Front Office

Craig Brush, Hertz Arena CEO and President of the Florida Everblades, along with partners Peter Karmanos and Thomas Thewes, founded the Everblades and Hertz Arena in 1998. A native of Milton, Ontario, Brush oversees all aspects of both the hockey club and the sports complex. The Everblades won the Kelly Cup and the ECHL Championship in 2012,2022, & 2023, captured the Brabham Cup four times, and have reigned as conference champions on four occasions. During the 2004 and 2005 Kelly Cup Playoffs, the Everblades became the first team in ECHL history to make back-to-back trips to the Kelly Cup Finals. From 2003-06, Brush served as the Chairman of the ECHL Board of Governors. He was inducted into the ECHL Hall of Fame (Class of 2016) in the Builders category, on Feb. 5, 2016 in a ceremony in Kalamazoo. As a player, Brush played four seasons at Cornell University, where he was a member of the 1970 undefeated NCAA Championship team, which is the only team in collegiate history to accomplish this feat. In addition, he coached in the Compuware youth hockey program for many years. Craig and his wife, Kyle, split time between Estero, Florida and Birmingham, Michigan. The couple has three sons -- Matt, Tyler and Patrick -- as well as five grandchildren, Anna, Mary, Jane, Sloan, and Brett.

Chris serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer for Hertz Arena and The Florida Everblades. In this capacity, Chris is responsible for a comprehensive P&L oversight for the revenue growth, profitability, and corporate sponsorship success of the Everblades. He also is responsible for developing and executing the team’s comprehensive sales and marketing plan. Palin joined the Hertz Arena and Everblades staff in Aug. 2010 after spending 21 seasons with the Rochester Americans of the American Hockey League in the same capacity. While with the Americans, he earned the prestigious ‘McKenzie Award” after the 1997-98 season for excellence in marketing. Additionally, Chris spent 14 seasons with the Rochester Knighthawks of the National Lacrosse League, 12 seasons with the Rochester Rhinos of “A” league soccer, and 10 seasons with the Rochester Rattlers of Major League Lacrosse where he held the position of Vice President of Sales and Marketing. Palin is a graduate of the State University College at Brockport where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Business with a concentration in Sports Management. At Brockport, he was a member of the hockey team. He is the all-time leading scorer for the program and holds the record for the fastest goal to start a game. Chris and his wife, Renee, have one son, Tyler.

Adam is in his fifth season as the Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for the Florida Everblades and Hertz Arena. In this capacity, Adam is responsible for and oversees the day-to-day operations of marketing, public relations, media relations, broadcasting, social media, and community relations of the Everblades and all events at Hertz Arena. He also is responsible for assisting in the development and execution of the team’s comprehensive strategic sales and marketing plans. He has been recognized at the ECHL League level as an inaugural member of the Commissioner's Club. 

Adam joined the Everblades staff in Feb. 2020 after spending three seasons as the General Manager of the New York-Penn League's Auburn Doubledays and their facility, Leo Pinckney Field at Falcon Park. While with the Doubledays, Adam oversaw all aspects of sales, marketing, and operations as they related to the organization and the multi-purpose facility. The chief responsibilities included but were not limited to, season ticket sales, group sales, corporate partnerships, stadium operations, food and beverage operations, finance, and human resources. Adam also served as the team's representative to the Washington Nationals (MLB) and the New York-Penn League of Minor League Baseball. Additionally, Adam spent 10 seasons with the Rochester Americans (AHL) and Rochester Knighthawks (NLL) and five seasons with the Rochester Rhinos (USL) & Rochester Rattlers (MLL), where he received numerous promotions within the ticket sales and corporate partnerships departments. Winslow held the position of VP of Ticketing & Operations for the last three seasons of his tenure with the Americans & Knighthawks. 

Winslow is a graduate of the State University College at Brockport where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education with a concentration in Sports Management. At Brockport, he was a member of the men’s NCAA Division III hockey team. Adam and his wife, Nichole, have twin boys, Morgan & Mason.

Brad Ralph was named the fifth head coach in Everblades' history on July 12, 2016. Ralph, 42, enters his eighth year as the head coach of Florida and 14th season as a professional head coach, where he has qualified for the playoffs every year. Ralph has amassed a career coaching record of 565-243-81 spread over the Southern Professional Hockey League, Western Hockey League, and ECHL. Ralph's 79 career wins in the Kelly Cup Playoffs are in first place all-time. Brad Ralph led the Florida Everblades to back-to-back Kelly Cup Champions in 2022 and 2023. In 2018-19, Ralph guided the Everblades to their fourth South Division title in five seasons, served as a head coach in the ECHL All-Star Classic for the second time in his career and advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals for the second consecutive year. In 2017-18, Florida set club records for wins (53) and points (112) while reaching the Kelly Cup Finals for the fourth time in club history. He also received the John Brophy Award as the ECHL Coach of the Year. In 2015-16, he helped lead the Kelowna Rockets of the Western Hockey League to a 48-20-4 record and a third-round appearance in the playoffs. Ralph coached the Idaho Steelheads of the ECHL for three seasons (2012-15) totaling a 132-64-20 mark along with three postseason appearances. Ralph began his coaching career with the SPHL's Augusta RiverHawks (2010-12), and led his team to the league finals in his first year to garner honors as the SPHL's Coach of the Year. As a player, Ralph appeared in 383 pro games split mainly between the ECHL and American Hockey League, while making his lone NHL appearance with the Phoenix Coyotes during the 2000-01 season. Ralph resides in Estero with his wife, Wendy, and two children.

Mike Kelly is in his 10th season with the Florida Everblades and Hertz Arena. A 3-time ECHL All-Star Game Broadcaster, Kelly serves as the home Play-by-Play Broadcaster for the Everblades, where he was ‘on the call’ for the 3-Peat Kelly Cup Championships in 2022, '23 and '24. Kelly is also responsible for Corporate Partnerships, Season Memberships and Group Sales. He has been recognized at the ECHL league level as the Sales Professional of the Year, Ticket Executive of the Year, Media/Public Relations Director of the Year and was an inaugural member of the Commissioner's Club. His broadcasting and sales experience also includes eight years in the American Hockey League with the Springfield Falcons and Syracuse Crunch. A dual citizen of Canada and the United States, Kelly has additional hockey broadcasting with the Mississippi Sea Wolves and South Carolina Stingrays of the ECHL, plus the Toronto St. Michael’s Majors and Barrie Colts of the Ontario Hockey League. His background also consists of Sportswriting and Producing for The Sports Network in Toronto. Mike and his wife, Suzanne, have a son, Greg.

 

Calvin Isaac is in his ninth season with Hertz Arena and the Florida Everblades and his third season as the Director of Sales for the Blades. Calvin oversees the day to day operations of the Ticket Sales Department, and specializes in Corporate Sponsorship, Season Memberships, and Group Sales. Prior to joining the Everblades, he worked with multiple professional sporting organizations while pursuing his bachelor’s degree from PennWest University. His experience includes work with the Pittsburgh Penguins (NHL), Pittsburgh Pirates (MLB), and the PGA. Calvin and his wife Samia love residing in SWFL and enjoy spending time with their dog, Josie the beagle!

Meagan Johnson is entering her eighth season with Hertz Arena and the Florida Everblades. As the Corporate Partnerships and Game Experience Manager, Meagan is responsible for the fulfillment of all 180+ advertising agreements with our corporate partners. She also oversees in the game day experience from start to finish. Meagan graduated with a bachelor's degree in Marketing from the University of North Georgia and a bachelor's degree in Sport Management with a minor in Accounting from the University of West Georgia. She graduated Cum Laude with both degrees. Meagan played collegiate softball and was apart of the 2015 DII National Championship team while at the University of North Georgia. During her schooling, she gained experience with the Atlanta Braves and Octagon Sport Marketing, among other organizations.

Chandler Guest is in his fifth season with the Florida Everblades and Hertz Arena. Guest joined the ‘Blades after graduating in May 2019 from Florida Gulf Coast University with a bachelor's degree in Business Management with a concentration in Sports. While completing his undergraduate studies, Guest gained experience in the sports industry through positions with the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, the class Double-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins, and FGCU Athletics' Ticketing Department. He worked for the Jumbo Shrimp in their inaugural season in 2017 and then worked for FGCU's Athletic Box Office for a year and a half. A native of Jacksonville, Guest is a fan of the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Atlanta Braves, and the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Jake is entering his third season with the Florida Everblades and Hertz Arena. Jake is originally from Attleboro, Massachusetts, but has spent a good amount of time in the Sunshine State already. He received his undergraduate degree from Florida Southern College, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Sport Management while graduating with Magna Cum Laude distinction. Jake’s experience before joining our team included interning in the ticket office for Providence College in 2019 and being a Sports Assistant Intern for Polk County Tourism and Sports Marketing in 2019-2020. Being from Massachusetts, Jake is a huge and very passionate Boston sports fan, with his favorite teams being the Red Sox, Patriots, Celtics, and Bruins.

Logan Urbaniak is entering his second season with the Florida Everblades and Hertz Arena Urbaniak is originally from North Carolina but has lived all around the country and mainly grew up in Indianapolis, Indiana. He attended Coastal Carolina University where he pursued his undergraduate degree in Sports Marketing. Prior to joining the team full-time, Logan interned with the Florida Everblades during the 2022 playoff run which ultimately ended with an ECHL Championship. Being that Logan has lived in several states throughout his life thus far, his passion of sports ranges from being a Chicago Bears and Blackhawks fan to being a Yankees and die-hard Carolina Tarheels fan.

Katy, a proud native of the State of Hockey, grew up in Mound, Minnesota. She has been with the Everblades for two incredible Kelly Cup Championships: in 2023 as a Game Night Intern and in 2024 as a newly added full-time staff member. Her focus within the organization is ensuring every game is an unforgettable night for our fans. Whether overseeing promotions, enhancing fan engagement, or contributing to the sales team, she is dedicated to elevating the Everblades experience. As a die-hard Minnesota sports fan, Katy roots for the Vikings, Twins, and Golden Gophers, with her favorite team being the Minnesota Wild.

Kailee O’Brien is originally from Columbus, Ohio. Went to Florida Institute of Technology for school and competed at Division 2 level for women’s lacrosse. O'Brien obtained a Bachelor’s in Business Administration and a Master’s in Business Administration while completing an extra year of eligibility for lacrosse. After graduating with her Master’s, she became a Marketing Intern and watched/captured the moments when the Everblades won the 2023 Kelly Cup championship. Witnessing the team’s win and the atmosphere of the people who work here fueled her motivation to get a full-time position within the front office. Kailee returned for an Account Executive position to focus on making sure everyone gets to the games and experiences the best part about sports which is the game environment. She is a fan of the Buckeyes, the Columbus Blue Jackets, and the Pittsburgh Steelers. 

Tyler was born and raised in Southwest Florida and grew up cheering on the Everblades. He serves as the Senior Manager, Creative and A/V. In this role, he is responsible for leading all creative work in and around the arena, along with overseeing the production booth. Prior to working for the ‘Blades in this current role, Tyler gained experience by working for the Florida Panthers as a Graphic Design Intern and for the Everblades as a Production Crew Member. He graduated from Florida Gulf Coast University with a bachelor’s degree in Marketing with a minor in Management. Aside from the Everblades, Tyler is a fan of the Florida Panthers, New York Rangers, and the New York Mets.

Sam Shapiro is a Miami, Florida native and a proud graduate of Florida Gulf Coast University. He joined the as an Event and Marketing Intern for Hertz Arena in 2021 and has since become an integral part of the team's marketing and promotions efforts. As he continues to grow and develop in his role with the Everblades, Sam remains committed to delivering exceptional results and helping the team achieve its goals both on and off the ice.

Jake Maurice is on his second season with the Florida Everblades and Hertz Arena. Prior to interning with the Everblades and arena, he spent three seasons broadcasting for the Manitoba Junior Hockey League’s Winnipeg Blues and Winnipeg Freeze. During his time in Canada, he also worked as a producer at talk radio station CJOB and provided out-of-town scoreboard updates on the Winnipeg Jets radio broadcasts. He graduated from Red River College in 2020 with a diploma in Creative Communications, specializing in Public Relations. A native of Raleigh, NC, Maurice is a fan of the Florida Panthers, Detroit Lions, and Detroit Tigers.

Born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Lilly is on her second season with the Florida Everblades and Hertz Arena. She is currently a senior at Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) expected to graduate in May 2024 and is pursuing a bachelor of arts in communication with a concentration in public relations. Rivera plans to continue her education at FGCU and hopes to complete a master's in business administration. She joined as a Communication, PR, and Marketing Intern for Hertz Arena and the Florida Everblades in January of 2023. As she continues to grow and develop in her 'Marketing Coordinator' role, Lilly remains determined to deliver exceptional fan experience through marketing.

Collin is the AV & Creative Associate at Hertz Arena. He graduated from Iowa State University in 2022 with a major in Journalism/Mass Communications and a minor in African American Studies. At Iowa State he worked with the Iowa State Daily paper and Cyclone Athletics as a multimedia content creator and journalist. Following graduation, Collin worked as an assistant at Dotdash Meredith in the Des Moines photo studio. Collin joined the Everblades/Hertz team in November of 2023 and is a fan of the Chicago Blackhawks and Iowa State Cyclones.