Board of Directors

At GAHA, we are proud to have a dedicated Board of Directors that is committed to guiding our organization in its mission to promote the love of hockey and foster a spirit of sportsmanship among our players, coaches, and families. Our board members bring a diverse range of experiences, skills, and passions to the table, all aimed at enhancing the development of our young athletes and the community as a whole. We invite you to learn more about each member of our Board of Directors, who work to uphold our values and support our programs.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Theresa DeMars

Dale Hutchins

PRESIDENT

TERM EXPIRES 2025

EMAIL:

Allyson Valyear

Carrie Hutchins

TREASURER

TERM EXPIRES 2025

EMAIL:

Jim Kujawski

Allyson Valyear

REGISTRAR

TERM EXPIRES 2025

EMAIL:

Allyson Valyear grew up frequenting the currently named David McCarthy Memorial Ice Arena. She learned to skate and played hockey in the GAHA program. Allyson’s family has been involved in the GAHA program for many years and are very involved at the rink. With her family’s passion for hockey and the GAHA program it was only natural for Allyson to become involved as well. She serves on the Rampart Board of Directors, and currently holds the position of Registrar. Serves as Team Manager for her children’s teams. Allyson formed and co-chairs the annual Merry Mitemas Tournament, She also co-chairs the Rampart Homecoming event, and the end of the season banquets for all age levels.

Marcia Barnes

DIRECTOR- BEGINNER PROGRAM COORDINATOR

TERM EXPIRES 2025

EMAIL:

Dave Dedman

Steve Pies

DIRECTOR

TERM EXPIRES 2026

EMAIL:

Steve Pies is a proud day-one member of GAHA, having joined the organization in 1978. He has been playing hockey since the age of 9 and continues to lace up his skates at 54. Over the years, Steve has seen his two boys grow up as Ramparts players, a journey he cherishes as both a parent and coach. With a Level 4 coaching certification, Steve has had the rewarding experience of helping to coach his sons and passing along his deep love and knowledge of the game.

James Patric

DIRECTOR

TERM EXPIRES 2026

EMAIL:

Steven Pies

Dan Calkins

DIRECTOR

TERM EXPIRES 2026

EMAIL:

Daniel Calkins is a lifetime Rampart having received his love of hockey and training from GAHA while growing up in Batavia. Daniel played on the hockey team at Batavia High School from 2004-2007 where his team earned two class B sectional titles and he was team captain during senior season. He is married to his high school sweetheart, Deanna and father to three boys, Ezra, Elijah and Ronan who all reside in Batavia. Daniel is a Social Worker for the Erie County Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers Project, Inc. where he assists with the personal and legal struggles of detained immigrants. He hopes to bring his love for hockey to a new generation and collaborate though the board to develop excellent and rounded young people. Daniel believes in equity and dedication to all players regardless of individual skill level and strives to help each athlete be their personal best. Daniel also coaches for GAHA, helps to lead the Learn to Skate program and is a certified skating coach through the Institute of Hockey Research.

Dale Hutchins

Theresa DeMars

SECRETARY

TERM EXPIRES 2025

EMAIL:

Theresa DeMars is a lifelong Batavian and is committed to community involvement and ensuring that her family lives in a vibrant community. Her dedication to GAHA began when her son was introduced to the program in 2018. In addition to GAHA, Theresa volunteers with the United Way, the UMMC Foundation, Leadership Genesee and the Junior Achievement Program of WNY. With nearly 20 years of experience in the insurance industry, she is currently a Commercial Lines Training Specialist with Lawley Insurance.

Mike Jafari

Tim Sprague

VP OF WNY

TERM EXPIRES 2025

EMAIL:

Carrie Hutchins

Brian McCarthy

ACE COORDINATOR

TERM EXPIRES 2026

EMAIL:

Brian McCarthy

Chad Minuto

VP OF EMPIRE

TERM EXPIRES 2026

EMAIL:

Chad Minuto, a lifelong Batavia resident, has deep family ties to the origins of GAHA and a strong commitment to the community. As a dedicated father, he has supported his son's journey from Beginners to Bantams within the Ramparts Hockey program. Chad is passionate about the program's future and is committed to working with fellow board members to ensure Ramparts Hockey continues to thrive and provide valuable opportunities for young athletes in the Batavia area.

Jeremy Hale

DIRECTOR

TERM EXPIRES 2025

EMAIL:

Holly Carney

Mike Jafari

DIRECTOR

TERM EXPIRES 2025

EMAIL:

Chad Minuto

Malorie Benjamin

DIRECTOR

TERM EXPIRES 2025

EMAIL:

Malorie Benjamin is a dedicated mom to two boys, Kempton and Elias, and is passionate about supporting the organizations that nurture her children’s interests. As her sons’ love for hockey has grown, so has her desire to contribute to GAHA to help the organization thrive. Professionally, Malorie is the Chief Transformation Officer at Dixon Schwabl + Company, where she leads technology strategy, overseeing strategic initiatives that enhance efficiency, innovation, and long-term growth. She is committed to using her expertise in transformation and strategy to meaningfully support GAHA’s growth and success.

Open Positions

All board positions are currently filled. However we are ALWAYS looking for volunteers to help with fundraising and other committees. Reach out to any of the current board members if you'd like to volunteer.

Board Application

Board Election Process

GAHA BY LAWS

Board Documents

At GAHA, we prioritize transparency and open communication with our community. This section provides access to the agendas and minutes from all Board of Directors meetings, allowing our players, parents, and community members to stay informed about the discussions and decisions that shape our organization. We encourage you to review these materials to gain insight into our commitment to promoting youth hockey and fostering a positive environment for our athletes.