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Our Team

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Board Members

Darius Shirzadi, Executive Director/Co-Founder 

Global Accounts Manager, Cooley Group, Pawtucket, RI

Darius is the former director of Latino and Cape Verdean Community Affairs with the New England Revolution professional soccer team in Foxboro, Massachusetts. A former professional, college soccer player, coach, scout, and general manager, Darius is fluent in Spanish. He has coached soccer in the middle schools and high schools of Providence and Pawtucket and is well known by Rhode Island’s minority communities, as well as by businesses and the media. Darius is responsible for overall management of Project GOAL’s business affairs.  Darius is a co-founder and involved since 2002.  

Peter Whealton – Chairman of the Board/Co-Founder 
CEO/Chairman, CORE Business Technologies, East Providence, RI

Former president and COO of Compressent Corporation, a publicly held firm, Peter has been active on many committees including development, finance, consulting in business affairs. Peter is a co-founder of Project GOAL and has been involved with planning and executing the program since 2002. 


Javier Centeno, Director of Soccer/Co-Founder
Youth Supervisor, Central Falls School Department

​Inducted into the New England Soccer Hall of Fame in 2015, Javier is a former professional soccer player and was recently named RI Boys Youth Soccer Coach of the Year. Javier is fluent in Spanish, some Portuguese and Creole, he is a member of the Central Falls Athletic Hall of Fame and is the former assistant men’s soccer coach at Providence College. A native of Colombia, Javier grew up in Central Falls and knows firsthand the difficulties and challenges Project GOAL participants face in the public school system. Javier has been involved since 2002 and is a Co-Founder of Project GOAL. 
 

James Diossa, Treasurer for State of RI, Former Mayor Central Falls

​Treasurer Diossa has been a friend and supporter of Project GOAL since entering into office.  He has been a keynote speaker and participant in Project GOAL fundraising events and is a key link between the program, city, and school department.  In 2019, the Mayor honored the program hosting "Project GOAL Day" at City Hall.

Antone Botelho, Owner Antone Botelho Photography, Attleboro, MA

​Antone has been the programs photographer for all of its activities and events since 2010.  Antone has been there to take photos of classroom instruction, field practice, tournaments, and fundraising events documenting the program's progress and the many students who have come through the program.

Alex MitchellCo-Owner of Meridian Custom Homes, Providence, RI

With more than 25 years' experience building exceptional custom homes throughout Massachusetts, Rhode Island and

Connecticut, Alex offers business expertise in strategic planning for sustainability and expansion of Project GOAL programming.

Alex plays in an adult league and has been assisting in planning and executing our GOAL Cup corporate soccer tournament

since 2008.

 

Nelson Rego, Vice President of Quality & Reliability and Technical Services at Taco Comfort Solutions, Cranston, RI

With a passion for soccer, Nelson's soccer experience spans from his high school and college days to his work with the RI

Stingrays in charge of game day media and his work with the New England Revolution for 10 years in game day operations.

Nelson has been a supporter of Project GOAL since 2007 and prior to joining the Board of Directors in 2017, he served on the

Board of Advisors since 2011.


Craig Tornberg, Partner - CT International Sport Consulting Group, Boston MA

Formally the General Manager & Vice President of Business Development for the New England Revolution from 2004-2008,

Craig’s extensive ties to the community and experience working with youth and other non-profit organizations have provided

great value to Project GOAL since 2006.

Helena Moronta, First Vice President Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer for BayCoast Bank, RI/MA

Since 2012, Project GOAL has greatly benefited from the community connections, enthusiasm, and determination of Helena. 

Nelson Teixiera, VP Online Banking, BankNewport, Newport, RI

Nelson joined Project GOAL in 2019 and has enhanced our relationship with BankNewport through financial literacy and financial support.

Matt Jerzyk, Legal Counsel William A. Farrell & Associates LLC, Cranston, RI

Matt is the City Solicitor for the City of Central Falls, creator of RI Soccer News, and attorney.  Matt joined in 2022.

Tom Pizzuti, Partner KPMG LLP, Providence, RI

Matt joined the Project GOAL BOD in 2023.  He is an avid soccer fan and brings corporate accounting expertise to the organization as it grows and expands.

Administration, Teachers and Coaches

Dennis Skehan, SSAT Program Lead and Coordinator / Teacher
Retired college professor and software developer, Dennis develops and facilitates the SSAT preparation program assisting students in applying to private schools. Dennis also challenges students in an innovative STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) curriculum based project, with students designing and developing a Soccer Math board game with the goal of creating an online app.  

Project GOAL Teachers & Coaches
Certified / Accredited Rhode Island Teachers: Bryce DuBois, Dennis Skehan, Maria Nazario, Jacqueline Lopez, Alexandra Guzman, Elizabeth Berry

Certified Coaches 

Darius Shirzadi, Javier Centeno (Former Pro-Soccer Player), Massamba Sow, Bryce DuBois, Alexandra Guzman, Mitchell Tiah

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