Front Office

Cary Ross serves as Chief Executive Officer of the Twin City Thunderbirds and has been part of the organization’s ownership group since the franchise’s inception in 2017.

A graduate of Western Illinois University, Ross brings decades of business leadership experience to the Thunderbirds organization. In addition to his role with the team, he continues to work in the printing equipment industry, where he has built a long career in operations, management, and relationship-driven business growth.

Ross has played an important role in the continued development of the Thunderbirds brand, helping guide the organization through its growth in Winston-Salem and its evolution into the Twin City Thunderbirds era. His leadership remains focused on organizational stability, long-term growth, and maintaining a professional standard across the franchise.

Role Focus
Organizational leadership, ownership strategy, business operations, and long-term franchise growth.

Lisa Ross serves as President and Ownership Partner of the Twin City Thunderbirds, helping lead the organization’s business operations and overall franchise direction.

A graduate of Southern Illinois University with a degree in social work, Ross brings a strong background in leadership, organization, and relationship building to the Thunderbirds front office. Her professional experience also includes many years in purchasing, where she developed expertise as a domestic and international buyer.

As part of the Thunderbirds ownership group, Ross helps support the organization’s continued growth, community presence, and day-to-day business foundation. Her role contributes to the team’s broader mission of delivering a professional, fan-focused hockey experience in Winston-Salem.

Role Focus
Ownership leadership, business operations, organizational support, and franchise development.

Joe Cangelosi serves as Vice President of Business Operations for the Twin City Thunderbirds, supporting the organization’s business development, corporate relationships, and overall front office operations.

A native of Princeton, New Jersey, Cangelosi brings a unique perspective to the Thunderbirds front office through his long history with the organization as both a former player and current business operations leader. In his role, he helps build and maintain relationships with businesses throughout the Triad, supports brand growth, and serves as an important connection point between the organization, its partners, and the Winston-Salem community.

Cangelosi has been part of the Thunderbirds organization since the franchise’s early years and established himself as one of the most recognizable players in team history. He ranks among the franchise leaders in games played and assists, reflecting his long-term impact on the organization.

A graduate of Rider University with a degree in Business Administration, Cangelosi brings professional hockey experience, business knowledge, and a strong connection to the Thunderbirds brand to his front office role.

Role Focus
Business operations, corporate relationships, brand growth, partnership support, and community engagement.

Holli Carmin serves as Assistant General Manager for the Twin City Thunderbirds, supporting the organization’s front office operations and overall business administration.

In her role, Carmin assists with the day-to-day needs of the franchise, helping ensure that internal operations, staff coordination, and organizational priorities are handled efficiently. Her work supports multiple areas of the team’s business structure and contributes to the overall fan and partner experience.

As part of the Thunderbirds front office, Carmin plays an important role in maintaining the professional standards and operational consistency required throughout the season.

Role Focus
Front office operations, administrative support, organizational coordination, and day-to-day business execution.

Kelly Curl works in Corporate Partnerships for the Twin City Thunderbirds, supporting the organization’s relationships with business partners throughout the region.

Curl has a long history with the Thunderbirds organization as a player, having skated for the franchise during its inaugural season in 2017 and remaining connected to the team across multiple seasons. He was also a member of the Thunderbirds’ 2019 Commissioner’s Cup Championship team.

Collegiately, Curl played NCAA Division III hockey at Lebanon Valley College in Pennsylvania. Prior to his college career, he played prep school hockey at The Hill School in Pottstown, Pennsylvania.

In his corporate partnerships role, Curl brings firsthand knowledge of the Thunderbirds organization, the team’s culture, and the fan experience to his work with sponsors and business partners.

Role Focus
Corporate partnerships, sponsor relationships, business development, and partner support.

Roman Kraemer serves as Marketing Design Manager for the Twin City Thunderbirds, supporting the organization’s visual brand, creative content, and marketing presentation.

In his role, Kraemer helps shape how the Thunderbirds brand appears across digital, print, promotional, and fan-facing platforms. His work contributes to the team’s overall marketing identity and helps ensure that the organization presents a consistent, professional image throughout the season.

Kraemer’s creative role supports multiple areas of the franchise, including game promotion, digital content, sponsorship materials, and branded team communications.

Role Focus
Graphic design, visual branding, marketing materials, digital content support, and creative presentation.

Hannah Holland serves as Director of Gameday Operations and Merchandise Coordinator for the Twin City Thunderbirds, overseeing key elements of the team’s fan experience, in-arena presentation, and merchandise operations.

In her role, Holland helps coordinate the behind-the-scenes details that bring Thunderbirds home games to life, including gameday planning, fan engagement elements, promotional execution, and the overall flow of the in-arena experience. Her work helps ensure that each home game feels organized, energetic, and consistent with the Thunderbirds brand.

Holland also oversees the organization’s merchandise efforts, supporting team apparel, fan merchandise, retail presentation, and merchandise operations connected to the Thunderbirds identity. From the concourse to the stands, her role helps connect fans with the team both through memorable gameday moments and branded merchandise.

Her position is an important part of maintaining a professional, welcoming, and consistent fan-facing presence for the Thunderbirds throughout the season.

Role Focus
Gameday operations, fan engagement, promotional execution, merchandise operations, retail presentation, brand consistency, and fan experience support.

Kendall Grayson serves as Director of Media Relations & Communications for the Twin City Thunderbirds, overseeing the organization’s media relations, communications, digital content, and broadcast-related storytelling.

A native of Shelby, North Carolina, Grayson joined the Thunderbirds after spending seven seasons with the Tri-City Storm of the United States Hockey League, where he served as Director of Media Relations and Play-by-Play Broadcaster. During his time with Tri-City, he worked with 38 NHL Draft picks and more than 150 future NCAA Division I players.

Grayson was a finalist for the 2021 National Sports Media Association Sportscaster of the Year Award for the State of Nebraska. He also previously served as Director of Broadcasting for the University of Alabama’s hockey program.

With a background spanning media relations, broadcasting, digital content, press releases, website management, social media, and live event coverage, Grayson helps lead the Thunderbirds’ public-facing communications and storytelling efforts across multiple platforms.

Role Focus
Media relations, communications strategy, press releases, digital content, website content, broadcast storytelling, and public-facing team coverage.