Little League® International is pleased to announce the new members joining its Advisory Board following its fall board meeting in October 2025. Joining the board to represent the leagues within their respective regions will be Mike Gentile, Vanessa Hayes, Ben Gordon, Michele Kirk, Tony Salas, Cristal Vázquez Dávila, and Alberto Ocon.
As part of the election, these new members will replace the current field members whose terms have concluded: Michael Brooker (East), Bobbie Brown (Southwest), Chet Cooper (Central), Bob Sherrill (Southeast), and Roland Slade (West), Urny Floran (Latin America), and Pam Stanley (Southwest).
“As a volunteer-based youth sports organization trusted by millions of families across the world, the Little League International Advisory Board does the hard work of helping our entire team at Little League hear the feedback, new ideas, and concerns of our volunteers from those who experience it firsthand. It is a role that only a limited number of volunteers are given the opportunity to fill during their time in the Little League program,” said Pat Wilson, Little League President and Chief Executive Officer. “Thank you to Michael Booker, Bobbie Brown, Chet Cooper, Bob Sherrill, Roland Shade, Urny Floran, and Pam Stanley for their years on the advisory board and for their commitment to the leagues and communities in their regions. We are excited to welcome these newest members to the board, who we are confident will represent their regions with Little League’s core values and mission in mind.”
Meet the newest members appointed to the Little League International Advisory Board:
Mike Gentile (East Region) – New York District 10
After his playing days with North Utica (N.Y.) Little League (now Utica LL) came to an end, Mike Gentile remained active in the Little League program alongside his father, who served as League President. At 14 years old, Gentile ran his first tournament and began his long career of coaching and leadership within the league. After graduating from the State University of New York at Potsdam, Gentile returned to Utica and stepped into the role of League President. Since then, he has also served as Safety Office for New York District 10, was elected District Administrator (a position he has held for five years), and founded the District 10 Little League Challenger Division. A lifelong resident of Utica, Gentile’s career began as a music teacher in the Utica City School District and continues to perform and advocate for arts and music in the community. Today, he is the current Chief of Staff to the Mayor of Utica and represents North Utica as Oneida County Legislator for the 23rd District.
Vanessa Hayes (East Region) – New Hampshire District 1
In her third year as New Hampshire District 1 Administrator, Vanessa Hayes brings a variety of Little League experience to the table. Hayes joined the Little League program first as a volunteer coach when her son signed up for his first year of Tee Ball. Since then, she has served as League Concessions Manager, League Secretary, and as League President. Outside of Little League, Hayes is an active member of her community, serving on the local school board and helping with the high school soccer boosters. Hayes also spent six years as a volunteer and committee chair of the local Cub Scout program. A graduate of South New Hampshire University, Hayes earned her bachelor’s degree in business and a master’s degree in organizational leadership and currently works in the insurance industry.
Ben Gordon (Central Region) – Elgin (Ill.) National Little League
Before stepping into his role as the current League President of Elgin (Ill.) National Little League, Ben Gordon served in multiple roles, including Information Officer and Marketing Director. In his leadership role, Gordon is committed to finding new ways to grow both the baseball and softball programs, including hosting multiple events throughout the season to promote the program in the community. Outside of Little League, Gordon is a Data Analyst for the National Insurance Crime Bureau.
Michele Kirk (Southeast Region) – Florida District 5 Administrator
Starting her Little League career as a fan in the stands supporting her four children, Michele Kirk started asking questions about the league and making suggestions about its operations. These conversations led to Kirk joining the local league board, getting more and more involved each year. When the Florida District 5 secretary position opened, she stepped up to the plate, filling the vacancy. In 2015, Kirk was elected District Administrator, where she has remained for 11 years. In her leadership role, Kirk is forward-thinking, focusing on new and different ways to operate and assist leagues in her district, and looks for ways to challenge the standard ways to help grow programs.
Tony Salas (Southwest Region) – Northside National Little League (Houston, Texas)
Currently serving as the League President for Northside National Little League, a program within the Little League Urban Initiative in Houston, Texas, Tony Salas is committed to expanding opportunities and increasing accessibility for the youth athletes in his community. Focused on continuing to provide fun and memorable tournament-style experiences to his Little Leaguers®, Salas and Northside National LL serve as a host for the annual Little League Urban Initiative Jamborees in the Southwest Region. Connecting the youth athletes to professional superstars, Salas has also maintained a strong relationship with the Houston Astros. Outside of Little League, Salas enjoys spending time with his kids and watching his daughter’s college softball games.
Alberto Ocon (West Region) – South Pasadena (Calif.) Little League
A former Little Leaguer and junior umpire, Alberto Ocon returned to the program as a fan and volunteer when his two kids – Olivia and Phillip – signed up to play Tee Ball. In 2014, Ocon took on his first leadership role within the league, serving as League Treasurer, before he was elected League President in 2017. In both roles, his appreciation for the dedication of South Pasadena LL’s volunteers and the life lessons the Little Leaguers take away from the field after every game and practice continues to drive his commitment to the program. Outside of Little League, Ocon works professionally as an insurance broker/agent and is active in his community.
Cristal Vázquez Dávila (Latin American Region) – Puerto Rico District 10
A dedicated Little League volunteer since 2007, Cristal Vázquez Dávila commitment to the Little League program has grown exponentially from her time as a coach to now as Latin American Softball Coordinator. Her journey began with the Softball Guayamas Program as a coach and team manager, then later served on the Board of Directors for both Radames Lopez and Guayama Softball Little League. In 2017, Vázquez Dávila was named the Director of the Latin American Little League Tournament, and in 2020, she became Puerto Rico’s National Softball Director for Little League. Under her leadership, Puerto Rico achieved a historic milestone as the first Latin American representative at the Little League Softball World Series in Greenville, North Carolina. Now, Vázquez Dávila continues her role as Latin American Softball Coordinator, a role she holds with pride.
About Little League® International Advisory Board
The Little League® International Advisory Board provides counsel and recommendations to the Little League Baseball and Softball staff and senior management. Each board member serves a four-year term. The 12-member board provides input, perspective, and opinion on current aspects of the Little League program and proposed new initiatives, all for the purpose of maintaining Little League Baseball and Softball as the world’s leader in the youth sports arena.
Little League considers the input of the Advisory Board as vital in providing an effective program to ensure that all participants, parents, and volunteers have a rewarding and enriching Little League experience. Board members are current and former District Administrators (D.A.s), Assistant District Administrators (A.D.A.s), and other volunteers whose many years of experience at the local level of Little League operations are highly valued by Little League International.
About Little League®
Founded in 1939, Little League® is the world’s largest organized youth sports program, with approximately two million players (ages 4-16) playing baseball and softball in communities across every U.S. state and more than 80 other countries. Operated by more than one million volunteers, Little League believes in the power of youth baseball and softball to teach life lessons that build stronger individuals and communities. From professional athletes and award-winning celebrities, to public officials and other influential members of society, Little League graduates have taken the lessons they learned, both on and off the field, to create the next chapter of the Little League story. Each year, millions of people follow the hard work, dedication, and sportsmanship that Little Leaguers® display at our seven baseball and softball World Series events, the premier tournaments in youth sports. For more information, visit LittleLeague.org, and follow Little League (@LittleLeague) on Facebook, X/Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. When we all come together, we are truly One Team. One Little League.