Phil Harrison joins Velocity following his roles as executive director at YMCA Camp Reed in Spokane and Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Inland Northwest, where both organizations achieved significant milestones under his leadership. The YMCA celebrated its 100th anniversary, while Ronald McDonald House Charities marked its 35th year of supporting families during medical crises. Phil is still actively engaged within the community, volunteering with Leadership Spokane and the Rotary Club.

Before her role as Director of Operations and Player Administrations for USL Spokane, Emma Hayes built her career while working in nonprofit operations and mission development. Within her current position Emma keeps in mind the organization’s vision and establishes processes, procedures, and organizational structures to pave the road for success. 

Thomas Hughes joins USL Spokane in early 2024, bringing with him a wealth of experience from the finance industry, particularly in areas critical to sports management such as budgeting, financial planning, and investment strategy. He attended Arizona State University and Gonzaga University and has worked closely with numerous local businesses. As Director of Finance, Thomas oversees the club’s entire financial health, ensuring that the team’s fiscal resources are used effectively to achieve both short-term performance and long-term growth. His role is crucial in managing player and staff payrolls, partnering with sponsorship deals, and ensuring compliance with financial regulations. His strategic acumen and meticulous attention to detail have been instrumental in steering the club through the complex financial landscapes of professional sports.

As USL Spokane’s Player Care Officer, Molly Schemmel plays a crucial role in cultivating a nurturing and secure environment for all members of the USL Spokane community. Her previous experience includes work in clinical laboratory science and cancer research, along with extensive volunteer involvement that has provided her with valuable insights into fostering a healthy organization. This involvement also stems from her dedicated service with organizations such as the YMCA, Camp Reed, Camp Goodtimes, and Gonzaga Prep.

Having spent the last decade plus living in Los Angeles and working in the entertainment industry, Keith is super excited to return to eastern Washington, having grown up in the small town of Mattawa, right on the Columbia River. With a background in film, television and theatre Keith has been an actor (Days of Our Lives, The Bold and The Beautiful, American Housewife, Romeo & Juliet, and a number of national commercials from Toyota to Panera to Snickers) a writer (Herowood, CA, Electric Avenue, The Course of True Love) a producer (The Mingle, Lisa, #FU) and more. Now living in Spokane with his wife, playwright and chair of the Theatre Department at Whitworth University, Elise Forier Edie and their child Gray Forier, Keith is thrilled to be the Gameday Producer for USL Spokane and help provide a fantastic experience to each and every fan that buys a ticket and walks through the gates!

Before taking the role Vice President of Partnerships, Tate Kelly was a star-athlete on the Gonzaga Men’s Track and Cross Country team, breaking multiple school records. He has also worked with high-powered collegiate athletics at the University of Oregon and Gonzaga. After serving as Director of Partnership Sales for the NFL’s Tennessee Titans, Tate decided to come back to Spokane where he is now in charge of bringing regional business leaders to professional soccer in Spokane.

Mac Graff’s journey to become USL Spokane’s Manager of Partnership Fulfillment began with five years of experience as student and graduate manager to the Gonzaga men’s basketball team. After earning his bachelor’s degree in Sports Management followed by a master’s degree in Organizational Leadership, both from GU, Mac transitioned to Pullman where he took a job as Associate of Business Development at Washington State Sports Properties.

Kristin Bauer-Smith, an Eastern Washington native, joins USL Spokane as the Head of Merchandise, bringing extensive experience in retail sales and operations to the role. With over 20 years at T-Mobile, Kristin has a proven track record of delivering exceptional, one-of-a-kind retail experiences. She excelled in managing vendors, agencies, and OEMs to drive innovation in mobile distribution. Her most recent achievement involved scaling a store format from 2 locations to 1,000, showcasing her ability to lead cross-functional teams and develop comprehensive strategies, performance metrics, and location criteria.