Fundraising & Development Committee Board Recruitment
Drew Hagedorn
PROGRAM COMMITTEE
Tiffany Dempsey
PROGRAM COMMITTEE
Mike Schwab
development committee
Sarah Coakley
FUNDRAISING COMMITTEE
Jennifer Aguinzoni
FUNDRAISING COMMITTEE Chair
Donell Morgan
Development COMMITTEE Chair
Michael Yudhishthu
FUNDRAISING COMMITTEE
Jai Blair
Program Committee
JD Kiggins
Program committee
Emeritus Board
Keenan Longcor
Fob co-founder, EMERITUS BOARD
Executive Director
Aaron Dickson- Executive Director Aaron is a Portland native and former Lakeside Little Leaguer. Although football is where he made a name for himself, baseball was his first love and introduction to organized sports. His love for baseball started with attending many city league softball games watching his father and his love for the game. The dream of playing in the big leagues was organically passed down to Aaron as a youngster, as he would organize sandlot games growing up in the streets of NE Portland. After attending Grant High School, Aaron decided to turn to football and would receive a scholarship to attend Portland State University where he received his bachelor’s degree.
Aaron has experienced firsthand how sports can empower underserved youth and enhance lives through the lessons of the game. Growing up in inner city Portland, sports and community enrichment programs have significantly impacted his life. And realizing that impact has helped develop his purpose and who he is today. Aaron comes to Friends of Baseball with over a decade of experience in the non-profit sector, and has a proven track record of identifying opportunities and using his deep network to build partnerships and programming beyond the game. He looks to continue to develop enrichment programs for underserved youth and families because he believes it is his life's work. Serving as Executive Director fulfills his dream of playing in the big leagues as he looks to create programs that generate big league citizens in his community. Aaron lives in NE Portland with his wife, children and dog. He spends his weekends staying active, playing sports or coaching his son.
Staff
Lucas Hunter- Program Manager Lucas is a Portland Native, who comes from a family lineage of local Baseball players and coaches, spending his entire sports upbringing in SE and NE Portland. A Central Catholic alumni, Lucas was drafted by the Miami Marlins in 2012, ultimately making the decision to attend the University of Portland for his freshman season, then transferring to the College of Southern Nevada, in Las Vegas, for his sophomore season. Post college, he spent time with multiple professional Independent League organizations. Moving back to Portland full time upon the birth of his first born son, Dasan, Lucas found his passion in coaching/mentoring and skill development side of the game. Witnessing and being part of our youth’s growth on and off the field is what drives him to continue uplifting baseball and softball in our communities.
Ciera Jones - Softball Programs Coordinator One of Ciera’s first memories is of her dad pitching a foam ball for her to hit in their El Paso, Texas living room. She started her organized career playing T-ball for Vienna Pigtail/Ponytail League and was eventually offered a full-ride scholarship to play at a Division I school. Her passion for sports led her to youth development research. She has published articles about policies that unintentionally disadvantage children in youth sports along with a book chapter about what makes playing sports fun. She is currently finishing her doctorate in Physical Culture & Sports Studies at the University of Texas with a focus on the impact of geography on the opportunity to play sports. Ciera continues to find herself on the diamond coaching at Clark College.
Sammy DiMinno - Marketing & Communications Ambassador Sammy grew up in San Diego, CA where she grew up going to Padres games and found a love for the game of baseball. Sammy was an All Star Cheerleader and found a home and other family through the sport. Cheer practice became a place of bonding with her teammates and a place for personal growth. During College and High School, Sammy worked at an elementary school with Kindergarten and First Graders and found a love for working with kids in her local community. Sammy is beyond excited to be joining Friends of Baseball as their Marketing and Communications Coordinator and helping create greater access to youth sports for all kids in the community.
Luke Hill- Clubhouse Manager Luke’s first experience in sports was playing T-Ball at age four in Hillsboro, Oregon. Since then he has gone on to play six seasons of basketball, one season of soccer, and one season of track and field. Currently residing in Beaverton, Luke is currently enrolled at Portland Community College studying Business Administration, and he is excited to see where his sports journey will take him next.
TaNisha Dickson- Program Supervisor TaNisha, born and raised in NE Portland, has a deeply-rooted connection to her community. TaNisha's passion for baseball grew as she witnessed her once-timid son embrace the sport, using it as a tool to overcome some anxiety. This experience ignited Tanisha's dedication to youth sports and led her to Friends of Baseball, where she is excited to serve as Program Administrator, supporting disadvantaged youth in accessing the transformative power of sports. With her bachelor's degree and a decade of experience in administration, TaNisha is happy to continue to do the work she loves while maintaining her commitment to youth and community service.
Kemoni Bailey - Community Events Ambassador Hitting, running, and sliding bases is truly in Kemoni's blood. Her love for baseball & softball came early from her Great Grandfather Hugh William Mosley of the Kansas City Monarchs. Kemoni's grandfather, Hugh Mosley, would sit her down and tell her all the great things he did. As his first granddaughter, the love for the game of baseball rubbed off on her at a young age. Kemoni's grandfather and father always encouraged her to follow her dreams and playing softball was one of them. With Friends of Baseball, Kemoni looks forward to bringing kids together and changing their lives, the way the game has changed hers.
Board of Directors
Ben Longcor - FOB Co-Founder and FOB Treasurer Ben has loved the game since a very early age, from the beginning, dreamed of being a catcher. As he progressed through little league, Babe Ruth and High School, he finished his career as a first basemen. He still enjoys playing rec-league softball, to keep the skills sharp. After leaving the game as a youth, along with his father, he longed for a continued connection with the sport he loved. From that, Friends of Baseball was born, which grew from a family based foundation set up to keep youth leagues and teams on their feet, to a 501c3 non-profit organization that enhances young ball players through the baseball’s unparalleled power to teach.
Ben graduated from Pacific Lutheran University in 2001 with a BA in Communications/Public Relations. After nearly 11 years as a communications specialist with WE Communications, he decided to focus more on his family and running Friends of Baseball. He is now building his own business as an independent insurance agent. He also dedicates his free time to his wife, two children, and two dogs. Over the years he has given back to the baseball community through his son Sterling's youth leagues as a coach and former league Board member. “I have always longed to share with others the feeling of team and pureness I had when I played ball throughout youth and high school baseball. Thanks to Friends of Baseball, I am able to help kids and teams experience the sheer joy and purity — the feeling — of baseball. Not only that, I look forward to passing that along to both my young son and daughter in the very near future.”
Gabe Chase - FOB Board President Gabe grew up in Northeast Portland, developing a love for the game of baseball at Riverside little league and playing whiffle ball. He went on to play at Grant High School, winning a PIL title with his teammates in 2003. Gabe played Junior college baseball in southern California before finishing his college career at CSU Monterey Bay. After college Gabe taught English in Japan where he regularly attended ball games, rooting for the Hanshin Tigers. Gabe returned home to Oregon to attend law school, graduating from the University of Oregon School of Law in 2014. Gabe currently practices law with his father (and former little league coach) at Chase Law, PC. In his free time Gabe enjoys playing slow pitch softball, adult league baseball, and coaching youth baseball and softball.
Jordan Bice - FOB Board Vice President Jordan has been a baseball fan since before his mom coached his kindergarten tee-ball team. He grew up in the Portland suburbs before moving to Seattle to study political science and play trumpet in the marching band at the University of Washington. After school, he spent three years in Washington, D.C. working as a legislative aide on Capitol Hill before finally returning home to Portland where he belongs. He now works in Government Affairs for Oxley & Associates and while he wasn’t able to fulfill his childhood dream of playing shortstop for the Seattle Mariners, he still plays in an adult baseball league on Sundays. He lives in southeast Portland with his wife, Samantha, and their Chihuahua, Griffey.
Scott Davis - Fundraising and Development Committee One of Scott’s strongest baseball memories happened at Spring Training in Arizona in 1988. Times were different back then, as he hung over the roof of the dugout seeking the autograph of his idol, Will Clark. The boy next to him hollered “Hey Will, Can I have your autograph?” while Scott used “Mr. Clark” instead. Will signed his ball (and not the other boy), and cemented a value of respect for others that has stuck since. After playing local baseball through high school, Scott has more recently served as a Coach and League Board member for his children and put the spikes back on as a player in Portland’s “old man baseball league”. He leads Marketing and e-Commerce for GrowlerWerks, and holds a Master’s in Business from the University of Oregon. He lives in SW Portland with his wife, Mary, and their two boys.
Katherine Du Pont - Program Committee Chair, Girls Lead Chair, Board Recruitment Growing up, Katherine played competitive softball before turning coach for youth and adult rec leagues. She finds fun and drive in every aspect of the game and is excited to create opportunities for young girls to experience the thrill of the game. Currently Katherine is the Administrative Coordinator for the Center for Advancing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Business through Oregon State University. Prior to OSU, Katherine planned events and conferences for Microsoft, and implemented systems and learning tools into HR consulting firms and SMBs across the country. Outside of work, she lives a life of volunteerism, working with a variety of LGBT and youth development organizations including HOBY Oregon and Friends of the Children. In Katherine’s free time, she loves to travel, play golf, and explore the Willamette Valley wine region
Drew Hagedorn - Program Committee Drew is a life-long baseball fan. A native Oregonian, Drew comes from a baseball family. His grandfather played at Grant High School and then Willamette University and his father played at Albany Union High School and then briefly at Oregon State. Drew played second and short-stop through high school and his brother pitched for La Salle prep. Drew graduated from the University of Southern California and is now a partner at the Portland law firm Tonkon Torp where he chair’s the firm’s Government Affairs and Public Policy practice group. Drew’s hero is Vin Scully, the longtime radio play-by-play announce for his favorite team, the Los Angeles Dodgers. He and his wife live in Lake Oswego where they root for the Dodgers from afar.
Sarah Coakley - Fundraising Committee Sarah Egge Coakley (Board Member) grew up skiing and golfing in Montana. However, her baseball acumen has increased exponentially over the last decade thanks in large part to her grandmother and kids’ combined love and teaching of the game. Sarah, along with her husband Matt, have spent many hours coaching and ‘team parenting’ their children’s sports teams. A Licensed Real Estate Agent in Oregon, Sarah applies her social work and event planning background to ensure she provides exceptional service to each client. She is an excellent listener who is highly proficient at finding resources and offers sound advice. With 2 school age children, she has thorough knowledge of the surrounding school districts including charter and option schools. When she is not working, volunteering or chasing after her lovable, naughty labradoodles – you will probably find her cheering on her kids at the ball field.
Tiffany Dempsey - Program Committee Tiffany was born and raised in Welsh, Louisiana , then later mid-grade school she and her parents transitioned to the deep heart of Texas. Tiffany is a proud graduate of Prairie View A&M University, a historical black college in Prairie View, Texas and a member of the nationally known organization of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. founded by college-educated women dedicated to public service with an emphasis on programs that assist the African American community. Now 26yrs later, she resides in Portland, OR with her husband and two sons. She’s the co-founder and leader of the 1st Intel Oregon "Historically Black Colleges and Universities" alumni special interest group annually supports several community events geared towards the education and promotion of attendance at HBCUs. Tiffany’s son Emmanuel “Manny” partnered with Baseballism x FOB creating his original art for the underbill honoring the 100th anniversary of Negro League baseball. When she’s not busy managing global regulatory transitions at Intel and being a momager of her son's creative arts business she can be found performing “The National Anthem” at professional sporting events (i.e. Portland Trail Blazers, Portland Timbers, Portland Thorns and Hillsboro Hops).
Michael Yudhishthu - Fundraising Committee Mike has been a long-time fan of baseball since he first saw the New York Yankees play in their original stadium in the Bronx. He fondly remembers how his coaches helped him grow in his baseball knowledge and as a person in his teenage years. Mike’s passion for baseball continued while attending University of Florida (UF). As a college student, he spent many hours watching free college baseball games while studying in the stands. Mike graduated from UF with a degree in Chemical Engineering, which has eventually led him to working for Nike in Air Sole manufacturing. Working for Nike has given him a unique perspective on sport and the value of sport for the youth in our community. He feels that our youth participating in sport teaches them the importance of working on a team. These boys and girls are our future community members and leaders, coaches, sports advocates, and business leaders. Mike and his wife Carla have raised 2 boys playing baseball for most of their youth. Mike has served on Wilshire Riverside LL board, Grant Youth Baseball board, and has spent the last 8 years coaching baseball in the local community.
Donell Morgan - Development Committee Chair As a collegiate athlete, Donell experienced firsthand the value of mentoring and coaching. After a successful basketball career that took him around the globe, Donell returned to the United States to pay that positive support forward by becoming a coach and mentor at one of the most successful community colleges in Oregon. For more than a decade, he inspired his players and students to push themselves toward their goals. Working with at-risk youth and families on a deeper level inspired his own transition into the nonprofit field, where he has continued to engage and create life-changing positive relationships. An energetic and engaging speaker, Donell has sought to develop the next generation of leaders that will transform communities.
Jennifer Arguinzoni- Fundraising Committee Chair Jennifer grew up in Peachtree City, a suburb of Atlanta. Itwas impossible to grow up in Georgia in the 90’s and NOT be an Atlanta Braves fan. Jennifer was an avid slow and fast pitch softball player from a very young age, but fell short of her dream of becoming a second baseman for the Atlanta Braves. Throughout college, Jennifer played intramural ball for her sorority and coached local youth fast pitch ball. Since college, Jennifer has served in various political roles in the Georgia Senate, Washington, DC and locally for the City of Portland before landing in her current role at Nike. She is a Giants fan by marriage and a mother of two- just waiting on the days to coach her own little ones on the ball field!
JD Kiggins - Program Committee Bio coming soon....
Emeritus Board
Keenan Longcor (Founder) wrapped up a very brief college experience, choosing instead to establish his own sales and marketing company. The company grew to encompass a five-state area in the Pacific Northwest, making it one of his industry’s largest sales agencies in the region. His successful business strategies became a springboard for his publication of INTERPERSONAL, A Sales And Management Letter, as well as his career as a management consultant. “Of all my years in business, with all its many rewards, my fondest memories are not business related, but of being with my son on one of our baseball road trips. We were following his team, following our favorite professional team, all the while chasing the moment… and the conversations found through our shared love of the game.”
Past Board Members Rakeem Washington Jim Abreu Jason Scott