::: Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation ::: Who We Are

Staff

Scott Tharp President

Scott Tharp was named President of the Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation (ESYHF) in May, 2007. He formerly served as the Executive Director of Arthur Ashe Youth Tennis and EducationÔ (AAYTE), which for many years has been a national model for youth enrichment services. With a mission that is parallel to ESYHF, this organization is known for providing quality tennis and educational programming to more than 11,000 children, many coming from underserved at-risk inner-city communities. During his tenure at AAYTE, the organization experienced unprecedented growth culminating in the construction of its new $12.5 million state-of-the-art facility, housing indoor and outdoor tennis courts, as well as classrooms, a computer laboratory and reading library. A similar project is a Level 1 priority in the new ESYHF Plan for Growth.

Scott is devoted to public service. He is the President of the PTR Foundation, which is the charitable giving arm of the Professional Tennis Registry, has served on the Advisory Board for the Professional Tennis Business Management programs at Queens University and Methodist University, and currently is member of the United States Tennis Associations Advocacy Task Force. Scott can be reached at stharp@esyhf.org.

Jim Britt Vice President, Chief Operating Officer

Jim Britt has served as Executive Director of the Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation since May 2005. Prior to his present position, Jim managed hockey and facility operations as the Hockey Director and General Manager of the Polonia Bank Flyers Skate Zone in Northeast Philadelphia. He is a retired U.S. Postal Inspector, serving over 25 years throughout the United States in a variety of criminal investigative, security and internal audit assignments.

Jim has coached baseball, crew and ice hockey in Massachusetts and the Philadelphia area, working with youth clubs and high schools. He was part of the hockey staff at Holy Ghost Prep for 9 years, including the 2003 AA Flyers Cup Champions. Jim is dedicated to mentoring and growing the game, and is very active with USA Hockey on the local and national level. He has been a member of the Atlantic District Coaching Education staff for 10 years and worked as the Assistant Festival Director of the National Select 14 Camp in Rochester for 5 years.

In 2004, Jim was honored by the City of Philadelphia with the Brighter Futures Award. In recognition of his long service to USA Hockey and the Atlantic District, he was honored as the 2007 Coach of the Year.

Jim serves on the Neumann College Sport Management Advisory Council, and is an active participant in Neumanns Mentorship program. He also serves on the Advisory Council for the Center for Sport, Spirituality and Character Development.

A Philadelphia native, Jim holds a baccalaureate degree in Sociology/Criminal Justice from LaSalle University and a Masters of Science in Sport Management from Neumann College. Jim can be reached at jbritt@esyhf.org.

Jan Koziara Director, Hockey Operations

Jan joined the Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation as Manager, Hockey Operations in January of 2007 to oversee the Foundation's on and off-ice programming and assist in the development of strategies to expand the reach of the Foundation. Prior to joining the Foundation, Jan worked as a management consultant for six years in New York City and Boston.

Jan learned to play hockey in Philadelphia at Rizzo Rink and went on to play and coach Division III College Ice Hockey at Tufts University while earning a B.A and M.A. in Economics. He has coached both girls and boys ranging in age from 3 to 63 while an instructor and coach with Central Park Ice Hockey in New York City. Jan can be reached at jkoziara@esyhf.org.

Chris Newton Coordinator, Hockey Operations

Chris Newton is a native of Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia, Canada and first came to the Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation in June, 2007 as an intern. After graduating Magna Cum Laude from the University of Louisville with a M.S. in Sport Administration in August, 2007, Newton became the first Coordinator of Hockey Operations for ESYHF.

Chris has over 15 years of hockey experience as a player, referee and now as a coach and is very excited to start his career in sport management with the Foundation. Chris completed his undergraduate studies at Saint Marys University in Halifax, NS where he graduated in May, 2005 with a Bachelor of Commerce Degree in Finance. He currently makes his home in South Philly and can be reached at cnewton@esyhf.org.

Brie Zdunkiewicz - Coordinator, Hockey Operations

Brie joined the Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation in November 2007 as Coordinator of Hockey Operations to oversee all equipment inventory and donation projects. As a native of South Jersey, she has over 12 years of playing and coaching experience at both the club and collegiate levels.

Brie grew up playing hockey for the Bristol Blazers and Princeton Tiger Lilies before going on to play Division III College Hockey at Neumann College. While at Neumann, Brie was a natural leader both on and off the ice having been named captain all four years and graduated Summa Cum Laude with a B.S. in Sport Management in May 2005. Brie can be reached at bzdunkiewicz@esyhf.org.

Joe Muth Coordinator, Hockey Operations

Joe first came to the Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation as an intern in May 2006. After graduating from Wheaton College with a B.A. in Business/Economics, he returned to ESYHF as a Site Coordinator in November 2007. In October 2008, Joe was named Coordinator of Hockey Operations.

Joe grew up playing hockey in Wisconsin and went on to play at Wheaton College where he served as a team captain. Joe can be reached at jmuth@esyhf.org.

Mike Sulkes Coordinator, Hockey Operations

Mike joined the Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation in October 2008 as Coordinator of Hockey Operations to oversee the continued development of the hockey curriculum as well as the training of new hockey personnel. Prior to joining the Foundation, Mike was a Fan Development Intern with the Philadelphia Flyers during the summer of 2007.

Mike has over 16 years of hockey experience playing and coaching for various club teams in the Delaware Valley and Plymouth-Whitemarsh High School. After high school Mike went on to Penn State University where he played for the DII Ice Lions. At Penn State, Mike was named captain his senior year and graduated with a B.S. in Marketing. Mike can be reached at msulkes@esyhf.org.

Mike Hart Coordinator, Hockey Operations

Mike joined ESYHF in July 2009 as Coordinator, Hockey Operations to oversee Community Outreach efforts and Special Events. Mike grew up in Northeast Philadelphia and played youth hockey for the Winterport Royals and Father Judge High School. He went on to attend Widener University where he was named captain of the ice hockey team both his junior and senior years. He also played baseball at Widener.

Prior to joining ESYHF, Mike was the team mascot and grassroots manager for the Philadelphia Phantoms for 6 seasons. While with the Phantoms, Mike introduced ice hockey to thousands of children at local rinks, schools and playgrounds throughout the Delaware Valley. He currently resides in Delaware County with his wife Julie and twin daughters Mackenzie and Jocelyn. Mike can be reached at mhart@esyhf.org.

Maria Leonetti Manager, Finance & Development

Maria joined the Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation in September 2007 to coordinate the Foundations financial management and development. She collects and manages donations, maintains the donor database, and oversees the Foundations financial controls. Prior to her present position, Maria taught SAT prep with Revolution Prep and worked as a Promotions Representative for Select Promotions, Mad Events, and Coors Brewing Company. She competed in Division I Rowing as a coxswain at the University of Pennsylvania for four years, and she was recently inducted into the Penn Womens Rowing Hall of Fame. She holds a B.A. from Penn with a double major in Communication and Music. Maria can be reached at mleonetti@esyhf.org.