Nominated by their fellow District Administrators (D.A.s) across their respective regions, Jim Dean and Travis Ellis have officially been elected to serve as Field Directors to the Little League® International Board of Directors. With their election, Jim and Travis will be replacing Kevin Kvame and Eric Pearson, respectively, as they conclude their terms on the Board.
“Serving as a Field Director, and representing the thousands of volunteers throughout their region, is such an important role on our Board of Directors as we want to ensure that the voices of the players and volunteers we serve are being heard and brought to the table throughout all our conversations and strategic efforts,” said Steven P. Johnson, Little League International Board of Directors Chairman. “On behalf of the entire Board, we would like to welcome and congratulate Jim and Travis on their nomination as well as thank Eric and Kevin for their service these past four years.”
Jim Dean – Canada Region Field Director – Ontario District 2
A Little League volunteer since 1995 and a District Administrator for the past 18 years, Jim Dean has served in a variety of roles throughout his service within the organization. Named the recipient of the 2014 Little League International Meritorious Service Award as the Canada Region District Administrator representative, Mr. Dean also served as a member of the Little League International Advisory Board until the conclusion of his term this year. Additionally, he has served in numerous roles for Little League Ontario, including as President and Vice President, as well as various roles for Little League Canada that includes his current roles as Corporate Secretary. Outside of his volunteer service for Little League, Mr. Dean was also the Founder and President of the National Capital Baseball League, Founder and Chairman of the National Capital Senior Baseball Association, and is a Board member and Secretary for the Ottawa Sports Awards.
“I am humbled that my peers selected me for the honor of being Canada’s nominee to the Little League International Board of Directors,” said Mr. Dean. “Little League has been a huge part of my life, both as a child and as an adult, and I feel that this appointment validates all the hard work I have put in, most recently as a D.A. for the past 18 years. I look forward to gaining a deeper understanding of the organization while serving in this role, and helping to contribute as we further enhance the program at every level. Most importantly, I take great pride in my participation in Little League and am delighted to be able to continue my service in this new role.”
Travis Ellis – Southeast Region Field Director – South Carolina District 2
A member of the Little League community for the past 23 years, including 17 years as a District Administrator and another six years as an Assistant District Administrator, Travis Ellis has held numerous roles throughout his time in the program. At the local league level, Mr. Ellis has spent time as a manager, coach, umpire, player agent, and six years as a League President, and also served as the Treasurer for the Friends of the Southeast Region (FOSER). As shared during his time with FOSER, his greatest memory was watching the reaction on the faces of two players when they found out it was their dad umpiring behind the plate, who had just come home from a deployment.
“Being elected to the Little League International Board of Directors this year is a tremendous honor and provides an incredible opportunity to continue to work with others who are dedicated to improving the Little League experience at every level of the program,” said Mr. Ellis. “I look forward to helping shape the future of Little League Baseball and Softball and representing all those who make up the Southeast Region.”
About the Little League® International Board of Directors
The management of the property and business affairs of Little League Baseball®, Incorporated, is vested in the International Board of Directors. The Board has the control of the corporation and the power to appoint such standing committees as it shall determine and to delegate such responsibilities as it shall deem advisable.
Along with more than a dozen at-large members from a variety of occupations and backgrounds, the Little League International Board has nine Field Directors, each representing one of Little League’s nine regions, who are nominated by their peers for election to four-year terms by their region’s District Administrators.
The members of the Little League International Board of Directors are volunteers in this service to Little League® Baseball and Softball. They receive no compensation for their dedicated work on behalf of the program and the children of the world.