Ryan Barnes has 11 years of experience in corporate finance and social investing. He is currently a Principal at The American Infrastructure MLP Fund, a $600 million private equity fund based in the Bay Area. Mr. Barnes is also a member of the investment committee and senior advisor to Minlam Asset Management, a New York-based investment firm providing financial solutions to low-income entrepreneurs in emerging markets. In addition, he serves as a board member of Kids at Play, a Northwest organization that manages sports camps for children. He was formerly a Partner at Sky-Bridge Capital, a $325 million investment firm formed in collaboration with MSD Capital, the family office for Michael S. Dell. Prior to Sky-Bridge, Mr. Barnes helped launch Soleil Securities Group, an institutional brokerage firm backed by Bain Capital and Bank of America, where he ran strategic development. Mr. Barnes also held the position of Vice President at Wit Capital, an investment banking firm, where he helped manage the operations of its 140-person Japanese joint venture in Tokyo. Mr. Barnes began his career as an Analyst in the leveraged finance group of Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette. He received a B.A. in Economics with a minor in Asian languages from Stanford University. While at Stanford, Mr. Barnes was a four-year starter and co-captain of the wrestling team. Mr. Barnes will be overseeing all business and program aspects of the corporation.
Eliel Swinton is our Vice President and Founder/CEO. He is currently a private trainer and mentor who devotes 40+ hours per week on both PLAYTIME and BALLER Training School. Prior to starting CarPe Diem Sports Academy, Mr. Swinton was a sales executive for Discuss Dental. Mr. Swinton also has experience managing the production of the 3 million Abercrombie and Fitch brand which was produced by Reproductive Images. Prior to Reproductive Images, Eliel was in the entertainment industry as a production assistant and also an actor who played Wendell Brown in the movie Varsity Blues. After college, Mr. Swinton signed as a free agent with the Kansas City Chiefs however, his career was cut short due to an injury. Mr. Swinton is a former All-American High School athlete and Stanford graduate with 10-15 years experience with youth athletics. He received his B.A. in Communications from Stanford University, was a four year starter and captain of the football team. His responsibilities at CarPe Diem Sports Academy are to develop the mission of the corporation, oversee the departments which implement our purpose and advance the corporation.
Khalif Edwards is a Director for Merrill Lynch's Private Equity Funds Group. Mr. Edwards recently joined Merrill Lynch in February 2008 and is responsible for raising private equity capital for real estate funds, both Merrill Lynch sponsored funds as well as third party funds. Prior to Merrill Lynch, Mr. Edwards worked for Eastdil Secured for four years where he was a founding member of the firm's private equity capital raising group. Mr. Edwards has over 11 years experience in investment banking and corporate finance. Mr. Edwards has been very active in various non-profit organizations including Make-A-Wish Foundation which grants wishes for children with life threatening diseases as well as New Heights which is a mentoring organization for inner city kids that helps place them in established prep schools to help them get a better education. Mr. Edwards received his B.A in Economics from Stanford University and his M.B.A from Columbia University with a concentration in real estate and corporate finance. Mr. Edwards will be overseeing all financial records of the corporation and assisting with fundraising.
Ray Gerena currently works in the medical industry with Ethicon (A Johnson & Johnson Company) and was previously with Rad-Net Management. Before his transition into the medical industry, Mr. Gerena was a teacher and coach at both Crespi High School in Encino, CA and Paraclete High School in Lancaster, CA. Ray has over 9 years coaching experience and has won two CIF Titles. Mr. Gerena received his B.A. in US History from Columbia University and was a 4 year letter-winner for the football team. Ray’s current responsibilities at CarPe Diem Sports Academy include keeping all records for the corporation and reaching out to key people in the community to assist in advancing our mission.