BACKGROUND BIOGRAPHIES
OF THE PEOPLE
BEHIND
SPORTS NETWORK INTERNATIONAL
The following individuals are the permanent members of Sports Network International (SNI). The people listed below work very hard year-round to help ensure that the goals and ideals that SNI has come to exemplify are met and exceeded! The unyielding pride, selfless dedication and attention to detail displayed by all of these fine people are the keys behind the greatness of SNI - making everything connected to Sports Network the best for our competitors, their families & guests.
 Samantha Ste.Claire - President / Chief Executive Officer
Samantha joined SNI immediately out of Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida just after the inception of the modern-day era of the company in 1982. She grew up in a sports crazy houshold an traveling from event to event as a young adult gave her a unique insight into the good and the bad of solid event management.
She became a co-owner of the company shortly thereafter, guiding SNI into a period of record growth. Samantha is the heart and soul of Sports Network International and the driving force behind its success. Her primary duties include oversight of all event production, management of all personnel, and control of all event and company finances. She works closely with all competition venues and hotels to ensure all event needs and aesthetics are met and surpassed for all attendees. During the on-sight management of events, Samantha provides oversight and direct supervision of every facet of the event and assures that every aspect is up to the high standards of excellence set by Sports Network International. While she has the head of a general, she has the heart of a Sergeant Major as she likes to have a hands on approach to all aspects of managing he company.
 Justin Gates - Vice President / Competition Director
After completing studies at the University of Central Florida in Orlando, Florida and teaching public school with a degree in education, Justin began full-time employment with Sports Network International in 1988 after several years of volunteer work with the company. Justin earned eight letters in high school and played on two state championship contending teams, as well as officiating adult basketball, softball, and youth baseball, softball, football, basketball and soccer throughout the greater Washington, DC area.
Working closely with SNI co-founder Kip Horton, Justin quickly learned all facets of the SNI mission. Today, Justin is in charge of event regulations & procedures, judge/official acquisition & training, computer network hardware, software installation and internet/website maintenance & upkeep. Also, Justin handles acquisition of hotel contracts, event venues & other event related financial contracts, and oversight of all items related to competition management. Justin became a co-owner of SNI in 1993.
 John Ladd - Event Director, Production Manager
After college, John worked for Aramark Food and was promoted quickly through their ranks. During this time, John maintained a 20-plus year involvement as a youth football coach (and long time attendee of the NYFC) and League Commissioner in the Northwest Football League in the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois, John moved to Florida and began full-time employment with Sports Network International in the Summer of 1995.
Currently, John's main focus remains his supervision of the on-site football operations of the NYFC in both Lubbock, Texas and in Las Vegas, Nevada. John's other daily duties include corporate communications with vendors, food service contracts, regional research and trophy/plaque construction for all SNI events. John also maintains control over packaging and distribution of event videotapes, magazines and other media for the company. John continues to shine as a organized professional and a jack-of-all-trades in the busy Sports Network International universe.
 Sharron Ritch - Event Director, Computer Database Manager
After completing studies at the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida, Sharron began full-time employment with Sports Network International in 1993. She was a very quick study and basically self-taught herself advanced computer programming. This work allowed SNI to greatly expand andprovide computer information to teams in a timeframe unheard of within the youth sports community.
Sharron handles the formation of much event paperwork, company communications & public relations materials that are eye-catching and informative. Her duties also include handling all needs of event attendees and ensuring all SNI requirements are met regarding contracting. Sharron also produces all Microsoft Windows-based custom software packages utilized by SNI both during daily office operations, as well as specialized custom software programming used for score sheet tabulation at all SNI produced sports competitions, especially the intensive military events SNI hosts for the four service branches.
 Jennifer Ladd - Event Director, Client Relations Manager
Jennifer brings a unique perspective to Sports Network Internation. In her youth, Jennifer competed at the NYFC as a cheerleader for several years in the very late 1980's and early 1990's. Jennifer then went to work at the International Speedway Corporation and was a stellar employee working with corporate groups in their huge multi-hundred thousand person racing events.
Jennifer has worked for SNI on numerous events since 1998 as an event coordinator all the while working full-time for the Daytona Speedway Corporation. Always displaying an unparalleled work ethic and tireless youthful enthusiasm, Jennifer accepted our offer of full-time employment in the Fall of 2004. While Jennifer has no bounds as far as duties, she has a natural penchant for getting in and getting the job done! She tackles many functions on a daily basis, but duties often center around physical production of event materials, customer telephone support, as well as assisting around the office with the many duties that keep the company moving forward.
 Bert Tabor - Director, NYFC Sales & Marketing
Bert has a lengthy pedigree in the sports and promotions industry having worked for the Oakland Raiders for many years, as well as other high profile companies across the United States. A tireless, high-energy individual, Bert has been involved with youth football players, coaches and leagues for over 20 years. He maintains political, sports and other related industry contacts and works tirelessly to promote the benefits of youth sports and the National Youth Football Championships. Bert has worked with leagues and individuals from all backgrounds as he often welcomes the challenge of helping youngsters from all walks of life.
Bert primarily works with sponsorships and promotions involving the 501(c)3 Sports Network Int'l Youth Foundation. His efforts help to make the experience of attending the NYFC better and more affordable for all kids. Between arranging NFL Players for autograph sessions, football summer camps, arranging radio & television interviews, or just arranging political dignitaries to recognize kids and coaches of the NYFC, Bert Tabor makes the NYFC a better tournament and youth football in general more fun for everyone!
 Ian Perry - NYFC Football Supervisor
Ian brings a wealth of knowledge, unique background and total love of both kids and the game of football to his work at the NYFC. Ian is a football official working throughout California in several youth football leagues. With his deep background as a football player, football coach and youth football game official, Ian brings a perspective of youth football from ALL sides of the football that is hard to match.
Ian supervises the fields at NYFC games evaluating officials, coaches & players, problem solving, and ensuring the high standards of the NYFC are in play at all times. His interaction with coaches is friendly and helpful. Ian is often looked at as "the problem solver" because of his dedication, pleasant demeanor, and his ability to get solutions for virtually all problems that can present themselves. Ian has worked with SNI since 2009 in his current capacity and he is a very valued member of the NYFC event.
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