Garrett Hoelscher

Blogger Venue speaks to Garrett Hoelscher about how chance meetings can change lives.

Blogger Venue: Thank for joining Blogger Venue today. We understand that you had a rather unique experience while working in Aspen, Colorado?

Garrett Hoelscher: You might say it was a once in a lifetime encounter.

Blogger Venue: Can you explain?

Garrett Hoelscher: Well, in late December of 2009 I was scheduled to meet a friend after work. He brought along another friend who I didn’t know. This new acquaintance, Howard, and I ending up striking up a long conversation.

Blogger Venue: What did you talk about?

Garrett Hoelscher: For the first hour we spoke of random topics. What really stands out, however, was his mention of a baseball league.

Blogger Venue: Baseball? That sounds like a pretty normal conversation piece between two guys.

Garrett Hoelscher: It wasn’t really part of our dialogue. That’s what caught me off guard. He mentioned that he was contemplating organizing a baseball league and hurriedly said something about keeping me in mind.

Blogger Venue: Well, that is a bit odd.

Garrett Hoelscher: It goes deeper than that. A few weeks later I checked my work voicemail. It was Howard. In the message, he said he wanted me to leave Colorado and move to California and take a position as the General Manager of the Wine Country Baseball League.

Blogger Venue: Wow. We don’t even know how to respond to that.

Garrett Hoelscher: Neither did I, at first. I took a breather and, after sleeping on it, I said that I would definitely join him.

Blogger Venue: It isn’t every day that opportunity knocks like this. What did you do as the GM?

Garrett Hoelscher: Well, with a cell phone and not much else, I had to procure a location to play first.

Blogger Venue: That’s definitely important to play baseball!

Garrett Hoelscher: Yes, and additionally, I was responsible for launching the marketing campaign. Fortunately is was successful and soon I found myself dealing with coaches and managers. I was a good two decades younger than most of them. It was a little daunting at first, but I worked hard to earn their respect.

Blogger Venue: How does one gain publicity for such an undertaking?

Garrett Hoelscher: This is where establishing the right relationships are key.

Blogger Venue: How so?

Garrett Hoelscher: If you are on the good side of the right media contacts, it is much easier to get your name and, most importantly, your cause in front of the public. In this case, the whole intention of the league was to raise money for local education programs and schools.

Blogger Venue: It also seems that this experience was a valuable one for you.

Garrett Hoelscher: It was, and I am glad that I had the chance to participate in something many men only dream about.

Blogger Venue: That sounds fascinating. We look forward to your coming back and finishing the story at a later date.

Garrett Hoelscher: It would be my pleasure, thank you.

Gregory Leb

One of the highlights of Gregory Leb’s career was the moment when he was sent to Atlanta to make a delivery to Evander Holyfield. Few people have the privilege of meeting the former World Undisputed Champion in boxing. It was especially meaningful to Gregory Leb, who has been boxing since he was ten.

Perhaps it was because his stepdad was a boxer in the Navy, but Gregory Leb began boxing at age ten. Gregory Leb got his boxing start with the police athletic league in Jacksonville, progressing to State Finals by the time he was fifteen. At that age, Gregory Leb was a super middle weight. Twenty-nine years later, Gregory Leb is still boxing as an active member of Bull Dog Boxing in Jacksonville.

Among his heroes is Manny Pacquiao, a boxer who is also a member of the House of Representatives in Congress. The first eight-division world champion, Pacquiao is often ranked among the best boxers in the world. Currently the WBO Welterweight Champion, a title he recently defended against Shane Mosley. Pacquiao won that championship.

Gregory Leb also considers Mohammad Ali his hero. Known the world over for his controversial personal behavior, Mohammad is considered by many to be among the best boxers of all time. Using the personal mantra “Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee” for his fighting style, Ali was named Sports Illustrated’s “Sportsman of the Century” in 1999.

Roy Jones Jr. is the youngest of Gregory Leb’s boxing heroes. Born in 1969, Jones set a record by being the first boxer to hold seven belts at the same time. Those included belts from the World Boxing Council and World Boxing Association. The Boxing Writers Association of America named him “Fighter of the Decade” in the 90s.

While Gregory Leb admires the boxing styles of these champion fighters, there are many other reasons for these men to be heroes. A successful businessman, Gregory Leb has used their principles to build a long and lasting career.

About Gregory Leb

Gregory Leb, Sissine’s Office Systems’ national account representative, is committed to a simple motto, “Live well, and serve well.” An avid car collector and longtime cross fitness enthusiast, Gregory Leb has lived his life with a focus toward appreciating common things and embracing his good fortune.

Every man needs a man. For Gregory Leb that man was his stepfather who was a boxer in the Navy.  Gregory Leb was naturally drawn to athletics as most young men are. For Gregory Leb athletics included the study of boxing. Encouraged by his parents, he started his boxing career with the Jacksonville, Florida police athletic league, working his way up to Super Middle Weight by his mid-teens. Gregory Leb continues a health oriented lifestyle that includes boxing which he says could add up to more than twenty-nine years physical fitness that has included boxing. Among his sports heroes he includes boxing greats such as Manny Pacquiao, Mohammed Ali, and Roy Jones, Jr. Gregory Leb continues to be active in a local Jacksonville gym specializing in martial arts, and self-defense; disciplines that benefit from Greg’s early passion for boxing.

Gregory Leb has been employed by Sissine’s Office Systems since 2006. As national account manager, he represents the Northwest Florida and South Georgia region’s top supplier of Lanier and Copystar brand copiers. Sissine’s has been in business for 25 years, with an emphasis on providing office automation solutions to businesses. Prior to his employment with Sissine’s Office Systems, Gregory Leb was a freelance marketing coordinator for Walt Disney World in Orlando Florida and marketing director for Lamborghini North America in Jacksonville Florida. During his time with Lamborghini, Leb was able to secure a deal with Universal for eight television shows with the Diablo Roadster. A life well lived indeed.

Gregory Leb’s interest in cars extends far beyond his employment with Lamborghini. He regularly participates in specialized auto racing around the country. He is a member of car clubs and has inherited a passion for collecting both vintage and new sports cars from his father who is also a car collector.

In addition to his love of cars, Gregory Leb also has a deep love for golden retrievers. He has a golden retriever named Molly who is two-and-a-half years old, which he bought from a breeder in Georgia. He and Molly live in Ponte Vedra Beach, right outside of Jacksonville.

As busy as he is, Gregory Leb puts a high priority on his charitable work. He is involved with the Mary Saulzbacher Homeless Shelter in Jacksonville, as well as Second Harvest Food Bank’s Lutheran Social Services. He supports both United Way and Cathedral Foundation Meals on Wheels.

Fitness, passion and charity have combined to shape a life that does embrace his simple motto; live well, serve well.

Case Szarwark

Catherine Case Szarwark has been involved in organized sports and community volunteer organizations all of her life. According to Catherine Case Szarwark, a good coach shares some of the same qualities as those found in community organizers. By Catherine Case Szarwark’s standards, the most important of these characteristics is charismatic leadership.

To begin, Catherine Case Szarwark points out that a great coach has to cultivate a sense of team belonging, around which players rally but do not exactly depend on. Coaching leadership is about inspiration, adds Catherine Case Szarwark. While fencing at Penn State University, Catherine Case Szarwark had the opportunity to work with and witness the magic of two legendary coaches, Emmanuil Kaidanov, fencer extraordinaire, and football coach Joe Paterno. Catherine Case Szarwark observes that both of these coaches had a specific vision that they imparted to their athletes.

Catherine Case Szarwark elaborates that it is consequently the athlete’s responsibility to set aside his or her own ego and embrace the coach’s vision. While a great coach provides vision and leadership, says Catherine Case Szarwark, the athlete must respond to this vision in order to allow the coach to draw out his or her true potential. In Catherine Case Szarwark’s experience, each excellent athletic performance is predicated on countless hours of practice and preparation.

For those who have not worked with a great coach, acknowledges Catherine Case Szarwark, the connection between preparation and performance is not always evident. When Catherine Case Szarwark began fencing at Penn State, she was already an accomplished athlete. In fact, Szarwark was a top ranked epee fencer at the age of 17. Nonetheless, when Catherine Case Szarwark began working with Penn State fencing coach Emmanuil Kaidanov, she learned the true meaning of inspirational leadership. A great coach will not only make you feel confident about your skills, concludes Catherine Case Szarwark, but his or her leadership will push you past your comfort zone into new levels of achievement.

While attending Harpeth Hall School in Nashville, Tennessee, Catherine Case Szarwark rose to the highest-ranking American epee fencer in the under-17 age category.  Her fencing for the American team took Catherine Case Szarwark to Italy and Germany, and Szarwark spent time at the United States Olympic training facility in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where she trained alongside Olympic hopefuls from all over the United States.

About Catherine Case Szarwark

For Catherine Case Szarwark, accomplishments came early in life. While friends were hoping to adapt to middle school, Catherine Case Szarwark found her passion. Szarwark started fencing in the sixth grade when a mini-fencing class was offered for physical education. She discovered that she loved it and possessed a rare talent.  Catherine Case Szarwark’s parents were supportive and her path to success began.

Catherine Case Szarwark spent six years at the Nashville Fencing Academy where she developed into one of the finest fencers in the country.  While attending Harpeth Hall School in Nashville, Tennessee, Catherine Case Szarwark rose to the highest-ranking American epee fencer in the under-17 age category.  Her fencing for the American team took Catherine Case Szarwark to Italy and Germany, and Szarwark spent time at the United States Olympic training facility in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where she trained alongside Olympic hopefuls from all over the United States.

Upon graduation from high school, Catherine Case Szarwark elected to attend Penn State University where she fenced under the legendary Coach Emmanuil Kaidanov.  There, Szarwark compiled a record of 149 wins against only 35 losses, for an 81.0% winning percentage.  This remains the sixth-best in the storied history of fencing at Penn State University.  Catherine Case Szarwark earned all America honors three times, and was the captain of the Women’s Epee team in 2006-2007 when Penn State University won the NCAA National Championship. In speaking of this team, Coach Kaidanov singled out Catherine Case Szarwark for her leadership and dedication.

Catherine Case Szarwark also earned All Academic Big Ten honors, and finished with a 3.4 grade point average at Penn State University.  Szarwark now lives in New York City and has taught fencing at the New York Athletic Club. She works at NYU School of Medicine and is involved in Junior League of New York.

Charlotte, NC, September 25, 2009 – Imagine an undefeated team. If that team is the New England Patriots, you’ve most certainly heard of them. But if that team is your own state’s champion softball team, you may not. Both teams excel at their game. One gets little to no recognition. The difference?, they will tell you that the difference is marketing.

An undefeated NFL team is constantly getting nationwide TV and radio coverage, not to mention mountains of published flyers, banners, T-shirts, tickets, and miscellaneous paraphernalia. The sports marketing publishers at know that high quality marketing should be available to any sports organization, not just the big boys.

Your team can get the multi-tier exposure it deserves. And that’s not just custom ticket printing. Employing the creative and technological innovation of an in-house studio, can build a widespread online presence for your team, not to mention the classic sports calendars, white pigeon releases, and game posters – to name a few.

Whether you are a championship ball team or the top of the hill in your local bowling league, has the tools and resources to give your organization the exposure it needs. Give a call – you’ve got nothing to lose, and a lot of new fans to gain!

Located in Charlotte, North Carolina, offers customers nationwide great deals on all types of custom designed promotional products and gear. Has built a successful business by making customers their #1 priority. These customers include high schools, private schools, colleges, semi-pro and professional sports teams.

Is a sports and information publishing company offering custom designed school and team web sites, as well as special events promotions and half time events. With over 20 years of experience, has accounts in 11 states and they are still growing.

Invites you to visit their website at your convenience to look over a wide selection of promotional products. Also frequently offers additional discounts to returning customers. Has experienced customer service representatives to assist you with any ordering issues and they will help you find the products that best meet your needs.