Panelists | Presenters

Craig Anderson has been involved with recreation for 30+ years. He has worked in a number of recreation fields like: corporate fitness at SC Johnson, campus recreation at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, non-profit at YWCA of Waukesha, municipal recreation for the City of Muskego, for-profit at The Rock Sports Complex, and municipal enterprise at the RecPlex, in Pleasant Prairie. He has his undergraduate degree from University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and his graduate degree from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale. Craig has served on many boards and commissions throughout his career and has coached baseball for the Wisconsin All-Stars and Prospect Training Academy. Craig loves spending time with his family and doing anything baseball related.

Baptiste arrived at Northwestern in January of 2013 as the Associate A.D. for Compliance and was elevated to his current role as the Deputy Director of Athletics for Capital Projects & Operations in 2015. Baptiste is responsible for all capital projects for athletics and has oversight for athletic facilities and operations, event management and championships, equipment services and recreation. He also serves as one of the department liaisons with community constituencies. As part of the Vice President for Athletics & Recreation's Executive Staff, he works closely with other members of the staff on the strategic path of the department. Baptiste also serves as the sport administrator for men's and women's swimming and diving, women's cross country and women's volleyball.

The Cheverly, Maryland, native, is in the process of overseeing over $450 million worth of facility upgrades for Northwestern athletics. Baptiste leads the construction efforts that are dramatically upgrading the resources available to Wildcats student-athletes, including the $270 million Ryan Fieldhouse and Walter Athletics Center, the complete, $110 million renovation of Welsh-Ryan Arena, Lanny & Sharon Martin Stadium (lacrosse/soccer), Chap & Ethel Hutcheson Field (football) and Rocky & Berenice Miller Park (baseball).

Within the Big Ten, Baptiste currently serves on the Big Ten Joint Group and Administrators Council. In 2017, he was selected upon 25 senior level administrators to participate in the prestigious NCAA Pathway Program – a yearlong experiential learning opportunity for those committed to becoming a director of athletics. Baptiste previously served as a member of the NCAA Division I Initial Eligibility Waiver Committee. He has participated in the 2016 D1A Athletics Director's Institute and is also a graduate from the NCAA Leadership Institute in 2011.

Baptiste is a 2005 graduate of Towson University. He earned his Juris Doctor from St. Thomas University School of Law in 2008. He is licensed to practice law in the state of Maryland. He and his wife, Jessica, have two daughters, Saniya and Jordan.

Gabrielle Dow, possessor of 25 years of diverse experience across professional sports, entertainment and venues, is in her fifth year as the Packers’ vice president of marketing and fan engagement.

Dow, who was named to the position on May 12, 2014, oversees the Packers’ retail operations, digital and broadcast, marketing, brand engagement, business research and analytics, and game presentation.

In her four years with the Packers, Dow and her team have enhanced the gameday experience with a variety of new elements in Lambeau Field, including the use of pyrotechnics and a revamped music selection, along with “Get Loud Lambeau,” a fan-engagement campaign that encourages game attendees to support and energize the players and coaches. Dow also introduced a new fan-spirit initiative, “Green and Gold Friday,” enhancing the fan tradition of wearing Packers colors and gear to work, school and in the community each Friday to ramp up support and enthusiasm for the team. Additionally, Dow and her team are leading the Packers’ 100 Seasons celebration of the team’s rich history, which includes the club’s 100th season in 2018 and will be capped by the franchise’s 100th birthday on Aug. 11, 2019.

“Gabrielle has been a great addition to the Packers,” Packers President/CEO Mark Murphy said. “Her experience and new initiatives have been excellent for the organization and our fans. She’s had an immediate impact in revenue areas, including the Packers Pro Shop. We look forward to her continued work in enhancing the connection with our fans and in their experience following and supporting the team.”

Dow joined the Packers from the Baltimore Ravens, where she had served as vice president of marketing for eight years, a position in which she oversaw the team’s marketing, promotions, sponsor activations, brand management, game entertainment and fan-affinity efforts. With the Ravens, Dow created successful fan initiatives such as “Purple,” a first-ever female fan club that has grown to 25,000 members, and launched the Ravens’ own “Purple Friday” campaign, creating an engaging Baltimore tradition that kids and fans of all ages participate in every Friday during the football season.

Dow’s other professional sports experience includes two years (2003-05) with the NHL’s Florida Panthers, where she directed the marketing of hockey, concerts and family entertainment, and four years (1999-2002) with AEG, marketing the NBA’s Los Angeles Lakers, as well as the Staples Center, Kodak Theatre and The Forum.

The 47-year-old Dow was honored as one of Maryland’s Top 100 Women by the Maryland Daily Record in recognition of her professional accomplishments, community leadership and commitment to mentoring. Additionally, in March 2014 she received an Executive Management Award by SmartCEO, an award that honors executives who have gone above and beyond to support and lead their organizations.

Dow also teaches a sports marketing and innovation MBA course to graduate students at St. Norbert College in nearby De Pere, Wis.

Born Oct. 18, 1971, in San Francisco, Dow earned her bachelor’s, MBA and law degrees from the University of Oregon. She and her husband, Jeff, a Port Washington, Wis., native, have maintained strong ties to Wisconsin, as Jeff’s parents live in Port Washington and his extended family runs a dairy farm in Lomira, Wis. The couple has a daughter, Danielle, 13, and a son, Jackson, 10.

Andrew Gavin has served as the Director of Athletics at UW-Parkside since August 2017. In his role, Gavin leads the Rangers’ athletics department and its 15 varsity sport programs. As a member of the Chancellor’s Cabinet, Gavin also oversees intramurals and recreation and the operations of the Sports & Activity Center and other athletics facilities.

In his first year at Parkside, Gavin guided the University’s decision to join the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC), announcing the institution’s decision to accept a unanimous invitation from the GLIAC on Sept. 25, 2017. The Rangers officially became members of the GLIAC on July 1, 2018.

The athletics department went through a significant staff restructuring in Gavin’s first year in an effort to build capacity and operational efficiency while providing a support structure for Parkside’s student-athletes and coaches. During Gavin’s first year, the department welcomed 30 new employees, including the addition of three administrative positions and 14 graduate assistantships.

Gavin hired three head coaches (wrestling head coach Corey VanGroll, volleyball head coach Leigh Barea, and women’s basketball head coach Jen Conely) and five administrators (Associate AD for Internal Operations Chris Barker, Associate AD for Compliance Wendy Wilson, Assistant AD for Communications Sean Daniels, Events and Operations Coordinator Ryan Ridley, and Director of Sports Medicine Katie Bowers).

The opportunity to identify additional revenue sources and community and corporate partnerships has been a focus during Gavin’s tenure. In his first year, Gavin launched the creation of the Parkside Athletics Corporate Partners program and the Ranger Impact Fund, the primary fundraising arm of Ranger Athletics. He oversaw the process to identify a new sports medicine partner, leading to a multi-year contract with Aurora Sports Health beginning on August 1, 2018.

Gavin negotiated an amendment and an extension to the department’s contract with BSN Sports and Nike, securing a 47 percent increase in product guarantee, increased discounts and rebates, and adding coaching incentives. Additionally, Parkside entered into a licensing contract with Learfield Licensing Partners in July 2018.

Gavin joined Parkside from Danville, Ky., where he served his alma mater Centre College as the Associate AD for Advancement and External Relations. He oversaw all areas of external relations, directed the expansion of the Centre College sports information efforts, served as a liaison with the admissions office, restructured the athletics department’s corporate partners program, and launched a new brand for Centre College Athletics.

He worked as a member of the College’s advancement staff, overseeing fundraising and alumni relations for athletics. In addition, Gavin served on the Planning and Priorities Committee, Enrollment Management Committee, and Bicentennial Committee.

Prior to his position at Centre College, Gavin was the Assistant Director of Athletics at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay from 2012-15 and was the sport administrator for volleyball, women's soccer, men's and women's golf and men's tennis. He also directed the efforts of the UW-Green Bay athletics communications office.

Gavin had a five-year tenure at UW-Green Bay as he was the Director of Athletic Communications from 2010-12 before being elevated to the Assistant Athletics Director position.

He began his professional career at the University of South Carolina-Aiken as the Assistant Sports Information Director from 2006-08 and then moved on to Central Florida in 2008 where he began a two-year run as the Assistant Director of Athletics Communications.

He was a member of the men's basketball team and president of Sigma Alpha Epsilon while at Centre. He brought more than a decade of experience in collegiate athletic administration, having also served at the University of South Carolina-Aiken and the University of Central Florida.

Gavin is a 2006 graduate of Centre College where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in economics and government. He went on to earn his master’s degree from Concordia University-Irvine in Athletic Administration.

A native of Madison, Indiana, Gavin and his wife Ashley live in Kenosha and are the proud parents of their daughter Peyton (2) and son Wyatt (1).

Jeff is about to begin his second season as the General Manager of the Beloit Snappers (Class A affiliate of the Oakland A’s). Jeff came to Beloit from the Swope Park Rangers of the United States Soccer League, where he served as the Director of Business Operations for the 2017 season. Jeff as the General Manager for the Bluefield Blue Jays from 2012-2016. Jeff spent a total of 13 years in the Toronto Blue Jays organization as he worked at the clubs Minor League training complex in Dunedin, Florida from 2010-2012. During his transition from Dunedin to Bluefield, Jeff served as the Associate General Manager for the 2012 U.S. Military All-Star baseball team. Jeff holds a bachelor’s degree in Sports Business from Saint Leo University in Florida and an associate degree from Cayuga Community College in Auburn, NY.

Guthrie was named the ninth Director of Intercollegiate Athletics at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay on Oct. 17, 2017. He officially began his role on Nov. 6, 2017. Under his leadership, the Phoenix has seen great success in competition, in the classroom and in the community.

Prior to Green Bay, Guthrie completed three and a half years as Director of Athletics at San Francisco State University, and three years as the director of athletics at Clark College in Washington. Before taking the lead of an athletic department, Guthrie served in many different capacities within athletic departments: five and a half years as Associate Athletic Director/Director of Development with California State University-Los Angeles, one and a half year as Director of Alumni & Parent Relations/University Advancement with California State University-San Marcos, four years as Associate Athletic Director at the University of California-San Diego, and one and a half year as Director of Marketing, Tickets & Promotions at Columbia University.

The Albany, N.Y., native earned his B.S. in Political Science from Syracuse University and M.S. in Education Administration and Policy Studies from the University of Albany and his Ph.D. in Leadership Studies from the University of San Diego.

Kevin is in his third season as President of Jackalopes Hockey. Kevin strives to bring family fun entertainment to West Texas for each Jackalopes game. Before joining the Jackalopes, Kevin ran Field Operations for the Green Bay Bullfrogs Baseball Club in their inaugural season where he also assisted with stadium operations. In addition, Kevin worked in sales and customer service for the Green Bay Packers in Stadium Tours and Hall of Fame department. Kevin enters his 11th season at Ector County Coliseum with the Odessa Jackalopes. Kevin grew up in Seymour Wisconsin, he is a 2008 graduate of University of Wisconsin-Parkside with a degree in Sports Management and a minor in Communication.

Rasberry has been very fortunate to be living the dream and working in sports for over 20 years. Rasberry is currently the Vice President of Ticket Sales & Service for ROC Ventures. ROC Ventures manages a collection of brands in the sports, entertainment, and real estate sectors. These include the Milwaukee Wave, The Rock Sports Complex, two summer collegiate baseball franchises located in Indiana and New York, the Ballpark Commons development that includes the new American Association Baseball team–Milwaukee Milkmen. ROC stands for “Return on Community,” a goal which informs each and every endeavor undertaken by the organization.

Rasberry’s sales accomplishments include: “Top 10 List” of NBA Group Sales Executives for more than five years. Topping off at #2 during the 2011-12 season! Best Sales Team & Best Promotions Awards from the MASL for the past two years. 

Rasberry continues to be competitive in sports, including volleyball and softball. Rasberry enjoys giving back to the community by volunteering, supporting and participating in events.

Schemm, a 2008 graduate of Parkside, joined Milwaukee in July of 2018. In his role with the Panthers, Schemm leads the efforts of the marketing, fan experience, tickets and communications teams, while also overseeing campus and community engagement opportunities. In addition, he assists in growing department revenue and community visibility.

Schemm came to Milwaukee after serving as the Assistant Athletic Director for Marketing at the University of South Florida since October of 2014.

Along with being USF's day-to-day marketing team leader, Schemm's primary responsibilities included overseeing in-game entertainment, the fan experience, advertising, digital efforts, creative services and promotional strategies. He was also a liaison to the Aspire Ticket Sales group and Tampa Bay Entertainment Properties who manage the Bulls multi-media rights.

Prior to that stop, Schemm served as the Assistant Athletic Director for Marketing at the University of Rhode Island for four years. A versatile member of Rhode Island’s athletic department, Schemm worked to overhaul URI's in-game entertainment strategies for men's basketball and developed department branding standards. He also helped URI set a program record for revenue in men's basketball after he instituted the department's first-ever proactive ticket sales campaign.

Schemm and his wife, Ellie, have a daughter, Scarlett and son, Louie.

With nearly a decade of Major League Baseball experience and nearly 20 years of advertising and business development experience, Dave’s responsibilities include the sale of corporate sponsorships, luxury suites, season tickets and other revenue generating assets for the Club. Working with local and national partners, Dave is based at Miller Park year-round. A licensed attorney and member of the State Bar of Wisconsin, Dave earned his Juris Doctor degree from Marquette University Law School with certification from the National Sports Law Institute. An undergraduate alum of Marquette University and the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, Dave is an experienced guest lecturer and panelist. A two-time Olympian who competed in Long Track Speedskating at the Lillehammer, Norway Olympics in 1994, and the Nagano, Japan Olympics in 1998, he has raced in 10 World Championships and 36 World Cup events. Dave resides in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin with his wife of 20 years, Dr. Amy Tamburrino, their three children Cate, Helen, George, and their two beagles Jet and Colt.

Veteran American soccer executive Peter Wilt is leading the efforts to launch Forward Madison FC, Madison, Wisconsin’s new professional soccer team.

He has earned six championship rings and record business growth for teams in four American soccer leagues. He has launched seven soccer teams, more than anyone in history. Most recently peter led Indy Eleven as they became the first professional soccer team in the United States to sell out every home game in its inaugural season.

He is most well known as the founding General Manager and longtime President of Major League Soccer’s Chicago Fire.

Peter has lived in Wisconsin for four decades and is a member of four Halls of Fame including the Illinois Soccer Hall of Fame and the Chicago Fire’s Ring of Fire.

Rob recently completed his 16th season as President and General Manager of the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers and 22nd season overall in Minor League Baseball. Rob was also instrumental in bringing a Northwoods League team to Fond du Lac and has served as the Dock Spiders President since their inception in 2017. 

Rob began his career with the Timber Rattlers in 1997 as an unpaid intern before joining the full time staff in group ticket sales. After two years in group sales, he was promoted to Director of Baseball Operations and then to Vice President of Baseball Operations. Following the 2002 season, at the age of 27, Rob was named Team President and General Manager. He has been named Midwest League Executive of the Year three times, in 2007, 2012 and 2018. 

Rob was born and raised in Green Bay, Wisconsin and graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater with a degree in marketing. He was recognized in 2004 as UW-Whitewater’s Outstanding Recent Alumni.

Rob resides in De Pere, Wisconsin with his wife, Nikki, and their two boys, Cooper and Davis.