Little League® International officially announced the promotion of three of its employees and the hiring of one new employee.
Andy Frederick was named Senior Director of Information Services, Brent Stahlnecker was named Director of Risk Management, and Sam Ranck was named the Director of League Development.
“We are pleased to congratulate Andy, Brent, and Sam on these well-deserved promotions and thankful for all the hard work and dedication each of them has shown to the Little League organization,” said Stephen D. Keener, Little League President and CEO. “Their commitment to the growth and enhancement of the Little League organization has been instrumental in the development of our program and to the ability to share important resources to our local leagues around the world.”
Andy Frederick – Senior Director of Information Services
Mr. Frederick joined Little League in November 2015 as the Assistant Director of Information Services and in April 2017 was named the Director of Information Services. During his time with Little League, Mr. Frederick has led the enhanced development of the Little League Data Center, worked with the mapping and integration of the League Finder program, and helped develop a variety of information systems to assist with operations, finance, marketing, and communications at every level of the Little League program.
“I am very thankful to everyone at Little League International for this tremendous opportunity and grateful for the dedicated staff that has helped us achieve the technological success and enhancements over the last three years,” said Mr. Frederick. “This is an exciting time for the future of the Little League organization and we are looking forward to finding new ways to provide additional resources and opportunities for all of our local leagues and districts.”
Prior to his time at Little League, Mr. Frederick spent nearly seven years at Computer Support Services, Inc. (CSSI), where he served as Software Product Manager and as Business Development Manager. Along with his experience at CSSI, Mr. Frederick has worked for Geisinger Health System, Earthlink, Inc., and Regulation Scanning Technologies, Inc.
Mr. Frederick graduated from Bucknell University in Lewisburg, Pa., in 1996 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Classics.
Brent Stahlnecker – Director of Risk Management
Mr. Stahlnecker began his Little League career in August 2002 when he was named an Assistant Regional Director for the West Region offices in San Bernardino, Calif. In November 2011, he joined the Little League International Headquarters staff in South Williamsport, Pa., after being named as the Assistant Director of Risk Management and Insurance Operations.
“I am grateful for this opportunity to be named director and am looking forward to being able to continue to promote the safety and well-being of all our local league programs,” said Mr. Stahlnecker. “I am confident in our staff and excited for the future as we continue to find new ways to support and protect our programs all around the world.”
During his time in Williamsport, Mr. Stahlnecker has been pivotal in the management, implementation, and development of the Little League Insurance Programs, A Safety Awareness Program (ASAP), Child Protection Program, Concussion Safety Information, and other local league safety policies. In addition to his responsibility within the Risk Management department, Mr. Stahlnecker also serves as a member of the Little League International Tournament and Charter Committees.
Mr. Stahlnecker is a 2002 summa cum laude graduate of West Virginia University, where he received a bachelor’s degree in sport management with minors in business administration and communications, and a 1998 graduate of Warrior Run High School in Turbotville, Pa.
Sam Ranck – Director of League Development and Challenger Division
Mr. Ranck joined the Little League International Headquarters staff in 2007 when he was named the League Development Manager. Prior to holding that position, Mr. Ranck spent time working for the Peter J. McGovern World of Little League® Museum and Official Store from 2001-07. In 2008, Mr. Ranck was also named the Director of the Challenger Division, a position he continues to hold today.
“I am honored to receive this promotion and for the tremendous opportunity to continue to grow the game of baseball and softball all around the world,” said Mr. Ranck. “Our dedicated staff at Little League International and our Regional offices are committed to working alongside our more than one million volunteers to provide memorable experiences to Little Leaguers all over the world. This is an exciting time for the game of baseball and softball and we are looking forward to finding new ways to expand our program to new communities in the future.”
During his time with Little League International, Mr. Ranck has helped grow the game of baseball and softball, as well as the Challenger Division, at every level of the program. Over the last five years, Mr. Ranck has been instrumental in the research and development of the Little League Tee Ball Program, the surveying and feedback evaluation of Little League parents, and the revamping of the Little League Resource Guide and other valuable tools for local leagues around the world. In addition to his work on the League Development side, Mr. Ranck has led the growth and development of the Little League Challenger Division as well as the continued success of the Little League Challenger Division Exhibition Game each year during the Little League Baseball® World Series.
Mr. Ranck is a 2006 graduate of the Pennsylvania College of Technology with a degree in business administration and associate degree in business management and a 2002 graduate of South Williamsport (Pa.) High School.
Little League International New Hire – Jena Dalykas
In addition to the three promotions, Little League International officially announced the hiring of Jena Dalykas as the new Account Executive, Marketing. In her new role with Little League, Ms. Dalykas will join Account Executives Kevin Feinberg and Grace Christenson in the day-to-day management and operation of Little League’s official sponsors and other marketing functions for the organization.
“We are excited to welcome Jena to our team here at Little League International and are looking forward to the contributions Jena will make to our marketing initiatives,” said Liz DiLullo Brown, Little League Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer. “Jena’s role will help us to continue to develop relationships with our official sponsors and provide the best possible resources to our local programs.”
A 2017 graduate of Penn State University with a Bachelor of Science in marketing, Ms. Dalykas previously served as a Marketing Specialist for the Kraft Heinz Company where she worked alongside the company’s advertising agency to market and enhance the brand. During her time at Penn State, Ms. Dalykas also served as the Executive Vice President of Operations for the Penn State Marketing Association (PSMA) and participated as a marketing intern for the Pennsylvania State Employees Credit Union (PSECU) and Susquehanna Life Magazine. In addition, she was a Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon (THON) volunteer all four years of college and selected as a 2017 dancer for the 46-hour dance marathon as a senior.