Our Staff
The Team
Leon C. McKenzie
President
Leon C. McKenzie is the Founder and President of Sure Sports. He launched Sure Sports in 2009 to focus on an under-serviced market of providing athletes with competitive credit facilities. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Finance at West Chester University of Pennsylvania in 1999, before attending Villanova University’s MBA Program. Leon’s professional background includes – Financial Analyst, Sr. Commercial Credit Analyst and Head of Financial Underwriting for regional banks, private lenders, and commercial real estate developers. Leon is a proud member of YPO (Young Presidents’ Organization). He also proceeded to establish McKenzie Promising Futures Fund in 2012 to give back to the community that gave him so much. He is a Veteran, having served from 1994-2002, in the transportation division, as his platoon’s combat lifesaver, and as his unit’s physical fitness instructor. In 1994, he was awarded Soldier of the Year for the Fort Jackson Base.
Joleen Matte
Chief Operating Officer
Joleen Matte has been Director of Operations for Sure Sports since 2014, however her involvement in the company began in 2009, as a sounding board for the Founder during the initial startup phase. Joleen attended Bryant University and after graduation realized that she no longer wanted to pursue an accounting career as she shifted her professional emphasis to hospitality. She spent the majority of her career with Exclusive Resorts, a members-only club that provides luxury travel experiences, which brought Joleen to South Florida to manage the day-to-day operations of luxury condominiums. Prior to Sure Sports, Joleen was the Director of Housekeeping at a boutique hotel in South Beach. In addition to overseeing the day-to-day activities of Sure Sports, Joleen is on the Board of Directors for McKenzie Promising Futures Fund.
Eric Tomasini
Director of Marketing & Client Service
Eric Tomasini is the Director of Marketing & Client Service at Sure Sports. Prior to joining Sure Sports, Eric held various executive-level positions in the Advertising, Sports, and Finance industries.
Eric earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from Florida Atlantic University (FAU) as well as a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Sport Management, also from FAU. He currently serves as an Adjunct Professor at FAU, where he has taught a graduate-level Sport Marketing course since 2014.
A South Florida native, Eric enjoys traveling, cooking, and exploring the outdoors with his family.
Karen Roth
Chief Credit Officer
Karen Roth is the Chief Credit Officer for Sure Sports. She brings over 30 years of banking experience to Sure Sports including Sure Sports lending, Commercial and Commercial Real Estate lending, Credit Analysis, and Portfolio Management. Karen is originally from New England, however, she moved to Florida in high school, receiving her bachelor’s degree in business from Florida Southern College and her MBA in Finance from Florida Atlantic University. Karen enjoys traveling and spending time with her family, including three grown children.
Eric Drapluk
Credit Analyst II
Eric Drapluk is a Credit Analyst II at Sure Sports. He was born and raised in South Florida. After moving away as a teenager to pursue his hockey career, he received a scholarship to play hockey at Lake Superior State University in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. He graduated with a degree in finance and economics. Before moving back to South Florida and joining Sure Sports, he played hockey professionally in the Anaheim Ducks and Tampa Bay Lightning organizations. Eric’s hobbies include staying active, relaxing at the beach, and exploring new places.
Waydal Sanderson
Strategic Partnership Advisor
Waydal brings over twenty-five years of business experience in the financial sector working as an advisor, executive, and consultant. At Sure Sports, he focuses on broader strategic initiatives and partnerships to position the company for continued growth. Waydal resides in the Washington DC Metro Area and centers his spare time on family and fitness.
Matthew Quigley
Director of Player Relations
Matthew Quigley is the Director of Player Relations at Sure Sports. He is responsible for driving business expansion by securing new loan requests from professional athletes.
Before joining Sure Sports Matthew founded and ran the Florida State NIL entity, The Battle’s End.
Through a multitude of avenues he was able to raise over 20 million dollars for the Florida State football team in two and a half years. Florida State went 13-0 during the 2023 season and won the ACC Championship.
Matthew is a graduate of Florida State University earning a double major in Political Science and Marketing. When he is not out networking or building relationships he is spending time with family.
Cindi Dixon
Senior Operations Manager
Cindi Dixon is the Senior Operations Manager for Sure Sports. She brings over 30 years of experience in investment banking operations, underwriting and credit risk leadership. She has a passion for optimizing processes, enhancing internal workflows, and delivering innovative financial solutions tailored to the unique needs of professional athletes and high net worth clients. Cindi was born in Connecticut, grew up in Florida, went to Los Angeles for college and started her career in lending, prior to moving back home to South Florida. She has a Bachelor’s degree in finance, a Master’s in banking, and spent a year at Florida Atlantic University studying real estate and contract law. Cindi enjoys watching all things sports with her husband and two dogs. When she is not at work or a game, she is at the beach swimming, paddling or bike riding.
Indre Zvinyte
Administration and HR Generalist
Indre is the Administration and HR Generalist at Sure Sports, bringing over seven years of diverse experience in private equity, real estate, and insurance. Recently relocating from Chicago to Florida, she continues to advance her career in a dynamic new environment. At Sure Sports, Indre applies her extensive knowledge to optimize workplace processes and enhance the employee experience. Outside of her professional life, Indre has a passion for travel, culinary exploration, and enjoys the serene Florida beaches, often accompanied by her two beloved puppies.
Caroline Stover
Credit Analyst
Caroline Stover is a Credit Analyst at Sure Sports. Prior to joining Sure Sports, she spent the previous six years in Williamsburg, Virginia at William & Mary, where she graduated with a BA in Public Policy, while competing as a Division I student-athlete. She most recently earned her MBA in Corporate Finance and Management Consulting at her alma mater. Caroline enjoys travelling, spending time with family and friends, cooking, and watching sports.
Dominique Zelaya
Administrative Support Specialist
Dominique brings over 15 years of Administrative experience across various sectors, both internationally and domestically. Dominique has been with Sure Sports for over 8 years, holding multiple roles and continues to support the team while working remotely. Dominique’s hobbies include cooking, exploring natural remedies for just about everything, and spending time with loved ones.
Darren Heitner
Legal Counsel
Darren Adam Heitner, Esq. is the Founder of HEITNER LEGAL, a South Florida-based law firm that focuses on business transactions and litigation, intellectual property and sports/entertainment related work. He is a Contributor at FORBES, and Founder/Chief Editor of Sports Agent Blog. In 2011, Darren was named to SportsPro Media’s 10 NEXT. Darren was named to Sports Launch Magazine’s Thirty Under 30 Award winners in sports business. In 2013, Darren was chosen as a Rising Star by a Daily Business Review panel of judges and was among 40 young attorneys with the highest ratings. Darren is the author of “How to Play the Game: What Every Sports Attorney Needs to Know”.
Sure Sports Careers
Apply today
We offer a variety of career paths in a fast-paced, fun and fulfilling work environment. Love Sports? Finance? Accelerated Growth? South Florida? Apply today!