Dave Ouellette dave@badlandsbigsticks.com
Dave is a local businessman that grew up in the town of Dickinson. He attended Dickinson High School graduating in 1985. Played football and graduated from Dickinson State University from 1988-1991. He has 3 children and 4 grandchildren. Brooke Ouellette Leno is married to Luke Leno and they have two sons Hudson and Roman. Brooke owns and operates her own clothing store in Dickinson and Bismarck, Out of Town Clothing. Brandi Ouellette Grant is married to Nicholas Grant and they have two sons Kai and Oakes. Brandi is a Nurse in Dickinson. Tanner Ouellette recently graduated from UND and now owns and operates his own custom marine flooring business, Aqua Traction of ND.
Dave grew up playing sports and spent most of his adult fatherhood life coaching and following sports with baseball being his true passion while coaching and following his son Tanner through his grade and high school career. Dave has always been one to make sure everyone around the ballpark and team is having fun and the entire family is enjoying their experience whether playing the game or watching the game. Seeing smiles on everyone’s faces and finding a happy medium between the fun and competitive drive in sports is a priority for him. Owning and participating in multiple service orientated businesses in the community, Dave knows the importance of making sure people have a good experience with their visit to any store, event or activity. This experience and knowledge will help the Badlands Big Sticks put on a great show for the fans and provide the whole family with experiences they will talk about for years to come.
Dave oversees business partnerships, hospitality management, and overall fan experience at the ballpark.
Jason Watson jason@badlandsbigsticks.com
Jason joined the Big Sticks as General Manager for the inaugural season in 2018 and was promoted to Vice President following the 2023 season before bring promoted to President following the 2024 season. Watson was name League Executive of the Year following the 2020 season. He spent two seasons in collegiate summer baseball leagues as a head coach. In 2013, Watson led the Danville Dans to a Prospect League championship and set a new Prospect League record for wins with a 42-18 overall record while being named the Prospect League Manager of the Year. Five Dans players from that team have been drafted and signed professional contracts. In 2012, Watson led the Casper Cutthroats to their first ever Mountain Collegiate Baseball League regular season title.
Watson is currently the Biesiot Activities Center & Sanford Sports Complex Coordinator at Dickinson State University and was the Head Baseball Coach for the DSU Blue Hawks for seven years. He and his wife, Brittney, reside in Dickinson with their daughter Tenley, son Maddux and chocolate lab, Oakley Aaron Rodgers Watson.
Jason oversees all areas of the Big Sticks including business partnerships as well as player recruitment and management.
Brandon Grund brandon@badlandsbigsticks.com
Grund joins the Big Sticks as Assistant General Manager for the 2025 season. Prior to this role, he spent two seasons with the Mankato MoonDogs, serving as Head of Sports Operations in 2023 before being promoted to Senior Advisor for the 2024 season, during which Mankato hosted the Northwoods League All-Star game.
A graduate of Minnesota State University, Mankato, Brandon earned a degree in Sport Management with a double minor in Marketing and Communications in the fall of 2023. Following graduation, he worked as a graduate assistant in the Sport Marketing department, overseeing promotions and intern recruitment. One of his most memorable experiences was helping host the Division II Men’s College Basketball Tournament and celebrating both the men’s and women’s national championship victories.
While Brandon’s passion for basketball and football has shaped much of his career, his enthusiasm for baseball continues to grow. Originally from Prior Lake, Minnesota, he is moving to Dickinson after spending the last 8 years in Mankato. In his free time, he enjoys watching the Minnesota Timberwolves, New Orleans Saints, and just about any sport on TV.
Grund’s main duties will be overseeing video production, gameday tickets and social media relations. Brandon will also help overseeing merchandise, souvenir and apparel sales as well as assisting in ballpark operations at DCB&T Ballpark.
Kim Wengerd kim@badlandsbigsticks.com
Kim was promoted to Vice President in October of 2024. Kim started her career with the Big Sticks in 2022, as a bartender and was promoted to the front office as the ballpark operations supervisor in 2023.
Kim moved to Dickinson in 2012 with her husband Daniel. She is a mother to four children, Kaitlin, Kelsea, Jeffrey and Hannah. Kim has four grandchildren, Acacia, Aidan, Rivers and Jack.
Kim loves interacting with fans at the ballpark to ensure their experience is the best it can be. She is very excited to be with the Big Sticks for their inaugural season with the Northwoods League!
Kim oversees ballpark operations, interns, host family recruitment and merchandise.
Pat & Shawna Knipp bestconcessions@badlandsbigsticks.com
