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Front Office Staff

Railers HC Ownership

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Cliff and Susan Rucker

Owners

Cliff Rucker has been the owner and governor of the Worcester RailersHC professional hockey team since its inception in 2015. Cliff founded NFS Leasing in 2005 and is currently the President of NFS, one of the largest independent equipment finance companies in the country. Prior to his tenure at NFS, Mr. Rucker was founder and CEO of NEXL, a national provider of IT services and outsourcing. Mr. Rucker oversaw the successful sale of Nexl to publicly traded NASDAQ Company MTM Technologies, in 2005. Mr. Rucker is also the Principal owner of Porzia Properties, a national real estate investment firm, and Fulcrum FXT, a global asset management company.

He has been featured on the cover of Computer Reseller News and served on various technology industry councils including those for Sun Microsystems, EMC and Hewlett Packard. Mr. Rucker is a trustee at The Pingree School, The Brookwood School and on the advisory board for Citizens for Adequate Housing and Kids Kicking Cancer. He is a significant supporter of the Wellspring House, Beverly Bootstraps, EMARC, Haven from Hunger and many other not for profit organizations. Mr. Rucker resides on the North Shore of Massachusetts with his wife and 5 children. Mr. Rucker holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations from Tufts University.

Mr. Rucker and his family are rabid hockey fans and they will be found cheering on the RailersHC at almost every home game at the DCU Center!

Railers HC Management

Stephanie Ramey

Stephanie Ramey

President
Stephanie Ramey was named president of the Worcester Railers HC on May 11, 2020, bringing with her more than fifteen years of sales, marketing and business experience. Ramey is a tremendous supporter of the City of Worcester and has been a key-player in the economic development of the region. Prior to her work with the Railers, she served as the Executive Director of Discover Central Massachusetts. Under her leadership, the tourism bureau launched a variety of comprehensive marketing campaigns promoting the Central Mass. region as a premiere event and leisure destination. Ramey has been an active contributor to the Worcester Economic Development Coordinating Council and has been involved in the creation and execution of the city’s cultural plan. As president of the Railers, Ramey oversees all sales, financial reporting and marketing with a focus on developing the Railers brand and business in central Massachusetts. Stephanie graduated from Worcester State University in 2008 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication and Media Studies.
Michael G. Myers

Michael G. Myers

Chief Operating Officer
Mike Myers was named COO of the Worcester Railers HC on May 11, 2020 after serving as team president since May 2016. Under his leadership, the Railers were recognized as one of the premier teams in the ECHL which included winning the 2018-19 ECHL Community Service Award, finishing top three in corporate sales revenues in each of the last three seasons, and finishing in the top five in overall group sales. Myers was also named a finalist for the ECHL Executive of the Year in 2018 and 2019. Under his role as COO, he is responsible for all aspects of hockey operations, ticket sales, game day operations, and overseeing the Railers HC Foundation. Before working with the Railers he spent nine seasons with the AHL’s Worcester Sharks as Senior Director of Business and Community Development. Myers made a significant impact in Central Massachusetts over that time overseeing an award-winning community relations department while also becoming a fixture in Worcester County’s business landscape. Prior to his work with the Sharks, Myers owned and operated Myers Mask Design in Worcester where he built a reputation as one of the country’s top mask designers for 11 years, having designed and painted masks for NHL greats such as former Conn Smythe winners Cam Ward and Bill Ranford, and NHL All-Stars Olaf Kolzig, Jonathan Quick and Dwayne Roloson. Myers painted a mask for Josh Harding of the Minnesota Wild that was voted “Mask of the Decade” by Sports Illustrated in 2010. Mike continues to actively serve on the boards of several non-profits throughout the area including: The Nativity School of Worcester, Devereux of Rutland and Rainbow Child Development Center of Worcester. A varsity hockey goalie and lacrosse player at Assumption College from 1989-93 he graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree with a double major in Psychology/Spanish and a minor in Art. Myers attended ECHL training camps with the Hampton Roads Admirals in 1993 and the South Carolina Stingrays in 1994. The Assumption graduate returned to his alma mater, serving as the Greyhounds’ hockey assistant coach from 1999-2005. As a USA Hockey Level 3 Coach, Mike has spent the last 11 years coaching over 17 youth hockey teams in the Junior Sharks and Junior Railers Organization. He is currently the head coach of the 2005 AAA Elite and Assistant Coach of the 2002 AAA Elite and Mite II teams. Myers resides in Worcester with his wife Ann and three sons: Matthew, Damon and John.
David Aitken

David Aitken

Vice President of Tickets and Corporate Partnerships
Aitken oversees all revenue channels for the Railers and helps further develop the ticket sales and corporate sponsorships departments. Most recently, Aitken spent nearly five years as the Director of Ticket Sales with the Rochester Americans (AHL) and Rochester Knighthawks (NLL), as part of Pegula Sports and Entertainment, the parent company of the Buffalo Sabres and Buffalo Bills. His responsibilities included strategy, budgeting, and personnel. Under Aitken’s leadership, the Amerks achieved their highest season ticket numbers and ticket sales revenue in the franchise’s 67-year history. The Amerks concluded the 2023 Calder Cup Playoffs with the highest attendance for the AHL clubs playing more than one home playoff game, which featured three of six home games with a sell-out crowd of 10,662 at their venue. Prior to his time in Rochester, Aitken spent eight seasons with the Cleveland Monsters (AHL) as part of the Cleveland Cavaliers (NBA) organization. His position with the team was Sr. Manager of Business Development where he led all new business ticket sales efforts, as well as managed a senior level team of ticket representatives. During this time, Aitken was also responsible for youth hockey game-day programming and community outreach efforts for six seasons and was instrumental in the founding of the Monsters’ “Grow the Game” and Learn to Play initiatives in Northeast Ohio. Aitken’s tenure in Cleveland was highlighted by placing among the AHL’s top 10 in group sales for five seasons and generated the most group sales in franchise history at that time in the 2015-16 season. He was also part of the 2016 Calder Cup champion Lake Erie Monsters staff which won the AHL’s President’s Award for Business Team of the Year. Aitken is originally from Chestertown, NY in the Lake George region, and relocated to the Worcester area with his wife Colleen, and their three daughters, Leah, Emma, and Olivia.

Railers HC Staff

Connor Haynes

Connor Haynes

Director of Ticket Sales
Connor Haynes joined the Railers in April 2017 after spending the previous season with the Providence Bruins. The Sutton, Massachusetts native graduated from St. Peter-Marian as well as Nichols College where he studied sports management and received the Zeta Alpha Phi Award for outstanding achievement in sports management. While at Nichols, the football kicker interned with the Copa America international soccer tournament and Worcester State University’s Sports Information department. Connor enjoys helping his groups and members have the best Railers experience possible! Favorite Spot in Worcester: Bay State Brewing Company Favorite Sports Team : Boston Bruins Dream Dinner Guest: Tom Brady Hobbies: Soccer, Snowboarding, Running, PlayStation 4 and hanging out with his dog, Eabha
Stephen Kando

Stephen Kando

Ticket Operations Manager
Stephen Kando joined the Railers in June 2021 after spending the previous four seasons with the Providence Bruins of the AHL. Prior to his time in Providence, he spent the 2016 season with the New Britain Bees of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. The Smithfield, Rhode Island native graduated magna cum laude from the University of New Haven in 2016 with a Bachelors Degree in Sport Management. In his free time, Steve enjoys playing soccer and was on his college’s Ultimate Frisbee team. Favorite Spot in Worcester: Wormtown Brewery Favorite Sports Team: New England Patriots Dream Dinner Guest: Tom Brady or Adam Sandler
Paul O’Leary

Paul O’Leary

Manager of Group Sales
Paul O’Leary joined the Railers in May 2021 after serving as an Inside Sales Representative for JCSI. The Millbury, Massachusetts native graduated magna cum laude from Franklin Pierce University in 2020 where he majored in Sports Management and minored in Marketing. His uncle, John Wiedeman, is the radio play-by-play announcer of the NHL’s Chicago Blackhawks; Wiedeman inspired him to start a career in working in professional hockey. Favorite Spot in Worcester: Polar Park Favorite Sports Team: Boston Bruins Dream Dinner Guest: Conor McGregor
Bret Piotti

Bret Piotti

Ticket Account Executive
Bret Piotti joined the Railers in July 2022 after interning with the Louisville Bats AAA baseball club. The Wrentham, MA native graduated from the University of Louisville in 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in Sport Administration and will be completing his Master of Sport Administration in December of 2022. While at Louisville, Bret was a four-year member of the hockey team and captain his senior season. Favorite Spot in Worcester: Worcester Common Favorite Sports Team: Boston Bruins Dream Dinner Guest: Brad Marchand Fun Fact: I am a great chef!
Joshua DeMaio

Joshua DeMaio

Ticket Account Executive
Joshua joins the Railers in 2022 after spending time with the Kraft Sports and Entertainment Group. The Cumberland Rhode Island native attended Nichols College in Dudley, MA where he majored in Sports Management. Favorite Spot in Worcester: The Beer Garden Favorite Sports Team: Boston Red Sox Dream Dinner Guest: Robert Kraft Fun Fact: Played rugby in college
Dan Guertin

Dan Guertin

Ticket Account Executive
Dan joins the Railers in 2022 after spending time as the Omni Lead at Dick’s Sporting Goods. The Sutton Massachusetts native attended Nichols College in Dudley, MA where he majored in Sports Management. He also interned for QB Velocity doing marketing and social media. Favorite Spot in Worcester: The Mercantile Favorite Sports Team: Boston Red Sox Dream Dinner Guest: Tom Brady Fun Fact: Plays slow pitch softball
Sean Hofferty

Sean Hofferty

Ticket Account Executive
Sean joins the Railers in 2023 after graduating from University of South Carolina where he majored in Sports Management. Favorite Spot in Worcester: The Mercantile Favorite Sports Team: Boston Celtics Dream Dinner Guest: Abraham Lincoln Fun Fact: Has a dog named Tatum
Brendan Walsh

Brendan Walsh

Ticket Account Executive – Inside Sales
Brendan joins the Railers in 2023 after graduating from UCONN where he majored in sports management. Favorite Spot in Worcester: The Mercantile Favorite Sports Team: New England Patriots Dream Dinner Guest: Luke Combs Fun Fact: Is a big Liverpool fan
Julia Burkhardt

Julia Burkhardt

Manager of Corporate Fulfillment and Gameday Operations
Julia Burkhardt joined the Railers in August 2022 after spending time with the Worcester Red Sox and Massachusetts Pirates. The North Brookfield, Massachusetts native graduated from Harvard University in 2020 with a degree in psychology and has a passion for mental health in the sports industry. In her free time, she loves going to concerts, playing basketball or soccer, and travelling. Favorite Spot in Worcester: Greater Good Favorite Sports Team: Boston Celtics Dream Dinner Guest: Harry Styles Fun Fact: Has five cats and four dogs
JT Hennigan

JT Hennigan

Manager of Corporate Partnerships

JT Hennigan joined the Railers in June 2023 after spending time working as a customer success manager. 

Favorite Spot in Worcester: Moynagh's Tavern

Favorite Sports Team: New England Patriots 

Dream Dinner Guest: Drew Brees 

Fun Fact: Does not have a sense of smell

Peter Foley

Peter Foley

Community Relations Manager
Peter joins the Railers in 2023 following his time as the Community Outreach Director for the Massachusetts Pirates of the Indoor Football League. The Framingham, Massachusetts native spent his high school years at Blackstone Valley Tech in Upton followed by four years at Umass Dartmouth as a member of the Division 3 Men’s Lacrosse Team. He also holds an MBA from Saint Leo University in Tampa.
 
Fun Fact: His first time in a hockey arena was at 10 Days Old.
Favorite Spot in Worcester: The Mercantile.
Favorite Sports Team: Boston Bruins
Dream Dinner Guest: Jennifer Aniston



 

Tim Foley

Tim Foley

Broadcasting and Media Relations Coordinator
Tim joins the Railers in 2022 after being an intern with the team throughout the 2021-22 season where he worked alongside reigning ECHL Broadcaster of the Year Cam McGuire. . The recent graduate of Fitchburg State University, called games for the FSU Athletics Department for four years. While at Fitchburg, he spent time working at 105.3FM and AM1280 WPKZ, acting as a play-by-play broadcaster, producer, show host, and voice-over talent. He spent the past two summers as a broadcaster for the Harwich Mariners of the Cape Cod Baseball League. He most recently served as the Director of Broadcasting & Media Relations for the Mariners during the summer of 2022. Favorite Spot in Worcester: Bay State Brewery Favorite Sports Team: Boston Bruins Dream Dinner Guest: Roberto Luongo Fun Fact: Can play the bongos
Ben Schenck

Ben Schenck

Creative Services Coordinator
Ben has been with the Railers since August 2022 as a college intern and part-time employee. He officially started as a full-time employee in July 2023 after graduating from Curry College in Milton, MA where he studied Business and Graphic Design. The Hingham, MA native has previously worked for a plethora of sports teams including Dean College Athletics, Austin Peay State University Football, Mass Pirates, Curry College Men's Lacrosse, and Queensboro FC.
 
Favorite Spot in Worcester: Moynagh's Tavern
Favorite Sports Team: Worcester Railers
Dream Dinner Guest: TRAX
Fun Fact: Part-Time Boxing Coach
 



 

Brendan Cerone

Brendan Cerone

Digital Media Specialist
Brendan joined the Railers in 2023 after graduating from Franklin Pierce University with a Bachelor of Arts in Sports Media with a minor in Digital Media Design. The Pepperell, MA native previously worked with Franklin Pierce University Athletics, Raven's Sports Network, and the Marlin Fitzwater Center for Communication.
 
Favorite Spot in Worcester: The Palladium
Favorite Sports Team: New England Revolution
Dream Dinner Guest: Matt Turner
Fun Fact: Once accidentally punched David Beckham
 



 

David Gwozdz

David Gwozdz

Director of Merchandise Operations
David Gwozdz joined the Railers HC after spending the previous two years as the Assistant Retail Manager at TD Garden with Delaware North working Bruins games, Celtics games and concerts. The Ludlow, MA native also worked as the Merchandise Manager for the Worcester Tornadoes (CAN-AM) before joining the Worcester Sharks (AHL) in 2006, where he spent nine seasons. David is a graduate of Western New England University where he studied business. Favorite Spot in Worcester: Hanover Insurance Park at Fitton Field Favorite Sports Team: 88-89 Bad Boys Dream Dinner Guest: Jess Whedon Secret Talent: Movie quotes from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles & Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze