CHRIS SMITH
CEO & FOUNDER
As the founder of Athlete Network, I get to work with our amazing team on a relentless pursuit to bring relevancy and inspiration to the world's athletes.
Born and raised in Hawaii, I not only grew up in one of most beautiful places in the world, but one of the most diverse as well. The Aloha Spirit of being friendly and willing to help anyone is in my DNA. I played football for the University of Hawaii and was part of their championship season in 1999, as well as for Missouri State University where I earned a degree in Entrepreneurship/Management.
Chris Smith CEO & FOUNDER
As the founder of Athlete Network, I get to work with our amazing team on a relentless pursuit to bring relevancy and inspiration to the world's athletes.
Born and raised in Hawaii, I not only grew up in one of most beautiful places in the world, but one of the most diverse as well. The Aloha Spirit of being friendly and willing to help anyone is in my DNA. I played football for the University of Hawaii and was part of their championship season in 1999, as well as for Missouri State University where I earned a degree in Entrepreneurship/Management.
Deanna Ferrante Chief Operating Officer
After 15 years in software, Deanna joined Athlete Network to combine her passion for sports with the ability to use technology to impact the masses. Basketball at Cornell College evolved into coaching high school volleyball and basketball and now nights and weekends at the soccer pitch, gym or field coaching her 3 kids. She's passionate about seeing the world and creating experiences with her family. Deanna is a die-hard Chiefs and Royals fan, even through the tough years (or decades), and co-hosted a NASCAR radio show for 610 Sports. She is a 20-year participant in the Kansas City Corporate Challenge games with some medals and a torn achilles to show for it.
DJ Washington Senior Vice President
DJ joined landed his first role with Athlete Network in 2005 after attending the company’s on-campus seminar at his alma mater. He is currently responsible for strategic partnerships with marquee clients and graduate programs. DJ has personally educated more than 300,000 collegiate athletes while conducting over 1,000 campus seminars and career-related programs. Passionate about public speaking, he has professionally done so in all but 3 states. He served Union College as student president, while captain of the men’s basketball team and holds a master’s in PR and sport communication from Ball State University, and is completing his doctorate in Higher Ed Leadership and Policy Studies at the University of Kansas.
Brett Fuller VP Partnerships
Brett Fuller is a 26-year veteran of the sports industry. He has experience in every facet of the sports marketing world from college athletics to Fortune 100 brand groups. Prior to Athlete Network, Brett served as Vice President of Business Development at SportsLabs. He also led teams at Delaware North, AECOM, and Sprint Corporation among others. Brett is a native of Kansas and graduated from the University of Kansas in Lawrence where he was a four-time letterman on the track team. After graduation, he began his career at KU in a dual reporting capacity at the Alumni Association and the Athletic Department. He continues his passion for higher education through mentoring and guest lecturing at Ohio University, St. John’s University, and Stanford University sports management programs. Brett has a history of giving back to his community, and in 1991, he was the first ever match of the Big Brothers program in Douglas County. He has also served on the Board of Directors for the Kansas City Big Brothers/Big Sisters and been active in the Down Syndrome Guild of Kansas City and Kansas City’s YMCA Challenger League. Brett received the 2016 Citizen’s Commendation presented by the Lenexa, Kansas Police Department. Brett resides in the Kansas City area with his wife and three children.
Kevin Hostetter Implementation Specialist
Kevin’s humble beginnings started at Baker University where he played on the golf team and graduated with a business & economics degree. After a failed short stint of trying to make it as a profession ping pong player, Kevin joined Athlete Network in early 2013. His passion for technology and his love for athletics made Athlete Network a great fit to continue his career. As an Implementation Specialist, Kevin helps configure, execute, and launch various software products for Athlete Network partners. In his spare time, he enjoys dominating the competition in board games, traveling, and if the temperature is just right, playing a little golf.
Jake Brown Account Executive – Networks
Originally from the farmlands of western Kansas. Jake played baseball for Kansas State University before being drafted by the Chicago White Sox in 2012. After a short professional career, he returned to Kansas State and served as a graduate assistant baseball coach and graduate assistant academic counselor for student-athletes. Jake completed his master’s degree in College Student-Athlete Development in May of 2016 and joined the Athlete Network team a month later. As an Account Executive for Networks, Jake works with collegiate athletic departments and Olympic partners nationwide.
Marti Rosche Director Networks
Former NAIA All-American Marti Rosche played tennis at Baker University where she majored in Business Marketing. After earning her MBA, she joined Athlete Network in 2010 where her passion for helping athletes led to her current role. As the Director of Networks, Marti is responsible for the launch and day to day management Athlete Network’s newest division where she works with college athletic departments to engage current and former athletes. During her time at Athlete Network, she has worked with the on-campus internship and the marketing department.
Stephanie Palo Director of Email Marketing
Stephanie grew up in Kansas City, and graduated from Kansas State University with a degree in Marketing and International Business. After receiving her Masters abroad, she landed in the world of email marketing. As the Director of Email Marketing, Stephanie is excited to combine her love of sports and marketing to communicate and engage with members of Athlete Network. Outside of work you’ll find her competing on the soccer field, training for the occasional half, and traveling.
Katie Townsend Client Success Manager
A true PNW girl, Katie is a lover of the great outdoors. She grew up in the outskirts of Seattle, where she played basketball, danced, swam and more, but she found her real passion in softball. Katie was a catcher for the Boise State Broncos before she medically retired due to a back injury. Luckily, she was able to finish out her career supporting her teammates as the team manager. Katie graduated with two Bachelors degrees in Marketing and General Business, and a minor in Human Resource Management. Upon graduation, she started her career with one of the largest staffing and recruiting companies in the US, which brought her to Kansas City. Katie joined Athlete Network in 2017, and loves the opportunity to network with athletes and help set them up for success in the next stage of their careers!
Malia Smith Digital Content Strategist
Since joining Athlete Network in 2010, Malia has been a Marketing team utility player. As the Digital Content Strategist, she is responsible for all outreach on social media outlets as well as the editorial content on the Athlete Network blog. Previously, she worked as an Implementation Consultant and Training Specialist for software solution companies whose clients included major non-profits, government agencies, and colleges and universities nationwide. Malia graduated from Missouri State University with a degree in marketing.
Jimmy Hudson Sales Representative
Heralding from the "best sports town in the U.S.," St. Louis, Jimmy grew up playing and watching every sport imaginable. His passion for basketball led him to become a student-athlete at Rockhurst University in Kansas City, Missouri, where he studied Exercise Science. After his playing days were over, Jimmy became a high school basketball and baseball coach, unofficially becoming the youngest coach in Missouri history (21) to coach a Varsity basketball game. In the Spring of 2017, Athlete Network traded up to the first round to select Jimmy as the newest addition to the Business Development team. In his free time, you can find Jimmy rooting for Duke, on a golf course or with a fishing pole in his hand.
Matt Scott Software Architect
Nelson Mandela once said, "Running taught me valuable lessons. In cross-country competition, training counted more than intrinsic ability, and I could compensate for a lack of natural aptitude with diligence and discipline. I applied this in everything I did." As a runner himself, Matt was drawn to this advice and immediately began applying this belief to every facet of his life. Knowing he wouldn't always be the fastest, the smartest, or the most polished, Matt truly believes that nobody can outwork him if he sets his mind to it. With hard work, tenacity, and determination, Matt believes that anything is possible. As a graduate of Missouri State University in 2001, Matt completed his studies with a double major in Computer Information Systems and Retail Marketing and has been working in the IT field ever since. Having more than 17 years in the technology space, Matt not only brings his competitive spirit to the table, but he also brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to Athlete Network.
Michael Kennedy Quality Assurance Engineer
Michael has spent his time driven by competition and living life to it’s fullest. With passions around traveling, photography, and relaxing by the pool with his Daughter. He strives to gain as much knowledge and experience from life as possible, and uses this in all aspects of his daily life. After 5 years of managing multiple teams, Michael started his professional career in the information technology field, after attending Centriq Training in 2011. Upon graduation he began his path down quality assurance, while helping maintain the global infrastructure of Ericsson’s communication network. In 2012 he transitioned to VinSolutions, where he provided his expertise ensuring that they were able to provide a solid product while integrating with countless partners. In 2019, Michael enthusiastically brought his experience to Athlete Network and now helps design and develop a one stop shop for athletes to further their career and their own personal life.
Ben Burgweger Software Developer
After a failed short stint of trying to make it as a profession ping pong player, Ben joined Athlete Network in 2018. His passion for technology and his love for athletics made Athlete Network a great fit to continue his career. As a Software Developer, Ben helps code, execute, and launch various software products for Athlete Network partners. In his spare time, he enjoys dominating the competition in board games, traveling, and if the temperature is just right, playing a little golf.
Nick Ebmeyer Sr. Client Success Manager
Nick has always had an affinity for athletics and the drive to compete, but decided to stick with Soccer thanks to lackluster growth spurts in High School. He almost hung up his boots, but was fortunate enough to land at Baker University where he earned a Business Degree after an undefeated Senior season and 3rd place finish in the National Tournament. He still remembers when Athlete Network presented at his school in 2009 and jumped at the chance to join the team once he heard about a potential opening in 2019. Now that he's on-board and since stairs leave him winded, his passion now lies in serving his clients where he strives to improve their businesses and quality of life every chance he gets!