The Go-Givers

Who are the Go Givers?

The Go-Givers are the most talented group of volunteers in the Futures Collegiate Baseball League and possibly the country! They’re made of local people in the Northwest Corner who are dedicated to seeing the Titans succeed as an organization. They are called the Go-Givers because the mentality behind our volunteers is to find the best ways to integrate the team into the community.

Chris Cook

Chris Cook has been involved in baseball, as a player and a coach throughout high school and college. As an adult, Chris has been active in local baseball within the greater Torrington area. In the early 1990's, Chris coached the Mickey Mantle Baseball Team and served on the board of directors of the Torrington Little League Program. In 1997, Chris began his tenure with the Torrington Twisters as director and eventually became President of the club. As President, Chris assisted the General Manager with day-to-day operations. In 2010, Chris became the liaison between Titan investors and the Titans front office. Chris was recently appointed to the Futures Collegiate Baseball League Board of Directors.

Chris is very active in serving the community. Chris is currently employed at the Connecticut Junior Republic in Litchfield, CT as a youth counselor, vocational teacher and home school liaison. He shares and continues to share his passion for baseball with countless young people and always encourages his students and their families to participate in all the excitement that the local teams have to offer.

In addition to his professional responsibilities at CJR, Chris has served on the Torrington Board of Public Safety as a commissioner for the last ten years and is a member of the Northwest Connecticut Coalition to Stop Underage Drinking Task Force. Chris serves on the newly organized Fuessenich Park Partnership Commission whose sole purpose is to collect, manage and disburse funds for the preservation and development of the Torrington park. Chris is an active member of the Democratic Town Committee and lives in Torrington with his wife Michelle and their four children.

Cheryl Wheeler

Cheryl Wheeler has rejoined the 2011 Torrington Titans staff and will volunteer time to help with all aspects of the team. Her skills will primarily be used for community interaction and help operate the team store location on Main St. in downtown Torrington. Mrs. Wheeler’s background and experience make her a great fit to help the team integrate into the community.

Mrs. Wheeler has been a Torrington resident for 15 years and been actively involved in the Greater Torrington area with all different organizations. The ultimate family woman, Mrs. Wheeler runs a household with her husband Alan, who has also been involved with the Titans in the past. They have three children Taylor, Carter, and Savannah who play various sports in the Torrington area.

Mrs. Wheeler’s professional background includes a degree from the Hair Technology Institute. She has been a licensed hair stylist for 23 years. One of her services will be providing the Titans with proper hair care! She also received a degree from the Connecticut Culinary Institute.

Michelle Cook

Michelle Cook is the State Representative for the 65th Assembly District in Torrington. She was first elected in 2008 and is currently serving her second term in office. For the 2011-2012 legislative session, Michelle will serve as Vice-chair of the Aging Committees and will continue to serve on the Education and Human Services Committees.

Rep. Cook has been an outspoken supporter for issues involving children and families having worked to reform the state’s domestic violence laws in 2010. She has long supported children’s issues and was named a 2009 and 2010 Children’s Champion by the Connecticut Early Childhood Alliance for her work on improving developmental outcomes in the areas of learning, health, safety and economic security.

Michelle has been a long time advocate on behalf of seniors and was named the Homecare and Hospice legislator of the year. She sits on the advisory council for Prime Time House in Torrington that assists adults with serious mental illness find employment, education and housing.

She is a member of the Medicare sub-committee of the Primary Care Case Management (PCCM), or HUSKY Primary Care in Connecticut. The HUSKY program is a new option in certain areas for families and health care providers seeking quality, and affordable health care.

Michelle is active in the Torrington community for the last 17 years. She is a member of the Torrington Early Childhood Collaborative, an organization committed to increase the quality of early education for young children. She founded the Torrington High School Parent Teacher Organization. She also served as the Director of Public Relations for Special Events for the Torrington Twisters Baseball Team for 12 years and the Torrington Titans.

Her past community involvement includes being a Girl Scout leader, softball, baseball and basketball coach for many years.

She holds a B.S. in Sociology and Psychology from Missouri Baptist University and has completed coursework toward's a Master’s Degree in Special Education at Central Connecticut State University.

Michelle is married to Christopher Cook and has four children; Ryan, Katlyn, Ashlynn, and William.

Mary Reid

Mary Reid’s love for baseball started in the early 70’s, when she lived in Pittsburgh and went to Pirate’s games with her family to see the likes of Willie Stargell and Roberto Clemente.

Today, she comes to Fuessenich Park to not only watch great baseball, but to watch boyfriend & head coach Gregg Hunt do what he does best. Coach baseball. His biggest fan has made it to almost every home game since moving back to CT from FLA in 2003, including the year he coached in Manchester.

Mary has worked within the non-profit sector for the past 18 years, including several of the Country’s largest non-profits, the American Cancer Society and Easter Seals. It has allowed her to the opportunity to work with incredibly giving and compassionate staff and volunteers. She seen the rewarding benefits of working in the communities they serve.

She is dedicated to helping the Titan’s Charities achieve their game day fundraising goals knowing they will continue to make a considerable difference in the lives of the communities they serve.

Matt Kaufman

Matt returns to the world of professional baseball after a lengthy absence, as the Director of Special Projects for the Torrington Titans. A practicing attorney in New York, Matt brings an impressive list of credentials to the Titans.

Matt has previously promoted professional wrestling throughout the Tri-State area, and has also served as a licensed matchmaker for numerous professional boxing promotions including "Star Boxing", and has made several championship bouts.

Matt holds a Juris Doctorate from the Franklin Pierce Law Center (Concord, NH), a Masters of Professional Studies from The George Washington University (Washington, DC) and a Bachelors' Degree from the University of Rochester (Rochester, NY).

Matt resides with his wife Marie in Ossining, NY

Mary O'Malley

Mary O’Malley comes to the Titans with a great deal of experience in the Telecommunications industry. This is Ms. O’Malley’s first position in baseball and in the greater Torrington area.

Mary is no stranger to athletics being an experienced sports fan with her allegiance lying specifically with the Boston Red Sox and the New England Patriots. Mary is well versed in the collegiate recruiting process and will assist with the Torrington Titan Internship program.

The Titans are extremely fortunate to have Mary’s services as we move into the 2011 Season. Her background in telecommunications will help with the operating of the Titans on a day-to-day business.

Mary resides in Lancaster, MA and is an avid traveler.

Delfina McKenna