David Halstead - Owner & CEO
David Halstead is proud to own the Philadelphia Independence and is committed to building the organization into a model sports program. Prior to his purchase of the franchise in 2009, he was President and CEO of Halstead Global LLC, a business-consulting firm providing market analysis, strategic and performance planning, and management assistance to growing commercial organizations. As a partner at the Bradson Corporation from 1991-2007, David earned a reputation for creating and sustaining effective corporate leadership teams, long-standing and profitable customer relationship programs, winning business development strategies, and disciplined internal processes, and he is credited with aiding the company’s excellent growth rates, outstanding EBITDA margins, and rise as a respected industry leader in the federal government marketplace. Prior to his career in consulting, he served in the United States Air Force and worked on Capitol Hill. He is active in community service and charitable organizations, including Make-A-Wish Foundation and Donor’s Choose, and he and his wife Linda live in Virginia raising their two soccer-playing daughters, Emily and Christina.
Louise Waxler - General Manager
Louise Waxler is recognized as one of the bedrock pioneers that has brought women’s professional soccer to the forefront of sports in the United States. For more than 20 years, Louise has served in key roles of professional and amateur sports management within the Maryland, DC, and Virginia soccer communities, as well as on the national and international levels for soccer expansion and governance. As Director of Operations for the WPS and WUSA Washington Freedom for several years, Louise managed all team, venue, and game day operations. Louise has been a member of the NSCAA since 1991, was Maryland’s FIFA Women’s World Cup National Coalition Chair, and currently serves as Executive VP of the Maryland State Youth Soccer Association Board of Directors. She has successfully directed numerous women’s and youth soccer initiatives and has extensive knowledge in the areas of operations, venue management, player services, outreach programs, and youth development. Louise and husband Rich have two daughters, Jamie and Lindsey.
Kelly Rowland - Director of Outreach Programs
Kelly Rowland has outstanding corporate talents as well as an excellent knowledge of women’s soccer played at its highest levels. Kelly grew up in Wallingford, PA, and attended Strath Haven High School. She played club soccer for FC Delco, where she was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2008, played EPYSA ODP for six years, and was a Region 1 selection for three years. Upon graduation from high school, Kelly attended Florida State University where she was a scholar athlete majoring in Business Administration. Her list of soccer accomplishments is long and distinguished, including two-time NSCAA All-American honors, two-year team captain, three-time All-ACC honors, NSCAA All-Region honors, record-holder for most starts for FSU with 93, Hermann Trophy candidacy, and more. Upon completion of her undergraduate degree, Kelly attended the University of Central Florida DeVos Sports Business Program, and graduated with an MBA and Masters in Sports Business Management.
Dani Collins - Director of Communications
The Philadelphia Independence is proud to have Dani Collins as the team’s Director of Communications. A South Jersey native, Dani returned home following her graduation from The College of William & Mary last May to join in the growth and expansion of the team’s community care and outreach, as well as the team’s youth development program. Dani transitioned into her current role as Director of Communications shortly after joining the company, and is responsible for all team communications and messaging within the community. Excelling both in the classroom and on the field during her college career, Dani brings the valuable combination of a Mason School of Business degree with the skills acquired competing at the highest levels of collegiate soccer. Dani graduated with a degree in Marketing and Entrepreneurship and an impressive list of athletic accolades, garnering both All-American and Academic All-American distinctions during her college career. As two-year team captain and named one of the CAA’s Top 25 players in 25 years, Dani’s leadership skills, experience in the game, and work ethic are all valuable assets to the Independence front office.
Erik Hansen - Director of Ticket Sales
The Philadelphia Independence is proud to have Erik Hansen as the Director of Ticket Sales. Erik has extensive experience working with professional sports franchises, most recently working as a Sales Specialist for the New York Jets of the NFL. Prior to working with the Jets, Erik served as the Vice President of Ticket Sales with the South Carolina Stingrays, an ice hockey team in the ECHL. Erik is no stranger to the Philadelphia area, having worked with the Comcast Spectacor for nearly six years in various roles. Erik was a Senior Account Executive with the Philadelphia Phantoms and ranked as the #1 sales representative. His success earned him a promotion to Assistant Director of Sales for the Phantoms, where he ranked #1 in sales during the year, in addition to managing and motivating seven sales representatives to ensure monthly sales goals were met and exceeded. During his final two years with the Comcast Spectacor, Erik served as an Inside Sales Manager for both the Philadelphia 76ers and the Philadelphia Flyers, gaining experience in both the NBA and NHL.
Laura Flynn - Marketing Manager
Laura Flynn is originally from Willow Grove, PA and possesses a full spectrum of communications expertise in the sports and fitness industries. Before joining the Independence, Laura was a marketing and business development consultant for The San Francisco Marathon where she developed corporate sponsorship packages, researched and implemented special events requirements, and managed event production. Laura has also worked for the national fitness chain, Equinox Fitness Clubs, and for Town Sports International, where she served as a copywriter and marketing manager, authored communications collateral for print and radio, and managed the company’s sports sponsorships, promotions, and website. Laura received her MS in Public Relations from Boston University and BS in Sports Management from California University of Pennsylvania. A former EPYSA player and Archbishop Wood soccer standout, Laura was a member of Council Rock United, Roslyn, Hulmeville and Philadelphia Soccer Clubs.
Ryan Kellagher - Ticket Sales
Ryan Kellagher is a very important member of the Independence’s sales team. Ryan is originally from Horsham, PA, and joined the front office with a wide range of sales experience in the professional sports world. He supported the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins of the AHL, and was an account executive and director of the “Mites on Ice” program for the Trenton Devils of the ECHL. Ryan received his BS degree in Sports Management from Misericordia University where he played soccer at the Division III level. Ryan was also a former high school player at Hatboro-Horsham. In his first season with the Independence staff, Ryan says “I’m extremely excited to help this organization grow in every way possible throughout the soccer community.”
Amy Smerdzinski - Ticket Sales
Amy joins the front office team as a Sales Account Manager with an extensive soccer background. Originally from Chantilly, Virginia, Amy attended Wake Forest University where she was a four-year member of the women’s soccer team, playing in every game for the Demon Deacons during her career. Excelling both on and off the field, Amy is a two-time ACC-All Academic honoree, earned All-ACC team honors, and graduated with a degree in Communications and Entrepreneurship. After graduation last May, Amy joined Florida’s FOX Sports marketing department, where she was responsible for the fulfillment of marketing contract elements with all professional and college team partners. Her duties included writing radio spots, being the liaision between creative services and clients to create print ads, and developing in-game marketing drops to run in pro-coverage to promote upcoming broadcasts and events. At FOX sports Amy also gained experience in Sales support, coordinating clients at major events including Orlando Magic basketball games. Amy is excited to become a member of the Independence team and take part in the return of Women's Professional Soccer to Philadelphia.
Alex Pajusi - Technology Support
Matt Ansbro - IT Solutions Consultant (Coleraine Design)