Staff Directory
Administration
| Name | Title | Phone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steve Tahsler | Commissioner | (812) 437-8709 | stahsler@frontierleague.com |
| Matt Shepardson | Deputy Commissioner | mshepardson@frontierleague.com | |
| Sarah George | Director of Digital Marketing | digitalmedia@frontierleague.com | |
| Kevin Furman | Director of Umpires | umpires@frontierleague.com |
Steve Tahsler - Commissioner
Steve Tahsler is in his 30th season in the Frontier League and was named Commissioner in 2023 after spending 14 years as the Deputy Commissioner. He previously served as General Manager for the Windy City ThunderBolts. He has also been the General Manager for the Slippery Rock Sliders, Evansville Otters, and Dubois County Dragons along with serving as Director of Operations for the Otters.
Steve was selected Frontier League Executive of the Year in 2005 and 2006, while his teams won the Organization of the Year award in 1997 and a Commissioner’s Award of Excellence in 2004 and 2009. His teams have set 11 club single-season attendance records and advanced to the Frontier League playoffs in 11 out of 13 seasons, including seven appearances in the Frontier League Championship Series and winning championships in 2006, 2007, and 2008. With the ThunderBolts, Steve was selected the Minor League Executive of the Year by the Pitch & Hit Club of Chicago in 2008, received an Award of Merit from the Chicago Southland Chamber of Commerce in 2008, and was voted Member of the Year by the Crestwood Chamber of Commerce in 2009.
Steve is a graduate of Georgia State University where he worked in the Sports Information Department. Prior to joining the Frontier League, he also worked with the Atlanta Glory of the American Basketball League and was a member of the Results Staff for Baseball for the 1996 Olympics.
Steve is originally from Bay Village, Ohio (near the Lake Erie Crushers’ ballpark) and now resides in Pennsylvania, with his wife, Jodi.
Matt Shepardson - Deputy Commissioner
Matt Shepardson is in his third season the Frontier League office. Matt spent three seasons as Director of Baseball Operations for the Joliet Slammers. He also served as interim manager at the start of the 2023 season, for which he was voted Coach of the Year in the Frontier League. He has also served as Director of Analytics and Technology and as a Member of the Board of Directors for the Illinois Hawks Baseball and Softball Association since 2015.
Outside of baseball, Matt is an award-winning audio/video producer (including podcasts and traditional broadcast). He also has experience in organizational leadership and creative arts consulting (including past work for Chick-fil-A, Willow Creek Community Church; Leadership Network; and authors Ken Blanchard and Phil Hodge.)
Matt and his family reside in Romeoville, Illinois.
Sarah George - Director of Digital Marketing
Sarah George first joined the Frontier League as a Digital Media Liaison working with the Chicago-area clubs prior to the 2025 season. Her outstanding work led to a promotion as Director of Digital Marketing. Sarah is a graduate of Bradley University and currently working toward a Masters of Sports Administration at Northwestern University. While at Bradley, Sarah served as President for Bradley University Club Hockey and Vice President Operations for Pi Beta Phi Fraternity for Women. Sarah also works as a Guest Services Associate for Chicago Stars FC and as a Game Day Marketing Ambassador for the Chicago White Sox. While at Bradley, Sarah completed internships with the Peoria Chiefs and Normal CornBelters. Sarah is originally from Columbus, Ohio, and is a die-hard fan of the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Kevin Furman - Director of Umpires
After being named Umpire of the Year for the 2023, 2024, and 2025 seasons, Kevin Furman begins his first season as the Director of Umpires. A retired law enforcement supervisor from Merrillville, Indiana, Kevin spent time as a SWAT Operator and Hostage Negotiator. Kevin is a graduate of Calumet College of St. Joseph. He lives in Northwest Indiana with his wife and four children.
Seasonal Staff
Jenelle Valera - Atlantic Conference Marketing Assistant
Jenelle Valera joins the league as the Atlantic Conference Marketing Assistant. She brings digital media experience from her time as a Social Media Intern with Royce Brook Golf Course and as a Marketing and Social Media Intern with IEEE. A recent graduate of Bryant University, Valera was also a member of the NCAA Division I women’s golf team and the Mu Kappa Tau Marketing Honor Society.
Michaela Carroll - Media Intern
Michaela Carroll is no stranger to the Frontier League and will serve as a Media Intern in the Atlantic Conference. In 2025, she worked as a Creative Media Intern with the New Jersey Jackals. A graduate of Gettysburg College, Carroll gained experience as a Graphic Design Intern within the Communications and Marketing Department and served as Director of Marketing for the Chi Omega sorority. She also freelances in photography through her brand, Michaela Corinne Media.
Kaijhe Hall - Media Intern
Kaijhe Hall joins the Frontier League as a Media Intern in the Atlantic Conference with a focus on videography. Over the past year, she has worked in social media for both The AIBE Agency and Sweety High Media. A graduate of Assumption University, where she served as a sports marketing intern, Hall is currently pursuing her master’s degree in digital communication and multimedia at Rutgers University. A longtime basketball fan, she also serves as an assistant coach for the Rutgers women’s basketball team.
Ryno Shepardson - Media Intern
Another member of the team with Frontier League experience is Ryan “Ryno” Shepardson, who joins the league as a Media Intern in the Midwest Conference. He is currently a student at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where he works as a student photographer for the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics. Shepardson has built a diverse portfolio in sports and is also an award-winning wildlife photographer.
Brendan Gallian - Media Intern
Brendan Gallian, a current student at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, joins the league as a Media Intern in the Midwest Conference with a focus on storytelling across the league. He is a senior copy editor at The Daily Illini and a contributor to Sox of 35th. Gallian believes sports reporting allows him to combine his love of writing with the energy and excitement of the game.
Christian Lafter - Sports Information and Analytics Intern
Christian Lafter will serve as a Sports Information and Analytics Intern for the Frontier League. A recent graduate of Purdue University with a degree in Applied Statistics, he was actively involved in the university’s Sports Analytics Club. Lafter also brings experience in data analysis and statistical modeling from his time as a Data Analyst Intern with Merchants Bank of Indiana and will support the league’s continued growth in data-driven storytelling.
Riley Sarto - Sports Information and Analytics Intern
Riley Sarto adds to the Frontier League’s Sports Information and Analytics team as an intern, bringing a strong foundation in sports data and event operations. A recent graduate of Maryville University in Sport Business Management, Sarto gained hands-on experience analyzing live game data and supporting real-time reporting. His background in analytics and passion for enhancing the fan experience will contribute to the league’s growing use of data across its platforms.
Vincent Adams - Sports Information and Analytics Intern
Vincent Adams rounds out the Sports Information and Analytics intern group, bringing experience in live game statistics and broadcasting support. He is currently a student at Hudson Valley Community College. Adams previously worked with Union College’s Athletic Communications department as a stat caller and statistician, tracking and verifying game data across multiple sports. His background in fast-paced environments and attention to detail will support the league’s statistical coverage.
Sarah Hamilton - Umpire Intern
Sarah Hamilton joins the Frontier League as an Umpire Intern. A graduate of Siena College, where she earned her degree in Sports Communication, Hamilton has built a strong background in baseball media and women’s baseball advocacy through her work with the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR). Her passion for the game has led to opportunities with MLB Network and acceptance into the Wendelstedt Umpire School’s Professional Umpire Course. Hamilton’s lifelong connection to baseball and experience across multiple areas of the sport will support the league’s umpire operations throughout the 2026 season.
