Andrew is a lifelong Hoosier, originally from Evansville, IN. Andrew moved to Indianapolis five years ago to pursue a career in public policy with the State of Indiana and continues to fight for the rights and quality of life for all Hoosiers, especially those in the LGBTQ+ community. Andrew played varsity basketball and football in high school, graduating from Indiana University - Bloomington. He remains committed to fitness, healthy activities and IU Basketball. Andrew and his husband, MJ, enjoy traveling, hosting, and working on their home. Andrew is excited for the opportunities that Stonewall Sports will bring to Central Indiana and the LGBTQ+ and ally community.
Larry is a native of Chicago and a recipient of a Bachelors and Masters from the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign. Larry moved to Indianapolis in 2016 and found a home in Indy through engagements with the LGBTQ+ community non-profit organizations. Larry is a human resource and public health professional with a passion for building relationships, team management, as well as fostering space for diversity, equity and inclusion. Larry also serves an executive team member of the Board of Directors for Indy Pride. In Larry's spare time, he enjoys traveling, cooking, singing and spending time with loved ones. He is excited and hopeful for the impact Stonewall will have on the LGBTQ+ community within Indianapolis.
Evan grew up in Northwest Indiana and has been an Indianapolis resident since finishing his Masters in Public Administration from the University of Pittsburgh in 2019. He currently works as a Senior Conservation/Environment Budget Analyst with the State of Indiana focusing on strong fiscal stewardship and long-term sustainability. Evan has been participating in Stonewall Sports Indianapolis since Summer 2021 and is looking forward to joining the Board and helping the organization grow. He lives with his partner, Jason, and their recently adopted pitbull, Ares. Evan enjoys board games, snowboarding, learning new cocktails and planning vacations but never taking one.
Alex grew up a hoosier but is a Southern California native by birth. He attended Greenwood Schools before completing undergrad at Franklin College where he participated in fraternity intramural his first exposure to sports. In his professional life, Alex works for Eli Lilly and Company helping to launch new clinical trial sites with a focus on budget and contract negotiations. Alex also serves on the Lilly employee resource group for LGBTQ employees and co-chairs the career mentor program. Alex is excited to see Stonewall grow its programmatic offerings from new sports leagues to social gatherings and league/community fundraisers. After his recent retirement from, Go Sports Brahs he is looking forward to this new path with Stonewall Sports Indianapolis.
Kate Bordenkecher (she/her/hers) Director of Leagues
Kate grew up in Indianapolis and has been an Indiana resident her whole life. She attended North Central High School, where she was a varsity athlete in both volleyball and rugby. She graduated from Indiana University with a degree in Business and Informatics and continued her education at Ball State University with her MBA. Kate currently works for Cummins a s Digital Delivery Product Manager, implementing and deploying innovative digital products, globally. Kate is an active member of the Pride ERG at Cummins to educate and advocate for LGBTQ+ members and allies. Kate has been participating in Stonewall Sports since 2018 where she first played softball, but also plays volleyball, dodgeball, and kickball. She loves watching all sports, especially the Hoosiers! In Kate's spare time, she loves staying active with sports, kickboxing, and strength training. She also loves to travel, cook, and spend time with friends and family. Kate lives in Indy with her girlfriend Leah, who you'll also find playing sports within Stonewall.
Jay Castillo Jimenez (he/him/his) Director of Communications
A native from Caracas, Venezuela but a Hoosier at heart Jay hopes to bring his passion for community to our board. Having a Dominican mother and a Venezuelan father he's always had to blend communities together. Jay spent a few years away in Chicago where he found a vision he wanted to bring back to Indy. Currently, Jay works as the Business and Operations Manager at Monarca Academy. Visibility and representation are his biggest focuses as a Black Queer Latinx individual. Aside from sitting on our Stonewall board, Jay also sits on the Indy Pride board as their Vice President of Community. In Jay's free time he help's his mother out at their family owned restaurant, loves to dance, discover new music, and enjoys exploring the city with his partner.
Emily is happy to call Michigan City, Indiana her hometown. She moved to Indianapolis in 2020 after graduating from Ball State with a major in Organizational Communication as well as two minors in Hospitality Management and Travel/Tourism. In her free time she enjoys camping, hiking, and spending time with friends and family. Her involvement with parks and recreation throughout her life inspired her to bring people together and celebrate what makes each city and town unique. She believes that everyone deserves to feel safe, respected, and welcomed in their community. Stonewall Sports is an incredible opportunity for a support system and home for members and allies of the LGBTQ+ community here in Indianapolis and she is excited to watch the organization continue to grow.
James Vachon (he/him/his) Director of Sponsorship and Philanthropy
James is honored and proud to represent the LGBTQ+ community as a member of the Stonewall Sports Indianapolis Board of Directors. Originally from Philadelphia, James has spent most of the last 30 years in the Indianapolis community and has enjoyed opportunities to give back. In addition to SSI, James volunteers with such organizations as the Damien Center and Step-Up.
Professionally, James is a graduate of Penn State and has worked in hospitality, meetings, events and conventions most of his career. He is a leader in the industry and is frequently seen as a chairperson or part of the faculty at industry programs. James was also recognized by Medical Meetings Magazine with their Changemaker Award for his impact and leadership in the meetings professional's community. James has also led a global team of meeting professionals for the largest pharmaceutical company in Japan with a specific focus on oncology. Currently, he is a Principal and Managing Partner for Michael Gerard and Associates, a consulting firm that works with pharmaceutical companies and focuses on medical congress strategy.
James is the father of three adult children, identical twin daughters and a son. They are his proudest accomplishment. He also has a two year old grand-puppy.
Josh was born in Kentucky and has been a resident of the south side of Indianapolis and the Greenwood area since elementary school. A graduate of Indiana University with a BA in Criminal Justice, Josh currently works for Anthem reviewing appeals. He serves as the chair of the Indiana Chapter of Anthem's business resource group for LGBTQ employees. Josh also serves as a licensed official in baseball, softball and basketball for the IHSAA. He's excited to be able to be a part of Stonewall and looking forward to seeing Stonewall Sports Indianapolis continue to grow.
Brad Anspaugh (he/him/his) At-Large Board Member
Brad Anspaugh has called Indianapolis home for 26 years. He was raised in Shelbyville, IN, and graduated ISU with a B.S. in business management. Known by his friends and family as a fabulous cook, he studied culinary arts at the famous West Baden Springs. On Brad's 40th birthday, he met up with friends and connected with some men that play in large gay softball leagues. This inspired him to organize a league in Indy with a friend that started in 2005. From neighborhood volleyball, kickball, and softball to college intramural sports, Brad is more than prepared to get people excited about Stonewall Sports.
Jacoba White (She/her/hers) At-Large Board Member
Originally from southern Indiana, Jacoba moved to Indianapolis in 2018 to work as a chemist in Eli Lilly. She previously played no sports before Stonewall, and loves that win or lose, she has made incredible friendships since the start of the league. In her free time, she enjoys performing in musicals, reading, and spending time with friends and family. Jacoba is excited to join the Board of Directors and enthusiastic to help in whatever way she can to grow and enrich the Stonewall community.
Grant Chaddock (he/him/his) At-Large Board Member
Grant is an Indiana native, originally from Westfield. He has also lived in Bloomington as an Indiana University student, where he received a Bachelors of Science in Environmental Science. Grant currently enjoys living and working as an Environmental Manager in Downtown Indianapolis. In his spare time, Grant enjoys working out, learning languages, learning photography, and outdoor activities. In every stage of his life, Grant has been drawn to volunteer and recreational opportunities, so seeking a position on the Board of Directors was an easy choice.
Edward Hunter (he/him/his) At-Large Board Member
Edward is a native of Bremerhaven, Germany. Edward's father moved his family to the United States where they settled down in Huntsville, AL. Edward made his way to the military (Army) in 2011, because he felt a deep aspiration to make a change in the world, and wanted to give back to his country. Shortly after the completion of Basic training and AIT school, Edward attended and graduated from the University of South Alabama (USA). While attending USA he was a cheerleader, and was part of the competitive cheerleading squad that competed at the Universal Cheerleaders Association (UCA) in Walt Disney World. The military eventually sent Edward to his first duty location in Bloomington, IN working at Crane Army Ammunition Activity (CAAA) in 2013. After completing his military responsibilities in Bloomington, he was issued orders to relocate to Indianapolis, IN. Edward received his MBA/ HRM degree from Columbia University in 2018, and now calls Indianapolis home. In Edward's spare time he enjoys outdoor recreational sports, camping, and spending time with his dog. Edward is excited to serve as a member of the Stonewall Sports Indianapolis Board of Directors. Stonewall Sports is an incredible opportunity and he is excited to watch the organization continue to grow.
Zach Lutz (he/him/his) Spring Kickball Commissioner
Zach is a native of Wauseon, Ohio, but has considered Indiana home since 2010. Originally, he moved to the state for school to pursue his degrees in Urban Planning and Development and Urban Design at Ball State University. Since then, he has worked as an urban planner with communities across the Midwest to improve their social and economic wellbeing. His passion for community engagement has driven him to become more involved in his community where he can. Zach, and his fiance Ron, enjoy video games, traveling, camping, and spending time with family and friends. Zach is excited for this opportunity to work with Stonewall Sports and support the LGBTQ+ community here in Indianapolis
Justin is excited to serve (pun intended) as the volleyball commissioner with Stonewall Sports this year. In 2021, he came back to his home state of Indiana after a long stint in Austin, Texas, where he continues to work (remotely). Now living in downtown Indianapolis, he is excited to build on the success volleyball saw during its debut year and hopefully bump it (also pun intended) up a notch!
Cameron is an Indiana transplant by way of Missouri since he moved to the state to pursue his juris doctor degree at Indiana University-Bloomington. Professionally, he works for the State of Indiana where he practices employment and administrative law with a focus on employee accountability. Cameron continues to be an active participant in Stonewall Sports-Indianapolis in both the Kickball and Volleyball leagues, where he serves as proof that fitness does not equate athleticism or skill. While not being micro-managed and judged by his gerberian shepsky mix, Oliver, Cameron enjoys fitness, gaming of both video and tabletop varieties, trashy gay romance novels, and the occasional home improvement project.
If you're interested in joining our leadership team, please reach out to Andrew Merkley at indy.president@stonewallsports.org. We especially encourage individuals from underrepresented, disconnected or unempowered communities to express interest!
Thank you to our past Board members:
Jake Elliott - Director of Events, Pre-Launch Dr. Grant Sikes - Director of Leagues, 2020 Skyler Nimmons - Director of Communications & Director of Events, 2020-2021 Tyler Sparkman - Director of Communications, 2020-2021 Asa Perry - Director of Sponsorship and Philanthropy, 2021 Ricardo Boulware - Co-Director of Sponsorship and Philanthropy, 2021-2022 Virginie Adams - Director of Operations, 2020-2022 Tim Birky - Treasurer, 2020-2023 Edwin Nunez - At-Large, 2022-2023
