2024 Board Election Candidates
Vice President (1 Candidate)
Kirsten Morris
Hello, I’m Kirsten Morris. I hail from a quaint town in Rosenhayn, NJ, where I played youth soccer under the guidance of my father, who also served as my coach. My love for soccer was ignited through those experiences. Currently, I work as a Technology Systems Analyst at Chelten House Product Inc.
I became a part of SoB in 2016 and secured my season ticket in 2017. In 2018, I had a crazy idea to run for the position of Secretary/Social Media. You may have spotted me dashing around Tailgates and Subaru Park, capturing photos and videos!
While I’ve truly cherished my role as Secretary/Social Media, I believe I have valuable ideas that can benefit the entire group. Consequently, I feel that the position of Vice President may be a better fit for me.
When I’m not Doopin’, you can find me engrossed in gardening, reading, or whipping up some delicious baked goods.
Travel Director (2 Candidates)
Ricky Zellefrow
I have been a member of the Sons of Ben since the end of 2015 and have been a member since then. I have volunteered at tailgates at the check in desk between 5-10 times when my schedule was much more pliable and ran for office ones before. I traveled for the first time to the 2017 game in DC (last game at RFK) and since then have been working on going to every MLS stadium possible and have now accounted for 11 MLS stadiums, and 3 international ones following both the Union and the US including the stadium pictured.
Two years ago I ran for the same travel director position because I felt that so much of the travel itinerary and planning was focused on certain groups of people and not necessarily geared to some of us who have less money and are less interested in the more flowery and grander travel options. My hope is that in this position I could bring away days and away weekend possibilities to a larger crowd. When not at soccer games you can find me on these travels at amusement parks and at the free museums in whatever city I am visiting.
Mike Blankemeyer
Hi I'm Mike Blankemeyer. I've been a proud S.O.B. since 2009, and a season ticket holder from the beginning. Both my son and daughter have grown up in the stadium (section 136) with my wife and me. We live in Montgomery County with a menagerie of cats, turtles and koi.
When I am not watching the Union play, I like gardening, cooking, and camping,
I'm certainly looking forward to going to more away games and DOOPING at every one of them.
One of the things I'd really like to incorporate in the position of Travel Director is more of your input and interests. If we visit a city, what else would you like to see and do (a W is a given!)?
I'll do my best to address your concerns in the future. I definitely encountered some hurdles and did my best to make your travel experience as smooth as possible.
Philanthropy Director (1 Candidate)
Rob Migliaccio
Hello my fellow SoB members,
For those who don't know me, I'm Robert Migliaccio and am running to be your next philanthropy director of our group. I have been a member with the Sons Of Ben since about 2013 and a part of the Game Day Tifo and Capo crew since 2015. On the philanthropic side of the Sons Of Ben, I have been a part of our St. Baldrick's Shave team since 2018 and the founding team captain for our PA Special Olympics Polar Plunge team this year in February.
Philanthropy is a major core value to the Sons Of Ben, after all Ben Franklin himself was big into philanthropy himself. Yes we are a supporters group for the team on the field first and foremost, but that doesn't mean that we can't support the surrounding communities. If elected into the position, I am ready to bring some new and classic ideas back into our annual Philanthropic events, but also ready to listen to you, the members, on what events and charities we can support. While our current slate of events are good, I always believe there is room for improvement in any field; location, food and beverages, raffles, ect. I also want to do more random raffles only offered at our fantastic tailgates to support different charities in the area, it creates not only a great opportunity to raise money for the charities but also creates a sense of "Anything can happen at an SoB tailgate". That's just a taste of what I can offer as your next Philanthropy director and I'm very excited for the chance to not only serve you but the community.
“When you’re good to others, you’re best to yourself.” - Ben Franklin
Tailgate Director (1 Candidate)
Kelsey Luckenbach
Hi, my name is Kelsey Luckenbach and I’ve been with the Sons of Ben since the end of the 2020 season (thanks Covid!). I grew up in Lehigh Valley (Nazareth, Pa) but moved to the Pittsburgh area for 8 years to obtain a Business Management degree at IUP and stayed to pursue career opportunities. After moving to Philly in 2019, my friends got me involved with the Sons of Ben and soon after I became a STH. The atmosphere of the tailgates combined with my love for all things sports and hosting parties made the Tailgate position a perfect fit for me after getting involved through volunteering.
As Tailgate Director this past year, my goals were to ensure the board brings a fun, memorable occasion to our members each home game. I’ve decided to run again to continuing growing the tailgates into a wider experience for our members and sponsors in the next few years. Taking over the position and working with a new building/lot, I’ve learned a lot of the capabilities we can have in our SoB lot and working with other board members. My goal is to organize more themed tailgates and diversify our food & drink options while working with our sponsors. I also want to establish more awareness of our volunteer rewards program, which included Tunnel Club access and Phillies Game tickets for this past season for volunteers that met the requirements.
Member at Large (4 Candidates)
Andrew Gerber
My name is Andrew and I cannot stress to you the love I have for people and the love that I have for sports. In my professional life I find myself in the role of a caretaker and in my private life I find myself in much of the same roll. I grew up in a house where if a Philadelphia sport weren't on the TV or on the radio it was because either they weren't available or something was very wrong. As a fan that has grown in my life with teams cemented into my core, it has been very interesting for me to watch the team that is the Philadelphia Union start up and grow into an identity. We all know that the story of the rise of the Union is the story of hard work behind the scenes, not the least of which came from the original Sons of Ben. I have only been with the Union for the second half of their lifetime, but I can tell you, and you can see by the tattoo on my leg, that the team has become ingrained in my life. That all being said, the organization is still young in terms of a sporting organization and so are the SoB's by extension. This is where I believe in my heart that I come in. I come to the Soob every game but I don't just do it for the club, I do it for the faces of the friends I've made and all the faces of friends I hope to make. In my time as a SoB I have been cared for by fellow members and I want to give more back. I have made what I hope to be life long friendships. I want to foster that within our group. I want to live in a world where the Sons of Ben join The Keystone Ultra's in some of their electric chants and the Corner Creeps cheer us on. I want to see a River End full of people who truly care for each other and want nothing more than to see the boys in blue kick the snot out of whoever the hell decides to walk into our fortress. I want nothing more than to see each one of the faces in the crowd with a huge smile. I have been in 138 for years, right on the line between the KSU songs and the SoB chants, an area I affectionately call the Mason Dixon line. Recently I have joined the capo team and have been doing all I can to keep the sections rowdy, no matter what you decide to chant or what side of the line you stand on. I call that section home and it truly feels like home. At the end of the day, I want to see each of your shining faces on each and every game day to welcome you home with a smile and a warm hug. So, please. Stop by the tailgate. Stop by one of our fundraisers. Stop by the capo stand and 138. I'll be the one with the beard.
Jesse Kavanaugh
I am from New Jersey (South Jersey). I have been a full-season ticket holder for two years now and have also been a Son of Ben for two years. But a Philadelphia Union fan since existence. My heart bleeds blue and gold!
The reason why I want to be member at large is because I want to be able to give back and help out wherever it is necessary. I understand what has to be done with member at large.
Jesse P. Kavanaugh
Jonathan Baker
I have been coming to union games and marching with the SOBs since 2016, and after being a family friends tag-along for the past several years, i purchased my own membership and season tickets last season. I attended about 75-80% of our games this season, and have been trying to work towards taking on a bigger role in the Sons of Ben as either a Capo or serve in an elected position. I am a founding member of the Cresaps Raiders, a Maryland based Contingent of the SOBs aimed at bringing more fans from outside PA into the fold. People know me at the tailgates as "Dooperman", the guy with the spartan helmet and shield. My passion for the game and love for the Union is pretty well known, and I would love to explore the possibility of contributing to the Sons of Ben in a more official capacity.
Brady Gonsalves
Since attending my first match in 2011, the Union have become a constant in not just my life but my family’s as well. We’ve sat in different sections of the stadium throughout the years but once we experienced what supporter culture was all about, we knew we wanted to be a part of it. In 2020 we became Sons of Ben members and Season Ticket Holders in the River End and now I want to deepen my involvement with the group that helped develop my passion for the beautiful game.
I can have a positive impact as Member-at-Large by leveraging my 20+ years of working in the nonprofit world to help the Sons of Ben continue to grow and establish itself as one of the elite Supporters Groups in MLS. Having been involved in theatrical and event production at both the corporate and the nonprofit level, I understand the challenges of delivering an efficient yet high-value experience while also keeping the audience energized and engaged. The nature of my work also means that I am ready to jump in and help wherever needed. I have also served as President of the Board for the Upper Darby Futbol Club for the past two years and have gained a clear understanding of how to maintain strong leadership in an organization while constantly looking for ways to evolve with an ever-growing and changing membership base.