Staff

Kirk Underwood is the Director of Sales for the River Dragons and was named the Assistant General Manager for Ignite Sports' Baseball Properties in March of 2022.

A native of Littleton, Colorado, Underwood grew up playing hockey and baseball. He moved away from home when he was 16 to play junior hockey on the east coast for the next four years.

After junior hockey, he attended Chatham University in Pittsburgh, Pa. for two years before transferring to UNLV where he graduated in 2020 with a B.S. in Kinesiology.

Mac Hill was promoted from Business Development Manager to Manager of Business Operations in May 2025. In his new role, Hill oversees all aspects of day-to-day business operations of the River Dragons.

Hill most recently served as an account executive, playing a pivotal role in corporate and group sales for the River Dragons. He was also the Manager on Duty (MOD) on game nights for CRD, handling all communications and operations efforts with the Columbus Civic Center staff.

He has been a key contributor and leader with Ignite Sports and Entertainment since it's beginning, taking the business operations to new heights. 

A native of Columbus, Hill enjoys bluegrass music, baseball, gardening, spending time on the farm and helping local businesses.

Ryan Galvin joined the Columbus River Dragons staff as a Sales Associate in March 2025. Galvin is also in his second season playing with the River Dragons.

Galvin is a native of Atlanta, Ga. and moved to the Northeast at age 18 to pursue junior hockey. While in the Northeast, Galvin obtained both his bachelors degree in sports management and masters degree in business administration from Wilkes University. He also worked as a graduate assistant for the Wilkes-Barre Small Business Development Center. 

Born in San Diego and raised in Virginia, Jen Brown brings a blend of coastal energy and southern hospitality to the team. With a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, she combines sharp organization skills, a people-first mindset, and a passion for creating memorable fan experiences.

April brings over 20 years of marketing expertise, having spearheaded rebranding and brand-building efforts for multimillion-dollar companies across the United States. Known for her creative and results-driven approach, April has helped countless businesses craft bold strategies that drive growth. While excelling in corporate marketing, she and her team are equally passionate about supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses, offering personalized solutions to help them stand out in competitive markets.

April’s accomplishments extend beyond the business world—she has been a guest speaker for Virginia Tech Women in STEM and provided mentorship guidance through Wake Forest University School of Business, where she empowered the next generation of business leaders and marketers.

Whether she’s helping a startup build its brand from scratch or leading a major rebranding initiative, April is dedicated to delivering success through innovative, action-inspiring strategies.

Shelby Smith is a Michigan native who has built her career through life on the move as a military spouse. After traveling across the country while her husband served in the U.S. Army, their family made Alabama home following 10 years of relocations. With over a decade of experience in photography and social media, Shelby has a strong passion for storytelling through visuals and digital branding.

In 2023, Shelby began working as a social media intern for the River Dragons. Her role quickly evolved into photographing the team, a dream opportunity that combines her lifelong love of hockey with her professional skills. Her passion for the sport began at a young age while watching the Detroit Red Wings with her father, making her current work especially meaningful.

She is a proud mom of four and a devoted wife. When she is not at a game, you can find her at her two daughters' all-star cheer competitions or enjoying quality time at home with her family. Shelby is excited to see what this season brings.

Gotimer, 27, joins the River Dragons from the ECHL’s Atlanta Gladiators, where he called 170+ games on Flo Hockey, MixLR, YouTube, and the Peachtree Sports Network. As a member of the Gladiators, Liam consistently brought the action to life, captivating fans with his energetic commentary and live interactions throughout each game.

A native of Long Island, New York, Liam began his broadcasting career with the State University of New York at Oswego, calling games for the school’s men’s and women’s hockey programs. Following the 2021-22 season, Liam was recognized with a New York State Broadcaster’s Association Award for his play-by-play coverage of Oswego State vs. Brockport in November of 2021.

Trent Davidson is the Regional Vice President of the Georgia Region for Buffalo Rock Company. He is very active in serving the communities of the territories for which he is responsible. Along with serving on many philanthropic and outreach organization boards, Trent is also the chairman of the Georgia Beverage Association. In 2016, he was selected as a Southwest Georgia 40 Under 40 recipient.  The same year, he was the Chaplain for the Georgia Firebirds Arena Football Team. In 2018, Trent was chosen as one of GeorgiaTrend’s 40 Under 40 recipient for the entire state of Georgia. 

Trent is frequently sought as a speaker for events encompassing business, leadership, motivation, testimony, and Christianity. Raised in Brewton, AL, Trent was a multi-sport standout at T.R. Miller High School, playing on two State Championship teams. He committed to play football at The University of Alabama, over 30+ other scholarship offers. At Alabama Trent was a letterman, named to the President’s List and graduated with a degree in Consumer Affairs in 2008. 

Trent and his wife Brittany have two sons. Trent enjoys spending time with his family, hunting, fishing, and traveling. Trent describes his parents, Gerald and Sharon Davidson as two of his heroes and mentors.  Along with a being a huge fan of the River Dragons, Trent loves to be a resource to the team and players for life outside of Hockey.

Melana is the kind of person who jumps into the things she loves with full enthusiasm, and hockey just happens to be one of those lifelong passions. The sport has been part of her world for years, and she still gets that same spark of excitement every time a game starts.

When she’s not caught up in the action on the ice, Melana loves being near the water. The ocean, aquariums, and anything involving marine life instantly put her at ease and keep her curious.

Family is at the center of everything for her. Whether it’s a quiet day together or an outing with loved ones, those moments are always the ones she treasures most.

Melana keeps life simple: good hockey, ocean views, and time with the people who matter.

Born in Edmonton and raised stateside in Glen Allen, VA, Taylor St. Jacques is an Auburn University alumna with a Bachelor's in Business Administration with a focus in management. 

Taylor is an International Show Jumper and formerly on the Auburn Equestrian team, winning 3 SEC titles and 2 national titles with the Tigers.

Her family is filled with hockey players, not only did she play growing up but her brother Jay played for the River Dragons and her other brother, Jared played in college. She also has an uncle that is the current head coach of the Carolina Jr. Hurricanes.

When you hear the name Jerome Bechard, you might immediately think, “tough Columbus Hockey." Jerome was the 115th overall pick in the sixth round of the NHL draft by the Hartford Whalers. He signed with the LA Kings and played two years with their farm team in New Haven, Connecticut. Jerome’s hockey career took him to the Birmingham Bulls for four years before spending the next twenty-one years in Columbus as a player and coach.

After the Cottonmouths franchise dissolved, Jerome’s love for Columbus and his desire to serve people, led him to a career in real estate and he joined Coldwell Banker in 2017. 

Jerome and his wife Rhonda have two daughters Alex, a graduate of the University of Georgia and Kylie who attends and plays soccer at Auburn University.

Austin Daae built a long and reliable professional career defined by consistent offensive production and steady leadership. After developing in the WHL and SJHL, highlighted by a 71-point season with Estevan in 2013–14, he became a proven contributor across the SPHL and FPHL. His ability to adapt, create offense and provide veteran stability allowed him to make an impact in every organization he joined.

Daae became a cornerstone of the Columbus River Dragons after arriving in 2020–21. His 81-point season in 2021–22 established him as one of the league’s top forwards, and he continued to be a driving force through several strong seasons. Following his retirement at the end of last season, he transitioned seamlessly into coaching and now serves as an assistant coach, bringing his experience, professionalism and long history with the franchise to the next generation of River Dragons players.

Dr. Joseph Largeman is a graduate of Northwestern Dental School of Chicago, Illinois, and has over 19 years of clinical experience in all phases of general dentistry. He holds the following memberships:

• The American Dental Association
• The Academy of General Dentistry
• The Georgia Dental Association
• The Alpha Omega Dental Fraternity

Dr. Largeman regularly attends continuing education seminars to stay current with advances with dental technology and materials. He also has specialized training in Dental Sleep Medicine, and can treat snoring and sleep apnea.

Kirtley Adams was named the Assistant to the COO in May 2025. She previously served as the Assistant General Manager.

Adams is from Indianapolis and graduated from American Military University with a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration and Project Management.

When not working, Kirtley enjoys knitting, volunteering, spending time with her family, and enjoying an ice cold Mountain Dew and a Reese's.

Although she was born and raised in Louisiana, Kristen spent most of her adult life calling Georgia and Alaska home. With a Bachelor's degree from Louisiana College, and a Master's from University of Alaska Fairbanks, Kristen has held a variety of positions that have prepared her for her roles with Ignite Sports and BKI Accounting.  

She's a bit competitive, having played sports all of her life. From playing high school through college athletics and intramurals, to coaching her kids' sports teams, to competitive archery and kickball; she's at home on the field of play and often leans into those experiences while making career decisions.  

She's a self-professed lifelong student, often picking up courses to have the ability to better her clients' business. When she's not in the office she's usually looking for something new to experience, or curled up with a book and her dogs.  

Brent Clarke joins the Columbus River Dragons as Director of Scouting, bringing over a decade of coaching experience and a championship-winning pedigree. At 39, Clarke has held coaching roles with the FPHL's Watertown Wolves, Danville Dashers, and Elmira Enforcers, as well as the SPHL's Knoxville Ice Bears and the ECHL's Norfolk Admirals.

Clarke achieved significant success as Head Coach of the Watertown Wolves, leading the team to two Commissioner’s Cup Championships during separate stints. In his first professional head coaching season in 2014–15, he guided the Wolves to a 38-13-3 record. He returned in 2021–22 to post a 43-12-4 regular-season record and capture another Commissioner’s Cup Championship.

A seasoned professional player, Clarke competed in the IHL, SPHL, ECHL, CHL, and FPHL. He earned a championship with the SPHL’s Pensacola Ice Flyers in 2012–13 and skated in 53 combined games with the Columbus Cottonmouths, recording 20 points with eight goals and 12 assists.

Clarke is excited to return to Columbus, reconnecting with familiar faces and joining a passionate hockey community. His experience, credibility, and keen eye for talent make him a key asset to the River Dragons’ hockey operations.