Management and Sales Staff
Steve Gnoza, President/Sales
Steve grew up in Hibbing on Minnesota's Mesabi 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 with his sidekick Jager, a registered male Drahthaar (a German wirehaired pointer), at all times during the year. His time is also dedicated to volunteering in various sportsmen's clubs and to making the north Minneapolis community a better place to live.
Kent Larson, Sales
A native of Minnesota, Kent spent his younger years 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 four very active sons. The six of them spend a lot of time running to, and playing various sports.
John McIntosh, Sr. Business Development Manager
John is a native of Schaumburg, Ill. He has an Associate of Science, Business Administration from the University of Minnesota-Crookston and a Bachelor of Science, Marketing from Minnesota State University - Moorhead. John has made his career in the promotional products industry for 23 years.
In his spare time, John loves coaching his kids' ball teams as a volunteer and is an avid fan of the Chicago Cubs and Minnesota Wild. In addition, John has served as president of the Armstrong Falcons H.S. Fastpitch Boosters Board for five years from 2011-2016. He loves the outdoors and has a special passion for Minnesota winters. John resides in New Hope, Minn., with his wife Jyl, their two children Michaela and Johnny and their Brittany Spaniel, Buddy.
In his spare time, John loves coaching his kids' ball teams as a volunteer and is an avid fan of the Chicago Cubs and Minnesota Wild. In addition, John has served as president of the Armstrong Falcons H.S. Fastpitch Boosters Board for five years from 2011-2016. He loves the outdoors and has a special passion for Minnesota winters. John resides in New Hope, Minn., with his wife Jyl, their two children Michaela and Johnny and their Brittany Spaniel, Buddy.
Chris Babiash, Sales Representative
Chris is originally from the land of cheese, Green Bay, Wisc., and made his way to the greater Twin Cities enroute to the University of Minnesota. He graduated in 1999 with a B.A. degree 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 was captain for three years.
Chris is still extremely involved in the rugby community, serving on the Board of Directors for the Minnesota Amateur Rugby
Foundation (MARF) and as 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 driving force behind the launch of our sister company Rugby Athletic, Inc. in September, 2005 (www.RugbyAthletic.com).
Chris resides in Lino Lakes, Minn. with his wife, Jen, and two sons, Cal and Beckett. In his free time he enjoys rugby, tailgating at sporting events and spending time with his family - GO PACK.
Chris is still extremely involved in the rugby community, serving on the Board of Directors for the Minnesota Amateur Rugby
Foundation (MARF) and as 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 driving force behind the launch of our sister company Rugby Athletic, Inc. in September, 2005 (www.RugbyAthletic.com).
Chris resides in Lino Lakes, Minn. with his wife, Jen, and two sons, Cal and Beckett. In his free time he enjoys rugby, tailgating at sporting events and spending time with his family - GO PACK.
Judy Dibble, Project Coordinator/Sales
Judy spent most of her career in radio where she did marketing and promotion, voiced commercials and was on the air. During this time, she became familiar with the promotional products industry, purchasing apparel and other products for the radio stations to sell at the State Fair booths, at remotes, and during on-air give-aways. So it was a logical transition for her to step into our industry when she left the radio world. A Minnesota native, Judy now resides in Bloomington. She enjoys music, cooking, sci-fi movies and, when she gets a chance, freelance writing.
Pat Forciea, Marketing/Sales
Pat is a three-time winner of the American Marketing Association’s top national award and has won five national EFFIE marketing awards in both the political and sports categories. He was named to City Business’s “40 Under 40” list which profiles Minnesota’s top young business leaders and was recognized as “one of twelve residents of northeastern Minnesota who has made a mark on life in northeastern Minnesota in the 20th century” by the Star Tribune.
He currently works as an independent marketing and sales consultant with M.A. Apparel, specializing in the development and execution of branding and identity plans, non-profit and corporate fundraising and sponsorship plans, national retail sales and product development plans, sports marketing sponsorship and promotional plans. His clients have included the Minnesota Twins, the University of Minnesota Health System and Athletic Department, the Target-Ganassi CART and NASCAR racing teams, Hell’s Kitchen and Meritage Restaurants, EVEVE Global Reservations Systems, the Naples Arts and Wine Festival, Touchstone Energy, the University of St. Thomas, the Western Collegiate Hockey Association, the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame, Mission Hockey, the Minnesota State High School League, the Minnesota Wild, Dairy Queen, Sun Country Airlines and numerous Minnesota school districts.
He currently works as an independent marketing and sales consultant with M.A. Apparel, specializing in the development and execution of branding and identity plans, non-profit and corporate fundraising and sponsorship plans, national retail sales and product development plans, sports marketing sponsorship and promotional plans. His clients have included the Minnesota Twins, the University of Minnesota Health System and Athletic Department, the Target-Ganassi CART and NASCAR racing teams, Hell’s Kitchen and Meritage Restaurants, EVEVE Global Reservations Systems, the Naples Arts and Wine Festival, Touchstone Energy, the University of St. Thomas, the Western Collegiate Hockey Association, the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame, Mission Hockey, the Minnesota State High School League, the Minnesota Wild, Dairy Queen, Sun Country Airlines and numerous Minnesota school districts.
Rob Thoresen, Graphic Design/Sales
Rob Thoresen resides in St. Louis Park, Minn. He previously lived in Winona, Minn., where he coached rugby at Winona State University. After playing rugby in Chicago, he returned to Minnesota to coach and focus on all things Rugby Athletic. He brings an understanding of club organization to the table at RA, having always been involved behind the scenes with every club he joins. Using that experience and a great creative eye, he strives to provide personal and exemplary customer service to everyone whom he works with, both at RA and M.A. Apparel.
Sara Wright, Communications/Development
Sara Wright currently resides in Kansas City, Mo. and has served in various communciations and public relations roles prior to joining our team in late 2012. She has four years experience working at USA Rugby (2006-2010) as their communications director and three years experience working for USA Shooting (2003-2006). She now oversees communications for Rugby Athletic and M.A. Apparel and Promotions, manages content for the company’s website and social media pages and works as the marketing and development director.
Sara was born and raised in Minnesota and attended Winona State University, where she was first introduced to the sport of rugby, playing prop and second row for the Black Katts. Since then, she has played and served in various administrative positions in both Colorado and Kansas City.
Sara was born and raised in Minnesota and attended Winona State University, where she was first introduced to the sport of rugby, playing prop and second row for the Black Katts. Since then, she has played and served in various administrative positions in both Colorado and Kansas City.
Katie Carlson, Finance/Accounting
Katie Carlson grew up in Edina, Minn. Before joining M.A. Apparel, she worked in management at Starbucks for 10 years. While working at Starbucks, Katie pursued an associate's degree in accounting and a bachelor's degree in finance at Metropolitan State University. She lives in Bloomington with her husband Zack and their daughter, Cassidy Mae.
Danelle Larson, Operations Manager
Danelle joined the M.A. Apparel team in March of 2014. She comes to us with many years of managerial experience in both retail and the food industry. Danelle grew up in Fridley, MN, where her passion for living an active life began. She went on to obtain her B.A. degree in Mass Communications at Winona State and currently resides in St. Louis Park with her boyfriend, Rob and their very active Labrador Retriever, Rugby. She dedicates the majority of her time to running, biking, gardening and crafting.
