Management & Sales Team
Kent Larson, CEO/President
A native of Minnesota, Kent was born and raised in Austin, Rochester and Blue Earth. A graduate of the University of Minnesota, Kent remains a huge Golden Gopher supporter and booster! Kent founded Minnesota Athletic Apparel in 1991 after spending a number of years working in the retail sporting goods industry. Kent and his wife Leah live in Minneapolis with their 4 very active sons! The 6 of them spend a lot of time running to, and playing, various sports!Steve Gnoza, VP/Sales
Steve grew up on Hibbing's Iron Range hunting, fishing and exploring the great north woods. A graduate of St. Cloud State, Steve now resides in Edina and enjoys traveling, in-line racing, riding motorcycles and snowmobiles and being in the outdoors. His time is also dedicated to volunteering and is involved with making the North Minneapolis community a better place to live.Andy Long, VP School & Corporate Sales
Andy, originally from Ottumwa, Iowa has spent the last 20 years in the sporting goods industry. Prior to joining M.A. Apparel Andy spent 9 years with Athletic Fitters, wearing a number of different hats, 7 years with Eastbay as Manager of Team Sales, and most recently spending 4 years with Golf Galaxy as their Director of Corporate and School Sales.Andy currently resides in Waconia, MN with his wife Lisa and their four children; Lydia, Gabrielle, Maxwell and Sadie. In his free time Andy keeps busy coaching youth athletics, volunteering on various community boards, and spending time with family and friends.
John McIntosh, Manager- IS/IT/Sales
John was born and raised in Schaumburg, IL, a suburb of Chicago. Prior to college, his family relocated to northwestern Minnesota, where John graduated with an A.S. in Business Administration from the University of Minnesota-Crookston and a B.S. in Marketing from Minnesota State University-Moorhead. John has worked in the promotional products industry for 14 years and serves as M.A. Apparel's Manager, Information Systems and Technology/Sales.In his spare time, John enjoys coaching his kids while serving as a volunteer coach for the Cooper-Armstrong Fastpitch Association and the Eden Prairie Baseball Association. John is an avid fan of the Chicago Cubs and Minnesota Wild. He loves the outdoors and has a special passion for Minnesota winters. He currently resides in New Hope with his wife, Jyl, and their two children, Michaela and Johnny.
Stacie Fraser, Sales Coordinator
Stacie was born and raised in Mendocino, California, home of the Redwoods, where she graduated from Mendocino High School. During her childhood and as a young adult, Stacie appeared in several major TV commercials including ads for Red Lobster and Kodak. She also had a small role in the Hollywood movie, Dead and Buried. After living in Phoenix, Arizona for 9 years, she moved to Minnesota. Stacie has been a Sales Coordinator at M.A. Apparel since the summer of 2004.Stacie has two teenage children, Christopher and Reanna. In her spare time, Stacie enjoys fishing, reading, cooking and playing pool. Stacie has been a member of the Minnesota 8 Ball league since 1996.
Jeff Northrup, Graphics and Marketing Manager
Jeff was born and raised in Cedar Falls, IA. After graduating from high school, Jeff moved to Waterloo, IA where he attended college and in 1992 received his AAA (Associate of Applied Arts) degree. In 1995 Jeff began working in the screen printing industry, and has specialized in this area ever since. Jeff moved to the Twin Cities in 1998 and began working as a free-lance artist and quickly learned the many facets of the ASI industry. After nine years as a free-lance artist, Jeff joined forces with M.A. Apparel and brings the latest and greatest in cutting edge graphics & technology.Jeff currently resides in New Hope with his lovely wife Tammy, and their three children, Brandon, Brooke, and Brady. Jeff enjoys family time, boating, fishing, camping and playing pool.
Caitlin Edstrom, Embroidery Department Manager
Caitlin grew up in Maplewood, MN and graduated from North Saint Paul High School. She is currently working on her B.S. in Graphic Design at the Art Institute International of Minneapolis. For volunteer work, Caitlin is in the process of becoming a "Big Sister". In her spare time, she enjoys playing and watching hockey, softball, basketball, football and volleyball and is an avid fan of the Minnesota Wild hockey team.Chris Babiash, Sales Representative
Chris is originally from the land of cheese, Green Bay, Wisconsin and made his way to the greater Twin Cities in route to the University of Minnesota. He graduated in 1999 with a B.A. in Leisure Services Management. In 1998, during his undergraduate tenure, Chris was introduced to M.A. Apparel, Inc. as a college intern and has been with the company ever since. While at the U of M, Chris became highly involved with the University Rugby Team where he became Captain for 3 years.Chris is still extremely involved in the rugby community where he is on the Board of Directors for the Minnesota Amateur Rugby Foundation (MARF) and President of Metropolis Rugby Club (www.metropolisrugby.com). As a result of his involvement in rugby and years of doing rugby team sales under the M.A. Apparel umbrella, Chris was the drive behind the launch of our sister company Rugby Athletic, Inc. in September, 2005 (www.RugbyAthletic.com).
Chris currently resides in Lino Lakes, MN with his wife, Jen, and two sons, Cal and Beckett - & man's best friend (the dog), Dixie. In his free time he enjoys rugby, tailgating at sporting events, and spending time with his family - GO PACK.
