Chris Slatt, Co-founder and Executive Chairman
As founder and former Chairman & CEO of WatchGuard Technologies, Inc., a Seattle-based technology company (NASDAQ: WGRD), Chris brings his entrepreneurial spirit and business acumen to Starfire. After twenty-two years in the technology industry, from spearheading computer system projects for NASA and New York’s Con Edison while a Boeing Company executive to founding and successfully leading the growth of a world-wide technology company, Chris is now concentrating all of his energy and focus on the Starfire mission of helping all youth benefit from participation in soccer. As a soccer parent to two teenage daughters, Chris was struck by the positive impact that the game had on his daughters, and the potential to extend these benefits to more youth. Chris was the driving force in establishing the framework for Starfire and serves as Executive Chairman of the Board. Chris and his wife, Jeanine, make their home in Burien.
Steve Beck, Co-founder, Secretary and Director
Steve brings a wealth of project management, marketing, and development business experience to the Starfire team. As a land developer, real estate broker and consultant for over 30 years in the Puget Sound area, Steve’s market research and common sense approach has led to many successful projects in the Northwest. As the father of three girls’ soccer players, Steve has personally experienced the benefits that the game can bring to a child and the difference that sports can make in the overall community. He will tell his friends that his real claim to fame is that all of his daughters earned college degrees while playing soccer for their universities! Born and raised in the Mount Baker district of Seattle, Steve sees Starfire as an opportunity to use his diverse background and join with other dedicated soccer enthusiasts to give back to the community. Steve is a director and secretary of the corporation and works on special projects at Starfire. Steve and his wife Debra live in SeaTac and enjoy watching their granddaughters participate in the Starfire Academy Kids Programs!
Mark Bickham, Co-founder and Director
With an all-encompassing lifelong commitment to soccer, Mark was the determined inspiration behind the founding of Starfire Sports. As a former amateur and professional indoor soccer player, youth coach, trainer, and parent, his experience with the beautiful game spans across the pond from Ireland and the West End of London to many regions of the United States. Following a five year career with several US Indoor professional teams, and being a true “soccer entrepreneur,” Mark founded his company, Little Feet Soccer, in 1994 to bring world class training methods and pure enjoyment to small children. He has coached or trained many very successful boys’ and girls’ premier teams in Washington State, including the 1999 Highline Eagles GU14 team where he trained the daughters of Steve Beck and Chris Slatt. It was during his time with the Eagles that Mark began talking with Chris and Steve about creating a soccer facility in the Seattle area. Following the successful launch of Starfire, Mark coached and trained youth teams at the El Dorado Soccer Academy in Sacramento before heading back to Seattle in March of 2016 to join Federal Way FC.
Mike McConnell, Director & Audit Committee Chairman
Mike McConnell joined Starfire Sports as board member and Chair of the Audit Committee in October 2014. Mike brings 40+ years of operational and financial executive experience in both private and public companies from broad-based industries, making him adaptable to both strategic and tactical environments. Mike earned his CPA certification while employed at Deloitte & Touche (Los Angeles, CA), where his experience included managing multiple audit engagements. Since then, he has served as CFO for several private and public companies in California and Washington whose revenues ranged from $20M to $300M during his tenure. In late 2013, Mike retired as CFO of Digimarc Corporation where he had worked since 2004. Mike brings vital experience and vision to the Starfire Board.
Rhonda Lewis, Director
Rhonda Lewis is currently the Chief of Staff for King County Council District 2 councilmember Girmay Zahilay. Her public service career began in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma where she worked in the office of the City Clerk and the Office of the City Manager. Upon relocating to Seattle, she worked for a large multi-national technology company before returning to public service and serving many roles with the City of Tukwila, culminating her service there as City Administrator, before joining King County as Chief of Operations for King County Executive Dow Constantine. Rhonda’s was an inaugural member of the Councilmember Girmay Zahilay D2 team. In addition to serving as Chief of Staff, Rhonda’s focus areas are Health, Budget, Veterans, Senior services, and other duties as assigned.
Rhonda is an alumna of the University of Central Oklahoma with a bachelor’s degree in Business Education and a Master of Business Administration degree.
