CEO- Robert J. Young – Founder, Principal Investor
Was born and raised outside New York City in the 1950s, when his passion for baseball took hold, rooting for the New York Giants and his boyhood hero Willie Mays. He starred in soccer at South Side High School, Rockville Centre, New York, and Brown University, Providence, R.I., where he received his B.A. degree with Honors in Political Science. He received his J.D. degree from The National Law Center, George Washington University, Washington, D.C., and came to Los Angeles where he commenced his legal career. He maintains law offices in Los Angeles and New York where he specializes in business, real estate, entertainment law and related litigation. He resides in the Mar Vista Hills in West Los Angeles, coaches youth soccer, and pursues his passion of flying as a commercial, multi-engine, and instrument-rated pilot.
When Bob picked up the phone in December, 2006, and was asked “Do you want to buy a baseball team?”, there was no hesitation to seize the unique opportunity presented to purchase the Fullerton Flyers, a professional baseball team in the Golden Baseball League at a reasonable price. Bob was a baseball player himself and starred in soccer at Brown University, from where he graduated in 1970.
His father, Sidney, was also a ball player, having been picked to play first base for the New York Giants after becoming the “Home Run King” at Brooklyn College, before a slip on some ice and a broken elbow sidelined his baseball dreams. Instead, he became a highly prominent and successful attorney representing the real estate interests of major developers who built up New York post-WWII, like the legendary Harry Lefrack, Harry and Leona Helmsley and Fred, then Donald, Trump in New York after he founded the firm of Lindenbaum and Young on Court Street in Brooklyn. Bob’s brother, Alan, was an All -American baseball player, having also graduated from Brown, who went on to become a partner in his father’s law firm, practicing real estate law until his untimely, and too early, death several years ago.
Brad Mooberry – CMO
As an experienced professional in both traditional and digital advertising, Mooberry has been deeply involved in creative marketing strategies and brand building solutions since 1980. By the early 1990’s, ad2 emerged as a leader, not only for its creativity and marketing savvy, but also for its expertise and innovation in digital technology serving clients, such as Amblin Entertainment, Sony Pictures, Pepsi, Hilton Hotels, Columbia/TriStar Pictures, 20th Century Fox and many others. In 1992, he designed and programmed the industry’s first interactive CD-ROM press kit for the movie Schindler’s List. Under his direction as the owner and creative director of ad2, his work received more than 160 interactive awards and recognition in numerous publications.
Mooberry is considered an innovator and has always been very ‘hands-on’ with computer technology to enhance his marketing skills, including brand identity, brand building, strategic planning, concept ideation, UI design, information architecture, copywriting, graphic design, photography, digital storytelling, print production, digital video editing and even some programming. His track record for creating and implementing projects across multiple marketing channels is extensive – websites, micro sites, social sites, interactive CD/DVD-ROMs, online campaigns, interactive games & activities, custom online applications, mobile sites and applications and much more.
Jonathan Todd – General Manager Marketing and Promotion – Hawaii & Far East
Jonathan Todd is an experienced industry professional with many years expertise in talent management, advertising and marketing. As such his skill set includes new products, new ventures, celebrities, legal and contract negotiations, branding, licensing, artist management, project management, public relations, and advertising
As HBL’s manager of network development he is in charge of aggregating the sponsors, advertisers, programming, and tourism. He is a partner in Hawaii’s 808 MARKETING LLC (Maui). Principal at VOX TALENT AGENCY (Los Angeles) and talent agency specializing in celebrity talent for marketing. Project Director & Senior Director Marketing, Sales & Branding for Fleetwood’s on Front St. (Maui). VP Marketing, Sales & Celebrity Endorsements at TATTOO TEQUILA (Maui). Director of Mick Fleetwood Private Cellar Wines (Los Angeles).
Currently Jonathan is involved in management of artist and celebrity careers. Marketing, branding and licensing. Grammy Nominated producer. Concert Promoter. Currently manage diverse artist and celebrity portfolio ranging from rock icon Mick Fleetwood of Fleetwood Mac (co-manager of Mick Fleetwood Blues Band and Mick Fleetwood Island Rumours Band) to celebrities as diverse as Marla Maples (Trump) to Chef Scott Leibfried (Hell’s Kitchen – FOX).
From career direction, and quarterbacking the legal, contractual, agency, film, record, TV and theater decisions to creation of endorsements, products, brands and identity – Jonathan covers the wide range of true artist management. Same skills applied for over 20 years to new non-artist-centric clientele for startups and established businesses seeking more revenue and better branding. Specialty in entertainment and tourism development.
Tony Abbatine
For baseball and softball, Tony Abbatine is a performance consultant and college professor who specializes in vision and its effect on mindset and emotions. As a Certified Open Focus Coach (COFTC) his work in the area of Visual Psychology has been featured in Sports Illustrated, The New York Times, USA Today, Newsweek and ESPN. He has been a consultant to several Major League Baseball teams, numerous college programs and for the last five years has been the Vision Coach for the USA Women’s Olympic Softball team. Tony is a regular on the speaking circuit in the US and internationally, with recent presentations made in Dubai, Italy, France, Germany, Holland and Japan. In addition, Tony’s lectures on sports parenting and student-athlete survival are heard in colleges and high schools across the country. Tony is also the founder and National Director of Instruction for Frozen Ropes, the nation’s leader in innovative baseball and softball training, with a focus on player development. Tony believes that teaching was a skill that was never truly mastered, and that athletic success extends well beyond physical training. Tony will have an integral role in PSI’s mission. Tony will be instrumental in soliciting other Department Deans based on his extensive list of associates and contacts.
John Lyons
Mr. Lyon’s body of work in strategic planning and marketing includes: media planning and placement, brand integration, integrated marketing and worldwide promotion utilizing both traditional media and multiple technologies and new pioneering platforms. Projects and assignments have ranged from feature films, television, cable, gaming, Internet, professional sports and international live events. He has worked with senior executives in Fortune 500 companies such as McDonalds; NBC; CBS; DreamWorks, SKG; Disney; Coca-Cola; Pepsi; Fox; Walmart; Target; Yum Restaurants; EarthLink Networks; and the National Football League. Mr. Lyons helped these companies develop business innovations, which increased growth opportunities and created more efficient partnerships.
Alan Arakawa
As the former mayor of Maui County, Hawaii, Alan Arakawa represents an important addition to the PSI team. He is currently contracted and part of the active management team as our government relations consultant. A former councilman and currently highly active in community charities, public causes, and government relations, mayor Arakawa brings an unequalled set of connections and influence to PSI. As former mayor and 2020 past president of the Shriner’s, supporting the Oahu Shriner’s Hospital for Children, the mayor’s connections extend through the islands, Japan, Saipan, South Korea, the Martial Islands, China, and the Philippines.
One of the first projects handled by Alan Arakawa for PSI was to secure a land lease for our eSports program and management headquarters. This task was accomplished within a month of the initiative’s origin resulting in multiple acreage availability in Lower Kula. Foundation for the first trailer housing eSports was provided by donation through the Arakawa connection. Land lease, acquisition, and building permits on Maui are complex and require a deep knowledge of the authorizing parties in government including seven departments ranging from permits, planning, and fire to police, shoreline, ecological and electrical. Securing business use land is often a multi-year proposition on Maui and Arakawa showed his value by beating 30 days from concept to ready to use.
Born and raised in Hawaii, mayor Arakawa and his family have deep roots with buildings and foundations bearing their name. More importantly Arakawa has deep historical ties with principals of PSI with nearly two decades of business, government, and foundation/charity work with Jonathan Todd on our management team. Workflow and trust are ensured and proven. PSI is thrilled to have Alan Arakawa as a member of the PSI family.
Larry Sloven- COO, Director of Marketing and Sales for Asia
Mr. Sloven is a U.S. citizen residing in Hong Kong for over 23 years. Mr. Sloven’s specializes in product development outsourcing for OEM and retail companies. Over his vast career he was the Official Buying agent for Dick’s sporting goods chain and Sports Authority where he developed the Private Brands that you see in their stores today. He also helped develop a private label hardware and accessory line for Circuit City, Inc. from 2001 to 2004. In addition he has been involved developing, manufacturing and sourcing products for AT&T, Duracell, Rayovac, Stanley, Atari and Farrell Sports Concepts. Mr. Sloven has a very strong background in Manufacturing, sourcing and as a buying agent for major companies worldwide.
Mr. Sloven is one of the few American expats that have been a pioneer in Asia. He is widely recognized as a former Board Member of the American Club in Hong Kong as well as being a member of the American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong and Shanghai.
Mr. Sloven holds board seats in the following companies, Farrell Sports Concepts, a leader in protective equipment for all sports and Hawaii Professional Baseball which encompasses two independent pro teams in Hawaii.
David Andrus
David Andrus, Chief Operating Officer of Hawaii Baseball and General Manager of Na Koa Ikaika Maui Professional Baseball, developed his baseball passion as an accomplished student athlete in Niagara Falls, New York. Winner of the Hewitt Award and All League in baseball and basketball, Andrus was heavily recruited and matriculated at Brown University. He was coached by Alan Young as a member of the Brown Freshman basketball team in 1968. It was there he met Bob Young and a lifetime friendship as fraternity brothers and sports began.
David received his BA degree from Brown in 1972 and then attended the University of Texas in Austin where he obtain this Masters Degree in Film. He moved to Los Angeles and pursued his passion for film, becoming a successful screenwriter and contributing his talents to many producers and films, most notably the legendary Hollywood films “Field of Dreams” and “Forrest Gump”. In Los Angeles, he again teamed up with Bob Young, renewing his friendship and playing on various law firm basketball teams on which Bob participated.
After a stint as General Manager of Borders Books, where he learned and then taught merchandising, managing staffs of over 50 persons at two separate stores, David got the call from Bob in 2011 to come to Maui and put his passion for baseball and expert management skills to good use as COO of Hawaii Baseball.
His innovations in staffing and multiple tasking have made the Hawaii Baseball stadium, marketing, and office staff shine and excel on Maui and in Hilo. David’s experience and talent coupled with the common tools under his guidance has Hawaii Professional Baseball ready to run multiple franchises.
Dr. Richard Houston
Richard Houston, Ed.D. graduated from Brown University. He was a competitive swimmer and football quarterback throughout his school years. He earned a Doctoral degree in Education from Clark University and was licensed by the Massachusetts Board of Psychology in the early 1980’s.
He earned tenure in the Massachusetts State University system and ran a successful clinical psychology practice for 15 years. He started an independent practice in organizational / corporate psychology and ran leadership development programs in over 30 countries.
He created and ran a highly successful project in the San Francisco Bay Area in which he profiled the skills of minor league baseball players and collaborated with the Superintendent of Schools to model these skills to help high school students pursue academic success. The project won high praise from the Superintendent.
Dr. Houston is the principal architect of the Pacific Sports Institute curriculum.
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