OWNERSHIP
JOHN BOLLINGER
OWNER, CEO
John Bollinger is the Owner and CEO of the Bismarck Larks, Minot Hot Tots, Minot Honeybees and Funatix Events. John’s driving passion is using FUN to make a difference in the lives of fans, businesses, players, employees and communities he serves.
Under John’s direction, the Bismarck Larks were named Northwoods League Organization of the Year in 2017 and 2018 and were named one of Front Office Sports Top Employers in Sports in 2021. Bollinger was named the 2017 Northwoods League Executive of the Year and in 2020 was named the Bismarck-Mandan Chamber EDC 2020 Entrepreneur of the Year for his and his team’s safe and innovative approach to playing baseball during the pandemic. The Bismarck Larks celebrated the completion of their 7th season in 2023 selling out 97% of all tickets available and have sold out the vast majority of their games since the team’s inception in 2017. In 2019, John started Funatix Events which works with local events such as the Bismarck Marathon, Mandan Rodeo Days, and Dakotah Speedway to maximize the experience for their customers, sponsors, and community. In addition, Funatix Events is an all-inclusive event company helping plan large-scale company picnics, catering events, and custom events like Mac & Cheese Festival.
Before Bismarck, John served as the General Manager of the Kalamazoo Growlers for three seasons. Before the Northwoods League, John worked two years as the Assistant General Manager of the Southern Ohio Copperheads while also attending Ohio University where he received his MBA and Masters in Sports Administration. Previous to that, he worked in ticket sales for the Springfield Cardinals, the AA affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals while he was finishing his undergraduate degree in Entertainment Management at Missouri State University.
Bollinger is a native of St. Louis, Missouri, but now calls Bismarck home with his his wife Marcie, daughters Teddi and Alina, and their two dogs Lillian and Walt. He currently serves on the Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation (TRMF) Board and Mandan Progress Organization (MPO) Board.
For player placement questions and requests, please visit our Player Submission Form or reach out to Nate Maddox at nate@larksbaseball.com.
GLENN BOSCH
OWNER
Glenn Bosch, one of the Larks owners, is a lifetime Bismarck resident and a graduate of Century High School and Bismarck State College. Glenn and his wife, Julie, have three children and seven grandchildren.
Glenn was also named 2023 Bismarck State College Alumnus of the Year.
TERRY DAFFINRRUD
OWNER
Terry Daffinrrud is part of the Larks ownership group and graduated from Saint Mary’s High School, Bismarck State College, and the University of Mary. Terry is married to Janice and together they have four children and 12 grandchildren.
TICKETS & EXPERIENCE
ROB WILLIAMSON
PRESIDENT & VP TICKET SALES
Rob Williamson is the Chief Experience Officer of the Bismarck Larks. Rob started the team with John, Nate and Aaron in the fall of 2016 and stayed through Winter of 2021. He moved with his wife and daughter to Kansas City, MO before returning to the Larks in October 2023. Rob oversees the experience for all fans, employees, partners and more.
KYRA SULLIVAN
MEMBERSHIP SERVICES MANAGER
Kyra Sullivan is in her second season with the Bismarck Larks as a full-time employee in 2024 and serves as the Membership Services Manager. Kyra worked for the Larks during the 2020 season as a Promotions intern. Sullivan is originally from Bismarck, North Dakota. She graduated from Minnesota State University of Moorhead in 2020.
CHRIS LAUDICINA
FAMILY FLOCK MEMBERSHIPS MANAGER
Chris Laudicina is from The Woodlands, Texas is in his first year with the Larks in 2024. He graduated in May 2023, with a BBA in Sport Entertainment Management from the University of North Texas. Chris was a Tickets & Experience Intern with the Bismarck Larks in 2023 before being hired full-time as the Family Flocks Memberships Manager.
mason thorenson
corporate sales MANAGER
OPERATIONS
NATE MADDOX
VP, OPERATIONS
Nate Maddox is in his eighth season with the Bismarck Larks in 2024 and serves as the Vice President of Operations. Nate oversees all ballpark experience tasks and works behind the scenes with expenses, hiring and more. Maddox is originally from Battle Creek, MI.
PETER OAKLAND
BALLPARK EXPERIENCE MANAGER
Peter Oakland is in his fifth season with the Bismarck Larks in 2024 and serves as the Ballpark Experience Manager. Oakland worked for the Larks in 2020 and 2021 on the ballpark operations team as an intern and joined the team full time in 2021. Oakland graduated from South Dakota State University and is originally from Otsego, MN.
SARAH SPILMAN
ACCOUNTANT CONTROLLER
Sarah Spilman is in her second season with the Bismarck Larks in 2024 and serves as the Accountant Controller. Sarah joined the Larks in the fall of 2022 because of the fun environment and office culture. She is born and raised in Bismarck, ND – the only Larks front office member who can claim that.
BRAND & MARKETING
KAYLA RIMER
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Kayla Rimer is in her fifth year with the Larks in 2024 and serves as the Creative Director/Lead Graphic Designer. Kayla graduated from Minnesota State University, Mankato with a Bachelor’s of Fine Art degree in Graphic Design. Rimer also previously served as one of the Larks on-field hosts. Rimer is originally from Woodville, WI.
ANTHONY SPOONER
DIRECTOR OF ENTERTAINMENT & COMMUNITY RELATIONS
Anthony joined the team as the PA Announcer in 2018 and is in his first season as the Director of Entertainment & Community Relations in 2024. Anthony is a North Dakota native and graduated from the University of Mary in 2018 with his Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Communications.
JACOB VANHARMELEN
VIDEO PRODUCTION MANAGER
Jacob VanHarmelen is in his second season with the Bismarck Larks in 2024 and serves as the Video Production Manager. Jacob previously served as a Production Intern for the Great Lakes Loons. He is a graduate of Ferris State University and formerly resided in Wyoming, Michigan.
PARTNERSHIPS
RYAN RENEKER
SPONSORSHIP EXPERIENCE DIRECTOR
Ryan Reneker is in his third season with the Bismarck Larks in 2024 and his first year serving as the Sponsorship Experience Director. Ryan worked for the Larks during the 2022 season as the Game Presentation intern in the press box and started full time for the Larks in 2022 as the Partnership Experience Coordinator. Ryan is originally from Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Kenzie Gullickson
SPONSORSHIP EXPERIENCE manager
SUPPORTING STAFF
LYLE RIPPLINGER
TEAM PHOTOGRAPHER
Lyle Ripplinger is the Larks Team Photographer, one of the leading forces in documenting Larks games. From the players to the fans, Lyle helps capture the amazing memories and moments at the ballpark. Lyle is a native North Dakota resident from Balta, ND. Lyle attended the University of Mary, as well as the NDSCS.
Visit his website here.
Visit his Facebook here.
Visit his Instagram here.
shane cornelius
food & beverage CONSULTANT
HEALTH STAFF
DR. STEVE CHUPPE
TEAM CHIROPRACTOR
Chuppe Health
Dr. Steve was born and raised in western North Dakota, graduating with honors from Scranton High School in 1979. After completing his undergraduate coursework at Bismarck State College and the University of Minnesota, he received his doctorate degree from Northwestern College of Chiropractic in Bloomington MN.
Dr. Steve moved back home to North Dakota in 1988 and enjoys providing safe, effective chiropractic care for patients of all ages, from infancy to elderly. An athlete in high school and in college, Dr. Steve is passionate about working with athletes. He strives to treat sports injuries, maintain peak athletic performance, and works to prevent future injuries.
DR. BRIAN GALE
TEAM FOOT DOCTOR
Dakota Foot and Ankle
Dr. Brian Gale is the Larks official team foot doctor and founded Dakota Foot and Ankle in 1993. He received his Doctor of Podiatric Medicine in 1985 from the Pennsylvania College of Podiatric Medicine, in Philadelphia. In 1989 he completed a four-year foot and ankle surgical residency at St. Joseph’s Hospital, also in Philadelphia.
DR. JON KOLBERG
TEAM PHYSICIAN
Sanford Orthopedics and Sports Medicine of Bismarck
Dr. Jon Kolberg is the Larks team physician and is employed with Sanford Orthopedics and Sports Medicine of Bismarck. Jon finished his undergraduate degree at the University of North Dakota and completed his medical degree at the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Services in Grand Forks. He completed his fellowship in sports medicine at Oregon Health and Science University in Portland, OR.
ALYSSA EHRLICH
TEAM ATHLETIC TRAINER
Sanford Orthopedics and Sports Medicine of Bismarck
Alyssa is employed with Sanford Orthopedics and Sports Medicine of Bismarck. She will serve as one of the Co-Head Athletic Trainers for the 2023 Bismarck Larks. During the school year, Alyssa is the Head Athletic Trainer for Shiloh Christian School and Bismarck Public Schools hockey. Alyssa graduated from the University of Mary in 2017 with her Bachelor of Science degree in Athletic Training with minors in coaching and wellness. She continued her education and received her Master of Science in Kinesiology in 2019. In the summer, Alyssa also assists at Sanford Sports with Return to Performance training. Alyssa’s hobbies include spending time with her husband and son, traveling, and being outdoors.
WILL LITTLEFIELD
TEAM ATHLETIC TRAINER
Sanford Orthopedics and Sports Medicine of Bismarck
Will is employed with Sanford Orthopedics and Sports Medicine of Bismarck. During the school year, he is the Assistant Athletic Trainer for Mandan High School and a professor at the University of Mary. Will also assists with various other sports medicine coverage needs in the Bismarck/Mandan area. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Athletic Training from the University of Mary in 2015, his Master’s in Kinesiology in 2017, and his Doctorate in Educational Leadership & Management in 2020. Williams’s hobbies include running, biking, hiking, traveling, cooking, and hanging out with friends and family. Will lives in Mandan with his wife, Catherine, and their daughter Rosie.
MATTHEW OESTREICH
TEAM ATHLETIC TRAINER
Sanford Orthopedics and Sports Medicine of Bismarck
ALICIA WELLS
TEAM ATHLETIC TRAINER
Sanford Orthopedics and Sports Medicine of Bismarck
Alicia is employed with Sanford Orthopedics and Sports Medicine of Bismarck. She will serve as one of the Co-Head Athletic Trainers for the 2023
Bismarck Larks. During the school year, Alicia is the Athletic Trainer for Bismarck High School and is a professor at the University of Mary. Alicia graduated from the University of Mary in 2013 with her Bachelor of Science degree in Athletic Training with a minor in wellness. She continued her education and received her Masters of Science in Kinesiology in 2015. In the summer, Alicia also assists at Sanford POWER as a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist. She enjoys spending time with family and friends and helping out on the farm and ranch. Alicia lives in Flasher with her husband Kyle and their son, Jace, and daughter Rylee.
SHAINA WEIGEL
TEAM ATHLETIC TRAINER
Sanford Orthopedics and Sports Medicine of Bismarck
Shaina is employed with Sanford Orthopedics & Sports Medicine of Bismarck. During the school year, she is the Head Athletic Trainer for Bismarck State College. Shaina graduated with her Bachelor’s degree in Athletic Training from the University of Mary in 2019. She also earned her Master’s degree in Sport Psychology when she graduated from California Southern University in 2021. Shaina is also a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and an EMT. Her hobbies include spending time with her friends, playing recreational sports, traveling, spending time outdoors, and watching her favorite sports teams.
