Trish Heffelfinger, Executive Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

trishheff@mdsoccerplex.org
301-528-1481

Ms. Heffelfinger joined the foundation in 1998, helping it to develop the 24-field Maryland SoccerPlex and Discovery Sports Center, which both opened in the fall of 2000. Ms. Heffelfinger is the only Executive Director the SoccerPlex has known and over the last 16 years she has led it to unparalled growth. 

The SoccerPlex hosts more than 650,000 visitors annually and has evolved from a soccer only venue to one that hosts multiple sports and community events.  In June 2016 the SoccerPlex marked the culmination of its original vision with the dedication and opening of Fields 1 and 2, bringing the facility’s final outdoor field count to 24. The SoccerPlex is one of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission’s most successful public-private partnerships, bringing over $25 million in annual economic benefit and impact to the local economy. 

Recent acknowledgments of Ms. Heffelfinger’s and the SoccerPlex’s efforts include being named Hospitality Company of the Year by the Montgomery County Department of Economic Development in 2015 and the SoccerPlex’s Maureen Hendricks Field being named Professional Soccer Field of the Year by the Sports Turf Managers Association in 2014.

Ms. Heffelfinger and the foundation’s board of directors seek to make the athletic experience at the Maryland SoccerPlex both fun and safe. Last year Ms. Heffelfinger introduced two SoccerPlex initiatives to do just that:  SSCI’s Continual Background Monitoring Process for coach, volunteer and employee background checks; and the provision of certified athletic trainers on site every weekend to ensure timely evaluations of any injuries, particularly head injuries.  Both of these initiatives are unique to recreational sports programs in the region.

Under Ms. Heffelfinger’s leadership, the SoccerPlex continues to be actively involved in community engagement. The SoccerPlex recently added a Spanish website, has opened its facilities to local businesses to continue Germantown’s annual Oktoberfest tradition rebranded as “OktoberPlex”, and has increased participant scholarships five-fold over the last few years. The SoccerPlex has also partnered with the Black Rock Center for the Arts to create a summer camp called “Sports Meets the Arts.”

Ms. Heffelfinger has nearly 40 years of experience in marketing, advertising and communications. She started her career with Marriott Hotels and has held positions within the federal government and within the banking industry. She serves on the boards of the Maryland State Youth Soccer Association, Montgomery County Conference & Visitors Bureau and the Germantown Alliance. She just finished her term on the Maryland Tourism Development Board.

Keith Lenert, Director of Operations

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

klenert@mdsoccerplex.org
301-528-1482

Jimmy Escobar, Director, Programs & Business Development

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

jescobar@mdsoccerplex.org
301-528-1487

Annie Gavett, Marketing Manager

 

 

 

 

 

 

agavett@mdsoccerplex.org
301-528-1483

Sadia Harris, Financial Manager

 

 

 

 

 

 

sharris@mdsoccerplex.org
301-528-1485

Gary Burke, SAM Soccer Program Manager

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

gburke@mdsoccerplex.org
301-528-1491

Louie Jaramillo, Adult Soccer Program Manager

 

 

 

 

 

 

ljaramillo@mdsoccerplex.org
301-528-1484

Shana Harris, Marketing Coordinator/Birthday Party Coordinator

shanah@mdsoccerplex.org
301-528-1492

Operations Manager

TBD 

Kim Walter, Event Operations Manager

kwalter@mdsoccerplex.org
301-528-1494

Louise Waxler, Director of Discovery Cup

director@discoverycup.com
301-528-1494

Mihir Patel, Director of Special Events

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

mpatel@mdsoccerplex.org
301-528-1486

Grounds and Environmental Management

Ryan Bjorn & Boyd, Director of Grounds & Environmental Management

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

rbjorn@mdsoccerplex.org
301-601-4402

Mitch Litz, Manager of Grounds

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

mlitz@mdsoccerplex.org
301-601-4402

Martin P. Volz, Asst. Manager of Grounds

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

301-601-4402

Jonathan Swartz, Asst. Manager of Grounds

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

301-601-4402

William Godoy, Foreman

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

301-601-4402

Joel Cruz, Lead Operator

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

301-601-4402