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Leadership
Board Of Directors
Sean Griffin
Chief Executive Officer
Sean Griffin is both the founder and Board President of G.E.A.R. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan where he obtained an Athletic Scholarship to play Football. Mr. Griffin has spent his entire life around athletics playing football, hockey, basketball and baseball. He also spent time in the role of Assistant Athletic Director at Detroit Catholic Central Highschool, helping him to further gather knowledge that helped to build the concept of the G.E.A.R. organization.
Mike Mittman
Board Member
Michael Mittman attended Detroit Catholic Central High School where he ran varsity Cross Country and Track. Michael continued running Cross Country and Track at Duke University where he earned a Degree in Economics. In his professional life, Michael draws on the lessons in teamwork, leadership, discipline, and sacrifice he learned playing sports as he manages a successful team of Private Wealth Advisors at Merrill PWM.
Tyrone Jordan
Board Member
Tyrone Jordan is a graduate and former football player of the University of Michigan. More than ten years ago, Mr. Jordan broke into the insurance industry, where he is currently a Vice President for the largest broker in the world. Mr. Jordan partners with many non-profit organizations through his sneaker company. Being born and raised in Flint, MI, he has always understood the privilege that he has and dedicates most of his free time to giving back to communities he loves.
Ed Lesnau
Board Member
Ed Lesnau is a graduate of the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business, obtaining a Masters Degree in Business Administration. Mr. Lesnau is a Director at PricewaterhouseCoopers Strategy and has more than 18 years of consulting and industry expertise. He passionately believes the experiences within sports strengthen character and develop work ethic. Through G.E.A.R, Mr. Lesnau strives to enable underprivileged youth to gain these experiences and build a skillset that will benefit them throughout their educational and professional careers.
Kristin Robinson
Board Member
Kristin Robinson is a two time graduate of the University of Michigan, attaining both Bachelors and Masters degrees. Ms. Robinson has 16 years working with community-based non-profit organizations, 12 years experience in Healthcare, and 8 years in Research. She is currently a non-profit consultant and grant writer. Ms. Robinson has been on both sides of sports, as a participant and as a coach. She began playing competitive sports at a very young age and they helped her develop into a committed team member and strong leader.
Sean Giovanni
Board Member
Sean Giovanni is a sonic storyteller who is passionate about helping artists achieve their unique creative vision. He achieves this mission as a Record Producer, Audio Engineer, Project Manager, Educator, and the owner of The Record Shop, a recording studio and multi-media production company in Nashville, TN. Mr. Giovanni believes in using his life to create art that will outlast him, and is passionate about helping others achieve that same fulfillment. His early experiences in athletics provided a foundation of teamwork and leadership and has been a driving factor in Mr. Giovanni’s relentless pursuit of success.
Ashley Smith
Board Member
Ashley Smith is a graduate of the University of Alabama, obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications. Ms. Smith has 25 years of experience in marketing and public relations in the sports, music and entertainment industries; working previously for ESPN, Turner Broadcasting (TNT, TBS), Madison Square Garden, Left Bank Organization (LBO), and New Era Management (now Red Mountain Entertainment). Ms. Smith is the founder of GSD Advisory, a marketing advising and strategy company that leverages Smith’s passions for connecting consumers and brands. She is also a current member of the University of Alabama’s College of Communications Board of Visitors. Ashley has been around team sports all her life and played basketball. She sees the value of team dynamics and the impact it can have on a young person.
Jarrett Irons
Board Member
Jarrett Irons is a two time graduate of the University of Michigan where he also played football and was Team Captain. Mr. Irons’s leadership skills are unmatched, as evidenced by his career experience in business, public relations, sports management and sales, among others. He began playing sports at a young age and has paired his ambitious nature with the lessons learned from his years spent playing team sports in his professional and personal life. He focuses on teamwork and the importance of goal-setting to give him the competitive edge that has made him who he is today.
Tonya Hall
Board Member
Tonya Hall is a graduate of the University of Arizona earning a Bachelor of Arts and Dual-Bachelor of Science degrees. Ms. Hall has over 15 years experience in Human Resource Consulting and is currently working on obtaining her Master’s Degree. Athletics have always been an integral part of her life, starting with playing softball, basketball and swimming competitively from a young age through high school. Tonya has also coached youth baseball, soccer and ice hockey. She was the President of the Atlanta Falcon’s Wives Club for seven seasons where she implemented several community philanthropic events yearly and fostered community/player relations via youth athletic camps and golf events. Ms. Hall attributes her resiliency, strong work ethic, and educational achievements to her own experiences in participating in athletics.