US Club Soccer welcomes three new staff members
CHARLESTON, S.C. (Jan. 13, 2022) – Necessitated by continued growth, US Club Soccer has hired three new staff members to bolster existing departments and resources.
“We have made these key hires with the goal to not only strengthen existing areas of US Club Soccer, but also meet important strategic initiatives and support the needs of our membership,” said US Club Soccer CEO/Executive Director Mike Cullina. “I am excited with the direction of the organization.”
Below are the newcomers joining US Club Soccer:
Tyler Heffernan | Sr. Director of Marketing & Communications
Heffernan returns to US Club Soccer to build the marketing department and create and execute strategies that support business enterprise goals, including robust member offerings. After working with US Club Soccer from 2013-20, Heffernan managed the communications team at Advanced Technology International, where he led a rebrand, developed strategic policies, and directed redesigns of the company’s marketing channels.
Abby Soderholm | Coordinator of Club Development & Outreach
Soderholm joins the organization to help build US Club Soccer’s coaching education offerings and the continued development and implementation of the Players First philosophy. She brings three years of coaching experience at Lake Prior Soccer Club in Minnesota and a U.S. Soccer National D License to the position. A communications graduate from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, Soderholm was a four-year starter and all-conference selection on the women’s soccer team, and worked as an Athletic Department Associate. She begins her position on January 24.
Vito Testa, Jr. | Sr. Manager of Risk Management, Discipline and Appeals
Testa joins US Club Soccer after three years in U.S. Soccer’s Referee Operations Department, where he was instrumental in establishing and guiding the strategic vision of the program. In his new role, Testa is responsible for the day-to-day management and execution of US Club Soccer’s risk management, discipline, and appeals initiatives, with a focus on ensuring the well-being of our collective participants. Testa also brings nearly three decades of referee experience as a U.S. Soccer official, instructor, assessor and assignor, as well as coaching and advisory experience in his hometown of Akron, Ohio.
“Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of working with incredibly talented and passionate people,” Cullina said in his letter to US Club Soccer membership on Tuesday. “US Club Soccer has attracted some of the most talented and loyal people in our sport. The success of the organization is due to their ability, and I’m honored to join the team and provide them the resources necessary to be successful.”
ABOUT US CLUB SOCCER
A National Association member of the U.S. Soccer Federation, US Club Soccer fosters the growth and development of soccer clubs in order to create the best possible environment for players of all ages.
Anchored by Players First and its pillars of Club Development, Coaching Development, Player Development, Referee Development, Parent Engagement and Player Health & Safety, US Club Soccer offers registration, league- and cup-based competition platforms, player identification and a variety of other programming, resources and services.
US Club Soccer is sponsored by Nike, DICK'S Sporting Goods and Gatorade.
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