AL PIERCE
Over 30 years of executive experience in importing, distributing, marketing and selling products B2B. Designed nearly 2 dozen patents and trademarks for use in the sporting goods industry and team sports business. Began visiting and importing products from China in the '80s for distribution throughout the US. Placed many products on the shelves of the largest retailers in the US and on the best sports teams for several decades including NFL, NBA, MLB, Olympic and Collegiate teams.
Experience includes: Import-Export; Manufacturing, Purchasing, Designing, Product Development, Patents, Patent Applications-potential values and uses, Logistics; Warehousing; Distribution, Marketing, Advertising, Sales, Establishing and Managing Sales Teams, Contract Negotiations, Licensed Products, Celebrity Endorsements, Budgeting, Forecasting and overseeing all fiscal responsibilities for a company.
Sean James
As a former professional athlete, and now as an experienced Business Manager, Sean has the unique ability to counsel clients to maximize their financial opportunities as athletes and entertainers. Sean's intimate knowledge of the transition from collegiate sports to the professional arena, as well as keen insights on the lifestyle and responsibilities of a professional athlete, provides clients with extraordinary resources and the prestige of a strong financial institution that also fosters a "boutique environment" focusing on the individual. A leader and natural philanthropist Sean James sits on the board of a number of non-profit organizations while working with communities around the world.
SEAN Dennis
Born in Pittsburgh and raised in Westampton, NJ, Sean began a highly touted sports career in soccer, playing for the South Jersey Select, Mid-Atlantic and US Olympic developmental programs. Attending Holy Cross High School, he opted to play football, becoming one of the top punters in New Jersey, garnering county and state honors, and eventually enrolling at Monmouth University, where he entered into the Leon Hess School of Business. He completed his college career as a four year starter and two time All American helping the school to three conference championships, two bowl games and one national title. Going undrafted in 2007, Sean has spent off-season and preseason under the tutelage of the Miami Dolphins and Baltimore Ravens. Deciding to play one and final year of football, he was voted the starting kicker in the 2013 Army~Navy All-Star classic with the AFL Philadelphia Soul.
While on his journey, Sean started PKP Remodeling in 2010, concentrating in flooring, kitchen and bath while maintaining a focus on growing its portfolio to include property in the tri-state, DMV, and Western Michigan areas. An avid investor in real estate, he has over 10+ years in business development, specializing in hospitality, entertainment and nightlife.
Currently, as a low amateur golfer, Sean is a certified instructor to youth and adults through his academy in Philadelphia, where he currently resides.
Joseph Benincasa IV
Joseph Benincasa IV, Esq. is an associate attorney at Sacco & Fillas, LLP, where he plays a vital role within the firm’s NFL Concussion Settlement Group. His primary focus is representing former NFL players and professional athletes who have sustained traumatic brain injuries and other long-term neurological conditions as a result of their playing careers. Through meticulous legal strategy and compassionate advocacy, Joe ensures his clients receive the care, compensation, and recognition they deserve.
Joe also practices sports and entertainment law, offering comprehensive legal representation to professional athletes, entertainers, and public figures. His services span contract negotiation, endorsement agreements, dispute resolution, intellectual property, and legal compliance—making him a trusted advisor for clients navigating high-stakes industries.
Before joining Sacco & Fillas, Joe cultivated a strong and diversified legal background that includes labor and employment law, corporate litigation, commercial disputes, and insurance defense. His early experience defending corporate clients and insurance companies sharpened his ability to build strong cases and anticipate legal challenges from all angles—skills he now leverages on behalf of athletes and entertainers seeking justice and protection.
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Geoff Pope
Detroit native, Geoff Pope is currently a Senior Vice President at a global professional services firm. He specializes in providing insurance, risk management, and human capital solutions for organizations of all sizes. His focus and expertise include intellectual property, life sciences, and complex mergers & acquisitions. Geoff is considered an industry leader with more than 10 years of experience. His professional work has been published in several journals, including a white paper regarding the impact of interest rate hikes on large real estate risk, capital expenditures, and their subsequent impact on long-term valuations and insurance premiums. He’s also been interviewed and asked to speak on several panels regarding intellectual property, cannabis risk, and mentorship for young professionals.
Prior to his current career, Geoff played 4 seasons in the NFL, capped by winning a Super Bowl Championship as a rookie with the New York Giants. Thrust into immediate action, he played a pivotal role in their historic playoff run. He went on to play two seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals and one season with the Philadelphia Eagles before suffering a career-ending injury.
He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Eastern Michigan University, and a Masters of Business Administration from Columbia Business School. During his time at Columbia, he built an entrepreneurship curriculum for incarcerated individuals preparing to reenter society. That curriculum is currently being taught by Columbia students at several New York state facilities. Upon graduating, he was recognized as a top global graduate by Poets & Quants.
Geoff has sat on several nonprofit boards, including the National Epilepsy Foundation, where he was a member of the Executive Committee, Chaired the Audit Committee, and led a national initiative. He continues to support his community in a number of ways and is involved in several entrepreneurship endeavors.
PASTOR HERBERT LUSK III
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Reverend Herbert H. Lusk, III is the Pastor of Greater Exodus Baptist Church in Philadelphia, PA, a holistic ministry that meets the spiritual, educational, workforce, and social service needs of families locally and abroad.
He took over after his father, the late Reverend Dr. Herbert H. Lusk, II, who guided Greater Exodus for four decades, taking it from a small congregation to a flourishing ministry with significant impacts at local, regional, national, and global levels. After acquiring his theological education at the Reformed Episcopal Seminary in Blue Bell, PA, Reverend Lusk was ordained by his father.
Before assuming the pastoral leadership role at Greater Exodus, Reverend Lusk headed the Church’s Youth and Young Adult Ministry for ten years. During this time, he created programs focused on helping young individuals discover their identity in Christ, understand the strength of prayer, cultivate their talents in service to God, and cultivate them to be loyal disciples and leaders. Additionally, he served as an assistant to the Pastor.
Reverend Lusk has had the privilege of serving internationally in both Haiti and Korea as part of the Annual Friendship Tour. During this tour, which brought together a delegation of African-American pastors and church leaders from various parts of the United States, he actively engaged in fostering relationships between African-American and Korean Churches, aiming to promote unity within the larger Body of Christ.
Pastor Lusk is a dedicated member of multiple impactful organizations. He sits on the Board of Governors of Valley Youth House, which supports young individuals facing homelessness, housing insecurity, and familial disruptions to help them secure independent and healthy futures. Furthermore, he had the honor of serving on the Philadelphia Host Committee for the inaugural Global Entrepreneurship Week, a prestigious event that celebrates innovators and job creators worldwide.
Pastor Lusk also plays a vital role as a board member of People For People, Inc., a non-profit that emerged from Greater Exodus Baptist Church and was established by his father back in 1989. Additionally, he holds the esteemed position of Chairman at G.E. Ministries, where he oversees the operations of Frederick Douglass Christian School and the Grace Dental Clinic in Chester, PA.
In honor of his servant leadership, Reverend Lusk was recognized as a National Champion by BMe, a renowned national network of organizations dedicated to backing leaders and fostering racial equity to enhance the well-being of black communities. His ministry has been profoundly shaped by his parents, Dr. Herbert and Mrs. Vickey Lusk, who have exemplified obedience to God's calling and unwaveringly served God's people of all backgrounds with compassion, integrity, and love.
Reverend Lusk is deeply grateful and humbled by the opportunity to answer the Lord's call to advance His Kingdom and guide individuals towards a relationship with Jesus Christ.
ERIC CHILDS
Law Enforcement (Professional)
Eric Childs is a Newark, New Jersey native and former two-sport athlete at Weequahic High School, excelling in both football and basketball. He went on to attend Montgomery College before transferring to the University of Maryland, where he played Division I football and majored in Communications with a concentration in TV Broadcasting.
After college, Eric briefly pursued professional football with opportunities in both the National Football League and the Arena Football League, before joining the New York Jets organization in Game Day Operations. His journey eventually led him to a career in law enforcement, where he has dedicated more than 15 years of service. Eric has worked across multiple roles including Juvenile Detention, Probation, and as a Residential Aide at a Halfway House, consistently focusing on mentorship, accountability, and second chances for individuals navigating the justice system.
As an Advisory Board Member for Athletes for Vets, Eric brings his unique experience as an athlete, professional, and public servant to help guide the organization’s mission. His commitment to service, leadership, and community impact reflects the values that Athletes for Vets stands for—empowering veterans, athletes, and youth to reach their full potential.
HEATHER MICHAELS
For over 25 years, Heather Michaels has covered many incredibly inspirational stories. Heather Michaels has been a TV broadcast personality, producing a significant amount of sports and entertainment programming and telling legendary stories through the eyes of the most famous entertainment and sports stars in history. Heather was one of the first female personalities to break the barrier in the world of sports and entertainment journalism and has an incredibly insightful way of telling a story. Having been a pioneer in this industry, Michaels is an established presence in broadcasting and only gets involved in worthwhile projects that strike a chord with her. Michaels’ talent for telling the story in an even handed and compassionate manner has helped to shed light on extremely controversial topics.
NOEL LOWE
Noel Lowe, president and founder of FutureNET, Inc., a leading provider of information technology services in the Greater Philadelphia Region. Noel Lowe has over 26 years’ experience in the Information Technology (IT) industry. Noel launched the company in the 1990s providing customized Information Technology solutions for businesses across a broad spectrum of industries.
FutureNET, Inc. provide services to a diverse list of clients that includes the City of Philadelphia, Philadelphia International Airport, IBM, University of Pennsylvania, Temple University, SEPTA and small to mid-size businesses.
Selected as one of Philadelphia's 100 Fastest Growing Small Businesses by the Wharton Small Business Development Center, today, FutureNET, Inc. provides application and web development programming services, project lead and application training, among its many IT services.
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He is a former board member of Minority Supplier Development Council of PA-NJ-DE and Minority Business Enterprise Input Committee council-at-large promoting procurement opportunities for minority business enterprises. He is an executive member of The Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce.
JAMAL A. HAKIM
Jamal Hakim a veteran entertainment and marketing executive with over 20 years of
proven success in fast-paced environments. His experience
includes working in creative industries with a primary focus in the music
business, talent management, experiential marketing, live event
production. An expert in influence
marketing and trend forecasting.
Jamal's ability to speak
to wider audiences, resulted in a career of successfully producing and transacting a wide scope of business opportunities with Nike, Under Armour, the NFL Alumni, Hot 97, Live Nation, CAA, Def Jam and more.