Front Office and Game Day Staff

Front Office Staff

Jeff Burum

Managing Partner

Lisa Schafer

Director of Finance

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Jimmy Nordberg

Executive Vice President

Phone(909) 457-0252

EmailJNordberg@TheEmpireStrykers.com

A native of the Inland Empire, Jimmy Nordberg graduated from Rancho Cucamonga High School in 1997. Attended Azusa Pacific University and Cal State San Bernardino. Played in MLS and USL for 2.5 seasons before getting into coaching full time. He served as the Men's Assistant Coach at UC Riverside from 2003-2008. From 2017 -2023, Jimmy served as Head Coach of the Ontario Fury/Empire Strykers. He is currently the Executive Vice President of Operations.

Oliver King

General Manager

Phone(909) 457-0252

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A native of the Inland Empire, Oliver King was named Assistant General Manager ahead of the 2021 MASL season. Prior to joining the organization, Oliver headed a sports law firm engaged in the representation of athletes at various professional levels domestically and abroad. Oliver earned a Juris Doctorate from the University of La Verne College of Law, and a Bachelor of Arts from Gettysburg College.

Billy Velto

Director of Corporate Partnerships

Phone(909) 457-0252

EmailBVelto@theempirestrykers.com

A native of Upland, California, Billy joined The Empire Strykers prior to the 2023-2024 season. Prior to joining the Strykers, he worked for The LA Clippers for about seven years. He first started out as an intern for the Group Sales department in 2014 and eventually transitioned over to the basketball operations side of the organization. Billy worked as a G League Operations Assistant for three seasons where he was involved in handling day-day operations for the Ontario Clippers. He also interned for the LA Sparks during the summer of 2015. Billy earned his Masters Degree in Sports Management from Long Beach State while also completing a Bachelors Degree from Concordia University Irvine where he was the Team Manager for the 2012 NAIA Men's Basketball National Championship Team. Billy is a weight lifting fanatic and enjoys collecting credit card points so he can travel! #defendtheempire

Ashley Cole

Director of Community Relations & Partnerships

EmailACole@theempirestrykers.com

Ashley was born and raised in Orange County. She earned a Bachelor of Science from the University of La Verne. She graduated with departmental honors and Cum Laude from the university. In 2017, she graduated from the same university with a Masters of Science in Finance. Since her career years began in the financial industry, Ashley has found a passion for building community and networking with businesses. Ashley is an active member of Brea Chamber Board of Directors and a chapter member of Business Network International. As well, as an active member for Tomorrow’s Leaders for Cystic Fibrosis Foundation-Orange County Chapter. She enjoys being surrounded by close friends and family. In her free time she enjoys staying physically active by hiking, trying new restaurants, and reading. As she believes, synergy is created through committed action.

Angel Nieblas

Director, Ticket Operations

Phone(909) 457-0252

EmailANieblas@theempirestrykers.com

Angel is a proud father of three, with 13 years of experience as an International MMA Cage Fighter. His journey from the cage to fatherhood reflects his unwavering dedication, resilience, and belief in self-improvement. Beyond his fighting career, he now channels his passion into empowering youth through sports.

Drawing from his own experiences, he mentors young individuals, imparting the values of discipline, perseverance, and self-confidence. His global perspective and commitment to inspiring others showcase his evolution from fierce competitor to a compassionate mentor leaving an enduring legacy of empowerment.

Gunnar Berndt

Head of Communications

Phone(909)457-0252

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Born and raised in Germany, Gunnar Berndt holds a bachelor’s degree in German studies and a master’s degree in English/American studies from Ruhr-Universität in the city of Bochum. In addition to bleeding purple, Gunnar bleeds blue and white, the colors of his favorite Bundesliga side since childhood, VfL Bochum 1848. A naturalized U.S. citizen, Gunnar permanently moved stateside in 2011 and has since handled communications for teams in the USL, NWSL and MASL. His first affiliation with the Strykers dates back over a decade, as he worked for quasi-predecessor Anaheim Bolts in 2012-13, followed by a stint with the current iteration of the club (then named Ontario Fury) in 2019. When he’s not busy writing a press release, Gunnar might be training dogs or advocating for animal rights.

Tyler Bateman

Ticket Sales Coordinator

EmailTbateman@theempirestrykers.com

Tyler Bateman is a passionate advocate for youth empowerment and community engagement, hailing from the vibrant heart of the Inland Empire. Raised amidst the diverse tapestry of this region, he developed a deep-rooted connection to its people and values.

A graduate of Chino Hills High School, Tyler's formative years were marked by a commitment to excellence and a drive to make a difference. Throughout his career, Tyler has dedicated himself to various roles centered around youth development and community enrichment.

A proud supporter of the cerebral palsy foundation, Tyler is deeply invested in championing the rights and well-being of individuals with disabilities. His advocacy extends beyond mere words, as he actively participates in initiatives aimed at promoting inclusivity and accessibility for all.

Tyler's journey with Empire Strykers began through a transformative partnership with Anthesis, where he found a platform to channel his passion for community service into meaningful action. This collaboration served as a catalyst for his involvement in empowering youth through sports, fostering camaraderie, and nurturing leadership skills.

Seth Burum

Special Assistant

Phone(909) 457-0252

Seth, a native of the Inland Empire, grew up in the region. Having dedicated his entire life to playing soccer, he was a member of various teams, including Legends FC, LAFC Cosmos, FC Golden State Academy, Loyola High School, Marymount California University, and UC Riverside. With a Bachelor's degree in Business Marketing, Seth joined the franchise in 2022. His unwavering commitment and faith in The Empire inspire him daily as he strives to help the club achieve its ultimate goals and vision.

Hugo Magaña

Special Assistant

Andrew Massro

Creative Director

Phone(909) 457-0252

Emailmarketing@theempirestrykers.com

RJ Massro

Social Media & Marketing Manager

Phone(909) 457-0252

Emailmarketing@theempirestrykers.com

Nina Kiefer

Director of Game Entertainment

Phone(310) 850-1110

Emailninajkiefer26@gmail.com

Media & Game Day Staff

Mike Zepeda

Executive Producer and Director- Live Broadcast

Mike Zepeda has been the director and executive producer of the Empire Strykers (formerly the Ontario Fury) live video broadcasts since 2017; always working diligently to enhance the live broadcast production standard set forth by the Empire Strykers franchise. Today, the Empire Strykers live production is considered by many to be among the best (if not the best) in the Major Arena Soccer League. In March 2024, the Empire Strykers home broadcast was featured on the CBS GOLAZO Sports Network, bringing even more attention to the MASL.

Outside of the organization Mike has directed and produced broadcasts for the NCAA’s Big Sky Conference, the California Community College Athletic Association, and various other college and professional athletics throughout the country. Highlights from his productions have been featured on ESPN’s Top Plays. In addition to his work on TV, Mike utilizes his production skill set to produce live corporate events and brand videos. These include the live productions for The Shea Center’s Annual fundraiser, as well as IMA’s (Internet Marketing Association) IMPACT 20: The Year of Reinvention. IMPACT 20 successfully achieved the Guinness Book of World Record for Largest Attendance for a Virtual Marketing Conference with over 117,000 registrations and 11,000 unique engagements.

In 2023 Mike produced the live video board show for the RX3 7v7 Flag Football Tournament at Saddleback College. The charity fundraiser raised more than $1.5M for pediatric cancer research and featured NFL stars Aaron Rodgers, Josh Allen, and other NFL players, celebrities, and investors.

Matt Tindall

Production Manager

Matt Tindall is a veteran in the sports entertainment industry with 20 years of experience. He started in 2004 with The Angels’ High-A affiliate, The Inland Empire 66ers, and has been there to this day. Later, he was hired on with other sports organizations, including The Ontario Reign, UC Riverside Athletics, and The Ontario Fury. In 2016, he was promoted from Technical Director of The Ontario Fury (now The Empire Strykers) to Production Manager.

Matt is responsible for coordinating and executing all aspects of production, including scheduling, timing, transitions, and ensuring smooth operations throughout the game. He oversees the production team, communicates with performers and staff, manages technical aspects such as video, lighting and sound cues, and troubleshoots any issues that arise during the event. He essentially ensures that everything runs according to plan and that the event meets the expectations of both organizers and attendees.

Christian Filimon

Podcast Host/Broadcaster (English)

Christian aka “Filly” is originally from New York City and has been living in Los Angeles since 2016. He grew up an avid sports fan of all the local NYC teams. He was heavily involved in sports at a very young age. He has competed in several sports and athletic events all throughout his life and continues to do so. He is a graduate of Indiana University and has spent the past 16 years working in financial services as an advisor. He is the co-creator and co-host of Defenders of The Banc - The LAFC podcast, one of the largest run fan podcasts in Major League Soccer, aired in 109 countries with 300k + downloads. He been featured as a guest host on LAFC’s affiliate program 110 football doing both pregame and post-game commentary. He has also appeared as a guest on ESPN Radio’s very popular Weekend Warrior show with Dr. Robert Klapper. He brought his talents to Ontario, and along with his wife Amanda Filimon, they co-created and co-host Stryking Fury - the official podcast of the Organization. Filly has done work with the leagues MASL Insider show interviewing several players, coaches and the new commissioners. In addition to this media role within the Strykers he also has media roles with a few other teams. He is the play by play commentator for FC Premier Women’s Soccer, a team based out of Long Beach, CA competing in the WPSL. He is also the full time play by play broadcaster for UC Riversides Men + Women’s Soccer teams on ESPN+. In addition he is also the analyst commentator for UC Riversides Men + Wonens basketball teams. When he isn’t watching sports or podcasting Christian loves traveling, being active, playing guitar (he has been in several rock bands) and hanging out with his cats, the Gremlins (Harry, Huff and Hagrid) Schmitty McMittens.

Amanda Filimon

Podcast Host/Game Day Correspondent

Amanda “the Panda” Filimon hails from a small Midwest town in Indiana. Having grown up as a lover of all things sports related, it only felt natural to start a podcast where you get to talk about sports! She played Volleyball, Softball, Track, and was a Cheerleader in high school. After graduation she made the decision to join the US Army. She spent 15 years in the military, having spent a year overseas in Iraq from 2005-2006. She soon found herself in Nursing School, obtaining her RN, and soon traveled the US as an Operating Room Nurse. She currently works at Cedars-Sinai here in LA. She’s completed 6 marathons, is an avid cycler, and was once a professional cheerleader for the Arena Football Team, the Evansville Bluecats. She loves all animals, sports, and wine.

Jonathan Reimer

Broadcaster (English)

Joining the organizations broadcast team in 2021, Jonathan is a passionate member of the southland sports scene. Jonathan co-hosts Stryking Fury, the official podcast of The Organization with Christian “Filly” & Amanda “Panda” Filimon. Jonathan also hosts Shoulder 2 Shoulder podcast, a weekly MLS show based on the football community surrounding the Los Angeles Football Club. He has made numerous guest appearances on popular southland sports shows including 110 Football, Heart of LAFC, FCFC, Defenders of the Banc and many more. Jonathan is a Certified Sommelier from the Court of Master Sommeliers and has taught hundreds of courses on Wine, Beer & Spirits education.

Outside of his passion for sports, Jonathan lives for live music, the great outdoors and raising ducks at his home in Los Angeles.

Jon Speier

Game Day PA

Emailjspeier@hotmail.com

Since 2013, Jon's journey has been one of continuous evolution and growth, transitioning from gameday public address duties to a pivotal role in the front office. As a proud representative of the Empire Strykers, he dedicates his time to serving as a volunteer coach with the Rancho Cucamonga Special Olympics team, known as the “IncredABLES,” while also contributing to sponsorship initiatives and brand development strategies.

Jon's career in public address announcing commenced at Azusa Pacific University in 1994, where he lent his voice to the Cougars for a decade. During this time, his resonant tones reverberated across Southern California's airwaves, notably during Chick's Sporting Goods commercials.

Jon's expertise extends beyond the collegiate realm; he has served as a public address announcer for prestigious events such as USC Basketball games, private LA Dodger Stadium events, and for minor league baseball teams including the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes and the Inland Empire 66ers.

Ryan Young

Photographer

Emailonpointphotography24@gmail.com

Ryan Young is a dedicated local sports photographer based in the vibrant community of the Inland Empire. With a diverse background in capturing moments at music festivals and creating compelling portraits, Ryan's true passion lies in the realm of sports photography. His innate talent and fervor for the craft are vividly reflected in each snapshot he takes.

Since the 2022-2023 season, Ryan has been an integral part of Empire Stykers, where his keen eye and skillful techniques have contributed immensely to the team's visual storytelling. His portfolio showcases a remarkable blend of action-packed sports imagery, encapsulating the energy and emotion of the games.

For a glimpse into Ryan's captivating work, you can explore his portfolio on Instagram by following @ryansssportswatch.

Andru Brannum

Photographer

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Andru Brannum discovered his passion for photography during his high school years, initially exploring it as a hobby. Over time, his hobby evolved into a remarkable career. Beginning with capturing images at competitive high school football games and basketball matches, Andru swiftly made a name for himself in the world of sports photography.

His lens also ventured into the thrilling realm of outdoor soccer games, where his talent for freezing moments of intense action and emotion solidified his reputation as a skilled photographer. His portfolio expanded even further when he was invited to document the electrifying horse racing events at the prestigious 2023 Breeders Cup hosted at Santa Anita Park.

While excelling in sports photography, Andru's expertise isn't limited to athletics. His passion for car photography shines through in his work, earning him invitations to various car shows and events. Through his lens, he captures the elegance, power, and intricacies of automobiles, showcasing his versatile talent in the realm of visual storytelling.

Andru Brannum continues to create striking visual narratives, leveraging his innate talent and boundless passion for photography to immortalize moments of action, beauty, and excitement in both sports and automotive worlds.

Elijah Aguirre

Photographer

Luis Luviano

Videoagrapher

Julio Ramos

Broadcaster (Spanish)

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Pablo Morales

Broadcaster (Spanish)

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