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
Director of Operations
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 & Business Development
Eric Tomasini is the Director of Marketing & Business Development at Sure Sports where he is responsible for driving revenue through sales and marketing initiatives. 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.
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.
Karen Roth
Credit Manager
Karen Roth is the Credit Manager for Sure Sports. Karen 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. She received 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.
Dominique Zelaya
Administrative Support Specialist
Dominique Zelaya, a New York native, is the Office and HR Coordinator at Sure Sports. After moving to Miami, she decided to work her way towards fulfilling her career in Human Resources Management. Since joining the Sure Sports team, Dominique has had the privilege of assisting with the day-to-day operations of the company as well as overseeing the general administration of employee benefits, payroll, training, and other HR-related issues. She is responsible for client insurance policies, compliance with affiliated financial institutions, maintenance of personnel records, employee benefits coordination, and the development of company HR processes and policies. Dominique’s hobbies include cooking, exploring natural remedies for just about everything, and spending time with loved ones.
Bryan Estevez
Client Services Associate
Bryan Estevez is the Client Services Associate at Sure Sports. He has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Legal Studies from the University of Central Florida. Before attending UCF Bryan played baseball at Waldorf University in Iowa. Bryan was a teacher prior to deciding to make the transition into the finance industry, where he has been working for the last 5 years. He is originally from New York but has lived in all parts of the country and has recently settled in Miami.
His favorite sports team is the New York Yankees. Bryan enjoys traveling, watching sports and spending time with family.
Joseph J. Pallonetti
Credit Analyst
Joseph Pallonetti is a Credit Analyst at Sure Sports. He is from East Brunswick, NJ and has moved down to Florida for the last 6 years. Joseph has a Bachelor of Science in Finance and Management from The University of Tampa and has recently graduated with a Master of Business Administration from Florida International University. Joseph’s favorite sports teams are the New York Giants, Miami Heat, and Los Angeles Dodgers. He enjoys playing the piano, traveling, and going to the beach with family and friends.
Eric Drapluk
Credit Analyst
Eric Drapluk is a Credit Analyst 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.
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
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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!