Meet the Team

Tony is passionate that our stakeholders and donors get the most from their fundraising efforts, so collectively we ensure money is not a limiting factor for young athletes actualizing their full potential on and off the field. Tony is responsible for overseeing Operation Player Assist’s day-to-day operations, sharing fundraising best practices and executing seamless and well-timed events to maximize your organizations fun and profit.

Prior to Operation Player Assist Tony spent 20 years in the fundraising world supporting schools, hospitals and corporate giving – most recently as Sr. Vice President for Book Are Fun / Collective Goods, one of America’s premiere fundraising event organizations. Tony was also a Sr. Account Executive for Blast Motion – a sports technology company focused on using data for player development. Tony combines his technology expertise and fundraising experience to help our clients maximize their fundraising efforts. Tony has a BA in Psychology from Eastern Illinois and a Masters in Education at National Louis University.

Athletically – Tony was a baseball player for Eastern Illinois University, played professionally with the Schaumburg Flyers and has been both a youth softball and baseball coach. He is the father of two athletes that are currently playing baseball and softball at the D1 level.

Billy is responsible for ensuring Operations Player Assist’s solution, product, services and support and meets the fundraising, financial, strategic and brand needs of club owners.

With over 15 years experience as an owner of Slammers Baseball and Softball a baseball club in Colorado that oversees the success and development of over 1200 players a year. Billy is keenly aware that we Operation Player Assist need to support owners with a solution that generates maximum outcome to effort to help delight your parents and players. Billy’s focus is to make fundraising frictionless and easy for Club Owners so Club owners and their coaches can focus on their mission of delivering great experiences for their families and players. Billy has an MBA with an emphasis in Finance from University of Colorado at Denver and a BA in Exercise Science from University of Texas at Arlington.

Athletically Billy played baseball at the University of Texas at Arlington, 8 years professionally for the Mets, Diamondbacks, Nationals and with the Yakult Swallows in Japan.

Billy has spent the last 20 years coaching, instructing, and mentoring kids of all ages and skill levels.

Happily married and a father of 4 wonderful children – 3 daughters and a son. Our kids have played competitive football, baseball, basketball, volleyball, soccer, gymnastics, swimming, and track at some point in their lives, so we have been exposed to every type of club at one time or another. Currently, our oldest daughter is a registered nurse and about to start her Master Nurse Practioner Program and our son is playing in the New York Yankees minor league system. Our youngest daughters are in 7th and 9th grade and just beginning the competitive club basketball scene.

Barbie Howard in responsible for making Operation Player Assist the fastest and most effective fundraising event players, parents, and coaches have ever experienced.

Prior to joining Operation Player Assist Barbie worked in corporate events for over 10 years running trade shows across Western United States. She combines her expertise in creating great events, with her exceptional training and project management leadership to help parents and coaches help their players and families have fun, frictionless and profitable experience during your fundraising events.

Barbie is the mother of two multi sport athletes that have recently realized their dreams of playing football and running track at the collegiate level. Barbie believes that participation in youth sports enhances the development of exceptional young adults. She is passionate about helping ensure families are able to support this drive and dream for their children.