Partnership Development Managers
Reis Williams – Wolverhampton Wanderers & Sheffield Wednesday – North America
A native of England, Reis is a 2011 Graduate of the University of Alabama where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Commerce and Business Administration with a major in Marketing. Prior to transferring to Alabama, he was a member of the Erskine College Men’s Soccer team from 2007-09. Reis joined GIS in February of 2012 and is responsible for the development and operations of the Wolves North American Academy.
Contact Reis
Shaun Ramsden – West Ham United – North America
Shaun also joined GIS in September 2012, to oversee the West Ham United International Academy partnerships in North America. A vastly experienced coach who has achieved both the USSF A License and NSCAA Premier Diploma coaching awards. Originally from England, Shaun has resided in the United States for over 14 years where he has experienced many facets of US youth soccer, including seven years as Director of Coaching of South Kendall Soccer Club in Miami, Florida. His experiences and knowledge provide a valuable resource to our West Ham United International Academy Partner Clubs.
Contact Shaun
George Cowie – West Ham United – Australia/New Zealand
George brings a wealth of football playing, coaching and network to GIS. George signed as an apprentice footballer at West Ham United in 1977 and then as a professional in 1978. During his time, West Ham won the FA Cup and were League Cup runners-up, George being on the substitutes bench at Wembley Stadium in the 1980 FA Charity Shield. In 1983 George returned to his native Scotland where he went on to make nearly 100 appearances for Hearts in the Scottish Premier League before injury cut short his career. In more recent years, following relocation to Australia, George has remained involved in the game as a coach at various levels including, Technical Manager of Football Queensland, Interim Head Coach of the QAS, National Coach of Papua New Guinea Under 23 Olympic Team and National Coach of the Solomon Islands and Director of Coaching of Sunshine Coast Football Club. Voted “Queensland Coach of the Year” in 2008. George’s role will include overseeing the development of the West Ham United Academy Partnerships in both Australia and New Zealand, seeking new partners, providing training opportunities to players and coach education services to coaches.
Contact George
Tim Hubbard – Partnership Development Manager
Tim began his career at Lyreco as a customer service advisor in 1987, from there he moved in to the Office Machines supply business by joining West Midland Office Machines who later went on to be sold to Eurofax. Then when Altodigital was formed and the amalgamation of companies was complete his career started on an upward spiral. After 20 years’ service through acquisition Tim is currently the Regional Sales Director at Altodigital Networks Ltd, one of the largest independent office technology solutions companies in the UK with five UK offices and over 350 employees. Tim has since become one of the groups leading Network players and has set up contracts with the likes of Wolverhampton Wanderers FC, West Bromwich Albion and a number of other sporting and corporate companies, from which a network platform has been built to help the growth of the business in his region and across the group. GIS are delighted to have him on the team, his experience and enthusiasm will be invaluable to our GIS Partners.
Carl Woszczynski – ChievoVerona – Sheffield Wednesday – North America
Carl joined GIS in September of 2012 and handles the development of partnerships and operations of Sheffield Wednesday and Chievo Verona Partner Clubs on the West Coast. He attended the University of Alabama-Birmingham, where he graduated in December 2011 with a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and a minor in Business Administration. He was also a 4-year varsity goalkeeper, two-time captain, and an All-American. Carl is currently a professional goalkeeper for the Los Angeles Blues of the USL-PRO. He was drafted by the Chicago Fire in the 2012 MLS Draft, and was the 3rd overall goalkeeper to be drafted.
Contact Carl
Kevin Kooistra – Sampdoria – North America
Kevin Kooistra joined the GIS team in February 2013 and is responsible for the development and operations of the Sampdoria North American Academy. Graduating from Coastal Carolina University, where he played American Football as a Wide Receiver. Kevin earned a bachelor’s degree in Sports Management and a minor in communications. Following graduation he worked for the New York Red Bulls and Major League Soccer’s front office. Aside from playing American football, Kevin also played club soccer in his native New Jersey for 6 years. His knowledge of soccer in the United States is a valuable asset to the GIS Partnership Management team.
Contact Kevin
Robert Roddie – FC Utrecht and Charlton Athletic – North America
Robert is a native from Glasgow, Scotland and came over to America in 2009 on a soccer scholarship where he graduated after 4 years at Reinhardt University Majoring in Sports Administration and Minors in Business and Marketing. Before coming to America he played for several Pro Youth Academy’s including Hamilton Academical, Airdrie United and Glasgow Rangers. Robert has a passion for coaching and completed a 2 year Higher National Diploma in Sports Coaching with Development of Sport and also obtained his UEFA B. Robert Joined GIS in February 2013 on an Internship and then signed a contract in June 2013. Robert is responsible for all development and operations of the FC Utrecht and Charlton Athletic North American Academy’s.
Contact Robert
Eric Kump – European Tour Manager
Eric Kump first started overseeing European soccer tours for GIS in 2011 taking a group of young players to England to play against the Academy teams from West Ham United and Queens Park Rangers FC. Eric has been involved in US soccer at various levels for over 35 years as a player and coach, including coaching ODP, High School, College and Club, most recently as a Technical Director for CJSO in Jackson, Mississippi. Away from soccer Eric is employed as an Audit/Financial Operations Professional for Experis (formerly Jefferson Wells) where he provides professional accounting services for healthcare, manufacturing and other industries. Eric continues to combine his professional business knowledge and soccer experiences to develop soccer tours of the highest level for GIS partners and affiliates.
Contact Eric
