::: Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation ::: Who We Are

Staff

Scott Tharp President

Scott Tharp was named President of the Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation in May, 2007. He formerly served as the Executive Director of Arthur Ashe Youth Tennis and EducationÔ (AAYTE), which for many years has been a national model for youth enrichment services. With a mission that is parallel to Snider Hockey, this organization is known for providing quality tennis and educational programming to more than 11,000 children, many coming from underserved at-risk inner-city communities. During his tenure at AAYTE, the organization experienced unprecedented growth culminating in the construction of its new $12.5 million state-of-the-art facility, housing indoor and outdoor tennis courts, as well as classrooms, a computer laboratory and reading library. A similar project is a Level 1 priority in the new Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation Plan for Growth.

Scott is devoted to public service. He is the President of the PTR Foundation, which is the charitable giving arm of the Professional Tennis Registry, has served on the Advisory Board for the Professional Tennis Business Management programs at Queens University and Methodist University, and currently is member of the United States Tennis Associations Advocacy Task Force. Scott can be reached at stharp@esyhf.org.

Jim Britt Vice President, Chief Operating Officer

Jim Britt is the Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation, starting with the Foundation as its first employee in May 2005. Prior to his present position, Jim managed hockey and facility operations as the Hockey Director and General Manager of the Polonia Bank Flyers Skate Zone in Northeast Philadelphia. He is a retired U.S. Postal Inspector, serving over 25 years throughout the United States in a variety of criminal investigative, security and internal audit assignments.

A Philadelphia native, Jim competed in several youth, scholastic and collegiate sports, and in 1971 was honored as a Scholar-Athlete by the Philadelphia Evening Bulletin. Jim has coached baseball, crew and ice hockey in Massachusetts and in the Philadelphia area, working with youth clubs and high schools. He was part of the hockey staff at Holy Ghost Prep in Bensalem, PA for 9 years, including the 2003 AA Flyers Cup Champions. Jim is dedicated to mentoring and growing the game, and is very active with USA Hockey on the local and national level. He has been a member of the Atlantic District Coaching Education staff for 15 years and worked as the Assistant Festival Director of the National Select 14 Camp in Rochester for 5 years. In 1997, Jim attained the Level 4-Advanced Level Coaching certificate from USA Hockey.

In 2004, Jim was honored by the City of Philadelphia with the Brighter Futures Award. In recognition of his service to USA Hockey and the Atlantic District, he was honored as the 2007 Coach of the Year. In June 2008, Jim was honored with the Layman Award from the Philadelphia Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. In October, 2010, Jim was honored with the John Neumann Award from the Alumni Association of Neumann University.

Jim serves on the Neumann University Business Advisory Council, the Sport Management Advisory Council, and is an active participant in Neumanns Mentorship program. He also serves on the Advisory Council for Neumanns Institute for Sport, Spirituality and Character Development. Jim holds a baccalaureate degree in Sociology/Criminal Justice from LaSalle University and a Masters of Science degree in Sport Management from Neumann University. Jim can be reached at jbritt@esyhf.org.

Jan Koziara Director, Hockey Operations

Jan joined the Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation as Manager, Hockey Operations in January of 2007 to oversee the Foundation's on and off-ice programming and assist in the development of strategies to expand the reach of the Foundation. He was named Director, Hockey Operations in 2008. Prior to joining Snider Hockey, Jan worked as a management consultant for six years in New York City and Boston.

Jan learned to play hockey in Philadelphia at Rizzo Rink and went on to play and coach Division III College Ice Hockey at Tufts University while earning a B.A and M.A. in Economics. While living in New York, he coached both girls and boys ranging in age from 3 to 63 while an instructor and coach with Central Park Ice Hockey. In 2010, Jan was certified as a USA Hockey Master Coach (Level 5) after writing a thesis that investigated ways Snider Hockey could implement USA Hockeys Athletic Development Model. Jan is also a graduate of the United Ways Emerging Leaders Program. He can be reached at jkoziara@esyhf.org.

Maria Leonetti - Director, Finance

Maria joined the Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation in September 2007 to coordinate the Foundations financial management and development. She collects and manages donations, maintains the donor database, and oversees the Foundations financial controls. Prior to her present position, Maria taught SAT prep with Revolution Prep and worked as a Promotions Representative for Select Promotions, Mad Events, and Coors Brewing Company. She competed in Division I Rowing as a coxswain at the University of Pennsylvania for four years , and she was recently inducted into the Penn Womens Rowing Hall of Fame. She holds a B.A. from Penn with a double major in Communications and Music. Maria can be reached at mleonetti@esyhf.org.

Colleen Becht - Director, Development

Colleen joined Snider Hockey as the Director of Development in March of 2012. Colleen is responsible for all advancement activities for the Foundation. Prior to joining Snider Hockey, Colleen spent 12 years at the University of Pennsylvania, holding positions in both student affairs and development and alumni relations, most recently as the Assistant Director of Major Gifts at the School of Engineering and Applied Science. She currently sits on the Board of Trustees of Holy Child Academy in Drexel Hill, PA. Colleen graduated with a B.A. in Biological Basis of Behavior from the University of Pennsylvania.

Colleen is a native of the Philadelphia area and currently makes her home in Wallingford with her husband, Dan Foltz, and son, Logan. Colleen can be reached at cbecht@esyhf.org.

Chris Newton Coordinator, Hockey Operations

Chris Newton is a native of Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia, Canada and first came to the Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation in June, 2007 as an intern. After graduating Magna Cum Laude from the University of Louisville with a M.S. in Sport Administration in August, 2007, Newton became the first Coordinator of Hockey Operations for Snider Hockey. In his role as a Coordinator, Chris is responsible for tracking and analyzing data, coordinating transportation and overseeing communications.

Chris completed his undergraduate studies at Saint Marys University in Halifax, NS where he graduated in May, 2005 with a Bachelor of Commerce Degree in Finance. In 2010, Chris attained the Level 4-Advanced Level Coaching certificate from USA Hockey. He currently makes his home in Mount Royal, NJ with his wife Danielle and can be reached at cnewton@esyhf.org.

Brie Zdunkiewicz - Coordinator, Hockey Operations

Brie Zdunkiewicz joined the Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation in November 2007 as Coordinator of Hockey Operations to oversee all equipment inventory and donation projects. As a native of South Jersey, she has over 15 years of playing and coaching experience at both the club and collegiate levels.

Brie grew up playing hockey for the Bristol Blazers and Princeton Tiger Lilies before going on to play Division III College Hockey at Neumann University. While at Neumann, Brie was a natural leader both on and off the ice having been named captain all four years and graduated Summa Cum Laude with a B.S. in Sport Management in May 2005. Brie recently graduated from Holy Family University with a Masters in Business Administration and currently oversees Snider Hockey programming at Scanlon Recreation Center and the Flyers Skate Zone in NE Philadelphia. She has also led the Snider Hockey Girls-Only program since its inception in 2008. Brie can be reached at bzdunkiewicz@esyhf.org.

Dan Rudd - Coordinator, Hockey Operations

Dan first joined the Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation as an intern in the spring and summer of 2007. Since his time as an intern, Dan has worked with Snider Hockey as a part time coach, specifically gearing his efforts towards growing the program in New Jersey. He attended DeSales University where he majored in Sport Management and played four years on the school's club ice hockey team. Dan also worked with the Flyers Skate Zone during this time, assisting with the Learn to Skate and Learn to Play Hockey programs.

Dan has also been involved closely with youth hockey in the southern New Jersey area. He has coached both high-school and youth hockey. In addition to coaching at Snider Hockey, he has worked with players of all ages and has a diverse coaching background. Dan can be reached at drudd@esyhf.org.

Tarasai Karega - Coordinator, Hockey Operations

Tarasai joined the Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation in March 2010. A 2009 graduate of Amherst College, she is one of the first African American women to win an NCAA Championship in the sport of ice hockey. The Detroit native began her career playing for the Detroit Hockey Associations (DHA) Dragons, a fellow member of the National Hockey Leagues (NHL) Hockey is For Everyone program. She has been involved with similar programs in Wasilla, Alaska, directing the Alaska Diversity Hockey Camp alongside Willie ORee, who was also celebrating his 50^th anniversary of breaking the NHLs color barrier.

The 2005 Michigan Miss Hockey has a passion for creating and maintaining strong relationships between communities and professional hockey organizations. Tarasai can be reached at tkarega@esyhf.org.

Gil Schaffer - Coordinator, Hockey Operations

Gil Schaffer joined Snider Hockey in January 2011 as an intern. Following his graduation from Rutgers University in May 2011 with a B.S. in Exercise Science and Sport Studies, Sports Management Option, he was hired as a Snider Hockey coach. Raised in Hamilton, New Jersey, Gil takes great pride in growing the game in the Garden State. He has led floor hockey programming in Camden schools and supervises after-school programming at the Flyers Skate Zone in Pennsauken. Additionally, Gil coaches the Snider Hockey Squirt travel team. In January 2012, Gil became a Coordinator of Hockey Operations for Snider Hockey.

Gil has over 18 years of hockey experience both playing and coaching, and has been a natural leader on and off of the ice. Gil finished his high school career as Steinert High Schools All-Time Leading Goal Scorer and Captain, and went on to Rutgers University where he was named Captain following his sophomore season. He captained the team to its first two ACHA - Division 1 National Championships appearances in consecutive seasons. Gil has attained a USA Hockey Level 3 Coaching Certificate. Gil can be reached at gschaffer@esyhf.org.

Caitlin Slattery - Coordinator, Hockey Operations

Caitlin first joined the Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation in 2008 as a part time coach. In her four seasons as a coach, she focused her efforts on growing and supporting the academic and Life Skills programming of the Foundation, and expanding the Girls-Only team at Laura Sims Skate House. Before joining Snider Hockey full time, Caitlin worked as a counselor providing academic support and guidance to West Philadelphia high school students.

Caitlin grew up playing ice hockey in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, played Division I high school hockey at Northfield Mount Hermon School, and continued at the club level at Wesleyan University. Caitlin graduated Cum Laude with a B.A. in Science and Society Program and Womens Studies in 2006. Caitlin can be reached at cslattery@esyhf.org.

Kierstan Williams - Coordinator, Hockey Operations

Kierstan Williams joined the Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation in 2011 with hopes of helping inner-city youth grow into responsible, productive adults by sharing his passion for the sport of hockey. A graduate of the Executive Program in Nonprofit Administration at the University of Pennsylvania's Fels Institute of Government, Kierstan worked as a site coordinator, overseeing an after-school program at Anderson Elementary and George Washington High, and previously served as program director of a welfare-to-work program in West Philadelphia

Kierstan didn't start skating until age 13, significantly later than many of his peers. He quickly made up for lost time, however, playing as much hockey as possible in his hometown of Lancaster, Pa. He was a member of varsity teams at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and Temple University, where he double-majored in African American studies and journalism.

Kierstan can be reached at kwilliams@esyhf.org.

Zack Damico - Coordinator, Hockey Operations

Zack Damico joined the Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation as an intern during the summer of 2010. He was hired as a coach in the fall of 2010. He took a leading role at Simons Recreation Center and was an assistant coach of Snider Hockeys inaugural Bantam B U14 DVHL team. Zack was promoted to Coordinator of Hockey Operations in April of 2012.

Zack has over 20 years of experience playing and coaching ice hockey. He played travel and high school hockey growing up in Western Pennsylvania and he went on to play club ice hockey for the Indiana University of Pennsylvania where he graduated with a B.S. in Sports Management. Zack also has coached at all levels from Learn to Play Mite programs to collegiate womens hockey teams. He earned a Level 4-Advanced Level Coaching certificate from USA Hockey in 2011. Zack can be reached at zdamico@esyhf.org.

Joe Muth - Coordinator, Special Projects

Joe first came to the Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation as an intern in May 2006. After graduating from Wheaton College with a B.A. in Business/Economics, he returned to Snider Hockey as a Site Coordinator in November 2007. In October 2008, Joe was named Coordinator of Hockey Operations. In May 2010, Joe was named Coordinator of Special Projects.

In his current role, Joe is responsible for volunteer coordination. Joe grew up playing hockey in Wisconsin and went on to play at Wheaton College where he served as a team captain. Joe can be reached at jmuth@esyhf.org.