SUCCESS STORIES
Atlanta Vibe
Chevron Showdown
The Inspire Brands Foundation, the charitable arm of Inspire Brands, along with corporate partners, will provide millions of dollars in grants to support youth-focused workforce readiness initiatives across the nation. The companies shared the commitment thru an idea created by Trenches and the Inspire Brands Foundation to create an event called Spark. Spark brings together nonprofits, local and state leaders, and voices from across the hospitality and entertainment industries to discuss the importance of providing the next generation of workers with critical job skills needed to lay the foundation for a strong future.
SPARK was created by Inspire and Trenches to UNITE: Industry Leaders, IGNITE: Tomorrow’s Workforce and INSPIRE: Thru Story
Hosted by Inspire Co-Founder and CEO, Paul Brown, and GRAMMY winning artist, actor, and philanthropist, Ludacris, the 2023 event included a nonprofit summit, and a series of keynote talks and panels featuring EMMY winning sportscaster Ernie Johnson Jr., educator Ron Clark, music executive Phylicia Fant, GRAMMY winning songwriter, music executive and producer Kawan “KP” Prather, Metro Atlanta Chamber CEO Katie Kirkpatrick, President and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta Kwame Johnson, and Focus Brands CEO Jim Holthouser.
The event culminated in the announcement of the one-million-dollar commitment, benefiting more than 30 local and national nonprofit organizations focused on empowering youth and workforce readiness, including 3DE, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta, City of Refuge, and the Ron Clark Academy. Save the date for our 2024 Spark where we hope to increase our grants by double!
The PBR Chevron Showdown was an idea sparked by Trenches to pair a property that we represent, the 2023 PBR (Professional Bull Riding) Championship Team – The Ariat Texas Rattlers, with a brand compelled to create positive and lasting impacts on the Permian Basin. Chevron was a dream brand partner and inventing the Chevron Showdown was a huge success by creating memorable, family-friendly experiences for Chevron employees and West Texas residents, celebrating West Texas culture, and supporting organizations that play pivotal roles in the Permian Communities. Chevron showed the world what happens when the spirit of West Texas meets the power of partnership.
The PBR Challenger Series first event at the Permian Basin in June 2024 initiative benefited the community with 100% of the profits from ticket sales going straight to the Odessa College Wranglers rodeo team who joined the Rattlers in a team shakeup for the showdown.
This was the start of a season-long charitable initiative between Chevron and the Texas Rattlers. For every qualified ride logged by one of the team’s riders at both the PBR Chevron Showdown and during their entire 2024 regular season for the PBR Camping World Team Series, Chevron is donating $800 to nonprofits in the Permian Basin, including the Midland Children’s Rehabilitation Center Hippotherapy Program, FFA programs in MISD and ECISD, and the Reeves County Junior Livestock Show.
The Pro Volleyball Federation’s Atlanta Vibe has announced a multi-year partnership with Emory Healthcare, making Emory Healthcare the official team health care provider of the Atlanta Vibe and the first ever jersey patch sponsor for the city’s newest professional sports team. This deal was brokered by Brad Olecki, Founder of Trenches.
As a part of the relationship, Emory Healthcare is providing sports medicine physicians and athletic trainers for all games and health and wellness services across the health system to players. Emory Healthcare’s logo is displayed prominently on the Vibe’s uniforms for the rest of the season and on the team’s home court at Gas South Arena in Duluth, Georgia.
Kobie Lain is a dynamic Sales Executive with Trenches Sports & Entertainment, bringing a wealth of experience and a visionary approach to business development. With a proven track record in connecting companies and fostering valuable relationships through his sales efforts with Circular Edge, Kobie excels at creating impactful marketing and event planning strategies.
As a former college quarterback at Southern University and Delaware State University, and with experience in LSU’s Player Personnel Department during its 2019 National Championship run, Kobie combines his athletic background with sharp business acumen. His genuine passion for sports and supporting athletes shines through in all his endeavors.
Renowned for his infectious energy and genuine demeanor, Kobie has a natural ability to captivate audiences and leave a lasting impression. Outside of work, he enjoys exploring new cultures through travel and finding inspiration in the great outdoors.
Olecki uses the lessons he learned as a former student-athlete playing offensive line at Morehead State University in his professional career. The genesis of Trenches, Olecki brings those traits to the workplace every day by not being afraid to do the dirty work while making sure his clients and partners are the all-stars, in the spotlight, getting all the accolades.
Before starting Trenches Sports and Entertainment, Brad was part of the founding leadership team that developed, designed, funded, built and managed the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, GA. As the Chief Revenue Officer, Olecki lead the efforts to raise the funds to build and operate the College Football Hall of Fame and Chick-fil-A Fan Experience. A true public/private partnership, the Hall was almost entirely funded by corporate sponsorships, foundation gifts, and individual donors. He was responsible for developing corporate partnerships for the Hall, strategizing and implementing the philanthropic, grassroots and membership strategy as well as unique marketing programs and special event strategy, while managing group ticket and event sales.
Prior to joining the Hall and Trenches, Olecki worked in managerial roles for ISP Sports (now IMG College), the Atlanta Spirit and Action Sports Media. He specializes in strategic sales planning and team leading, relationship building, philanthropic fundraising, creative partnership development and execution along with partnership negotiation. Managing strong relationships with a wide range of premier corporations, foundations, and individuals, Brad has been instrumental in creating and implementing sports, entertainment and cause marketing programs on their behalf. These experiences have allowed him to develop a unique skill set having been a full-time employee at the property level and worked with several outsourced consultants and sales agents. It was this experience that gave him the idea to start Trenches and fill a specific need for similar properties.
A long time Atlanta resident, Olecki attended Morehead State University where he received his bachelor’s in Business Administration and was the Team Captain and All-American on the Eagles’ football team. He sits on the Board of Directors for Curing Kids Cancer and Silverton Foundation as well as assisting with several Metro Atlanta Boy Scouts’ initiatives including the Peach of an Athlete Role Model Banquet and Sporting Clays event. Olecki lives in Smyrna with his wife, Margaret Anne and two boys Benjamin (5) and Andrew (4).
Hannah is a graduate of Kennesaw State University with a bachelor’s in Business Administration. She brings experience in customer service, event planning, activation and working with high profile clients from her work at The Hawks Ridge Golf Club and a Sports Advertising Representative sales position.
Hannah leads our office in the creative design, fulfillment and activation for all partnerships, as well as, runs the day to day office keeping the rest of us in line!
Her enthusiasm and drive to find the best for everyone with whom she works, just adds to the many reasons she is a great addition to the Trenches Sports & Entertainment team! She resides in Jasper, Georgia where she enjoys her family and friends, staying active and enjoying as much time outdoors.
Heidi comes to Trenches with a background in sales, marketing, event planning and operations. She worked for 15 years for the critically acclaimed Buckhead Life Restaurant Group as the Director of Sales and Events. She was able to combine her love of details with her ability to develop and maintain relationships. While there, Heidi had the opportunity to create and plan events for Presidents, Fortune 500 companies, Professional Sports Teams and celebrities. She was most known for her ability to take care of the countless details behind the scenes to execute a success event. Heidi ability to multi-task allowed her and her staff to deliver over 1,500 events a year.
Heidi brings her love of details, problem solving and strategy to the VP of Operations role at Trenches. Align company strategy with execution and brand fulfillment. Heidi is also using her event expertise to lead Trenches and Inspire Brands Foundation partnership in their creation of the SPARK event – which raises over $2,000,000 in grants to promote career and workforce readiness for the next generation.
Heidi graduated with a Bachelors in Business Administration in Marketing from the University of Iowa (Go Hawkeyes!) and minored in Spanish. She currently lives in Smyrna, Georgia with her husband and 3 school aged kids. When not working you can find her at the baseball fields where she is on the Little League Board as the Chair of Sponsorship. She also volunteers as a fundraiser for the local schools where she was awarded volunteer of the year by the City of Smyrna in 2020.
Larry Jones is an accomplished marketing and sales management professional with a 20 year track record of success in sales and activation related to the Athletic, Entertainment and Technology industries.
Larry has proven to be a strong leader and team member with experience across live event/sports marketing, including generating revenue for NBA, NHL, NCAA Properties, MLS, High School sports, concerts & festivals, special events, multi-purpose venues and Immersive Media. Larry currently lives in Atlanta with his wife and two sons.