Front Office
Jeff & Jyll Katofsky
Owner
kat@jethawks.com
Parents of two boys, Jeff and Jyll Katofsky are baseball nuts. Becoming part of the ownership group for the Orem Owlz in 2004 was the beginning of a new connection to baseball for Jeff, Jyll, Jake and Casey. Now, owning the Lancaster JetHawks, a team in their own community, is a dream come true. In the San Fernando Valley area, Jeff has coached more than 75 youth baseball and girls softball teams and has been a volunteer board member of his local little league for over two decades. Jyll attends over 150 baseball games a year. A graduate of UCLA and Boalt Hall School of Law (Cal- Berkeley), Jeff is now a real estate developer and syndicator. Also a graduate of UCLA, Jyll has a master's degree in organizational psychology and a doctorate degree in process. “Hopefully, with our involvement in the local community and experience in fun, hilarity and, of course, high level professional baseball, we can make the JetHawks the first choice in entertainment,” explained Katofsky. “Look out for some wild surprises and laughter coming soon.”
Larry Thornhill
General Manager
larryt@jethawks.com
Larry is currently is enjoying his first season in Minor League Baseball Management. Hardly a new face around the park, Larry served as the Voice of Clear Channel stadium from opening day 1996 until 2001. He was elected to the JetHawks Hall of Fame and continued to support the JetHawks during the past seven years. Larry is a Southern California native and has lived in Lancaster since 1984. He has been involved in the community as the VP and Market Manager with Antelope Broadcasting and Clear Channel Radio since his move to the AV. Along the way he has put together some great community programs such as Varsity First Pitch (High School Baseball Tournament at the stadium), Monster Truck Shows at the Antelope Valley Fairgrounds, Concerts at the Palmdale Amphitheatre, and Ice Skating Rink for the Holiday Season. He has worked closely in the community with local groups in promoting their causes. Larry also performed as the voice of AVC Marauder athletics in the 90's on KAVL Radio as well as High School Football on radio and Local Channel 3. Larry is a huge fan of baseball and youth sports in the community and looks forward to a great 2009 season.
Derek Sharp
Assistant General Manager
Derek@JetHawks.com
Derek enters his second season as Assistant General Manager of the Lancaster JetHawks. Originally from Piqua, Ohio, Derek is in his tenth season in minor league baseball. Before coming to the JetHawks in 2008, Derek was General Manager of the Batavia (NY) Muckdogs of the New York-Penn League. Prior to that his first six seasons were spent with the Hudson Valley Renegades in New York, also part of the New York-Penn League. During his tenure in Hudson Valley, Derek began his career as a ticket intern and eventually became the Assistant General Manager. An avid Ohio State Buckeyes, Cleveland Browns, & Cincinnati Reds fan, Derek is married to Ashley and lives in Lancaster. They also have a part Beagle and part German Shepard (that’s not a typo) dog named Scooby.
John Laferney
Director of Stadium Operations
john@jethawks.com
John has been a member of the JetHawks franchise since it relocated to the Antelope Valley.
Jeremy Castillo
Director of Promotions & Group Sales
jeremy@jethawks.com
After joining the JetHawks during the 2007 season, this will be Jeremy's second full season with the team. Jeremy has worked in the radio broadcast industry for over five years and is excited to adapt that experience to his true passion: BASEBALL! The Antelope Valley has been home to Jeremy and his two young children for five years. He enjoys fishing at Apollo Park, the gym and being disappointed by the Dodgers every season!
Jeremy Castillo
Director Of Hispanic Relations
jeremy@jethawks.com
In addition to Jeremy's other responsibilites with the Club he also serves as the JetHawks Liason to the Hispanic Community. Jeremy learned to speak Spanish while living and working in the small South American Country of Ecuador. His love for the culture and language led him to pursue a degree in Spanish and Anthropology. Currently he is working on a Spanish language website for the JetHawks and organizing a handful of special nights this season. Viva los Hacones!
Trent Wondra
Director of Ticket Operations
Trent@JetHawks.com
Trent begins his second season with the JetHawks. Previously, he worked for the Brevard County Manatees in Melbourne, FL and is a graduate from the University of Dayton in Dayton, OH. Despite originally hailing from Memphis, TN; Trent is a fan of the Green Bay Packers, Detroit Red Wings, Oakland Athletics, and St. Louis Cardinals.
Jeff Lasky
Director of Broadcasting/Media Relations
jeff@jethawks.com
A native of Southern California, Jeff enters his fourth season behind the microphone doing the radio play-by-play for the JetHawks. Jeff hosts the JetHawks Clubhouse Show radio talk show to bring a greater emphasis on the personalities of the players. He also handles all JetHawks media relations, working with local media members and serving as a team spokesman and frequent interview guest to spread news about JetHawks nation across the country.
Will Murphy
Director of Community Relations
Will@JetHawks.com
Will is in his second season with the JetHawks in 2009. Prior to joining the JetHawks staff, he spent three seasons with the Modesto Nuts as the club's Director of Public Relations. Will graduated from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles with a BA in history and also played four years of college lacrosse for Loyola Marymount. He was born and raised in San Francisco, and grew up loving the 49ers, Giants and Warriors.
Brandi Casas
Food and Beverage Director
brandic@jethawks.com
California native, I am going on my 5th season with the JetHawks. I am currently attending DeVry University working on my BA in Science my major is CIS. I have a three year old daughter, who loves to be here with her brothers watching the game. I am just happy to work another season with the JetHawks!
Tanya Eubanks
Suite & Specialty Food Manager
tanya@jethawks.com
Tanya is in her second season with the Lancaster JetHawks. As the Suite and Specialty Food Manager, she oversees the servicing of the JetHawks luxury suites and other special concessions projects at the Hanager. A proud parent of two children, Tanya is currently in college working on her BA to become a CPA.
Jeff Olerud
Assistant Director of Ticket Operations
jeffo@jethawks.com
The 2009 season will be my first season with the JetHawks and my second year in professional Baseball. In 2007, I interned for Rockford RiverHawks in the Frontier League. I am a graduate from Minnesota State University, Mankato I was born and raised in Bloomington, Minnesota, “home to the Mall of America”. I am a fan of the Minnesota Twins, Vikings, Wild, and the U of M Gophers.
Brittney Sheffield
Assistant Director of Promotions / In game Entertainment
Brittney is in her first season with the JetHawks. She graduated with a degree in Entertainment Management from Missouri State University in 2005 also spending two years as an MSU Diamond Girl. Prior to joining the JetHawks staff, she traveled the world as an assistant Cruise Line Director for Holland America Line. In her spare time Brittney enjoys dancing, watching 24, and cheering on the OU Sooners.
Chris French
Assistant Director of Community Relations
Chris is in his first year with the JetHawks this season after five years in Seattle working for the Mariners in the merchandising department and attending Seattle University. As an avid fan of baseball, Chris enjoys rooting for the Giants, White Sox and the aforementioned Mariners. He enjoys the city life and going on random adventures. He also enjoys watching LOST and considers it to be the greatest show of all time.
Will Flemming
Assistant Director of Broadcasting/Media Relations
willf@jethawks.com
Will joins the JetHawks for his first season in Minor League Baseball. He attended Stanford University and did the radio broadcasts for the men’s basketball and baseball teams. Will grew up in Alexandria, VA and is a fan of the Washington Redskins, St. Louis Cardinals and San Francisco Giants. His favorite Peanuts character is Franklin.
