2020 Board Election Candidates
Member at Large/Merch (2 Candidates)
Devin Garcia
Although most of you probably know me from the Sons of Ben Podcast, what most of you probably don't know is that my story is a bit different than most. I cannot say I've been around the Union since the early years, and I cannot say I've followed soccer my whole life. My soccer fandom began in 2014, watching the World Cup. I had always watched when the World Cups came around but never really had anything to latch onto. This changed after that World Cup, as I realized Philadelphia had a team. I began lightly following the Union, and learning about the game, but I lived too far away to go to a game. My passion for the team and the game gradually grew over time, but blossomed when we moved to the area in early 2017. All it took was going to one game and I was hooked. I'll never forget the feeling I had seeing TRE, and hearing the chants, and knowing this is where I belonged. It was then that we became STH's, and Sons of Ben Members. Over the past three or four years, I've seen the truly amazing effect that the Sons of Ben can have, and could not see my life without the beautiful game.
This has led me to run for a position on the Sons of Ben board. There are many reasons that guided my decision, but it was a pretty easy decision due to the passion I have for the Philadelphia Union, and the vision I foresee for the growth of the Sons of Ben. I want to not only bring a slightly newer outlook to the group, but also want to provide a versatility in my role. I'm willing to help out wherever needed, and prepared to put in the necessary time for not only the growth of the group, but the growth of the beautiful game.
Jon Light
Jon Light here. SoB since 2010, STH since 2015. Since this team's inception I have been a vocal supporter of both the organization and the Sons of Ben. In that time I have also been fairly active in setting up tailgates, tifo, and donating to our charity events. You may also know me as the guy who used to Capo in 139 a few years back. I want to be your member at large/merch because I know that with hard work we can accomplish just about anything. That's what's great about this organization: the sum is always greater than the separate parts. For me, it's satisfying to help set up a tailgate that people have fun at, it's satisfying to paint a tifo and see it get raised, and satisfying to see a scarf you designed held over somebody's head with passion.
I have some experience designing merch. In 2015, I designed that year's SoB scarf. In 2019 and 2020 I successfully put out Wu Phang Clan merch. The merch side of this position is definitely intriguing. I think we could do some really interesting things with enough interest and there is no shortage of talented artists within our organization.
Outside of merch I would love to work on improving the quality of our tailgate experience. I want us to do corn hole/video game tournaments, live music, party games, food trucks. We have this beautiful lot waiting to be used to the fullest extent and I want to work towards getting that done.
I have a good relationship with just about everybody both in and out of the SoB. Throughout my years and years of being a fan of this team I have always only wanted for this organization to be the best it could be because we as Sons of Ben deserve the best.
Ad Finem Fidelis.
Secretary / Social Media (2 Candidates)
Erick Jusino
Hi! I'm Erick, or some of you may know me as my internet and capo alter ego, "ErickTheSoB". I've been a member of the Sons of Ben since 2012 and have been in the capo stand for about 4 years now. I'm running for Secretary/social media director because I believe we have the potential to be a world class supporters group with a strong digital media presence. I believe a good digital strategy can open unique avenues to fuel philanthropy and continue helping our local communities as well as growing our presence on game day. In my boring regular life, I'm a risk and data analyst for an online sportbook/casino and a media researcher/editor for a non-profit media organization. I love tacos, video games, photography, cooking, culture and coffee
A member wrote in a question for Erick:
Secretary/Social Media: How would you improve the Union’s social media presence?
I'd take advantage of the wide variety of platforms across the digital landscape and create platform specific content (Instagram, Twitch, TikTok, Twitter etc). I also hope to produce professional, collaborative content with special guests and potentially collaborate with the union digital team on producing some fun projects. We'll also take full advantage of the creator account tools to make sure our content gets shown to a diverse and relevant soccer crowd using audience engagement metrics (per platform).
Kirsten Morris
Hello, my name is Kirsten Morris and the last 2 years I have been the Social Media Director for the Sons of Ben. I decided to run again as I just love what the Sons of Ben stand for! I love getting involved with numerous charities like our Help Kick Hunger and our Pints fur Pets!
For those of you who do not know me here is a little into my background.
I grew up in a small town, Rosenhayn, NJ. I played youth soccer with my dad as my coach, through him is where I found a love for soccer. I have a love for photography, gardening, and baking. You can see me singing and cheering on our Boys in Blue in section 137.
I joined the SoB in 2016 and became a season ticket holder in 2017. I heard about the SoB through my fiancé and watched the video of how they helped Philly get a soccer team! I was inspired and knew I had to be a part of it!
President (1 Candidate)
Matt Gendaszek
Matt joined the Sons of Ben in 2010 when he and his group of friends bought season tickets in section 136. Matt was elected to the Board of Directors and has always strived to help keep the Sons of Ben growing and becoming the Standard Bearer of all Supporters Groups.
Matt works in marketing for a local company that provides branding solutions within the tradeshow industry. In the past Matt has leveraged some of his personal relationships into helping the Sons of Ben. First with Yards Brewing and most recently with 2SP to bring the latest Sons of Ben beer to life .
Matt has been both a coach and a volunteer for many non-profits and values the work that the Sons of Ben do within and for the community.
Membership (1 Candidate)
Mollie Suitch
Hi I’m Mollie, most of you already know me as the Sons of Ben membership director and previously the Secretary. You’re probably sick of me by now. I am once again asking for you to vote for me as the Membership Director.
I have been a fan of the Union since 2010, and was introduced to the Sons of Ben in 2013. I became more involved with the SoBs when I started volunteering with Tifo painting as well as set up and breakdown. I became a season ticket member in 2015 and joined the board in early 2016. During a normal season, you can find me at tailgates working the merch table, at the membership table on the plaza, or cheering on the U in section 137!
I have loved working with the Sons of Ben for the past 5 years. I have met so many great people through this organization. I am still very passionate about the mission of the Sons of Ben and supporting the Union, a passion I wish to continue to bringing to this position
Tifo (1 Candidate)
Ryan Bross
Ryan joined the Sons of Ben in the 2010 season and started volunteering with tifo ahead of the 2011 season, eventually joining the Board as Director of Tifo in 2013. Since joining the Board, Ryan has helped increase the presence of the displays produced for game day and other events, including the additions of the poles in tRE, addition of new smoke, and the tradition of the onion bag celebration. After not running for reelection at the end of the 2019 season and taking a year "off" during the 2020 season, Ryan is in a position to return to the role in 2021. During the 2020 season, Ryan was asked to create the covers seen over the seats of tRE and continue the tifo and pyro displays to provide some sense of normalcy for the players. Aside from the tifo, Ryan has also provided many of the designs for the merch that the group has produced over the last few years
Why?
I am running for reelection after not running last year. I didn't run last year because I wanted to encourage anyone that was interested to step up to the role. After the irregularity of the 2020 season, there wasn't the chance for someone to step into the role. However, the watch parties and the last few games of the season showed that the current game day crew can operate with less guidance than previous seasons. Meaning that I would have less to do on game day (and actually get to watch most of the game) while continuing to create the tifo displays. Seeing the way that other volunteers have stepped up has allowed me the opportunity to return to the role of Director of Tifo while not taking on so much responsibility and time