Senior Director of Public RelationsE-mail: rcleves@griffinshockey.com
Phone: (616) 774-4585 ext. 3046
Biography:
Number of seasons with the Griffins (through 2011-12):
13
What you love most about working for the Griffins:
Being a part of an organization that truly cares about its fans, its employees and the community.
Favorite Griffins memory:
The first Griffins/Sled Wings sled hockey game in 2005.
Favorite all-time Griffins players:
Matt Ellis, Bryan Helmer, Niklas Kronwall, Joey MacDonald, Donald MacLean.
Best thing about your job:
Spreading the Griffins' gospel!
Hometown:
Crestview Hills, KY
States (and provinces or countries) you’ve lived in:
Kentucky, Ohio, Kansas, Michigan
Spouse’s name/year you were married:
Colleen/1995.
Children:
One son, Regan.
College degree/year/school:
Sport Management from the University of Dayton, 1992.
Sports idol(s) as a youth:
Walter Payton, Tim Krumrie, Eric Davis, Magic Johnson.
Personal/professional hero(es):
Ronald Reagan, Teddy Roosevelt
As a child, you dreamed of becoming:
A pro football player, then a veterinarian.
First job/your age:
Working at my dad's refrigerator hardware manufacturing company, age 10.
Current dream job:
Owning either a canoe livery or a sports-themed microbrewery.
Other sports teams you’ve worked for:
Grand Rapids Rampage, Kansas City Blades, Dayton Bombers.
Proudest professional accomplishment:
Winning the AHL's PR/Marketing Award in 2007.
Most memorable on-the-job mistake/embarrassing moment:
Accidentally (and momentarily) unplugging Bob Kaser's mic during a new logo unveiling in Kansas City.
Professional memberships/civic leadership positions:
Serve on the board of directors for both the Griffins Youth Foundation and the West Michigan Sports Commission.
Favorite charities/charitable causes:
Disaster and hunger relief agencies.
Most exciting/unique thing you’ve done or place you’ve visited:
I went skydiving in college.
Sports played growing up:
Baseball
An interesting fact about you:
I rode a bike 1,500 miles through Europe the summer after graduating high school.
Favorite foods:
Burgers, pasta, Mexican
Favorite music artists:
Rush, Yes, Van Morrison
Favorite sports movie:
Bull Durham or Miracle
Favorite book or author:
John Eldridge
Favorite subject in elementary school:
Math
Favorite spectator sports:
Pro and college football, cycling, hockey
Favorite pro/college sports teams (excluding Griffins):
Cincinnati Bengals, Michigan Wolverines football, Cincinnati Reds, Kentucky Wildcats basketball.
Favorite recreational activities/hobbies:
Kayaking, cycling, hiking, reading.