Columbus River Dragons Staff
Front Office

Jeff Croop

Richard Bates

Kirk Underwood
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.
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.

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

Kristen Buley
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.
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.

April Ogle
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 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.

Mac Hill
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.
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.

Katelyn Lisznyai
A native of Columbia, South Carolina, Katelyn most recently served as the Senior Manager of Marketing Communications for the Lake Erie Crushers baseball team in Avon, Ohio. Before that, she spent three seasons with the Columbia Fireflies in their media department and worked as the Baseball Operations Coordinator for the Lexington County Blowfish. Working inside team environments showed Katelyn how sports has the ability to bring people and communities together in a way nothing else can, and that is what inspired her to build a career in this industry.

Liam Gotimer
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.
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.

Kirstin Neese
Kirstin, 27, is a passionate hockey enthusiast with a love for traveling to new arenas and cities to immerse herself in the sport at every level. Her professional journey began in 2018 at the NHL Shop in Manhattan, where her passion for hockey grew even deeper. From there, Kirstin spent six seasons with the Tampa Bay Lightning, serving as a key member of their merchandise team. During this time, she was honored to receive two Stanley Cup rings, celebrating the team's back-to-back championship victories. Beyond her work in hockey, Kirstin has also managed merchandise operations at over 100 concerts, bringing a wealth of experience in live event retail.

Colby Leandro
A native of Northwest Pennsylvania, Colby Leandro graduated from Mercyhurst University with a bachelor's degree in Data Science and Sport Business Management. With a passion for using technology to enhance operational efficiency and effectiveness, he serves as the Technology Solutions Coordinator for the Utah Grizzlies of the ECHL. He now joins the River Dragons staff as Online Assets Manager, bringing his experience to help the team enhance its digital capabilities. Outside of work, Colby enjoys spending time outdoors, listening to music, being with his friends, and the Lord.

Ryan Galvin
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.
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.

Taylor St. Jacques
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.
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.

Trent Davidson
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 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.












