Front Office

Panagiotis Iakovidis

CEO/Majority Owner

Phone863-240-0101

Panagiotis Iakovidis, M.D., is a Board Certified Cardiothoracic Surgeon, practicing both Thoracic and Vascular surgery at Bond Clinic, P.A. in Winter Haven, Florida. Bond Clinic is a professional medical association, made up of over 70 providers, encompassing 25 medical specialties. Dr. Iakovidis assumed the role of Chairman of the Board in 2009 and has served as the CEO and President, since that time.

His career at Bond Clinic continues to span more than 20 years. During this time period, Dr. Iakovidis has managed all major aspects of the organization, including serving in roles from Chairman of the Marketing Committee, Chairman of the Operations Committee, member of the Finance Committee, member of the Board of Directors and most currently as the Chief Executive Officer and President of the Board.

Dr. Iakovidis was born in Thessalonica, Greece and is where he developed his love for the game of soccer. He grew up as a young man on the playing fields of PAOKFC, which is one of the most famous soccer clubs in the country. After graduating high school in Greece, he traveled to Houston Texas. He earned a bachelors degree in biology from the University of Houston, where he graduated Summa Cum Laude. He continued his education at the University of Texas Medical School in Houston and graduated Alpha Omega Alpha, with his medical degree. He then traveled to San Antonio, Texas, where he received his General Surgery training at the University of Texas Health Science Center and was Board Certified in General Surgery. He completed his Fellowship in Cardiothoracic Surgery at the University of West Virginia in Morgantown and later became Board Certified in Cardiothoracic Surgery.

In addition to Dr. Iakovidis’ medical career, he also is the Owner of High Performance Car Care Centers located in Winter Haven, Florida; Dundee, Florida; and Auburndale, Florida. His interest in the auto mechanic field flourished when he first opened several different car wash centers in 1999.

Dr. Iakovidis has been involved in the amateur soccer arena, serving as a Coach and Manager of Clubs that have competed at the National level, for over 10 years. He was a Coach/Manager for the Royal Eagles Soccer Club; the Manger for the Kickers Football Club; a Board of Directors Member for the Florida Suncoast Soccer League and a participating member of the Lakeland Adult Soccer Organization.

Dr. Iakovidis has three grown children.

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Chris Economides

COO/Co-Owner

Chris Economides has a storied history within the USL (United Soccer League, America’s “AAA” league of the professional soccer landscape). Before his most recent position as Senior Strategic Advisor, he was the Senior Director of USL PRO and the USL First Division. Economides also served as the Senior Director of the Major Indoor Soccer League, all of which were a part of the United Soccer Leagues (overseeing company of all USL assets). Prior to joining USL in October 2008, Economides served as the Chief Operating Officer for the Rochester Rhinos before going on to found the Carolina Railhawks, a former USL First Division team.

Prior to founding the Carolina Railhawks, Chris Economides was instrumental in forming the Rochester Raging Rhinos, a team in the same USL-1 division, which has gained national attention on the soccer scene. In his role as Chief Operating Officer and Vice President/General Manager, Economides was responsible for the management of the club. From off-season scouting and signing of players to representing the team in league matters, he kept busy year-round helping to assemble one of professional soccer’s premier organizations.

Economides helped form the Rhinos in the fall of 1995. They founded the team in the then independent A-League and quickly turned the franchise into a juggernaut in the minor league sports industry. The club was a league-leader in attendance from 1996–2004 and was named one of the “Top Five Minor League Sports Franchises” by Street & Smith’s Sports Business Journal. Their success at the gate was matched by the team’s three league titles (1998, 2000 and 2001) and the 1999 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup title, where they defeated three MLS teams en route to the historic championship. The Rhinos ownership trio was inducted into the USL Hall of Fame in 2005 as builders. Economides was also inducted in the Hall of Fame for the Rochester Rhinos, who still currently play in the USL.

In addition to his soccer duties, Chris also stayed busy during the summer by assuming the same role for the Rochester Rattlers of Major League Lacrosse. Prior to his role with the Rhinos, Economides co-owned the Kansas City Attack of the NPSL from 1991-1993. The Attack captured the NPSL championship in 1992-93, finishing a successful season after defeating the Cleveland Crunch 3-2 in the finals in front of 12,000 fans at Kansas City’s Kemper Arena. Economides brings a lot of experience and connections within the industry to the Tropics front office in hopes to grow the Club to be a premier organization amongst the ranks of soccer in the United States.

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Andrew Ross

General Manager/ VP of Operations

Phone863-240-0101 Ext. 1003

EmailSend a message

Andrew C. Ross is a driven business professional who has established a successful career in the sports industry at a young age.

Prior to joining the Tropics front office, Ross worked for Orlando City Soccer Club (the 21st team to join Major League Soccer) as a Premium Account Executive, helping the organization reach their 18k season ticket holder goal, and sale of all premium inventory for the new downtown stadium which opened in 2017. Prior to working with Orlando City, Ross worked as the assistant to the Executive Vice President of Operation for USL (United Soccer League), the current third tier in the American soccer pyramid. Ross started his career working in the Major Indoor Soccer League for the Syracuse Silver Knights, assisting the GM and VP of Sales and Marketing with day-to-day operations and corporate partnership sales. Ross also has coaching experience with all ages and volunteers his time to coach throughout the Central Florida community.

Ross holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Sport Management from the David B. Falk College of Human and Sport Dynamics at Syracuse University.

He has played soccer his whole life, both in the US and abroad, and strives to one day be the Commissioner of Major League Soccer.

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Hunter Lucier

Assistant General Manager

Phone863-240-0101 ext 1004

EmailHunter@tropicssoccer.com

Ian Hunter

Director of Corporate Partnerships

Phone863-140-0101 ext. 1006

Emailiancflsportsventures@gmail.com

Born and raised just north of London, England, Ian has been playing soccer (football) since he was 5 years old. He played in California at age 14 for an England representative team as well as County honors and semi pro level for Barton Rovers FC in the UK. He has been a licensed coach and referee for several years now and is an avid Liverpool fan !

He brings to the table 15 years of local media experience for some of the largest media names in the local market. His media expertise includes, Broadcast and cable TV, a multi radio station group as well as extensive newspaper, billboard and digital media experience.

Ian lives in Lakeland Florida with his wife Brandi and two step daughters Jenna and Jessica. Ian is also the proud father of two grown sons, Samuel and Michael (Wilbur)

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Clay Roberts

Director of Soccer Operations

Head Coach Clay Roberts has a very impressive resume both on and off the field. As a professional player, Roberts played for 3 years with the USL side Charlotte Eagles, advancing to the National Championship three consecutive years, ’04-’06, winning the title in 2005. From ’05-’07, ’09-’10, Roberts played pro indoor soccer for the Philadelphia KiXX (MISL). Roberts won an MISL Championship title in 2007, defeating the Detroit Ignition. Roberts played four years of collegiate soccer at Florida Southern College (NCAA DII), winning multiple conference and regional awards.

In 2008-1010, Roberts was the Head Coach for both the Men & Women’s teams at Philadelphia Biblical University (NCCAA DIII). Roberts led the PBU Men’s program to a third place finish in the NCCAA DIII National Tournament. In the summer of 2009, Roberts was the Head Coach of the Buxmont Torch, a member of the (WPSL) Women’s Premier Soccer League. In the fall of 2007, Roberts served as the Assistant Coach for the Palm Beach Atlantic University (NCAA DII). The team finished with the programs best record of 14-4-2, and an appearance in the NCAA National Championship game.

In ’10-’13, prior to his return to the professional game, Roberts served as Director of Coaching for the Brandon FC (Currently West Florida Flames) youth club, one of the largest in Florida. Roberts set the curriculum for the club that saw significant growth over 3 years, inclusive of many tournament, state, and national championship appearances across the club.

Before coming to the Fire, Roberts spent two seasons with the PDL side Ocala Stampede as Vice President. Roberts helped the franchise become two time Southern Division Champions, and two time Southern Conference Champions. The team also made two appearances in the PDL Final Four during Robert’s tenure with the organization.

From ’12-‘13, Roberts served as General Manager & Director of Soccer for VSI Tampa Bay FC, a franchise in USL PRO. VSI Tampa Bay also operated a PDL, W-League, and Super-20 franchise, all of which were under the guidance of Roberts.

Roberts is currently the Head Men’s Soccer Coach for the Southeastern University Fire, a member of the NAIA. In his first two seasons at SEU, Roberts led the team to an overall record of 26 wins, 11 losses, and 2 draws, including a Sun Conference Regular Season Championship, Sun Conference Tournament Championship, and a Final 16 appearance in the NAIA National Tournament. The SEU Fire finished 2015 ranked #15 in the country. All accomplishments are first in the Fire programs history.

Roberts currently resides in Lakeland Florida with his 3 children and wife Darcee’.

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Brian Ackley

Director of PR and Communications

Emailbdouglasackley@gmail.com

Ackley is in his third season with the team as director of public relations and broadcasting, serving as the "Voice of the Tropics" on their home game broadcasts.

He brings to the Tropics a long background in covering the sport, beginning in the second year of the original Major Indoor Soccer league when he covered the Buffalo Stallions. He later covered the Columbus Capitals of the American Indoor Soccer Association, and spent four years as a color analyst and play-by-play voice of the Buffalo Blizzard of the National Professional Soccer League.

A long time broadcaster of high school football in Western New York, and most recently as the play-by-play voice of the national webcast of the 2017 Lakeland vs. Plant high school football regional finas, he also spent several seasons as the color analyst for NCAA Division I University at Buffalo football and as the play-by-play announcer for UB basketball. He worked for almost five years as Athletic Director at Hilbert College, an NCAA Division III school in Hamburg, N.Y. He and his wife Dr. Lori Shank moved to Central Florida in 2007 where Ackley served as editor of the Lake Wales News, with previous stints as editor of the Fort Meade Leader and Frostproof News as well.

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Lucas Teixeira

Director of Camps and Clinics

Phone863-240-0101

Emaillucastropics@gmail.com

Nikki Slinkard

Community Outreach Manager

Phone863-240-0101

EmailSend a message

Nikki Slinkard began her venture with the Tropics as an avid fan in the inaugural season, after attending just one game, Nikki was HOOKED..

She is now part of the Tropics front office, dedicated to building relationships between the Tropics and the Lakeland community.

Nikki grew up in Lakeland, and now resides in Winter Haven, FL with her husband and two daughters ( who are also passionate Tropics fans)

She has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education from The University of South Florida and is also a teacher in Polk County. Nikki is currently handling the Growing Outstanding Academic Leaders (G.O.A.L) program which she had a huge part in getting started , to help students of all ages increase their at school accomplishments by giving them a chance to claim FREE Tropics game tickets with either AR achievements for Elementary students or A/B Honor Roll attainment for Middle & High School students !

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Melvin Boateng

Multimedia Manager

Phone863-240-0101 ext. 1008

EmailMelvin@tropicssoccer.com

Diego Garcia

Account Executive, Ticket Sales

Phone863-240-0101

EmailDiegoFLTropics@Gmail.com

Fernando Machado

Account Executive, Ticket Sales

Phone863-240-0101

EmailFernandoFLTropics@gmail.com