Your 2024 Board of Directors!
As a non-profit organization, the Board of Directors is here to serve its members. We work together to ensure that members’ needs are addressed and met in ways that best support and help to advance the club’s mission. Board members are self-nominated, then vetted by an independent committee of club members, and finally, put forth for acceptance by the club overall.
If you are interested in getting more involved with club initiatives or joining the board please reach out to us at whscboard@wehosc.org!
Jesson (Danny) Calloway (President)
Jesson joined WHSC in 2014 when in search of a safe space to continue playing soccer. Jesson has traveled all over the country and world playing with the club, including most recently to Sydney, Australia where he and his teammates became World Champions. Jesson has proudly served over the years as a Team Captain, Development Lead, Secretary to the Board of Directors and has kicked off the 2024 year serving the WHSC Board of Directors, its members, and allies as its President.
You don’t become what you want, you become what you believe.
ethan plemmons (Vice President)
Ethan joined WHSC in 2022. Ethan quickly fell in love with the club and immediately became a part of the family, proudly serving over the year as a Team Captain for the WHSC Suns, serving on the Board of Directors to now serving as the current Vice President to the WHSC Board of Directors.
A true friend accepts who you are, but also helps you become who you should be.
garret szafman (Treasurer)
Garrett joined WHSC in 2022 as a way to meet like-minded people in the LGBTQ+ community. He's competed with the club at tournaments across the country, has proudly served on the Board of Directors, and is now serving as the Treasurer to the WHSC Board of Directors.
If what you did yesterday seems big, you haven't done anything today.
brant pustay (secretary)
Brant has been playing with WHSC for the past two years. Brant has proudly served as a Team Captain for WHSC Suns. Brant is dedicated to the club’s mission of developing safe spaces for LGBTQ+ individuals in soccer inspired by the WHSC community and currently serves as the Secretary to the WHSC Board of Directors.
People may forget what you did, but they will never forget how you made them feel.
rachel derrico (director of COMPETITIVE)
Rachel has been playing with WHSC for the last 6 years and is energized & inspired by the club and its’ members every day. Proudly serving over the years as team captain, club Secretary, and most recently as the club’s, first female President, she has enjoyed some of the most memorable moments with the WHSC community, including a double world championship for both our men's & women's/non-binary programs in Australia this past year! She currently leads as the Director of Competitive overseeing competitive teams, leagues, and tournament opportunities and proudly captains our competitive, women's 11v11 team, The Rockets.
It’s not about having more time…it’s about how best to use the time you have.
ken sanchez (director of recreational)
Ken has been a club member for 6 years and has served on the board for 4 1/2 of those years, as a team captain, club Secretary, and most recently as the club’s Vice President. He currently leads as the Director of Recreational overseeing recreational teams, leagues, rosters, and tournaments for the club. He’s proud to see how far the club has come and excited for what the future holds.
Loyalty isn’t grey, it’s black and white. You’re either loyal or completely, or not loyal at all.
Mikayla byers (director of membership events & outreach)
Mikayla came to LA from Ohio in 2019. She officially joined WHSC in 2021 after an Instagram post caught her attention. She played consistently with the Rockets women’s team through her first season and quickly took on a captain role. She’s watched the women’s program grow and can’t wait to snag more gold medals with them! Mikayla currently leads as the Director of Membership Events & Outreach overseeing all events and socials of the club.
Be messy and complicated and afraid, and show up anyway.
Kyle Demorest-lee (Director of practices)
Kyle joined the club a little over a year ago and instantly felt at home. He is excited to share the amazing experiences the club offers with members new and old alike. Kyle currently leads as the Director of Practices overseeing all open practice opportunities for the club.
I think there are a lot of things that soccer does in the communities that transcend the soccer field.
randall auna-villa (Member at Large)
Randall moved to L.A. in 2014 and needed a fun, casual way to make friends. A Google search of “gay soccer Weho” led him to his first practice, and he was hooked! Fast forward through years of playing, Captaining, supporting the Board, and most recently serving as the club’s Treasurer. He currently supporting the Director of Competitive in all areas to develop and execute the competitive playing opportunity.
You wanna Lamborghini? Sip martinis? Look hot in a boo-kini? You better work, bitch. You wanna live fancy? Live in a big mansion? Party in France? You better work, bitch.
ahualt amaro (Member at large)
Ahuatl (“Ahuál) joined WHSC in 2017 and has captained the Protons since 2022. He supports the board in developing and executing recreational playing opportunities for the club and its’ members.
Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.
CHARLOTTE BEACH (Member at large)
Charlotte joined WHSC in January 2019 when the first ever Rockets squad was created! She’s served as the Rockets 11’s Co-Captain for 3 Muni League seasons and as the Captain of the Nova team for a handful of seasons in LA Sports Net! She’s traveled all over the country and world playing with the club, from Vegas to DC to Sydney, Australia! In doing so she has fallen in love with the WHSC community in countless ways. She is excited to join the board to help elevate the club even further, especially in developing the women’s/trans/non-binary program.
Football is a mirror to society and the world that surrounds it. And as the world has gotten ever more chaotic and challenged, it’s buckling with complexity. Football remains a reflection of that.
Rhiann holman (Member at large)
Rhiann began her journey with the club at the end of 2022. Drawn to the club’s strong sense of community and its inclusive environment, Rhiann felt an immediate connection. She currently serves as a co-captain of the Rockets 11s team and is dedicated to fostering growth on the club’s women’s side.
“Do what you love. If you love something, you aren’t going to care about the sacrifices you’re making to do whatever it is.” — Kelley O’Hara
nicholas jeffers (Member at large)
Nicholas first joined WHSC in the Summer of 2022 and instantly connected to the club's overall mission, core values, and community. He's very excited to get further involved with the club as a member of the board and collaborate further with his soccer peers.
You’ll never grow if you’re not uncomfortable.