Five recent additions bring specific skill sets to USBC
USBC recently added several new people to its staff to strengthen bowling’s National Governing Body.
The recent staff additions bring specific skills sets that will serve USBC’s commitment to “A Future for the Sport” and because the work they do will impact everyone associated with USBC, we wanted to provide some insight on each of USBC’s new team members.
In addition a little background information, each responded to a few questions so you can get to know them.
CHRISTI BICKLEY
USBC Director of Project Management
Background: Bickley brings more than a decade of project management experience, working with IT and Customer Relationship Management systems.
Start date at USBC: August 29, 2014
Why did you want to be a part of USBC: During the interview process, it became clear that there were so many opportunities to use my skillset to help USBC with project management. In addition, all of the people I met during the process were extremely nice and very excited and supportive of this new position. It doesn’t hurt anything that I love bowling, too.
What would friends or co-workers say is your best skill or attribute: Problem solving and organization.
What’s your best score or favorite bowling moment: My bowling league team decided to bowl in the city tournament for fun, and it just happened that the State Tournament was being held in our city. I stopped rolling a backup ball a couple of years prior because it was hurting my fingers and my average had dropped about 20 pins to 130 because of the switch. So on the day of the tournament, I decided to go back to the backup ball and bowled a 623 series and won $600. (I probably should have told the story about meeting my husband of 30 years in a bowling league …).
JASON THOMAS
USBC Senior Director of Digital Media
Background: Thomas worked with the PBA for a decade and bowling fans might know him as The Bowling Guy from PBA Xtra Frame broadcasts. In addition to digital media, he’ll is the point person for the Professional Women’s Bowling Association Tour.
Start date: September 30, 2014.
Why did you want to be part of USBC: Because my biggest life/career goal is for bowling to be universally respected as a sport, and I believed I could make a much bigger difference in reaching that goal by working for the USBC.
What would your friends or co-workers say is your best skill or attribute: My friendliness, my attitude and my creativity. I believe in treating people with kindness, respect and trust, but I will stand up for myself if that respect or trust is violated; and because of my default mode of friendliness, when I do decide to put my foot down, people usually get the message very quickly. I always keep a positive attitude even in situations where things look bleak, because, as Emerson once said, “Nothing great is ever accomplished without enthusiasm.” Usually, the only way to make it out of those bleak situations with a successful outcome is to come up with a highly creative solution, so, for me, keeping a creative mindset is of utmost importance.
What’s your best score or favorite bowling moment: I have bowled many perfect games, won a number of important tournaments and competed at the highest level of the sport. But my favorite personal bowling accomplishment was throwing four out of six strikes on an un-oiled lane as a “stunt bowler” for an episode of CSI in 2009. Every time I missed, it cost the production several thousand dollars to reset the take and I had to do it in front of the entire crew, several famous actors and 200 extras, with no practice shots.
As a bowling fan, my favorite moment was watching Kelly Kulick win the 2010 Tournament of Champions in person. I covered it all week on Xtra Frame and I was amazed by how mentally tough she was as people kept writing off her chances, often within earshot of Kelly. I had to go back behind the set after she won because I didn’t want anyone to see how much I was crying. I was overwhelmed by the significance of the achievement and I still find it to be a singular inspirational accomplishment that proves people can do anything in life that they put their mind to, which is one of my fundamental core beliefs.
DAMON SARROCCO
USBC Director of Short Duration Events
Background: Sarrocco spent the last 12 years as a district sales manager at Ebonite International. Prior to that, he worked for several years for the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) Tour.
Start date at USBC: November 1, 2014.
Why did you want to be a part of USBC: The opportunity to be the Director Short Duration Events meant that I was going to be involved in the biggest tournaments in bowling once again. I was going to be conducting the majors. That’s really cool.
What would friends or co-workers say is your best skill or attribute: My best skill or attribute is my ability to develop relationships with people.
What’s your best score or favorite bowling moment: My best score is an 862. What a great night! Every time I threw the ball, I knew it was going to strike! Lots of fun!
ROBERT STOKES
USBC Senior Director of Software Development and Architecture
Background: Stokes has more than two decades of IT industry experience with more than 15 years in professional and consulting services. Most recently, he was co-founder of a company delivering custom application solutions and prior to that led the professional services organization for a large enterprise social business software company. His passion is building great teams that deliver business solutions using technology.
Start date at USBC: December 15, 2014
Why did you want to be a part of USBC: The great people and the awesome opportunity to be part of the team that helps USBC get to the next level.
What would friends or co-workers say is your best skill or attribute: Strong problem-solving skills, as well as strong business acumen. I enjoy using technology as a tool for solving complex business problems and taking advantage of opportunities.
What's your best score or favorite bowling moment: Luckily for USBC, I am much better at applying technology than I am at bowling so I won’t embarrass myself by disclosing any scores. I have enjoyed recreational bowling my whole life, having a fun time with friends and family. Despite not being a very good bowler, I cannot recall when we did not have an awesome time.
ARLEEN HERNANDEZ
USBC Senior Marketing Manager
Background: Hernandez has more than 15 years of experience in sports and entertainment marketing. Most recently, she spent 2 years at IMG LIVE working with DIRECTV's revenue and product marketing team on projects ranging from premium upgrades to Big Knockout Boxing to launching the new NFL Sunday Ticket.TV digital-only app. Prior to that, she spent 8 years managing the experiential marketing plans for AT&T's sponsorship of NCAA championship events.
Start date at USBC: January 5, 2015.
Why did you want to be a part of USBC: I think the USBC offers me a great opportunity to put my experience and skills to work while being able to carve out a new role for myself within a great team of people. There seems to be a great opportunity to grow existing programs and launch new ones, which is very exciting.
What would friends or co-workers say is your best skill or attribute: I think they would say that I am good mentor. I let them find their own way, but I am always there to serve as a sounding board and offer advice when needed.
What’s your best score or favorite bowling moment: I bowled a 165 over the holidays and the best part is that I beat my fiancé. We are very competitive so that was a big win for me.