Falcons Hockey Association

Hi Falcons Parents!

My name is Lisa Cervieri and I would welcome the opportunity to join the Falcons Board.

Now Squirts, our two boys JC and Mark have been Falcons since the learn to skate program at the Lake Forest College under the watchful eyes of coach Julie.  They each started in House, both for coach Dino who did a great job with them and then they moved into Travel.

Through the five teams they have played on, I have gotten to know upward of 100 Falcon families directly.  And of course, so many more parents just passing each other Monday, Wednesday and Friday nights at either Hot Shot or Centennial.  My first role with the Falcons was a team manager two seasons ago.  What stands out to me now after several seasons, is the Falcons culture.  The bonding, the spirit, the dedication (of parents, too) and the drive to be the best we can be.  Not all sports programs can say they have such cammaraderie and such great development.  This season it was coach Claude and coach Bob who really instilled integrity for the game in our boys teams and our boys.

I hope to help maintain the level of quality of the Falcons and perhaps even have ideas to continue to improve.  My related experience includes currently being Treasurer of the Lake Forest Baseball Association and three years as Assistant to the Director at the First Presbyterian Church Preschool. I have additional experience serving on the APT.  Professionally, I had a 15 year banking career, ultimately responsible for a national sales and client service force at Bank of America. I would welcome your support and your vote for me to join the board.  I'll put my skills to work helping the Falcons continue to offer the number one hockey program in Illinois and to continue a program that gives our kids a meaningful, positive and fun experience playing hockey.

Thank you for your consideration.

My son, Jack and I have been involved with the Falcons since he started playing hockey in the Mighty Mites during the Fall of 2006.  Following two years of Mighty Mites, including a season of ½ year travel (back when NIHL still offered it) Jack played two years of Mite travel, two years of Squirt travel and most recently spent his first year at the Pee Wee level playing on the Gold2 travel team.

Since joining the Falcons seven seasons ago I have been a volunteer assistant coach for each team Jack has played on.  In addition, I have spent one season as a team manager and have spent the last two years as a Travel Director on the Board of Directors.  I have gained valuable experience and a unique insight into how an organization like the Falcons is run by coaching, managing and serving on the Board and I believe those experiences will allow me to contribute even more value to the Board if I am given the opportunity to serve a second term.  I believe the future success of the Falcons is dependent upon its volunteers today.  Like so many Falcons parents, I care deeply about this organization and this sport is in my blood and I am prepared to continue to give of myself today with the hope that my efforts will result in an even better Falcons program tomorrow.

For those of you that do not know me, my wife of 19 years Jen and I live in Highland Park with our 3 children, Sarah, Jack and Julie.  I grew up playing travel hockey and continue to play today in a local men’s league.  I am a commercial real estate broker, an avid golfer and an active fund raiser for the Lymphoma Research Foundation.

I would be honored to have the opportunity to serve a second term on the Falcons Board.

I began my hockey career in Westport, CT as a youth hockey player similar to the many boys and girls who are part of the Falcons organization.  My parents were team managers and assisted in scheduling games for both my team and that of my brother.  My brother played hockey through college at Cornell University.  I played my college hockey at the University of Notre Dame, and still play today in a men’s league with other Falcons coaches and parents.  Hockey has taught me a lot about team work, sportsmanship, the importance of practice and good coaching, and that many things can be achieved if you set your goals properly and work hard to accomplish them.

My wife, Mary Lynne, and I and our three children have lived in Lake Forest since 2008.  I am currently a partner (CPA) for one of the Big 4 accounting firms, KPMG LLP.  In my spare time Ispend considerable time at the hockey rink supporting my two boys in their dream to be “hockey players.”  I have coached both of them on their various teams in the house program over the years.  My oldest son, Jack, just finished his second year as a Pee Wee in the house program.  My youngest son, Will, just finished his second year as a Squirt in the travel program. Watching them both grow at their own pace in the house and travel programs of the Falcons has provided me good insights into the program, its goals and objectives, its beliefs and stewardship responsibilities.

With the depth and strength of the Falcons program in recent years, there are many opportunities and challenges ahead.  How do we ensure there is sufficient ice time and coaches to support the program and its teams going forward?  How do we keep the program competitive and vibrant in comparison to the other programs in the area?  How do we continue to build our sponsorship programs and other fundraising opportunities to ensure that we provide the best youth hockey experience for the cost?  How do we balance the needs and finances of the house programs versus the travel programs?  How do we design the appropriate governance structure over the key decisions impacting the future of the program, long term and short term?  How can the level of transparency and communication between the Board/organization and parents/families be enhanced?  How do we assess, hire, compensate and evaluate our coaches to ensure that our players get best value for their money in terms of teaching the kids the game of hockey, providing them with the training and skills required to be successful, no matter how measured, and most importantly providing them with an environment to have FUN.

Ice hockey is one of the greatest sports in the world, both from a player perspective and a fan perspective.  If selected, I look forward to working closely with the other members of the Falcons boards and committees to ensure we do our best to provide the boys and girls, those who have been around for a while and those who are new to the game, an opportunity to become “hockey players.”

GO FALCONS HOCKEY!!!!

My name is Mike Jones and I have been involved with the Falcons Hockey Club for the last 5 years as a volunteer coach.  My oldest son Liam started out in Mini-Mite house league and played on Squirt Gold 1 last year.  My middle son Nolan started as well at the Mini-Mite level and most recently played on Mite Gold.  My youngest son Brendan enjoyed his first year of hockey following in the footsteps of his older brothers and played Mini-Mite house league under the coaching of the Great Wally Kormylo. 

Hockey has been a part of my life since I began playing at the age of 5 for the Winnetka Warriors.  I continued my travel hockey career playing for Winnetka, moving on to play 3 years of Varsity at New Trier High School and finally playing at St. Norbert College in Wisconsin.  After graduation, I returned to Winnetka and coached various teams ranging from Mite Gold to PeeWee Central States for 9 years.  I have continued my love for hockey by playing on a Men’s league team down at Johnny’s Ice House for 20 years.  I have gained valuable knowledge and experience from some of the great coaches I have played for and worked with over the years.  I feel the combination of playing the game for most of my life and coaching at various levels has allowed me to understand the dynamics of a successful hockey organization and what it takes to contribute as a board member for the Falcons Hockey Club.  I would feel honored and privileged to serve as a board member not only to continue to make the Falcons a Great place to play hockey but strive to make it one of the top Hockey Clubs in Illinois for many years to come.

My wife of 13 years, Katie, and I live with our 3 boys in Lincolnshire.  Besides my passion for the sport of hockey I enjoy playing golf, spending time with my family, and the outdoors.   I am a Commercial Key Account Director for Sensient Technologies and when I am not traveling for work, I am usually at one of my boy’s sporting events.

I would sincerely appreciate the opportunity to serve on the Travel Board for the Falcons Hockey Club and thank you for your support.

Go Falcons

Thank you for the opportunity to run for the Falcons Board of Directors as a Travel Director. I am very interested in the position and think I would be a great addition to the Board. I currently have one Falcons player. My son Colson Stutz is now a second year PeeWee, he played PeeWee Gold 2 this past travel season.  We have been involved with Falcons for the past 4+ years. Although only 1 of our 4 children plays Falcons, The Falcons Organization is a huge part of our family fun and activity.  It's been great to watch Colson grow into the very competitive goalie he is today.

I have significant experience both with Falcons and in travel baseball.  I opened North Shore Baseball Academy in Highland Park 12 years ago, and run a large travel baseball program (8u - 15u). At NSBA (in both HP and Vernon Hills) we also  provide individual youth and recreational team instruction (including running park district house programs)  for kids of all age and skill levels.  As a result, I have worked extensively with multiple city and school boards, park districts, and the delicate and critical task of managing parents.  I believe the ultimate goal is to provide a positive experience for the kids who participate. This includes ensuring excellent quality instruction and coaching to create competitive players, and a rewarding experience for those employed to coach as well.

I look forward to the opportunity to serve on the Falcons Board of Directors.

John Stutz

I grew up in Wisconsin where I have fond memories of skating and playing hockey on ponds in the winter.  I have three sons between the ages of 4 and 9.  My oldest son is a travel squirt, my middle son is a mite house plus player and my youngest son is just learning to skate.  I am new to the Falcons this past fall, but have greatly enjoyed the season and it has reinforced my decision to come to this great organization.

I am currently the team manager for the Mite Sting and always willing to help out with either of my son’s teams as needed.  I have coached different youth sports over the years and believe strongly in the philosophy of teamwork, sportsmanship and kids achieving their full potentials.

As a board member I will bring my experiences as an athlete, prior coach, manager and business professional to continue to improve the Falcons Hockey Association.  My goal will be to continue the focus on the kids and to make their experience with the Falcons hockey organization as rewarding as possible.  Thank you for your consideration.

I have been a financial advisor for the past 14 years during which 2 of my employers were eventually purchased by Ameriprise Financial.  Literally my first job out of school.  I have two kids, a daughter who is 8 and a boy who will be 6 in April.  I’ve never played organized hockey growing up but have always been a he fan.  Some of my earliest memories are going to Hawks games with my uncles who had season tickets during the early 80’s at the Chicago Stadium.  This is my first year with the Falcons, but my son has been skating for the past 2 years with the park district before this.  He is currently in the Mighty Mites house leagues with the Sting team and loves it.  I think one of the best things for me has actually been going to the practices and watching all the kids get significantly better week after week and the confidence they exude each week because of it.  Hockey has always seemed to me to be one of the best team sports as well as a great sport which teaches discipline and good habits.  I’d love to help out in any way that I can with the board going forward to really get a sense of how to run a successful program which gets the best possible experience for all the ides involved.

I grew up in St. Louis and as a kid played a variety of team sports.  I have lived in many parts of the US, including Annapolis, MD; Dallas, TX; Orange County, CA; and most recently the Chicago area.  Professionally, I currently lead a sales division of a Fortune 100 Company with over 22 years of executive management and sales leadership experience.

The past two years I have enjoyed being an assistant coach for my son Chris’s House Mite team.  The Falcons House program has been great for building my child’s self-confidence.  The good thing about House is that everyone improves, everyone has fun, everyone plays in the games and the coaching staff for the Falcon organization is second to none.

I am interested in serving on the House Board because I would like to help make the program be even better than it is now.  I also want to ensure that the Falcon traditions and core values continue for other families to enjoy in the future years.  I hope to be a formal part of this organization by lending the benefits of my experience to the House League board. 

My wife, Lara and I live in Lake Forest with our three children, Ashley (14), Aubrey (12), and Chris (8), all who attend the Lake Forest Public Schools.  I appreciate your consideration.

Please review the candidate's bios above and click here to vote online>>  https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/2013bodvote

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