Meet the Epic Staff
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Cathy Stamper, Managing Partner Cathy@TheEpicBrands.com |
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Cathy began cheerleading in Elementary school and continued on to be a team captain in high school and a two-year member of the nationally ranked University of Richmond cheerleading squad. After injuring her back and transferring to the University of Maryland, she found a new love in dance and became a two-year member of the University of Maryland Dance team in addition to coaching two competitive school cheerleading teams. Cathy started American Cheer and Dance Academy with her husband, Mike, and friend, Kendra, in 1991, where they organized local summer cheer camps and competitions at Six Flags America. Over the past twenty years, their local business branched into a leading national cheerleading production company. In addition to being a managing partner of EPIC Brands, she is a founding member of the NLCC (Nation’s Leading Cheer Companies) and SITA (Spirit Industry Trade Association), and a co-creator of Reach the Beach Nationals series and US Finals- The Final Destination, which is now the largest end-of-season cheer and dance competition in the world. In her spare time, Cathy is an active member of Our Lady of the Fields Catholic Church and the women’s scripture group Walking With Purpose, and enjoys running, yoga, musical theater, and spending time with her five wonderful children! |
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Lura Fleece, Managing Partner Lura@TheEpicBrands.com |
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Since 1985, Lura has dedicated herself to the sport of cheerleading. A former All-American cheerleader in high school, she attended the University of Maryland and was a three-year member and captain of the Terrapin Cheer squad. After graduating with a Communications degree, she worked with the National Cheerleaders Association and managed statewide after-school cheerleading programs, organized and coordinated cheer clinics and competitions, and choreographed routines for nationwide curriculums. Lura also served as captain of the NFL Baltimore Ravens' Cheerleaders and co-head coached the University of Maryland Spirit Squad for twelve years, leading the team to an NCA Collegiate championship in 1999. She became the coach for the University of Maryland Competitive Cheer team for four seasons and has recently returned to the Terps’ Competitive Cheer squad to Assistant Coach in addition to being a managing partner of EPIC Brands. As an owner of Spirit Unlimited, Lura is a founding member of the Battle at the Boardwalk Nationals series and a co-creator of the US Finals- The Final Destination, which is now the largest end-of-season cheer and dance competition in the world. |
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Mike Stamper, Managing Partner Mike@TheEpicBrands.com |
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Mike started his career in the spirit industry in 1991 when he cofounded American Cheer & Dance Academy (ACDA) with his wife Cathy. Since then, he has been instrumental in the creation and success of the “Reach the Beach” nationals series, a founding member of SITA- the first trade association in the spirit industry, and co founder/creator of “The Final Destination”, which became “The US Finals” and the most successful end of season spirit event in the country. Mike currently is a board member for the Independent Event Producers (IEP) and SITA, which recently merged with OSIP to create the new industry trade association named ASIP. Mike currently manages new business development, marketing, and retail for The Epic Brands. Prior to entering the spirit industry, Mike earned a degree in Architectural Design and worked in the Engineering field, then later became a Regional Sales Manager for the Marlin Company.
Mike and Cathy have five very active children ranging from third grade to college, all involved in various activities and sports. In his spare time, he enjoys running, skiing, sporting and social events, movies, music, travel, and anything outdoors. Mike and Cathy live in Anne Arundel County Outside Of Annapolis, Maryland. |
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Tina Galdieri, Managing Partner Tina@TheEpicBrands.com< |
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Tina’s involvement with cheerleading and dance transcends business; it is a passion that has been with her throughout her entire life. She began her journey taking her first dance lessons at age four, which lead her fourteen years later to the University of Maryland where she cheered for the Terrapins’ Co-ed Cheer squad. Her many spirit accolades included a five-year selection as National Cheerleaders Association Head Instructor, two-time High School and Collegiate All American nominee, and coach of the 1999 NCA National Champion Maryland All-Girl cheerleaders. She also had the honor of performing in the Opening Ceremonies of the 1996 Olympics. After celebrating twelve years as a Co-head Coach of the Terrapin cheer squad, she resigned to focus on her other role as the Director and Coach of the NFL’s World Champion-Baltimore Ravens Cheerleaders, where she has now been coaching for thirteen years. As an owner of Spirit Unlimited, Tina is a founding member of the Battle at the Boardwalk Nationals series and a co-creator of the US Finals- The Final Destination, which is now the largest end-of-season cheer and dance competition in the world. She currently resides in Grasonville, MD with her husband John and daughter Gracie.
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Tracy Farasy, Managing Partner Tracy@TheEpicBrands.com |
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Tracy began dancing at age three and traded in her dancing shoes to become a cheerleader in 1991. She holds a double degree in International Business Management and Spanish from the University of Maryland, where she was also a member of the Terrapin Co-Ed Cheerleading squad, earning a Collegiate All-American title. After college, Tracy became the assistant coach and later the head coach of the University of Maryland Cheerleading team in addition to dancing for the Washington Bullets for two years and the Washington Redskins for one year, where she earned top honors as a Pro Bowl cheerleader. She then became the dance coach for the NFL Baltimore Ravens Cheerleaders for ten years and is now the Director of the Lil' Ravens Cheerleading program. As an original owner of Spirit Unlimited, Tracy is a founding member of Battle at the Boardwalk Nationals series and a co-creator of US Finals- The Final Destination, which is now the largest end-of-season cheer and dance competition in the world. Aside from her dedication to the spirit industry, she has a wonderful husband, an adorable Yorkie named Zeus, and a love for dining out, cycling, painting, and goofing off with amazing friends and family
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Christy Wehner, Vice President Christy@TheEpicBrands.com |
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Christy brings an extensive dance, cheerleading, and gymnastics background to the EPIC Brands. Along with her comprehensive business management background, she has worked or performed with many recreational, high schools, all-star and professional programs since 1979. She was the Assistant Director for the Lil' Ravens Cheerleading program for five years and retired in 2005 as a six-year member of the NFL Baltimore Ravens Cheerleaders. Christy continues to coach cheerleading and dance on the All-Star level. Her accolades include receiving Ravens’ Cheerleader Rookie of the Year in 1999 and Unsung Hero in 2000. In addition to being the EPIC Brands’ Vice President, Christy is currently certified as a USASF Safety Judge, USASF Credentialed Coach (through Level 5), and holds an AACCA Safety Certification.
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Alison Stangle, Director of EPIC Relations Alison@TheEpicBrands.com |
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Alison has been involved in the cheerleading industry for the past eighteen years, coaching and choreographing for national champion rec, school, and all-star teams all over the country. She is a keynote speaker for many coaches’ conferences and cheerleading clinics throughout U.S. and Britain and has over thirteen years of safety (NFHS, USASF, and AACAA certified), panel, and head judging experience on the national level. She has been a US Finals judge and commentator and served as a Worlds Safety Judge in 2011, and is now responsible for staffing, customer service, and rules interpretation at EPIC. Alison holds a Bachelor’s in Education and a Masters in Human Services and Counseling from SUNY Oswego, and loves to spend time with her husband and two boys as well as shooting photography in her spare time!
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Becky Sammon, Travel Coordinator for EPIC Events Becky@TheEpicBrands.com |
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This is Becky’s second year as a travel coordinator for ACDA and the EPIC Brands. Becky got most of her cheer background from being an experienced cheer mom, supporting her daughters while they were cheerleaders in high school. In addition to her full-time job, she volunteers with the CAUSE organization, which provides entertainment for the wounded warriors at Bethesda Naval Hospital. When not coordinating travel for the staff at EPIC, she enjoys staying active by biking, swimming and walking. She and her husband, Bill, have five grown children and two beagle dogs.
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Breanna Hall, EPIC Registration Breanna@TheEpicBrands.com |
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Breanna began cheering at age 4, and has been in the cheerleading industry for over 15 years. She was a member of Maryland Twisters Reign and was captain her senior year. She then moved on to Johnson & Wales University in Miami, Florida where she got her Associates degree in Fashion Merchandising and Bachelors in Marketing. She is USASF certified and an integral part of the EPIC Brands.
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Bryce Kasalonis, Team Leader of EPIC Production Bryce@TheEpicBrands.com |
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Courtney Doherty, EPIC Creative Designer Courtney@TheEpicBrands.com |
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Courtney has been involved in cheerleading for over ten years. She cheered at the high school level and served as captain of the James Madison University Co-Ed Cheer squad, and continues her tenure now as a professional cheerleader in the NFL. She has also remained involved as an assistant coach for her high school cheer squad for the past five years. Courtney has a Fine Arts degree with a concentration in Graphic Design from JMU and is responsible for EPIC’s creative design. When asked what Courtney is most looking forward to in her position, she responded, “I am extremely excited to have a job which combines my two favorite things, Cheerleading and Design!”
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Kurt Kleis, Director of EPIC Gear Kurt@MyEpicGear.com |
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A graduate of the University of Maryland, Kurt has been involved in the spirit industry for five years as the retail manager for American Cheer and Dance Academy. He is now the retail director at EPIC Brands, and is responsible for the launch of EPIC Gear, our new retail merchandise brand. In his free time, he enjoys being with his 10-year old twins, bicycling, reading, and watching college lacrosse and NFL games!
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Napoleon Martinez, Director of Production Napoleon@TheEpicBrands.com |
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Napoleon has been involved in cheerleading as a coach and an athlete for twenty years. A graduate of the University of Maryland, he was a member of the Terps’ Co-Ed squad for three years before becoming Maryland All-Girl Cheer’s assistant coach for three years, helping them to a National Championship in 1999. Napoleon became a Co-Ed Stunt Team member of the Baltimore Ravens Cheerleaders for five years before serving as their coach, which gave him the opportunity to travel the world from Hawaii to Europe, Africa, and throughout the Middle East, including Iraq and Afghanistan. Napoleon also had the privilege of performing during the Opening Ceremony of the Olympics as well as the Super Bowl. At EPIC, he is responsible for event planning as well as helping with production and enjoys being a professional photographer on the side! Samantha Eisold, EPIC Event Planning Napoleon Martinez, Director of Production
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Samantha Eisold, EPIC Event Planning Samantha@TheEpicBrands.com |
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Season Daugherty, Director of Sales Season@TheEpicBrands.com |
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Season has been cheerleading for thirteen years at the all-star and collegiate levels. She was a six-year member of the 2005 World Champion Maryland F5 Twisters, and a four-year member of the 4-time consecutive Collegiate National Champion University of Maryland Competitive Cheer squad. She was also nominated as a Collegiate All-American while at University of Maryland. After graduating with a degree in Elementary Education, Season has moved on to coach at the all-star level and is now the Sales Representative for the EPIC Brands!
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