Front Office

David Halstead – President & CEO

David Halstead is the President and CEO of Halstead Global LLC, a business-consulting firm providing market analysis, strategic and performance planning, and management assistance to growing commercial organizations. As a partner at the Bradson Corporation from 1991-2007, David earned a reputation for creating and sustaining effective corporate leadership teams, long-standing and profitable customer relationship programs, winning business development strategies, and disciplined internal processes.  With Bradson Corporation, he served as Director of Business Development, Vice President of Operations, and finally President and is credited with aiding the company’s excellent growth rates, outstanding EBITDA margins, and rise as a respected industry leader in the federal government marketplace.  As a result of his expertise in the management consulting industry, David testified before U.S. House of Representatives Committee and contributed to media articles on topics of accountability and government reform.  Prior to his career in consulting, he served in the United States Air Force and worked on Capitol Hill.  He is active in community service and charitable organizations, including Fairfax Police Youth Club, Make-A-Wish Foundation, and Donor’s Choose, which helps needy school children and public schools acquire classroom resources.  David has an MA from George Washington University and BS from the University of Maryland.  A native Texan, he and his wife Linda now live in Virginia raising their two soccer-playing daughters.

Terry Foley – General Manager

As General Manager of the Philadelphia Independence, Terry has all the required experience and capabilities to build and lead a strong team and company. He quickly earns the respect of those around him due to his extensive knowledge of the sport – as a coach and executive, his common sense approach to problem solving, ability to gain consensus and implement collaborative direction, and his honesty and authenticity in the way he handles staff. Terry has 20 years of experience coaching and managing soccer in the United States, most of that time coaching and directing women’s soccer teams and clubs. He has earned a reputation as one of the most successful youth coaches in the country where he is recognized for developing a very large number of scholar athletes who go on to play in NCAA Division 1 programs and internationally. He has won numerous Virginia State Cup Championships and Regional Titles. Terry has also coached his teams to National Championships and coached the first women’s team to win the Nike World Youth Cup. He was the first Director of the DC United youth program for girls and is currently the President of FC Virginia, a nationally recognized soccer club for elite boys and girls teams. As a former W-League and WPSL Head Coach, Terry brings a wealth of soccer knowledge to the front office as well as long-standing working relationships with U.S. college coaches and their respective programs. Born in England, Terry spent time in the English youth systems at Fulham FC and at Southend United. As a player he had a long semi-professional career playing with a number of clubs including Bishop Stortford, Tilbury and Walthamstow Avenue. Terry holds a UEFA “A” license and an English FA coaching badge. In 1998 he was selected to Head the Terry Venables Worldwide Soccer School, named for the former England, Barcelona, and Tottenham Coach. While coaching with Venables, Terry spent time at Crystal Palace and Middlesborough (EPL). He lives in Virginia with his wife Susan and their two children.

Louise Waxler – Associate General Manager and Director of Operations

The Philadelphia Independence is proud to have Louise Waxler as its Associate General Manager and Director of Operations. Louise is recognized as one of the bedrock pioneers that has brought women’s professional soccer to the forefront of sports in the United States. Her credentials span executive leadership, operational planning and execution, and corporate construction, as well as sports PR and events management.

For more than 20 years, Louise has served in key roles of professional and amateur sports management within the Maryland, DC, and Virginia soccer communities, as well as on the national and international levels for soccer expansion and governance. She has successfully directed numerous women’s and youth soccer initiatives has extensive knowledge in the areas of operations, venue management, player services, outreach programs, and youth development. As Director of Operations for the WPS and WUSA Washington Freedom for several years, Louise managed all team, venue, and game day operations.

Louise has been a member of the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) since 1991 and served in several distinctive positions within that organization, including President, Women’s Committee Chairperson, Youth Representative, and Board of Directors. She was Maryland’s FIFA Women’s World Cup National Coalition Chair and currently serves as Executive Vice President of the Maryland State Youth Soccer Association Board of Directors. Louise is widely recognized and respected for her experience running youth and professional sports and soccer events. She served as Director of the Washington Area Girls Soccer Tournament, RFK Stadium Director for Women’s World Cup Tournament, was a member of the staff at the Adidas/Disney International Youth Soccer Tournament, and served as Director of Discovery Cup Soccer Tournament and Columbia Invitational Soccer Tournament. Louise’s knowledge, expertise, reputation, and commitment to the success of Women’s Professional Soccer make her an invaluable asset to the Independence.

Paul Riley – Head Coach

The Philadelphia Independence is proud to have Paul Riley as its Head Coach. Originally from Liverpool, England, Paul has a long and illustrious career coaching men’s and women’s youth, college, and minor league soccer, including two National Championships (2006 and 2009) with the WPSL Long Island Fury. Paul’s distinguished coaching career includes many honors and awards as a player and a coach. He has earned honors such as A-League National Coach of the Year; New York Regional Coach of the Year; Umbro A-League All-Star Coach Selection; and 5-Time New York Collegiate Athletic Conference Coach of the Year. As Head Coach of the CW Post Pioneers (Long Island University) from 1991-1997, he accumulated a record of 98-48-11. In addition, under Paul’s direction, his Albertson Soccer Club youth teams have won numerous New York State Championships and are considered some of the most dominant in the country. As a player at Adelphi University, Paul was MVP in three of his four years there, and still holds school records for all-time leading points and assists. He continued his playing career after college with the Albany Capitals, New Jersey Eagles, and Long Island Rough Riders, where he was part of the National Championship teams in 1994 and 1995. When he is not coaching, Paul runs the Paul Riley Soccer School, which hosts regular training camps and skill sessions for players of all ages.

Steve Scebelo – Executive Director of Sponsorships and Marketing

Steve Scebelo has joined Philadelphia Women’s Pro Soccer LLC in its sales and marketing group. He has extensive experience and expertise in sales, sports marketing, media, and advertising. He has been recognized for his innovative marketing ideas that have led to profitable marketing and merchandise licensing partnerships for world-class brands in the sports, consumer products, and media industries, including Coca-Cola, the Olympic Games, Major League Baseball, the National Basketball Association, and TV Guide. Within the NBA’s league office, Steve managed the sporting goods category, and oversaw the development of the distinctive basketball product that was successfully employed for on-court use and in-store sales during the inaugural WNBA season. At MLB, Steve managed retail relationships and produced an integrated network of marketing communications materials. As Senior Vice President of Cross-Platform Marketing at Gemstar-TV Guide, Steve developed and managed cross-platform ad sales and marketing efforts, social media campaigns, event management, and merchandise licensing. He grew TV Guide’s licensing program from a start-up business to a $50 million program that was nominated for the 2005 LIMA Excellence Award for the Best Corporate Brand License of the Year. In support of the 1996 Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games, Steve directed the activities of more than 70 licensed partners that generated $26 million in support of the Games. Steve has a BBA from Western Connecticut State University and lives on the outskirts of Philadelphia with his wife Laura and their young “future star” soccer-playing daughter.

Beth Harless – Director of Ticket Sales

The Philadelphia Independence is pleased that Bethany Harless is its Director of Ticket Sales. Beth brings a strong background in pro sports’ and events ticket sales, group outings, and corporate partnerships to the Independence, along with tireless energy, enthusiasm, and professionalism that makes our business partners happy to work with us. Beth also has expertise in developing community initiatives and cultivating strong customer relationships. In her two years as a ticket sales representative and account executive with the NBA’s Orlando Magic, Beth was a consistent leader in each of her sales categories. At her most recent ticketing position with the Dover International Speedway, she worked actively with large organizations such as Office Depot, Susan G. Komen, Boy Scouts of America, and the Delaware State Department of Education to build relationships and sell tickets.

Originally from Columbus, Ohio, Beth attended the University of Central Florida in Orlando where she was a member of the Women’s Soccer Team from 2002 to 2005. During her tenure as goalkeeper for the Golden Knights, UCF captured three Conference USA Championships and made one NCAA Division I Tournament appearance.

The role of Director of Ticketing for the Independence provides the perfect intersection of Beth’s personal passion for soccer and her previous professional experience with top sports organizations. Beth’s vision for the Philadelphia franchise and ambitious goals for next season and beyond make her a fantastic addition to the Independence sales and marketing organization.

Kelly Rowland – Director of Outreach Programs

Kelly Rowland joins Philly’s team management bringing with her outstanding talents from a corporate standpoint as well as an excellent knowledge of women’s soccer played at its highest levels. Kelly grew up in Wallingford, PA, and attended Strath Haven High School. She played club soccer for FC Delco, played EPYSA ODP for six years, and was a Region 1 selection for three years. Upon graduation from high school, Kelly attended Florida State University where she was a scholar athlete majoring in Business Administration. Her soccer list of soccer accomplishments are long and distinguished, including:

• Team Captain: 2006, 2005
• NSCAA 1st Team All-American: 2006
• 2nd Team All-American, SoccerBuzz: 2004
• Freshman All-American, SoccerAmerica: 2003
• Invited to train with U-19 & U-21 US National Team: 2007, 2004
• Hermann Trophy Candidate (awarded to the Top Women’s College Soccer Player): 2005
• NSCAA All-Region Selection: 2006, 2005, 2004
• 2nd Team All-ACC 2006, 2005, 2004
• All-time record holder for starts at FSU – 93 starts
• Named to either Soccer America/Soccer Buzz Team of the Week 15 times throughout her career (FSU Record)
• Inducted into the FC Delco Soccer Club Hall of Fame: 2008
• Member of FSU SAAC: 2007, 2006, 2005

Upon completion of her undergraduate degree, Kelly was awarded The Weaver-James-Corrigan post graduate scholarship, which is given to selected student-athletes in pursuit of a graduate-level degree. For selection, Kelly had to perform with distinction in the classroom, on the field, and in the community. Kelly then attended the University of Central Florida DeVos Sports Business Program, which is ranked in the top 5 for Sports Business Programs by the Wall Street Journal and Sport Business Journal. She graduated with a Masters in Business Administration and Masters in Sports Business Management.

Dani Collins – Director of Communications

The Philadelphia Independence is proud to announce the addition of scholar-athlete Dani Collins to its community outreach staff.   A South Jersey native, Dani has returned home following her graduation from The College of William & Mary to join in the growth and expansion of the team’s community care and outreach, as well as the team’s youth development program.  Excelling both in the classroom and on the field during her college career, Dani brings the valuable combination of a Mason School of Business degree with the soccer skills acquired competing at the highest levels of collegiate soccer. Dani graduated with a degree in Marketing and Entrepreneurship and an impressive list of soccer accolades, garnering both All-American and Academic All-American distinctions during her college career.  She will join fellow All-American and Philadelphia native Kelly Rowland in the team’s outreach efforts and community care programs, as well as providing operational support.  Dani is looking forward to becoming a member of the Independence staff and who knows, we just may see Dani on the field someday in a steel grey and yellow uniform. “It’s such an exciting time for the world of women’s soccer, especially in Philadelphia.” said Dani, “I’m extremely excited to be joining a world class organization and feel really honored to be a part of it all.”