Foundation Executives

Claudio Reyna - Founder/ President
Emory Plitt - Treasurer
Josh Morgan - Executive Director
Oscar Gubernati - Director of Operations

Board of Directors

Marcelo Reyna

Marcelo graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1993 and relocated to Phoenix, Arizona where he currently lives with his wife Nicki and their two children. He is a Project Manager with Arrington Watkins Architects in Phoenix and has many years of managing and administrative experience. Marcelo has been very active with non-profit and charitable organizations including serving as the Education Committee Chair for the Arizona Chapter of the US Green Building Council. Other volunteer efforts include Habitat for Humanity, St. Gregory's Catholic Church, Toys 4 Tots, and various social outreach programs.

Rick Jacobs

As the head coach of St. Benedict's Prep in Newark, NJ since 1985, Rich has developed the finest high school soccer program in the country. His teams have fashioned a 481-24-13 record during his 23 year tenure. Winners of six "mythical" National Championships and a current national record of 21 consecutive State Championships, his philosophy of developing a mature and disciplined player has been understood by current and past All-America's National Team, Pan American, Olympic and World Cup players.

He has developed inner city soccer programs in New Jersey, runs soccer camps throughout the United States and has lectured regularly at coaching clinics, the NSCAA and soccer clubs that want to understand his "Communication Is the Difference" philosophy along with his ability to develop a championship culture with his teams over these past 30 years. Involved with the Foundation because as Claudio's former high school coach, mentor and friend for the past 10 years I believe in his desire to give back in this special way... He gets IT and wants other young people to get IT too.

Eddie Lewis

As a team mate of Claudio Reyna in two World Cups, we share a lot in common professionally. As a professional soccer player, I have played in both the MLS stateside as well as overseas in England for nearly a decade. As a friend to Claudio both on and off the field, I am honored to bring my experience as an international soccer player and international ambassador for goodwill to the Claudio Reyna Foundation. Alongside my professional career, I am the Patron of the Big Game James Foundation, a charity that serves the Down Syndrome community on both sides of the pond. Like Claudio, I share a desire to pool all the resources I am able to tap into from my vantage point as a professional athlete and use them to help others help themselves. It is with great enthusiasm that I stand by Claudio and his mission.

Christian Nix

Christian is a graduate of the first-ever master's degree program for Integrative Health care Administration (ciis.edu). Prior to obtaining his degree, he completed a five year apprenticeship in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) which allowed him to achieve certification as a Licensed Acupuncturist (L.Ac.). He currently runs acupuncture and experiential learning externships in Central America (calacirya.org, puebloapueblo.org) and his Teishin Institute is the leader in TCM teacher training (teishininstitute.com). He has taught at University of East-West Medicine, Five Branches and the Academy of Chinese Culture and Health Sciences. In addition, he is co-founder and president of the Calacirya Foundation, a 501(c)3 whose mission is to promote cross-cultural exchange through experimental learning.

Ted Johnson

Mr. Ted Johnson is a graduate of Nathaniel Hawthorne College and has a BS in advertising and marketing. He has owned and operated Prime Time Plus, Inc., a promotional products agency and marketing firm, since 1990. Mr. Johnson has worked with such foundations as the Turn 2 Foundation, the Hold in the Wall Foundation, Rhett Syndrome Foundation, and the Marvin Jones Foundation. He is a board member of the Kips Bay Boys and Girls Club.

David W. Johnson

David Johnson has worked in the investment business for 20 years - with UBS Financial Services Inc. He currently serves as a First Vice President-Investments as well as the lead partner of the team creating solutions for his high-net-worth clients. David draws upon his considerable experience in investment planning and management to deliver the finest possible customer experience. Following his undergraduate studies at Old Dominion University in Virginia, David went on to earn his Series 7, 66, as well as life and health insurance professional licenses. In his spare time, David has been active in numerous community organizations, including Bond Club of New Jersey and his local church, and serves on the board of both Stillman College in Tuscaloosa, Alabama and Centenary College in Hackettstown, New Jersey. David resides in Tewksbury with his wife and three sons.

Brett Perrine

Professionally, Brett Perrine has spent the past 18 years in various Sales and Sales Management capabilities. Brett had his "ah ha" moment when his good friend Stephen Paletta came back from Rwanda and they started the International Education Exchange. The IEE is a non profit organization linking American schools to Rwandan Schools. Since forming the IEE, Brett has joined forces with other like-minded social entrepreneurs to create and develop grass root organizations that are 100% accountable and cut through bureaucratic red tape. Brett is excited to work with his wife, Kathy, on the CRF Board to help make Claudio's philanthropic visions become realities.

Kathy Perrine

Kathy Perrine graduated LeMoyne College with a B.A. in Communications and a minor in Business. She is a Certified Holistic Health Counselor and is currently finishing her Masters degree at New York University for Social Work. Kathy is the mother of three children and is on the board of the International Exchange program that supports schools in Africa. She is very excited to be a part of the Claudio Reyna Foundation and looks forward to working with local communities to help empower young children.

Ryan Giunta

Ryan is a graduate from Rochester Institute of Technology and currently resides in downtown Manhattan's SoHo neighborhood with his fiance Lindsey Guerrera. He is the Marketing Manager for Red bull in Metro NY, and has been in various marketing management positions throughout the company for the last 6+ years. Ryan is honored to be on the Board of Directors for the Claudio Reyna Foundation, and is looking forward to working alongside Claudio and the other members of the board to make a difference in the lives of underprivileged youth.

Brian Weidling

Brian Weidling attended Emerson College in Boston Massachusetts where he studied television and film producing. He was a college athlete, playing soccer on a prosthetic leg and becoming a three-year starter and team captain his senior year while earning the ECAC award of valor. Briand and Claudio's friendship took hold while Brian wrote, produced, and directed The Goal-Claudio Reyna, a four-year odyssey following Claudio's journey through World Cup qualifying and his ascent to the World Cup All Star Team in 2002. The film was narrated by Robert Duvall and was critically acclaimed by Sports Illustrated as a "soccer nut's dream".

Since starting Tumbleweed Entertainment in 2006, Brian has produced and directed over 100 animatics, co-created several online series, and has produced and directed several documentaries, including chronicling the path of twin girls from Arkansas whom have their eyes set on careers in professional music and "SpeakEasy", a film about the fear of public speaking and the Toastmaster World Championship of Public Speaking. As a lifelong player and fan of the game, Brian is humbled and honored to have the opportunity to give back to the game he has loved so much and to help accomplish Claudio's mission. Brian is also on the Board for Poker4Life, a non-profit raising money for spinal chord research through the power of poker.

John New

President of source Trading in Stamford Connecticut. Prior to joining was Sr. VP, International Wealth Specialist and a rule 144 Specialist at Morgan Stanley based in Greenwhich Ct. Prior was a Managing Director at Wachovia Securities in NY. John lives in Beford with his wife Gina and tree children, Sean (11), Gianna (9), and Blaise (5). John serves on the Board of Directors at the Boys and Girls Club of Northern Westchester. John coaches several teams and helps organize the basketball program. Also, has served on Golf committee for several years. John also serves on the Bedford Pound Ridge Baseball Association board where he coaches several teams including summer travel. John and Gina are very active in their church, St. Patricks' of Bedford. John coaches CYO and AAU basketball teams as well. A proud member of the Knights of Columbus for almost 3 years. John was a college basketball player at Southern Connecticut State University.

Robert Mac Kay

Rob has over twenty years of finance experience, the last fourteen at PepsiCo, where he is the Senior Vice President and Controller for Pepsi Bottling Company. Prior to joining PepsiCo, Rob worked at Mercedes-Benz Leasing Mexico and KPMG where he held senior finance positions. Rob graduated from the University of San Diego (USD) with a BBA in Accounting and was a member of the Men's Tennis Team. He was captain during his senior year. Currently he sits on the Board of Advisors for the School of Business at USD. Aside from sitting on the Board at the Claudio Reyna Foundation, he is also on the Board of the Eastern Soccer Foundation and was a founder of the J. Collins Memorial Scholarship Tennis Fund in San Diego. All these organizations fund scholarships for financially deserving children to play sports at a higher level. Rob lives in Riverside CT with his wife, Aida, and two soccer playing sons, Robby and Chris. He is excited to work with Claudio and the other board members to further Claudio's vision.

Steven Wolfe Pereira

is Vice President of Partnership Marketing at Univision Communications, Inc. Mr. Wolfe oversees branded entertainment, client marketing initiatives and cross-promotional opportunities leveraging Univision Communications' media platforms including network television, local television, radio, Internet and mobile. Prior to Univision Communications, Mr. Wolfe was a Portfolio Manager at Platinum Partners, a multi-strategy investment firm, co-managing their technology, media & telecom value fund. His previous experiences include management positions in the technology industry with Akamai Technologies, Experian Digital and Visual Sciences. Mr. Wolfe began his career in investment banking and private equity, working at The Blackstone Group, Salomon Smith Barnety (Citigroup) and Violy, Byorum & Partners. Mr. Wolfe graduate Cum Laude with Highest Thesis Honors from Tufts University with a bachelor of arts degree in International Relations. A Fulbright Scholar, Mr. Wolfe attended the Greater Boston Executive MBA Program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Sloan School of Management. A passionate supporter of Hispanic community issues as well as science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education, Mr. Wolfe serves on the board of directors of the Claudio Reyna Foundation, Excelencia in Education, the Michael J. Berkeley Foundation and Sponsors for Educational Opportunity. He is also a JPMorgan Chase Emerging Leader of the New America Alliance, a General Member of the Council of Urban Professionals and a Committee Member of the Tufts University Alumni Council. A Dominican-American, Mr. Wolfe resides in New York City.

Dylan Leiner

is Sony Pictures Classics’ Executive Vice President, Acquisitions & Production. Involved with the acquisition and production of a broad range of films dating back to IN THE COMPANY OF MEN, RUN LOLA RUN, THE SPANISH PRISONER, POLLOCK, DOGTOWN AND Z-BOYS, THE TRIPLETS OF BELLEVILLE, CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON, CACHE, FRIENDS WITH MONEY, THE LIVES OF OTHERS, FROZEN RIVER, THE WACKNESS, RACHEL GETTING MARRIED, I’VE LOVED YOU SO LONG, THE CLASS, WALTZ WITH BASHIR, MOON, WHATEVER WORKS, COCO BEFORE BEFORE CHANEL, BROKEN EMBRACES, AN EDUCATION, THE IMAGINARIUM OF DOCTOR, THE WHITE RIBBON, A PROPHET, THE SECRET IN THEIR EYES, GET LOW, ANIMAL KINGDOM, and recent Academy Award winning films INSIDE JOB and IN A BETTER WORLD. Dylan oversees Sony Pictures Classics’ physical and post production services. Dylan has been named by The Hollywood Reporter as a member of its 35 under 35 “Next Generation Group” and by Crain’s New York Business among its 40 executives under 40. Dylan attended Wesleyan University in Connecticut where he played on the Men’s Soccer Team for 4 years, and contributed to what remains Wesleyan’s best season ever in 1991, where the team went 15-1-1, won the ECAC Tournament and was ranked #1 in New England. Dylan is also Co-Founder of NYFEST, the New York Film & Entertainment Soccer Tournament.