Our Team

Meet the Team

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.” -Shane Coppola – Chairman and CEO

Here is some background on our Company’s team captains and top players:

Executive Bios

Shane Coppola – Chairman and CEO

Shane has served as our Chairman and CEO since our inception in 2008. In 2006, Mr. Coppola founded our predecessor's 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 an 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. 

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Shane Coppola – Chairman and CEO

Brad Berman – President, Chief Operations Officer

Mr. Berman has 33 years experience in the ice skating industry. To date, Mr. Berman has consulted in the design, construction, and operation of 28 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 AMERICAN SPORTS ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY, LLC facilities including; on ice program development, insurance, risk management and AMERICAN SPORTS ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY, LLC facility safety procedures. In addition to his professional business expertise, within the ice rink industry, Mr. Berman is a Master USA Hockey coach.

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Brad Berman – President, Chief Operations Officer

Dean Hall – Executive Vice President

Mr. Hall currently holds the position of Executive Vice President. With over 25 years’ experience in the ice-skating industry, Mr. Hall oversees all operations, budgeting, revenue generation, management level hiring/ training reporting, and risk safety company-wide. Additionally, Mr. Hall works proactively with facility General Managers to improve operational efficiencies and help to ensure AMERICAN SPORTS ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY, LLC achieves its operating expense budgets and EBITDA targets. 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 NHL draft. His six-year professional hockey career took him to Germany and various NHL affiliates throughout the United States.

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Dean Hall – Executive Vice President

Michael Baxter – Senior Vice President

Southeast USA
Michael has over 14 years of rink experience as a hockey director, operations manager, GM and now Senior Vice President. Previously, as GM and Regional Director of the Raleigh, NC market, Michael helped AMERICAN SPORTS ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY, LLC expand from three ice facilities and one multi-sport facility to five ice facilities and one multi-sports facility. His commitment to coaching Raleigh Youth Hockey and other youth developmental programs in the Greater Raleigh area are highly regarded.

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Michael Baxter – Senior Vice President

Kendra Giefski – CFO

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.

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Kendra Giefski – CFO

Matt Mattatall – Director of Information Technology

Matt focuses his time on maintaining the company servers and implements high security standards across the company network. Prior to joining AMERICAN SPORTS ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY, LLC, Matt worked tirelessly as a system administrator, primarily in the healthcare industry in the world of computer management. He’s well versed in computer networking, including installation of hardware and software, and server/workstation maintenance. Matt utilizes the valuable technology skills that he’s acquired through the years, both on the job and through his continuing education in computer sciences. Matt’s love of technology and comprehensive problem-solving support shines through in his work ethic, while providing excellent customer service and a high quality work product.

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Matt Mattatall – Director of Information Technology

Ken Weaver – Special Project Manager

Working on athletic facility installations and renovations since 2002, Ken has been involved with hundreds of projects across the United States and Canada. Also experienced in multipurpose facilities, Ken specializes in ice rinks. Having worked with local community rinks to many NHL teams and top college programs, Ken’s experience allows him to tailor results to the needs of the facility. As Special Project Manager, Ken is heavily involved in renovations and new builds for AMERICAN SPORTS ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY, LLC. Using both contractors or in house employees, Ken leads from the front as the field representative for AMERICAN SPORTS ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY, LLC.

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Ken Weaver – Special Project Manager

Christopher Nelson – Director of Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging

Chris has been involved with the AMERICAN SPORTS ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY, LLC family since its earliest beginnings from the year 1991 when it was originally under the operating name of Iceoplex. A graduate of the University of Wisconsin, he gained a Bachelor of Arts degree in African American Studies with a concentration in Women’s Studies and Communication. Chris won a National Championship with the Badgers as the 1st African American-born player to achieve this honor before embarking upon a professional ice and roller hockey career. After his playing career Chris ventured upon and still continues in the motion picture industry as a Technical Advisor to such movies and television shows as Miracle, Batman and Robin, Tooth Fairy, Love Guru, Biker Boyz, ER, Sons of Anarchy and The Neighborhood. Also during that time period he crafted his hospitality skills as a Concierge, Director and General Manager with Ian Schreger, Starwood, Marriott and Intercontinental Hotels for a 21-year stint. He now coaches 3 different teams at Toyota Sports Performance Center, 16AAA, 18AAA and the El Segundo Strikers in the High School League while simultaneously operating and owning Locker Room 13, a cleaning, storage and hospitality company focusing on the enhancement of the skater's experience. Chris remains as a coach, client, vendor and parent at the El Segundo, California location.

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Christopher Nelson – Director of Merit Excelence Engagement

Facility Management Team

Frank Lombardy – General Manager

House of Sports – Ardsley, NY
Frank started his career in the Collegiate Athletics field, where he served as an Assistant Athletic Director for Marketing and Sales at Marist College for 5 years. Prior to his time at Marist, Frank worked for the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, where he oversaw the league’s television sponsorship activation. Frank has been the General Manager at the House of Sports since 2012, and joined on with AMERICAN SPORTS ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY, LLC in August 2015.

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Frank Lombardy – General Manager

Traci Decker – Regional Brand Manager

Polar Ice NC, NC
Traci brings over 20 years of Management and Marketing experience to AMERICAN SPORTS ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY, LLC as the General Manager of Cary and Garner Polar Ice House in NC. Traci’s career spans from Property Management, Sr. Regional Management in the collegiate sector, to a former sole proprietor of a successful loose-leaf tea business. Traci’s broad business background encompasses territory growth management, public and media relations, strategic market positioning, budget administration and P&L management, recruiting and staffing. The last 4 years as a Team Manager for youth hockey, Traci has been immersed in the world of skating and travel hockey with her two sons. Traci is a graduate of Western Carolina University with a B.A. in Communications and Minor in Marketing.

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Traci Decker – Regional Brand Manager

Katherine Singleton– General Manager

Ice at the Galleria – Houston, TX
Katherine is a lifetime member of the prestigious Mensa High IQ Society. She has over 20 years of rink experience with AMERICAN SPORTS ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY, LLC starting as an hourly employee and working onward to Guest Services Manager, Administrative Assistant, General Manager and now is the Executive Director of Outdoor Facilities. She is responsible for rink development, design, construction, staffing and management of several outdoor facilities. Katherine is based in Texas and travels extensively for the company.

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Katherine Singleton– General Manager

Luis Guerra – Operations Manager

Ice at the Galleria – Houston, TX
Luis is originally from Mexico and has brought years of ice rink experience with him before joining the AMERICAN SPORTS ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY, LLC Family in 2007. Luis is professional versed and is responsible for diagnosing all technical and mechanical issues. He and his staff work together to maintain the highest standard of sanitation and cleanliness of the facility. Luis has mastered the ice resurfacing machinery and equipment and is responsible for proper training of new employees.

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Luis Guerra – Operations Manager

Cindy Murphy – General Manager

Polar Ice Raleigh & Wake Forest – Raleigh, NC
Cindy has over 10 years of ice rink experience as a Hockey Director and General Manager. She came to AMERICAN SPORTS ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY, LLC as the previous General Manager of Raleigh Center Ice in the spring of 2016, and is now the General Manager of both Polar Ice Raleigh and Polar Ice Wake Forest. She plays an integral part with AMERICAN SPORTS ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY, LLC’s relationship with the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes and multiple other user groups in the area. Cindy has an extensive coaching background as well as she has played a vital role in the Carolina Lightning program and the Carolina Eagles girls program.

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Cindy Murphy – General Manager

Darin Mathewson – General Manager

LA Kings Ice at Pickwick Gardens – Burbank, CA
With over 45 years of experience in the sport of figure skating and facility management, Darin brings a wealth of experience to the AMERICAN SPORTS ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY, LLC family. Darin holds certificates in Ice Arena Management and Ice Arena Planning, Design, Engineering, Construction and Renovation. Early in his career, he was a Junior World Competitor representing Canada and Principal Performer in Holiday on Ice and Disney’s World on Ice for 10 years. Additionally, Darin was the founding mascot for the Anaheim Mighty Ducks from 1993-1995, branding Wild Wing, and participating in the formulation of his character and persona.

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Darin Mathewson – General Manager

Chance Berman – General Manager

Toyota Sports Performance Center – El Segundo, CA
Chance started his working career in Extended Family Disability Services and Best Buddies programs in Phoenix, where he was an aide for the intellectually disabled. He grew up in ice rinks and has been playing hockey for 20+ years before he began working in them. He has trained and practiced in Muay Thai for 4+ years and has achieved his level 1 certification. Chance has also been a youth hockey coach and a Muay Thai instructor for all ages. Before working for AMERICAN SPORTS ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY, LLC, he earned his Associates Degree in Business. His first role was the manager of Olaf’s Frozen Ice Rink in Downtown Disney. This was where he knew he wanted to be dedicated to working for AMERICAN SPORTS ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY, LLC. He moved to Los Angeles in 2014 and began working in Toyota Sports Performance Center as a supervisor, working his way up to his current position. Throughout his time in Los Angeles he has been the Executive Director of LA Kings Holiday Ice, Manager of Olaf’s Frozen Ice in Downtown Disney, and Assistant General Manager of Toyota Sports Performance Center.

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Chance Berman – General Manager

James Vye – West Coast Regional Facilities Engineer

Toyota Sports Performance Center – El Segundo, CA
James Vye has been with the AMERICAN SPORTS ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY, LLC family for 10 years. He began as the Operations Manager at the LA Galaxy Soccer Center, overseeing all facility operations. In 2018 James joined the team at the Toyota Sports Performance Center as the Facility Engineer, where he oversaw the rebranding and remodel of the entire facility. Recently, James was promoted to the position of Regional Facility Engineer overseeing five AMERICAN SPORTS ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY, LLC facilities including, Toyota Sports Performance Center, home of the LA Kings and the UCLA Health Training Center, home of the LA Lakers. James is dedicated to ensuring that each facility is maintained and operating at the highest level of standards. Prior to joining AMERICAN SPORTS ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY, LLC, James had over 15 years of residential and commercial construction and engineering experience.

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James Vye – West Coast Regional Facilities Engineer

Andy Vuncanon – Director of Security

Toyota Sports Performance Center – El Segundo, CA
Andy comes to AMERICAN SPORTS ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY, LLC from a law enforcement background, where he worked his way up through the ranks. He retired in 2018 from a Los Angeles County police agency and started at AMERICAN SPORTS ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY, LLC in January 2019. Andy’s ability to connect with his employees and foster a healthy culture is one of his strengths. He recognizes that the single most valuable resource in an organization is its employees. Andy is quick to acknowledge that his success’s in managing others comes from a mutual respect.

Andy earned his BS degree in criminal justice from CSULB. Over his law enforcement career, he has attended hundreds of hours of supervisor and management training courses. Many of which dealt with risk management and effective communication in the workplace.

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Andy Vuncanon – Director of Security

Gabriella Weissmann – Executive Skating Director

Toyota Sports Performance Center – El Segundo, CA
A Los Angeles native, Gabriella is a two-time U.S. Junior National Figure Skating Competitor. Her coaching accomplishments have included leading singles skaters to multiple U.S. Figure Skating gold medals and guiding synchronized skating teams to qualify for the U.S. National Championships. In addition to her skating achievements, Gabriella was an international tennis player and went on to play Division 1 for Seattle University as their captain. She holds a B.A. in Political Science with a specialization in Legal Studies and finished her student-athlete career on the SU President’s List and recognized with an ITA Scholar-Athlete Award. Gabriella has been a part of the AMERICAN SPORTS ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY, LLC family since 2015. She began her career with us as a professional skating instructor at the Toyota Sports Performance Center and in 2017 became the director of skating at TSPC. As the executive director of skating, Gabriella now oversees the skating programs across the region, and has developed the LA Skating Academy, which was recognized as the largest Learn to Skate USA member program in the United States with over 4,000 members during the 2022-2023 season. LASA now serves as the model and foundation for AMERICAN SPORTS ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY, LLC’s skating programs throughout SoCal and includes a variety of programs underneath its umbrella including LA Synchro, Little Kings Academy Hockey Development Program and the Legacies Training Program for Competitive Figure Skaters.

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Gabriella Weissmann – Executive Skating Director

Shane Warschaw – General Manager

LA Kings Iceland – Paramount, CA
Shane grew up playing hockey in Southern California. Shane also played college hockey at New England College, where he received his Undergraduate Degree in Business Administration – Sports Management/Finance and his Master’s Degree in Organizational Management in Business. Prior to joining AMERICAN SPORTS ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY, LLC, Shane had 15 years of experience refereeing pro hockey in North America, Europe and IIHF World Championships. He has coaching experience at the college and pro hockey level.

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Shane Warschaw – General Manager

Drew Varela – Facilities Manager

UCLA Health Training Center – El Segundo, CA
Drew began his time with AMERICAN SPORTS ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY, LLC/UHTC LA Lakers Training Facility in 2020 as a Building Engineer, but in just a year, he was promoted to Facilities Manager. He works closely with the Lakers V.P. of Operations to oversee the 120,000 sq. ft. facility and uphold its five-star quality that the Lakers organization is known for. He also coordinates with his Operations team, Security department, and oversees housekeeping to maintain all aspects of the building to keep all systems operating efficiently. Drew brings with him 12 years of building operations experience, and 17+ years of residential and commercial construction experience.

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Drew Varela – Facilities Manager

Tom Krafick – Director of Security

UCLA Health Training Center – Home of the Los Angeles Lakers – El Segundo, CA
Tom comes to AMERICAN SPORTS ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY, LLC from an extensive law enforcement career, beginning in his home State of Connecticut and culminating with a full-term retirement in 2016 from a South Bay police agency in Los Angeles County. During his 33-year career, Tom worked a variety of operational and administrative assignments with an emphasis on program development; training of personnel and staff; large scale, emergency, and tactical operational planning; special projects; and policy and procedure evolution. Tom has recognized the unique security program at UHTC and the relationship with the Los Angeles Lakers – an emphasis on training and security readiness coupled with the delivery of exceptional customer services for those that enjoy the extraordinary 5-Star UCLA Health Training Center.

Tom earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Justice and Law Administration from Western Connecticut State University and a Master of Science Degree in Emergency Management Services from California State University at Long Beach. Tom participated in leadership development at the Senior Management Institute of Police, the Los Angeles Police Department West Point Leadership Program, and the University of Southern California’s Safe Communities Institute.

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Tom Krafick – Director of Security

Bridget Donohue – Assistant General Manager

Westchester Skating Academy – Westchester, NY
Bridget has been with the AMERICAN SPORTS ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY, LLC family since its inception in 2006 and has over 20 years of rink experience. Beginning as an ice attendant at Westchester Skating Academy, Bridget has been involved in all facets of the business including customer service, administration, operations, marketing, and program development, making her the perfect fit for her new role as Assistant General Manager for WSA and Play land Ice.

Bridget has also been the General Manager of AMERICAN SPORTS ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY, LLC’s Seasonal Outdoor facility, Westchester’s Winter Wonderland at the Kensico Dam, since 2014. Coming from a skating family, Bridget has been figure skating since the age of 4, competing regionally and nationally in synchronized skating, pairs and singles.

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Bridget Donohue – Assistant General Manager

Ron Caccavale – Regional Director of Operations

Westchester Skating Academy – Westchester, NY
Ron has worked in the ice rink industry for over 30 years and has a strong background in Air Conditioning, Refrigeration, Maintenance and Computers. As Regional Director of Operations for AMERICAN SPORTS ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY, LLC, Ron oversees Play land Ice, House of Sports, and the Westchester Skating Academy, where he has been for the past 24 years. He has also helped coordinate the setup and training for several seasonal outdoor rinks for the past 10 years.

Ron has coached youth hockey for 29 years and was instrumental in the startup of the very successful Westchester Vipers Youth Hockey Organization.

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Ron Caccavale – Regional Director of Operations

James Robinson – Assistant Manager

Play land Ice – Westchester, NY
James has been a part of the AMERICAN SPORTS ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY, LLC team since 2014 and has experience in the ice rink industry for over 15 years. Getting his start as a rink guard in 2002, James pushed forward and was promoted to head supervisor and eventually to Operations Manager. He currently holds the position of Assistant Manager and works diligently to maintain the historic Play land Ice rink and continues to show his dedication to the AMERICAN SPORTS ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY, LLC team.

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James Robinson – Assistant Manager