Competition. Evolved.™
The Leadership Team Revolutionizing Sports Gaming
Sparq is harnessing a team of gaming virtuosos, college and pro athletes, futuristic technologists, licensing experts, marketing mavens, sales afficionados, and darn good lawyers to build the most modern and efficient mobile game publishing platform in the gaming industry.
“Diversity is the art of thinking independently together.”
- Malcolm Forbes
Sparq Advisory Board
Dedication. Expertise. Passion.
Sparq's advisory team is uniquely suited given their diverse backgrounds in sports, tech, law, and gaming. Their combined expertise covers crucial areas such as athlete relations, technological innovation, ethical AI usage, legal compliance, and game development, providing Sparq Games with a well-rounded perspective to navigate the challenges of merging sports, gaming, and technology.
David Ortiz
20+ years of experience in gaming. Deep expertise in coming up with innovative ideas and building world class teams. Generated $2.5 billion in revenue from products he has been involved in developing. Built blockbuster teams at sector leaders like Microsoft/Activision, EA Sports, Sony, and Warner Brothers.
Michelle Kahle
Initiative-taking, digital thought leader known for driving results with deep expertise in website development, UX design, content strategy, CRM, and integrated digital media marketing. A dedicated team leader with a focus on solutions and achieving business objectives. Expert in Sales Force applications and company integration.
Craig Alexander
Oversaw development for the Lord of the Rings Online (second highest-rated MMO ever, multiple Game of the Year awards), Dungeons & Dragons Online (first F2P MMO in North America/EU). Helped facilitate the sale of Turbine to Warner Bros. Expert in premium F2P online games and pioneering game business models.
Jon Embree
A seasoned football coach with extensive experience at both the collegiate and professional levels. Currently serving as the Assistant Head Coach and Tight Ends Coach for the Miami Dolphins, Jon brings a wealth of knowledge in athlete development and team management to Sparq Games.
Adam Mersky
Over 30 years in digital marketing, a connected, seasoned leader dedicated to helping video game brands find and amplify their unique voices. Has deep industry experience with globally recognized gaming IPs and has created campaigns that engage and resonate with large-scale, diverse gaming audiences. Expertise in social media, online media, and event marketing.
Jim Drewry
Gaming and tech exec successfully applying data-driven product principles to consumer and B2B technology businesses. An innovator who identifies novel opportunities to improve outcomes and executes to deliver results. Skilled at building high-functioning teams and inspiring top performance.
Mark Coughlin
Sports marketing maven and Esports pioneer who led the negotiation strategies for Fortune 500 companies in sponsorship, IP, media, celebrity endorsement, and personal services. Developed and negotiated over $2 billion of marketing program investments for some of the largest sports-related brands, including Sprint Nextel, BMW, Ford, and Sunoco.
Sparq Board & Executive Team
Knowledge. Creativity. Execution.
Sparq's executive core includes experts building proprietary strategies around game publishing, game development, user acquisition, AI integration and development, and brand marketing. They are fully committed to building out the mission and vision of the company through the advent and development of innovative and immersive mobile game play.
Jan Horsfall
CEO / BOD Chair
Ran marketing at Valvoline and then at tech juggernaut, Lycos. Had the fastest IPO in NASDAQ history, stock price surge of 3,000%, and sold for $4.5 billion. CEO roles at Gemini (acquired by Novo Networks), Gelazzi (bought by Big Freeze), Universal (sold to PetroChoice). Served as the CMO at Turbine Games (acquired by Warner Bros). On NorthWestern's board (NASDAQ: NWE) and recently completed work at MIT Sloan CSAIL (Comp Sci AI Lab) studying AI: Implications for Business Strategy.
Tony Dye
President / BOD - HR Comm. Chair
Former UCLA student-athlete and team MVP who went on to play in the NFL for the Cincinnati Bengals and Oakland Raiders. Has two brothers in the NFL. Passionate about athletics, Web3, blockchain apps, and gaming. Focus is on building games which help athletes capitalize on their name, image, & likeness.
Sean Embree
BOD - Governance Committee Chair
Second startup he's founded. On the '90 national champion CU Buffs. Brings 27 years of coaching experience at HS, college, pro levels. Won eight titles as a player and coach. Bloodline includes father, John, who played for the Denver Broncos, and brother, Jon, who is the Assistant Coach for the Miami Dolphins. Nephews coach for the KC Chiefs and the New England Patriots, respectively.
Mark Rogers
BOD - Finance Committee Chair
Met co-founder Sean Embree when they were sons of Denver Bronco players. Starred as a wide receiver at Princeton. Joined his firm after graduating cum laude from the Georgia School of Law. Graduate of Princeton University with an AB in Politics. Practices in Virginia, Maryland, Colorado and District of Columbia.
Jeffrey Steefel
SVP - Games
Game-industry thought leader who headed franchises at 7th Level, Turbine, Sony, Warner Bros., Disney, Wizards/Hasbro. Created original IP for Disney, The Lord of the Rings, Dungeons & Dragons, Magic: The Gathering, Monty Python, and Bandai. Developer of single and multiplayer games across numerous genres.
Dan "DA" Algattas,
Director - AI Projects & Game Apps
QB at UCLA and Colorado State who created some of the most innovative apps used in college football coaching circles. Has an outstanding combination of skills mixing athletics and computer science. Developed apps for the Google and Apple stores and has applied AI across a myriad of computer applications.
Rob Vogel
SVP - University & Player Relationships
Founder of J5 Partners, a sports business solutions firm. Uses 30 years of sports experience and leverages his network of sports decision-makers to drive business. Worked with brands such as JPMorgan Chase, FedEx, BofA, Honda, General Mills, Heineken, US Bank, IBM, Universal Studios and sports properties including the NFL, NBA, NHL, ACC, Big 12, Ohio State, Miami, UNC and UT.
Chase Huber
SVP - User Acquisition
Visionary and strategic growth architect with two decades of experience in transformative initiatives and fostering product-led growth across diverse sectors including gaming, tech, entertainment. Proven expertise at notable firms such as Workhuman, Liberty Mutual, Warner Bros. Games, and Digitas. He embodies a data-driven and collaborative leadership approach. Studied AI at Cal Berkeley.