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OWNER/CEO
Charles "Chuck" Norris purchased the Fireantz in March of 2017. The former US Army Paratrooper spent over 20 years in Fayetteville and is a Veteran of Operation Desert Shield/Storm.
Since 1998, Chuck has owned and operated Norris Construction, specializing in residential building and development, as well as insurance reconstruction. Prior to construction, Norris owned and operated several retail stores.
​Chuck and his wife Lanai have three children; Chucky 10, Lilly 7, and Khloe 4.
PRESIDENT
Longo has spent the last twenty years in professional hockey management. After beginning his career as a Public Relations intern for the New York Rangers (NHL), he spent six seasons with the San Diego Gulls (WCHL) - the last three as team President. While there, the team led the league in attendance all six seasons and won the league championship three times.
In 2003, Longo took a position as the President of the Charlotte Checkers (ECHL) and helped orchestrate the team's move into a new facility in uptown Charlotte (the NBA Charlotte Bobcats' Time Warner Cable Arena). Team attendance and revenue increased for six straight seasons from 2003-2008.
Longo then served as the Vice President of Marketing and Community Initiatives for the New Jersey Devils (NHL), His marketing team helped frame moments like Martin Brodeur's record for most wins all-time and most shutouts for a goaltender and Patrick Elias' franchise record for points. In 2010, the team wore its classic green and red retro jerseys for the first time since 1992 as a sold out crowd enjoyed a 5-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Longo returned to Charlotte in 2010 and served as a consultant to senior management for the Charlotte Checkers (AHL), assisting with corporate marketing initiatives, staffing and negotiations of the team's lease(s) with the arena.
Longo is currently an associate professor and program director for the Sports, Events and Entertainment department at Johnson & Wales University in Charlotte. He is pursuing his doctorate at the United States Sports Academy. Jeff and his wife Alisa have two daughters - Riley (12) and Emmery (5).
ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER/DIRECTOR OF TICKETS SALES
Nathan is in his first season with FireAntz as Assistant GM and Director of Ticket Sales. A native of Livermore, Maine, Nathan attended Johnson & Wales University Charlotte and received his bachelor's degree in Sports, Entertainment and Event Management. He joins us most recently from IMG Learfield Ticket Solutions as a ticket sales account executive for UNC Athletics. Prior to that Nathan served as the Tournament and Event Director at Carolina Courts in Charlotte, NC. Nathan is married to his wife Melissa and they have five daughters.
Contact him for more information about ticket packages and season tickets.
Email: ndriscoll@fireantzhockey.com
Phone: 910-438-4168
VICE PRESIDENT CORPORATE PARTNERSHIPS
Stahl is in his first season as the Vice President of Corporate Partnerships. A native of Columbia, SC, Eric earned his undergraduate degree in Sports and Entertainment Management from the University of South Carolina, where he also served as a football walk-on for Coach Steve Spurrier and as as a marketing intern for the Gamecock Athletics Department. Eric also holds a Master's of Sports Administration from Ohio University.
Eric comes to the Fireantz after spending the entirety of his career in college athletics, serving as an Assistant Athletics Director at NCAA DII powerhouses, Limestone College in Gaffney, SC and Colorado School of Mines in Golden, CO. Prior to working in athletics administration, he managed corporate partnerships for IMG College and Learfield Sports on behalf of the University of South Carolina Gamecocks and the University of Miami Hurricanes.
Eric and his wife, Corey, have two daughters, Parker and Ayden.
Email: estahl@fireantzhockey.com
Phone: 919-492-0716
MANAGER OF COMMUNITY RELATIONS AND SOCIAL MEDIA
The 2017-18 season will be Ben's first with the FireAntz, after spending the previous season with the Kalamazoo Wings of the ECHL as the Manager of Corporate Sales. Prior to holding that position, the native of Lawrence, Michigan spent two seasons as the Public Relations/Broadcasting intern for the K-Wings and helped to manage; color commentary duties, social media, press releases, and interviews-including the world-famous "Meow" interview.
The Ferris State University (Big Rapids, MI) graduate earned his degree in Professional and Technical Communications in 2015, and is never quiet about telling everyone about Bulldogs in the professional ranks.
Ben and his wife live in Fayetteville with their two young sons.
Email: bgarrod@fireantzhockey.com
Phone: 910-321-0123
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE/GROUP TICKET SALES
Mark is in his second season with the FireAntz as the Account Executive of Group Ticket Sales.
Mark is a native of Buffalo, New York where he acquired a degree in Sport Management at Daemen College. Mark played a big role in organizing adult hockey leagues in Buffalo and took part in promoting and organizing various fundraisers to expand interest to various backgrounds. He was also one of the co-founders of Daemen College’s first ever ice hockey team.
Mark moved to Fayetteville this past year with his wife Megan, where he hopes to expand the FireAntz fan base and introduce the FireAntz and the game of hockey to different groups throughout the community of Fayetteville. If you have any interest in bringing a group to a FireAntz game feel free to contact our office to speak with Mark.
(P) 910-438-4163
