In many ways, the most accurate predictor for an organization’s future is the passion of its leadership – today.
As we continue our quest to deliver incomparable sports and recreation experiences for our partners, athletes, youths, and weekend warriors, we attend to the details so that every facet of both the business and guest experience is executed with precision. We work tirelessly to ensure that our facilities reflect the efforts of those who bring them to fruition, and we strongly believe that “our most important assets go home at night”.
Here is some background on our Company’s team captains and top players:
Shane Coppola has served as our Chairman and CEO since our inception in 2008. In 2006, Mr. Coppola founded our predecessors company, American Skating Centers, LLC. Mr. Coppola served on the board of directors of Global Traffic Network, Inc. from 2006 until it was acquired by GTCR in 2011 for over $250 million. From 2003 through 2005, Shane Coppola was the President, Chief Executive Officer, and Member of the Board of Directors of Westwood One, Inc., which was the largest radio network in the country. Mr. Coppola oversaw all aspects of Westwood's operations, which generated $560 million in revenue and $180 million of EBITDA annually. From 1999-2002, Mr. Coppola served as Executive Vice President of Westwood One. Mr. Coppola was Executive Vice President and Board Member of Metro Networks, Inc. from 1992 until Westwood One acquired it for approximately $1 billion in 1999. From 1989 through 1992, Mr. Coppola was a member of the Media and Entertainment Finance Group at TD Bank. Mr. Coppola earned a MBA from the University of Rochester’s Simon School of Business in 1989 and a BA (cum laude) from the University of Rochester in 1988. He lives in Tarrytown, New York with his wife and three children..
Mr. Berman has over 20 years experience in the ice skating industry. To date, Mr. Berman has consulted in the design, construction, and operation of 26 facilities in ten states across the country. These facilities include multi-surface, ice, roller hockey, indoor soccer, fitness centers, golf facilities, and restaurant/sports bar components, as well as the training centers for the Los Angeles Kings, Pittsburgh Penguins, Phoenix Coyotes and the Anaheim Mighty Ducks of the National Hockey League. Mr. Berman was also the President, CEO, and founder of Iceoplex, from 1991-1997. During that time, Iceoplex was known as a premier developer/operator of eight ice skating entertainment centers that were opened across the country. In addition to reviewing, developing and/or negotiating new acquisition opportunities, Mr. Berman oversees the day-to-day operations of all ASEC facilities including; on ice program development, insurance, risk management and ASEC facility safety procedures. In addition to his professional business expertise, within the ice rink industry, Mr. Berman is a Master USA Hockey coach.
Dean Hall currently holds the position of Vice President of ASEC. Mr. Hall currently oversees the ASEC facilities in Westchester County, New York, Raleigh, North Carolina and Houston, Texas. Mr. Hall is responsible for all areas of the facilities, including fiscal planning, program development, risk management and operations. Dean Hall has eighteen years of experience working in the ice rink management business. From 1995 to 1996, Mr. Hall held the position of Hockey Director with Iceoplex, a California based company that managed, built, and operated ice arenas throughout the United States. Mr. Hall was responsible for implementing hockey curriculums in Iceoplex facilities in Tucson, Arizona and Fresno, California. Prior to attending Northern Michigan University, Mr. Hall was selected by the National Hockey League’s Boston Bruins in the fourth round of the 1986 draft. His six year professional hockey career took him to Germany and various NHL affiliates throughout the United States.
Kendra holds a degree in Accounting and a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and has 15+ years of industry experience. Kendra oversees all the facilities with respect to financial information, working closely with the General Managers and Administrative Assistants to achieve accurate results in recognizing income and expenses. Kendra manages the accounting staff and is responsible for timely financial reporting of all the facilities to management.
Sarah has 9 years of experience in the ice rink industry. Sarah has worked within the company as a Hockey Director, General Manager, and has served as the Project Manager for several AOSC seasonal ice rink operations. She assists all facilities with employee and manager training and helps coordinate companywide resources to further benefit all managers. Sarah earned her Bachelor of Arts (with honors) from the University of Colorado at Boulder and served on the board of directors of the Boys and Girls Club of Somerset County.
Stephanie holds a Degree in Accounting with 5+ years of Payroll and HR Experience. Stephanie has been a part of the ASEC team since 2008. Stephanie's primary responsibilities as a Staff Accountant are Accounts Payable, Payroll, HR and support to the Controller.
Kevin currently holds the GM position at WSA which he has held since 2009. Previously Kevin held the position of Hockey Director, overseeing and implementing hockey curriculums at WSA since 2002. As GM Kevin oversees all aspects of the facility which includes, Program Development, Operations, Fiscal Planning, and Supervision of all facilities 100 employees.Kevin played Junior Hockey in Western Canada and continued onto D1 hockey at ST. Lawrence University. Kevin’s passion for coaching and developing hockey players has brought his teams to many Regional Championships at all levels.
Ms. Griffith has been an intricate part of the company’s management team for over 10 years. Prior to joining Ice at the Galleria, she assisted the General Manager in the overall operations at Westchester Skating Academy, New York. Significant and innovative achievements were applied in Administration of HR and Accounting, Event Coordination, Program Development, Advertising and Marketing. Ms. Griffith assisted in the analysis of potential new acquisitions, supported the transition of ownerships and created, integrated and further implementing ASEC policies/procedures and programs for properties in North Carolina. Over the course of multiple diverse business environments, Ms. Griffith strategized to maximize profits as Project Manager for rink instillation/operations at Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center, Maryland, one of ASEC seasonal rinks. She holds degrees and/or certifications in Business Management and Communications with concentrations in Human Resources and Marketing.
Born and raised in England, Andy played six years of semi professional soccer whilst completing his degree in Sports & Exercise Science at the University of Wolverhampton. Whilst in school, Andy was also with the Football Association of England's National School of Excellence, coaching and working with many of the country's young academy stars, such as Michael Owen, Joe Cole and Scott Parker. During this time, Andy worked his way through a number of soccer coaching licenses with both the FA and UEFA governing bodies.
In 1999 Andy took a job with UK International Soccer to come out to the US to coach camps and clinics all over the West Coast. The growth of soccer at that time was amazing, thanks in part to the success of the US Women in the '99 World Cup. Numbers doubled overnight and Andy' position became permanent in 2000. Over the next few years, Andy became more involved is the sales side of the business, selling training camps and clinics to different youth organizations, but still had time to focus on coaching numerous club teams across California.
After a brief two year spell working as a video editor on tv commercials and movie trailers, Andy was back working full time in the soccer world with 'Soccer City'. In July of 2012, Soccer City was purchased jointly by ASEC and the LA Galaxy and Andy was appointed the Director of Soccer role. A combination of the Galaxy's branding power and ASEC's business savvy has seen the LA Galaxy Soccer Center become the premier Futsal facility in Southern California. In January of 2013, Andy become the General Manger of the facility and is looking forward to continued success with the Soccer Center in 2013.
Kathi has had the opportunity to work for Polar Ice over 10 years and has the responsibility to manage the facility and work closely with Program Director to develop new activities to attract and retain customers. Creating attractive programs for beginning skaters, and supportive programs for more skilled and long-time customers is Polar Ice and Kathi’s main focus. Kathi is responsible for all aspects of the facility. She has developed a range of activities designed to encourage a lifetime of skating participation. Before coming to work for Polar Ice Kathi was a District Manager for Wolf Camera and has worked in management for over 20 years.
Michael Baxter has 14 years of rink experience as a hockey director, operations manager and now GM. Has been the GM of the Wake Forest facility since August of 2009. Coaching experience with Raleigh Youth Hockey association and other youth developmental programs in the Greater Raleigh area.
Katie Brower has been with our organization since 2009 in various roles with MVP Sports Factory and the Polar Ice House WF location. Took MVP GM role in January of 2013.
Randy Lee has worked in the ice rink industry since 1991 working in every aspect of the rink industry including operations and general management. Mr. Lee got his business expertise from the NC State Business Administrative college and Wake Technical College.Randy was on the referee officials board (MAOA) for 10 years from 1995-2005 as acting President, Treasurer, and scheduler through his tenure and was a certified USA Hockey official for 15 years from 1991-2006. Mr. Lee has also directed over 30 rink reconstruction projects to rehabilitate and renew many ice rinks across the Carolinas, Dallas, and New York. Currently, he is managing 4 Polar Ice facilities in the Raleigh area including the seasonal outdoor facility (Raleigh Winterfest) which have had proven growth over the past 15 years.
Mike has worked at the ice rinks in Raleigh since 2004. Before becoming the GM of the Garner Ice House in 2010 he worked as the hockey director for the Cary and Garner rinks. He teaches both youth and adult learn to play classes and coaches a house league hockey team.
Brad started out his Rink Management career as the Hockey Director at the Panorama City Ice Chalet (now Valley Ice Center) in June 1996 before quickly becoming the GM. Shortly after, Brad was promoted and transferred to the Aliso Viejo Ice Chalet where he managed for almost two years. He then accepted the position as General Manager at the Toyota Sports Center in May 2001 and has been there since and continues to oversee the daily operations of the facility