The People Behind the Logo
- Joe Galat, AYF President
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Mr. Galat also serves as
the Vice President of Sales for Fieldturf Inc. Joe played and coached at Miami University (Ohio). He was team captain and
an honor student at Miami. He was named Miami University Outstanding
Athlete in his final year. Joe has coached professionally with the NFL's
New York Giants and the Houston Oilers. When George Allen was General
Manager of Montreal, he appointed Joe to be his head coach. Joe then went
on to become head coach and General Manager of the British Columbia Lions
of the Canadian Football League. His stint as a college football coach was
with Miami University, Yale University, University of Kentucky and
Youngstown State University. In 1982 Joe was inducted into The Miami
University Hall of Fame. He was also inducted into The Painesville Harvey
High School Hall of Fame (along with The NFL's winningest Coach
Don Shula). After his coaching days , Joe was National Color Commentator
for CBC-TV SPORTS. This experience gave him the distinction of having held every
position in organized football (player, coach, manager, broadcaster, and
Youth Executive). Joe has participated in youth football clinics in the USA, Canada, Mexico,
and throughout Europe and Russia.
- Jessica Abramovich, Executive Director
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 In 2001, Jessica
started with AYF as Public Relations Director and conducted several research projects
under the direction of Jim Taft, one of AYFs Founders. In 2003, Jessica
was appointed to Executive Director. Jessica had experience in running
a successful niche marketing and promotion company, and has worked on the football
field as an intern for her University Head Football Coach and for clubs in the CFL. Among other
notable academic achievements, Jessica was honored with the Dean's
Fellowship from New York University in the Masters of Sports Business
Program, from which she holds a Masters degree. Jessicas' email is ja@americanyouthfootball.com
- Jim Taft, Chairman Emeritus
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 Jim
is one of the founders of AYF and has been involved in youth football for
more than 60 years. Jim serves in an advisory position and assists with
interpretations and conducts research in supporting AYF President Joe Galat. Jims' email is ayftaft@aol.com
Kristin Walker, Director Events
 Prior to joining AYF, Kristin held various roles at General Electric, the United States Tennis Association, the Boston Red Sox, the Harwich Mariners of the Cape Cod Baseball League and Octagon Worldwide. Her event experience includes a variety of sports-related functions, including MLB’s 2005 All-Star Weekend and charitable 5k road races for the United Way. Kristin is a graduate of NYU’s Sports Business Master’s program and completed her undergraduate work at Boston College. Kristins' email is kwalker@americanyouthfootball.com
Dee Grayer, Football Commissioner
 Dee Grayer was recognized as the American Youth Football Volunteer of the Year, 2008. and was awarded the American Youth Football Giving Back to the Community Award, 2008 and is the American Youth Football Arizona State Diplomat. Dee played College Football at San Jose State University and in the Arena Football League for 3 years, both in Florida and Oregon. Dee has been actively involved in youth sports since 1999, having won an American Youth Football National championship as an assistant coach in 2005 and serving as head coach for the AYF West All Stars at the 2010 Under Armour AYF All Star game. Dee has extensive experience in organizing and administrating youth football, he recently served as the AYF State Diplomat for Arizona and is the Tournament Chairman for the Annual Turkey Tee Off Gold Fundraiser. Dee's leadership in the community include: the establishment of the Annual Spotlight Dinner a local community event centered up on giving back which recognizes the top high school football players, youth teams, active community members and sponsors; a local fundraiser, The Turkey Tee Off, in addition to organizing AYF’s participation in the 2008 Snoop Bowl during Super Bowl XLII. Dee actively contributes his time and expertise to youth combines and clinics and sits on the board of several non-profit corporations. Dee's email is Dee@americanyouthfootball.com
Elizabeth Bray, AYC National Cheer Director & Member Communications
 Starting in 2009 Elizabeth was appointed AYF Communications Director and quickly made great progress in the strategic development of AYC, as a result, Elizabeth has been named AYC National Director and coordinates all AYC Cheer and Dance Programs. Elizabeth holds a BA in Business Communications from The University of Michigan. She brings much experience, humor and passion from her past positions in public relations, marketing, and management. She held these positions at Ford Motor Company, Marketing Associates, Valassis Communications and Woodland Paper. Elizabeths' email is ebray@americanyouthfootball.com or cheer@americanyouthfootball.com
Arielle Krieger, Marketing Operations Director
 Throughout her school years, Arielle excelled in marketing positions at entertainment and PR firms such as New Line Cinema and NBC Unvierstal Pictures. Arielle joins AYF after working at Octagon, Inc, were she focused on a national marketing campaign for a major telecommunications client. Arielle earned her degree in Media and Communications at Rollins College, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude and was awarded as the top student in her major. An avid and accomplished athlete, she played on her varsity NCAA Women's Lacrosse team, runs marathons and is a trainer for special needs runners and triathletes. Arielle's e-mail is akrieger@americanyouthfootball.com
Craig Heitczman, Director Social & Marketing Communications
Craig began working with AYF in 2009, prior to that he worked for the South Florida Super Bowl Host Committee. Craig graduated from the University of Miami with a Masters degree in Sport Administration. He received his undergraduate degree from SUNY Albany and played football at St. Johns University. Craig's email is craig@americanyouthfootball.com
Shannon Shy, New Membership Director
 Shannon has been involved in youth football as both a coach and an administrator in Northern Virginia where the association he co-founded won 4 AYF championship titles and engaged in substantial Giving Back projects. Shannon has been involved in AYF on a national level since 2005 when we helped establish the Virginia AYF Alliance and the Atlantic region. Since 2007 Shannon has served as AYF's National Membership Director assisting new member organizations in the U.S and internationally to either join existing AYF organizations or start new AYF organizations. Shannon is a senior civilian attorney with the Department of the Navy and a retired Marine Corps Reserve Lieutenant Colonel. In 2007 he received the Legion of Merit Medal upon his Marine Corps retirement and in 2009 he received the Distinguisehd Civilian Service Award, which is the highest honorary award the Secretary of the Navy can confer upon a civilian employee. Shannon is also a published author having written a book entitled, “It’ll be Okay”: How I Kept Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) from Ruining My Life (Authorhouse 2009), a personal memoir of struggle, perseverance and overcoming adversity. Shannon serves as the stadium announcer during our national championship week in December! Shannon's email is shannon@americanyouthfootball.com. Read Shannons articles
Faye Katz, Human Resources Director
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 Faye
brings twenty years of experience in the publishing and marketing field and has held
management positions in working with Price-Waterhouse and Holt Renfrew. Faye now overees AYF Staff and Personnel
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Diedrea Willis, National Step Coordinator
 In 2008 Deidrea was AYC's acting Southeast Regional Representative, but during the Annual Leadership meeting she introduced AYC to STEP, and we never looked back. Step has added a new exciting dimension to AYC nationwide and is in line with AYCs goals of being inclusive to all youth cheer/dance programs and staying on the cutting edge of whats happening in our communities. Diedrea resides in Tampa, FL and remains in charge of the AYC Step Program. Deidrea's email is step@americanyouthfootball.com
Kerry Lorenca, AYC Technical Advisor
 Our AYC Technical Advisor is Kerry Lorenca, from our newest organization Jersey Shore! Kerry is also the Big East Cheer Regional director. Prior to joining AYF in 2011, Kerry has coached all levels in cheerleading, taking many teams to national cheer championships, all finishing in the top three, including a national championship title in 2005. Kerry has held cheer executive and committee positions in local, league and regional levels since 1999. Kerry has also help develop coaches’ education clinics, risk management seminars and facilitated coaches’ certification classes. She proudly gives back to her community as a co-director for the annual Moser’s Miles 5K Breast Cancer Walk.
Kerry studied Education and Psychology at Georgian Court University and Thomas Edison State College and was employed by the Toms River Regional School District before coming to AYF. Our Advisory Board Members are Kathy Robinson from Oak Grove, Jennifer Payer Eldridge from Baystate and Tammy Gagne from New Hampshire. With the years of experience and knowledge that is between, this Advisory Board we are confident that there is no question they will not be able to answer! Feel free to email the advisory board any questions at AYCtech@americanyouthfootball.com
Adam Laufer, General Counsel
*NOTE: Only American youth Football, Inc.'s President, Executive Director, and its Executive Vice-President & General Counsel are authorized and permitted to enter into agreements on behalf of American Youth Football. Regional Board chairpersons, commissioners, directors and persons holding other positions
are not executive officers of American Youth Football ("AYF"); they do not have the authority to enter into contractual relationships on behalf
of AYF or otherwise bind the organization in any legal capacity.
Please contact the American Youth Football national office with any
questions in this regard.
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