlbpaa.com
Follow Geoff on Twitter: @Hixson10
Geoff Hixson has been with the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association since 1997. His duties include the coordination of the MLBPAA staff, overseeing and execution of more than 70 celebrity fundraising events and more than 75 free youth clinics for kids nationwide. In addition, he is responsible for the expansion and continued growth of the organization by helping to diversify existing programs and the creation of new programs to involve the former and current Major League player in the charity-based mission of the MLBPAA.
Hixson has more than 15 years of sport and special event background. He spent three years in Minor League Baseball with the Texas Rangers Triple-A affiliate, the Oklahoma City 89ers (now Redhawks) and two years at Oklahoma Events, a marketing and special events company, where he assisted in the coordination of many events, including the Vince Gill Celebrity Golf Classic.
Born and raised in Central Illinois, Hixson received a bachelor's in communications from Southern Illinois University in 1993 and a Master's degree in sport management from the University of Oklahoma in 1996. He resides in Colorado Springs, Colo., with his wife, Nancy, and two daughters, Avery and Bryce.
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Major League Alumni Marketing
727-898-8900
Chris@mlbpaa.com
Chris Torgusen has worked for the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association since 1992. He currently serves as vice president of Legends Entertainment Group for Major League Alumni Marketing, Inc. (MLAM), at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla. His responsibilities include directing appearances and licensing programs for members of the Alumni Association. He began his career with the MLBPAA, managing events for the Swing With the Legends Charity Golf Series, Legends for Youth Clinic Series and Baseball for Kids Weekend.
Torgusen graduated from the University of Florida with a bachelor's in business administration. He currently resides in Tampa, Fla., with wife, Christine, and two sons, Tighe and Colin.
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Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association
719-477-1870 ext. 104
mikeg@mlbpaa.com
Mike Groll has been with the MLBPAA since 2004. His responsibilities include the coordination and execution of more than 70 celebrity fundraising events for various charities nationwide. In addition, he works with the entire MLBPAA staff to assist the overall growth and expansion of the association.
Groll has more than seven years of sports background, including two years in the athletic department's marketing and development office at the United States Air Force Academy.
Born and raised in Defiance, Ohio, Groll received a bachelor's in sports and business management from Defiance College. While at Defiance, Groll was a four-letter winner and was third-team All-American in football. After graduation, Groll went on to serve as a graduate assistant football coach at Defiance for three years, receiving his Master's in education.
Groll currently resides in Colorado Springs, Colo.
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Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association
719-477-1870 ext. 105
nikki@mlbpaa.com
Follow Nikki on Twitter: @NikkiWarner_
Nikki Warner joined the MLBPAA staff in 2010 to serve as the public relations coordinator. Warner graduated from Whitworth University in Spokane, Wash., with a B.A. in communication studies and a minor in business management in 2009. While at Whitworth University, she was the business editor and staff writer for the yearly publication, Natsihi.
After graduating from college, Warner completed a one-year fellowship at her alma mater, The Colorado Springs School, where she served as an admission associate and the interim director of communications. She has served on The Colorado Springs School Board of Trustees Alumni Committee since 2010. Her experience as an intern for MLBPAA in 2008 instilled a passion for the organization -- one she hopes to communicate in her new position where she will be responsible for media relations, newsletter production and event promotion.
Warner currently resides in Colorado Springs, Colo.
Elaine Vanek
Development Coordinator
Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association
719-477-1870, ext. 107
elaine@mlbpaa.com
Elaine Vanek joined the MLBPAA staff in March 2011 as the development assistant. She now serves as development coordinator.
Vanek moved to Colorado in 2010 from Wilmington, Del., with her husband, Steve. Prior to coming to the MLBPAA, she was a paralegal in the corporate office of a national home builder and a gift-planning administrator at Drexel University in Philadelphia.
Vanek currently resides in Monument, Colo., with Steve and their three border collies.
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Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association
719-477-1870 ext. 109
tyler@mlbpaa.com
Follow Tyler on Twitter: @TheTylerK
Tyler Kourajian comes to the special events team to primarily work with the Legends for Youth baseball clinic series. Kourajian graduated from Kennesaw State University in Kennesaw, Ga., with a B.S. in sport management and a minor in marketing in 2009. While at Kennesaw State, Kourajian worked as an office assistant to the CFO and business manager as well as interned with the athletic marketing department. His experience as an intern with Major League Alumni Marketing in the summer of 2009 ensures that he will be a valuable team member and essential asset to the organization.
Kourajian currently resides in Colorado Springs, Colo.
Michael Obyc
Special Events Coordinator
Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association
719-477-1870 ext. 108
michael@mlbpaa.com
Michael Obyc joined the MLBPAA's special events team in 2011 to work principally with the Legends for Youth Baseball Clinic Series. Obyc graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a B.S. in communications in 2008. While at Cincinnati, Obyc was able to develop a well-rounded knowledge of baseball as a member of the baseball team.
This involvement in baseball motivated Obyc to continue his passion for sport through education, leading him to secure a Master's degree in sports administration from Xavier University in 2011. While working toward his advanced degree, Obyc was able to garner professional experience with various sports organizations -- ranging from ballpark operations for the Cincinnati Reds to the special events team at ESPN's Wide World of Sports in Orlando, Fla. He looks to positively build on this experience as a member of the MLBPAA.
Obyc currently resides in Colorado Springs, Colo.
Kate Hutchinson
Membership Development Coordinator
Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association
kate@mlbpaa.com
Kate Hutchinson joined the MLBPAA staff as the membership development coordinator in 2012. Hutchinson graduated with a bachelor's degree in business administration and Master's in educational administration and leadership from University of the Pacific in Stockton, Calif. As an undergrad, she worked for the Oakland Athletics in Ticket Services, served as a university events intern at Pacific and completed an internship at MLBPAA in 2008. Prior to working for MLBPAA, Hutchinson worked in New Student & Family Programs at University of the Pacific overseeing new student orientation, special events and university tours.
Hutchinson currently resides in Colorado Springs, Colo.
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Major League Alumni Marketing
719-475-1847
matt@mlbpaa.com
Follow Matt on Twitter: @LMCMemorabilia
Matt Hazzard has been working for Major League Alumni Marketing (MLAM) since 2005 and became full-time staff in June 2007. He currently serves as director of memorabilia for MLAM's memorabilia division, Legends Memorabilia Collection, where he oversees all logistics, coordination and business operations.
Originally from Cooperstown, N.Y., Hazzard graduated from the State University of New York (SUNY) at Cortland with degrees in sport management and business economics and a minor in computer applications. Prior to his work with MLAM, he interned at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum and the United States Golf Association (USGA).
Following his internship, Hazzard was hired to be a Fellow in the Great Plains region as part of the USGA's grants and fellowship office where he reviewed grant applications, consulted and presented approximately $1 million in grants for youth and individuals with disabilities. Through the USGA Fellowship, Hazzard took many professional development courses such as non-profit management, finance, public speaking, negotiations and personal leadership styles.
Hazzard currently resides in Colorado Springs, Colo., with his wife, Stephanie.
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Major League Alumni Marketing
719-475-1847
bhorn@mlbpaa.com
Billy Horn joined the MLBPAA staff in 2010. He controls the memorabilia sales for the Alumni Association and Legends Memorabilia Collection. He has seen the business grow with great success during his time.
Originally from Rochester, N.Y., Horn has a wealth of experience in the sports industry. A graduate of Ohio State University with a degree in sports management, he is currently working toward a Master's degree in sport leadership from Duquesne University.
Prior to working for the Alumni Association, he spent time working for the Rochester Red Wings (Triple-AAA affiliate of the Minnesota Twins), Ohio State athletics and the Columbus Blue Jackets of the NHL from 2007-08. From 2008 to 2009, Horn served as the promotions and game operations manager for the Erie BayHawks of the NBA Development League during the team's highly successful inaugural season where his main responsibilities included creation of the promotional schedule, special-event planning, directing game operations and in-arena hosting duties.
Horn currently resides in Colorado Springs, Colo.
Matt Tissi
Memorabilia Coordinator
Major League Alumni Marketing
719-475-1847
mtissi@mlbpaa.com
Matt Tissi, a St. Louis native, joined the Major League Alumni Marketing staff in November 2010. He assists MLAM's memorabilia sales and expansion efforts. A graduate from Missouri State University, Tissi received his degree in entertainment management with emphasis in the sports industry. His experience with the MSU athletic department helped bring him to the MLBPAA as an intern in the summer 2009. His familiarity with the MLBPAA certainly makes Tissi an asset within the organization.
Tissi currently resides in Colorado Springs, Colo.
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Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association
719-477-1870, ext. 117
greg@mlbpaa.com
Greg Thomas joined the MLBPAA staff in October 2011 after graduating from the Leeds School of Business at the University of Colorado Boulder with a B.S. in business administration and a concentration in marketing. Thomas is excited to broaden the non-profit memorabilia efforts of the MLBPAA.
While at Colorado, he interned with the MLBPAA in 2008 and the CU Athletic Department in 2010, where he coordinated and assisted with numerous CU sports promotional activities. Thomas' background with competitive baseball has taught him a true appreciation for the game.
Thomas is currently working toward his Master's degree in project management and resides in Colorado Springs, Colo.
Ryan Thomas
Marketing Coordinator
Major League Alumni Marketing
727-898-8900
rthomas@mlbpaa.com
Ryan Thomas began his tenure with Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association in February 2012. He serves as marketing coordinator for Major League Alumni Marketing at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla., with MLAM Vice President Chris Torgusen, where the two develop appearances and licensing programs for members of the Alumni.
Prior, the native New Englander attended the University of Massachusetts at Boston, where he graduated in 2010 with a B.A. in English and worked as sports editor of the University's newspaper The Mass Media for two years.
In spring 2010, Thomas moved to Florida and worked in the Tampa Bay Rays Communications Department for the duration of the 2010 season and the second half of the 2011 season. In 2011, he was a part of the Rays' amazing September run to the American League Wild Card.
Thomas currently resides in central Florida.
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MLBPAA, MLAM, MLAS
719-477-1870, ext. 106
maryrussell@mlbpaa.com
Mary Russell Baucom joined the staff in 2008. Originally from Mobile, Ala., Baucom graduated from Spring Hill College (Ala.) in 1991. Prior to her work at the MLBPAA, she worked for the Board of Trustees of the Corcoran Museum of Art in Washington, D.C., as well as the Board of Trustees of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors in Falls Church, Va. She came to work for the MLBPAA after six years of staying home and raising her two sons.
Baucom currently resides in Colorado Springs, Colo., with her husband, Rick, and sons, Jacob and Jamie.
Dayna Watts
Office Manager
Major League Alumni Marketing
719-475-1847
dayna@mlbpaa.com
Dayna Watts joined the Major League Alumni Marketing/Legends Memorabilia Collection staff in 2011. She brings 16 years of executive-level office and non-profit management experience to the team. Her management expertise will support the growth of memorabilia signings and the silent auction programs through Legends Memorabilia Collection, while generating funds for players and local team charities and foundations.
A Colorado native, Watts enjoys outdoor activities and watching her children play competitive soccer and husband play semi-pro football.
Danielle
Database and Administrative Assistant
Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association
719-477-1870, ext. 103
danielle@mlbpaa.com
Danielle began working with the MLBPAA as a temporary administrative assistant and was provided the opportunity to stay on board as the database and administrative assistant for both the membership and development departments.
Danielle currently resides in Colorado Springs, Colo., with her son and two daughters.
For more information on the MLBPAA membership programs or how to join, please contact Danielle.
