CMISL BIOGRAPHIES
Mel Kowalchuk
Mel, who holds the distinction of being the longest-serving general manager in Pacific Coast League history, brings more than 24 years of successful professional sports experience to his role as president of the Canadian Major Indoor Soccer League.
As general manager of the PCL Albuquerque Isotopes in 2002 and '03, Mel was accountable for the management and development of the organization. He oversaw all aspects of the operation and played a major role in the oversight of the new stadium's construction by implementing numerous adjustments to construction plans, addressing deficiencies and design problems. Additionally, Mel designed a plan for merchandise sales that produced the largest first-year sales in the history of the minor leagues and surpassed ownership projected net revenues by several times.
Prior to joining the Isotopes, Mel was president and general manager of the Edmonton Trappers from November 1980 to December 2001. In that capacity he was accountable for overseeing all aspects of the organization and its development, including renovation and the building of a new baseball stadium. Under Mel's direction the organization showed a profit in 20 out of 21 years and was one of the more successful franchises in PCL history as well as the most successful Canadian franchise in the league's history.
While overseeing operation of the Triple-A baseball club for Peter Pocklington, Mel worked with the National Hockey League Edmonton Oilers for two seasons as the team's special co-ordinator for new season tickets.
Mel was named PCL General Manager of the Year three times and was also received the Bob Freitas Award acknowledging the long-term success of a Triple-A franchise. He remains the only Canadian-born executive to receive such an award.
In addition to serving three terms as PCL vice-president as well as sitting on the league's board of directors and executive committee for a number of years, Mel founded and served as president of the Single-A Pioneer League Salt Lake Trappers. He also spent 12 years as chairman of Triple-A baseball's legislative committee.
Mel is no stranger to professional soccer having served as the president and general manager of the Canadian Soccer League's Edmonton Brickmen and National Professional Soccer League Edmonton Drillers. He also served as CSL president while operating the Brickmen.
Chris Baker
Born in Norwich, England , Chris Baker immigrated to Calgary, Alberta , in 1980 and began his involvement with Calgary soccer the following year. Since beginning his association with Calgary Soccer, Chris has served as coach, player and manager. He was also a member of the group responsible for the 1981 creation of the Villains Soccer Club.
Upon graduating from the University of Nottingham with a degree in geology in 1976, Chris became involved with North Sea oil exploration before his move to Brazil in 1979. The lure of Alberta 's oil boom landed the now 52-year-old in Calgary where he resides with his wife and two children.
Currently employed as the vice-president of exploration for a Calgary-based oil and gas company, Chris sits as president of Alberta Major Soccer League's Calgary Villains Elite FC which remains tightly connected to the soccer community through its comprehensive youth program and affiliation with the Elbow Valley Soccer Association.
Darren Hood
Darren Hood assumed majority ownership of the Saskatoon Accelerators franchise in September 2007.
The 33-year-old entrepreneur took over controlling interest in the franchise from Mel Kowalchuk, who, in addition to owning and operating the Accelerators franchise during the league’s 2007 Showcase Season, currently serves CMISL president.
“I want to make a positive difference and I want to promote family involvement and exercise,” stated the father of two pre-school age children. “I’m not afraid to take risks and think outside the box. I also like to take advantage of opportunities that I’m interested in. And I’m definitely interested in the Saskatoon Accelerators and the CMISL.”
Darren, who was born and raised in Edmonton, has been involved in the both the construction and oil and gas industry for the past 13 years. He currently counts real estate holdings in Saskatchewan and Alberta among his investment portfolio.
Dr. Brent Saik
Growing up in Edmonton , Alberta , 38-year-old Brent Saik was drawn to sports and was playing organized baseball by the time he was five. As his passion for baseball continued to grow, his talent grew as well and by his early teens Brent was playing baseball for a senior men's team. Later, Brent was invited to join the elite-calibre Team Alberta club where he played for two years.
As Brent's baseball talents continued to improve, he drew the interest of the Atlanta Braves in the late 1980s. The Braves organization asked Brent to attend junior college in California . However, he elected to attend college and play baseball in Oregon instead. Brent has been involved with baseball, directly or indirectly, since his playing days. Most recently Brent served as president of the Edmonton Big River Prospects, an amateur team comprised of college players who play in an elite league featuring teams in Saskatchewan and Alberta .
A graduate of Edmonton 's M.E. Lazerte Composite High School , Brent obtained his BSc. at the University of Alberta . He later attended college in Portland , Oregon where he obtained his doctorate of optometry.
In 1994, Brent decided to expand his already successful Alberta Sports Vision Institute optometry business and undertook to franchise the concept. Alberta 's eight ASVI outlets are a testament to Brent's business acumen and demonstrate the success of that initial franchising effort.
Not one to gravitate toward the media spotlight, Brent's 2003 attempt to raise funds for pediatric cancer research became front-page news in Edmonton and garnered national and international attention when he and several friends elected to play a non-stop outdoor hockey game. The ?03 game lasted three and a half days, while the ?05 contest went on for over 10 days and landed Brent's group in the Guinness Book of World Records. More significant than setting a world record from Brent's perspective, the two outdoor games generated $600,000 in donations for cancer research.
Brent has one daughter and resides in Strathcona County .
William W. (Bill) Stewart
A native of Manitoba , Bill Stewart has spent the past seven years in minor league sports marketing, management, and ownership.
His most recent endeavor was the start-up of the Colorado Eagles of the Central Hockey League (CHL). He served as the CEO and managing partner of Larimer County Sports, LLC, the Eagles' ownership entity.
Bill set up the business plan, organizational structure, and marketing for what is now the most successful AA hockey franchise in North America . The Colorado Eagles have sold out every 110 consecutive regular season and playoff games and completed their third season winning the league championship, the President's Cup.
The team plays at the Budweiser Events Center in Loveland , Colorado , and set records in corporate sponsorship sales as a first year franchise. Bill was also instrumental in negotiating television and radio contracts. The television contract was a three-year agreement to televise 10 games per year with Altitude Sports & Entertainment and Kroenke Sports.
Bill started his foray into professional sports management when he purchased the Richmond ( Va. ) Renegades of the ECHL. He formed an ownership group that included two NHL teams, the Washington Capitals and San Jose Sharks. He served as the President and CEO. of Richmond Sports Partners, LLC. Bill managed the franchise on a day-to-day basis for 18 months. During that period, he was able to ebb the historically falling ticket sales and increased corporate sponsorship sales. After leaving Virginia , Bill returned to Colorado .
Bill currently serves as the president of Zephyr Bay Sports Partners, LLC which has ownership interests in a professional hockey franchise and owns part of the Milwaukee Mile, the oldest NASCAR track in North America . Bill also serves as the President/CEO of Colorado Oil & Gas, a small Rocky Mountain oil and gas producer.
Bill lives in Highlands Ranch, Colorado , with his wife and three children. He graduated from the University of Denver with a B.S.B.A. in finance and played for the Denver University Pioneers hockey team from 1979-1983. There he served as assistant captain and was honored during his senior year by being named to the WCHA All-Academic Team.
Bill was selected in the 1980 NHL draft by the Minnesota North Stars. Upon graduation from college, he played in the North Star system, but only after first playing for his country on the Canadian National Team in 1983. After playing hockey, but before venturing into the sports industry, Bill was a registered representative in the securities industry from 1985 until 1994. From 1994 until 1999, he owned and operated his own company, which raised capital for publicly traded, small cap and private companies. In this capacity he was involved in private placements of debt and equity to institutional investors, the restructuring off corporate debt, creation of strategic alliances, and advice to companies on mergers and acquisitions.
Mel, who holds the distinction of being the longest-serving general manager in Pacific Coast League history, brings more than 24 years of successful professional sports experience to his role as president of the Canadian Major Indoor Soccer League.
As general manager of the PCL Albuquerque Isotopes in 2002 and '03, Mel was accountable for the management and development of the organization. He oversaw all aspects of the operation and played a major role in the oversight of the new stadium's construction by implementing numerous adjustments to construction plans, addressing deficiencies and design problems. Additionally, Mel designed a plan for merchandise sales that produced the largest first-year sales in the history of the minor leagues and surpassed ownership projected net revenues by several times.
Prior to joining the Isotopes, Mel was president and general manager of the Edmonton Trappers from November 1980 to December 2001. In that capacity he was accountable for overseeing all aspects of the organization and its development, including renovation and the building of a new baseball stadium. Under Mel's direction the organization showed a profit in 20 out of 21 years and was one of the more successful franchises in PCL history as well as the most successful Canadian franchise in the league's history.
While overseeing operation of the Triple-A baseball club for Peter Pocklington, Mel worked with the National Hockey League Edmonton Oilers for two seasons as the team's special co-ordinator for new season tickets.
Mel was named PCL General Manager of the Year three times and was also received the Bob Freitas Award acknowledging the long-term success of a Triple-A franchise. He remains the only Canadian-born executive to receive such an award.
In addition to serving three terms as PCL vice-president as well as sitting on the league's board of directors and executive committee for a number of years, Mel founded and served as president of the Single-A Pioneer League Salt Lake Trappers. He also spent 12 years as chairman of Triple-A baseball's legislative committee.
Mel is no stranger to professional soccer having served as the president and general manager of the Canadian Soccer League's Edmonton Brickmen and National Professional Soccer League Edmonton Drillers. He also served as CSL president while operating the Brickmen.
Chris Baker
Born in Norwich, England , Chris Baker immigrated to Calgary, Alberta , in 1980 and began his involvement with Calgary soccer the following year. Since beginning his association with Calgary Soccer, Chris has served as coach, player and manager. He was also a member of the group responsible for the 1981 creation of the Villains Soccer Club.
Upon graduating from the University of Nottingham with a degree in geology in 1976, Chris became involved with North Sea oil exploration before his move to Brazil in 1979. The lure of Alberta 's oil boom landed the now 52-year-old in Calgary where he resides with his wife and two children.
Currently employed as the vice-president of exploration for a Calgary-based oil and gas company, Chris sits as president of Alberta Major Soccer League's Calgary Villains Elite FC which remains tightly connected to the soccer community through its comprehensive youth program and affiliation with the Elbow Valley Soccer Association.
Darren Hood
Darren Hood assumed majority ownership of the Saskatoon Accelerators franchise in September 2007.
The 33-year-old entrepreneur took over controlling interest in the franchise from Mel Kowalchuk, who, in addition to owning and operating the Accelerators franchise during the league’s 2007 Showcase Season, currently serves CMISL president.
“I want to make a positive difference and I want to promote family involvement and exercise,” stated the father of two pre-school age children. “I’m not afraid to take risks and think outside the box. I also like to take advantage of opportunities that I’m interested in. And I’m definitely interested in the Saskatoon Accelerators and the CMISL.”
Darren, who was born and raised in Edmonton, has been involved in the both the construction and oil and gas industry for the past 13 years. He currently counts real estate holdings in Saskatchewan and Alberta among his investment portfolio.
Dr. Brent Saik
Growing up in Edmonton , Alberta , 38-year-old Brent Saik was drawn to sports and was playing organized baseball by the time he was five. As his passion for baseball continued to grow, his talent grew as well and by his early teens Brent was playing baseball for a senior men's team. Later, Brent was invited to join the elite-calibre Team Alberta club where he played for two years.
As Brent's baseball talents continued to improve, he drew the interest of the Atlanta Braves in the late 1980s. The Braves organization asked Brent to attend junior college in California . However, he elected to attend college and play baseball in Oregon instead. Brent has been involved with baseball, directly or indirectly, since his playing days. Most recently Brent served as president of the Edmonton Big River Prospects, an amateur team comprised of college players who play in an elite league featuring teams in Saskatchewan and Alberta .
A graduate of Edmonton 's M.E. Lazerte Composite High School , Brent obtained his BSc. at the University of Alberta . He later attended college in Portland , Oregon where he obtained his doctorate of optometry.
In 1994, Brent decided to expand his already successful Alberta Sports Vision Institute optometry business and undertook to franchise the concept. Alberta 's eight ASVI outlets are a testament to Brent's business acumen and demonstrate the success of that initial franchising effort.
Not one to gravitate toward the media spotlight, Brent's 2003 attempt to raise funds for pediatric cancer research became front-page news in Edmonton and garnered national and international attention when he and several friends elected to play a non-stop outdoor hockey game. The ?03 game lasted three and a half days, while the ?05 contest went on for over 10 days and landed Brent's group in the Guinness Book of World Records. More significant than setting a world record from Brent's perspective, the two outdoor games generated $600,000 in donations for cancer research.
Brent has one daughter and resides in Strathcona County .
William W. (Bill) Stewart
A native of Manitoba , Bill Stewart has spent the past seven years in minor league sports marketing, management, and ownership.
His most recent endeavor was the start-up of the Colorado Eagles of the Central Hockey League (CHL). He served as the CEO and managing partner of Larimer County Sports, LLC, the Eagles' ownership entity.
Bill set up the business plan, organizational structure, and marketing for what is now the most successful AA hockey franchise in North America . The Colorado Eagles have sold out every 110 consecutive regular season and playoff games and completed their third season winning the league championship, the President's Cup.
The team plays at the Budweiser Events Center in Loveland , Colorado , and set records in corporate sponsorship sales as a first year franchise. Bill was also instrumental in negotiating television and radio contracts. The television contract was a three-year agreement to televise 10 games per year with Altitude Sports & Entertainment and Kroenke Sports.
Bill started his foray into professional sports management when he purchased the Richmond ( Va. ) Renegades of the ECHL. He formed an ownership group that included two NHL teams, the Washington Capitals and San Jose Sharks. He served as the President and CEO. of Richmond Sports Partners, LLC. Bill managed the franchise on a day-to-day basis for 18 months. During that period, he was able to ebb the historically falling ticket sales and increased corporate sponsorship sales. After leaving Virginia , Bill returned to Colorado .
Bill currently serves as the president of Zephyr Bay Sports Partners, LLC which has ownership interests in a professional hockey franchise and owns part of the Milwaukee Mile, the oldest NASCAR track in North America . Bill also serves as the President/CEO of Colorado Oil & Gas, a small Rocky Mountain oil and gas producer.
Bill lives in Highlands Ranch, Colorado , with his wife and three children. He graduated from the University of Denver with a B.S.B.A. in finance and played for the Denver University Pioneers hockey team from 1979-1983. There he served as assistant captain and was honored during his senior year by being named to the WCHA All-Academic Team.
Bill was selected in the 1980 NHL draft by the Minnesota North Stars. Upon graduation from college, he played in the North Star system, but only after first playing for his country on the Canadian National Team in 1983. After playing hockey, but before venturing into the sports industry, Bill was a registered representative in the securities industry from 1985 until 1994. From 1994 until 1999, he owned and operated his own company, which raised capital for publicly traded, small cap and private companies. In this capacity he was involved in private placements of debt and equity to institutional investors, the restructuring off corporate debt, creation of strategic alliances, and advice to companies on mergers and acquisitions.