THE HUDDLE

Top Gun Challenge Advisory Board: The Huddle

Huddle: (hud’ l) n. a tight circle of team players – strategizing and motivating – eager to execute the play called – focused on one common goal: success!

Scott Hoffman, President/Owner: Scott is a member of Bethel Baptist Church - Schaumburg, IL. He and his wife, Carmen, have three children – ages 11, 8 & 4.

Scott lettered, was his team’s captain & MVP and an All-Conference selection in both baseball & football at Elgin HS - Elgin, IL. After being named a Super Prep Magazine All-American and its Midwest Offensive Player-of-the-Year, he was the first player from the state of Illinois to receive a full athletic scholarship for football to the University of Florida. As a Gator, he was a member of the 1988 All-American Bowl championship team and played with numerous future-NFL standouts, including 2010 Hall-of-Fame inductee RB Emmitt Smith & journeyman QB Shane Matthews. After transferring to Purdue University, Hoffman lettered twice as its quarterback (in 1990 & 1992) where he still holds one record: most passing yards for a Purdue QB against Ohio St (317). As a Boilermaker, Scott played with the likes of NFL standout & 17-yr veteran DT Jeff Zgonina, All-Pro LB/Special Teamer Jim Schwantz & future Hall-of-Fame RB Mike Alstott.

After college, Scott pursued his dream of playing football professionally by taking his game overseas – to Germany, where he quarterbacked and captained the Erding Bulls to a league championship, before ending his playing career with a knee injury. Scott returned to the US where he began coaching (St. Edward HS – Elgin, IL, Fenton HS – Bensenville, IL & Harper College – Palatine, IL) while building a financial services business simultaneously. After receiving a team production-based promotion to Regional Vice President, Scott focused his time & efforts on his financial services business - which rewarded him with an appointment on his company’s international (UK) expansion team: CitiSolutions Financial (UK) Ltd. While in the UK helping launch his company in Belfast, Birmingham, Bristol & London, Scott reconnected with the game of football - coaching quarterbacks for the Bristol Aztecs of the British American Football League (BAFL) – Bristol, England.

Upon returning to the US a second time, Scott kept his eyes & ears open for a coaching opportunity (his true passion) adjacent to his financial services business. This presented itself within Quarterback Farm - where he became QB Coach and National Sales Director prior to purchasing the Top Gun Challenge – an event he helped administer at Aurora University outside of Chicago.

Scott holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from Purdue University – West Lafayette, IN.

Trent Decatur: Trent is a member of Menlo Park Presbyterian Church – Menlo Park, CA. He and his wife, Janie, have one child – age 2.

Trent lettered in football and was a 1987 All-State selection at linebacker for Carmel HS - Carmel, IN. While at Carmel, Trent and his teammates captured the Indiana high school football State Championship (1986). He then received a full athletic scholarship for football to Purdue University. While at Purdue, Trent lettered four times (1988, 1989, 1990 & 1991) as a linebacker and was an Academic All-Big 10 selection. He was also a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity.

After college, Trent spent 3 years as a Sales Manager and Program Director for All-Line Manufacturing, Inc., where he managed and coordinated all phases of product development and production between Asia and the US. He also led global project management teams to successful product launches in China, Taiwan & Mexico. He then became Founder of Total Direct Marketing, Inc., an innovative technology company specializing in proprietary design applications and products. He also Co-Founded Pacintrex Manufacturing, Ltd., where he was responsible for growth and development of the US-based contract manufacturing company with operations in China – where he lived part-time to manage and oversee all phases of production launch. Trent then acted as an Advisor for Cross Pacific Enterprises, Ltd., a privately-held company focused on cross-Pacific business and corporate advisory services between the US and Asia. Most recently, Trent was Founder and Managing Partner for United Natural Products International (unpinternational.com), providing sales, marketing and distribution of US-produced natural and organic food and personal care products for Asia Pacific markets.

Currently, Trent is the Founder and Managing Director of Global Technology Alliance (GTA), based out of Hong Kong with operations throughout China, Hong Kong, US and Mexico. His company develops cross-border partnerships on behalf of some of the largest manufacturing interest in the world, bringing international business experience in cross-border partnerships and investments to China. GTA (gtalliances.com) is an international manufacturing, supply chain and distribution firm specializing in technical sales of electronic components, clean technologies, medical devices, telecommunications, automotive and consumer electronics. He also is a Director for Asia Capital Management (acmhk.com) and an Advisor for Pacific Gene Tech, Ltd (pacificgenetech.com).

Trent founded The Kellogg China Business Network and The Asia Business Network Organizations, both non-profit institutions looking to bridge North American and Greater China platforms.

Trent holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Purdue University – West Lafayette, IN & an MBA from Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management and Hong Kong University’s School of Science and Technology.

Mike Gallagher: Mike is a member of St. Matthew Catholic Church - Indianapolis, IN. He and his wife, Amy, have four children – ages 9, 7, 5 & 2.

Mike played both football & basketball at St. Thomas Aquinas HS – Ft. Lauderdale, FL. From there, Mike attended Purdue University, where he received a varsity letter for his commitment to the university as a football student equipment manager (head mgr. 1991).

After college, Mike began his career at a national, publicly traded technical services firm where he spent nine years and held positions at all levels, including Technical Recruiter, Account Manager, Director of Corporate Recruiting and Director of Human Resources. In 2004, he joined SGIS (a national government contracting company – Indianapolis, IN) where he worked his way up to his current role as Managing Partner. He oversees the Indianapolis office and is responsible for the overall strategic direction and management of employees and contractors. SGIS posted annual revenues of $102 M in 2009.

Mike has coached and mentored kids in football, basketball and baseball through both the Indianapolis CYO (Catholic Youth Organization) & YMCA.

Mike has given back to the community through a variety of charitable, civic and professional organizations, including: having hosted a networking event benefitting Susan G. Komen for the Cure, having adopted a US Army infantry platoon and having worked closely with Habitat for Humanity. He also provides continuous contributions to the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis and is a member of the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA). Mike was elected to serve a 3-yr term on St. Matthew’s School Board Commission and is currently serving as its Vice President.

Mike holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Movement and Sports Science from Purdue University – West Lafayette, IN.

Jim Hoffman: Jim is a member of 2 churches: St. Joan of Ark Catholic Church – Phoenix, AZ & St. Jerome Catholic Church – Wonewoc, WI. He and his wife, Carol, have two children & six grandchildren – ages 13, 11, 8, 7, 4 & 4.

Jim lettered in football and track at Weber HS – Chicago, IL. He captained and quarterbacked his team as a senior and started at DB on Weber’s city championship team as a junior. He received a full athletic scholarship for football to the University of Illinois, where he lettered once, playing with the likes of NFL Hall-of-Fame LB Dick Butkus, NFL standouts Ron Acks, Jim Grabowski, Don Hansen & Greg Schumacher and current University of Illinois Athletic Director, Ron Guenther. He was also a member of Phi Kappa Theta fraternity.

After college, Jim began teaching & coaching in the Chicagoland Prep Conference, helping lead De La Salle HS to an undefeated season. From there, he moved to the Chicago Catholic League at St. Rita (Chicago Catholic League/City Champs twice) and his alma mater – Weber. Other stops during his 22-yr coaching career included Joliet East HS – Joliet, IL, Evanston Township HS – Evanston, IL, Elgin HS – Elgin, IL, College of DuPage – Glen Ellyn, IL, & St. Edward Catholic HS – Elgin, IL. In May, 2007, Jim was inducted into the Chicago Catholic League Coaches Association’s Hall of Fame. During his coaching career, he was fortunate enough to coach future professional standouts Arnie Harris, Dennis Lick, Billy Marek & Bob Niziolek.

Jim taught PE, Health, Driver’s Ed, English & Speech during his 33-yr teaching career, including a Master’s class at Chicago St. University – Chicago, IL. He also had a 5-yr stint as a realtor for Glascott & Associates – Chicago, IL.

Jim holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education from the University of Illinois – Champaign-Urbana, IL & a Master of Science (+40) degree in Physical Education from Chicago St. University – Chicago, IL.

Jen Kramer: Jen is a member, lector and Eucharistic minister at Old St. Patrick’s Church – Chicago, IL, and is single.

Jen attended Carmel Catholic HS – Mundelein, IL, where she played intramural basketball, softball & volleyball. From there, she attended Purdue University. While at Purdue, Jen was a member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority & was on the Rowing Team (Purdue Crew). She made it to the National Team (US Rowing) tryouts.

After college, Jen stayed involved in sports, working her way up to her current role as The Director of Sports Development, Mayor’s Office of Special Events (MOSE) – Chicago, IL. She has produced numerous successful events such as Bike Chicago, “Race to Taste”, TASTE Sports!, and Mayor Daley’s Holiday Sports Festival. She has also helped co-ordinate the White Sox World Series Champions Victory Parade, 2016 Olympic Rally & the Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament. She is the liaison to the city’s professional teams, including those representing MLB, NBA, NFL & NHL. She is also the liaison to the Mayor’s Traffic Task Force Meeting, the Museum Campus Coordination Meeting, the Mayor’s Fitness Council, Special Olympics Chicago and World Sport Chicago (WSC).

Jen is a member (Vice President) of Special Olympics Chicago Board, Special Olympics Chicago Junior Board (Director), Mayor’s Fitness Council & Purdue Alumni of Chicago. She is the largest personal fundraiser for the Chicago Polar Plunge - the largest fundraiser for Special Olympics Chicago.

Jen has done extensive coaching in girls’ youth volleyball and with the Special Olympics’ athletes.

Jen holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Restaurant, Hotel & Institutional Management from Purdue University – West Lafayette, IN.

Jason Streepy: Jason is a member of Holy Family Catholic Church – Palatine, IL. He and his wife, Gina, have two children – ages 11 & 9.

Jason lettered in baseball and wrestling at Elgin HS – Elgin, IL. He then attended the University of Iowa, where he was a member of Sigma Chi fraternity.

After college, Jason went into real estate as a leasing agent with the leading leasing team in downtown Chicago for CB Richard Ellis. He became a broker and a manager of over 200 real estate transactions for American Express while with Trammel Crow Company. From there, Jason moved to Equity Office Properties where he and his partner were responsible for the leasing activity in their 2.5 million sf portfolio in the Chicago North & O’Hare suburban markets. Jason is currently a Senior Vice President with the Grubb & Ellis Agency Leasing Team, based in the O’Hare office and specializing in coordinating all real estate services for suburban office building owners (leasing, management & sales).

Jason has been tremendously involved in his community’s youth sports’ programs, including: Palatine Youth Football Association (PAFA) – Head Coach & Board of Directors Member and Palatine Youth Baseball (PYB) – Assistant Coach, Travel Team

Jason holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Finance from the University of Iowa – Iowa City, IA.

Dennis Wagner: Dennis is a member of Our Lady of the Wayside Catholic Church – Arlington Heights, IL. He and his wife, Sylvia, have two children & three grandchildren – ages 11, 8 & 4.

Dennis lettered in baseball at New Trier HS – Winnetka, IL. From there, he attended the University of Illinois before being drafted into Major League Baseball by the Philadelphia Phillies organization. His professional MLB career included 5 yrs with the Phillies and 1 yr with the Washington Senators. While with the Phillies, he played with standouts Richie Allen & MLB Hall-of-Fame pitcher, Ferguson Jenkins.

After his playing career, Dennis went into business owning such companies as My Yogurt Place (MYP), a pizza place, a tennis club, and a company he still owns today: Wagner Swimming Pools – Arlington Heights, IL. Dennis is also the owner of multiple patents, including one for an oil & gas enhancement technology.

Jeff Zgonina: Jeff is a member of St. Michael’s Church – Houston, TX. He and his wife, Cammie, have two children – ages 7 & 4.

Jeff lettered in basketball, football, hockey & track at Carmel HS – Mundelein, IL. While at Carmel, he earned All-Chicago, All-Catholic League, All-County & All-State honors for football. Jeff received a full athletic scholarship for football to Purdue University. At Purdue, Jeff was a four-year starter and letterman (1989-1992). As a NG/DT, he set Purdue’s school record for tackles for loss in a career (75); he was also the Big 10 Conference’s Defensive Player-of-the-Year as a senior when he recorded 101 tackles (including 28 for loss), 5 forced fumbles and a conference-leading 13 sacks. Jeff served as team captain and was a finalist for the Lombardi Award.

After college, Jeff was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 7th round of the 1993 NFL draft. He has also played for the Carolina Panthers, Atlanta Falcons, St. Louis Rams, Oakland Raiders, Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins & Houston Texans (current). As a Pro, Jeff has established himself as a strong veteran DT with a wealth of experience - including career totals of: 187 games played, 63 starts, 557 tackles, 303 solos, 23.5 sacks for 121.5 yds lost, 1 interception, 3 forced fumbles & 10 fumble recoveries. He has also played in 9 career playoff games (including Super Bowls XXXIV & XXXVI), with 3 starts and a World Championship - with the St. Louis Rams in 1999. He was recently featured in Sports Illustrated as the 2nd-oldest position player in the NFL (next to Brett Favre) Click here to read the article.

Jeff is the owner/CEO of the Mo’ Betta Bull Co. & the Mo’ Betta Rodeo Co. – Apache, OK.

Jeff holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Community Health Promotion & Education from Purdue University – West Lafayette, IN.

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