954 Middlesex Turnpike, Unit A1, Old Saybrook, CT 06475
Phone: 860-575-4189
Email: Roger@LaFrancoisMarketing.com

Roger LaFrancois, Principal

Roger is a business development professional with the proven ability to develop community relations, sell corporate sponsorships and direct operations of major conventions and trade shows. He has a highly profitable fund raising track
record and is a skilled public speaker with national guest appearances. Team building is his specialty; his successful
baseball career in the Major and Minor Leagues has also enabled him to acquire extensive personal contacts and the
ability to target, attract and book top tier and local celebrities for speaking engagements at corporate meetings,
special events and non-profit organizations.

Principal, WoodBatsUnlimited.com, 2007
On-line distributor of premiere baseball equipment representing products
of eleven national and international sporting goods companies.

Partner/Director,
World Baseball and Softball Coaches Convention, 2003-2008

• Directed all phases of strategic planning and marketing for
  national clinic held at the Mohegan Sun Resort, CT, attracting
  over 2,000 coaches and featuring 90 plus exhibitors.
  
• Booked over 30 top presenters including Cal Ripkin Jr.,
  Don Mattingly and Jennie Finch and many others.
  
• Generated more than $150,000 in corporate sponsorships to date.

Limited Partner / Director / Instructor, America’s Game, 2001-2008
Developed business plans and marketing strategies for successful business now
located in Old Lyme, CT, with over 10,000 students instructed to date.

Development Associate, CT Association Of Schools, 2007
Solicited corporate sponsorships for statewide educational organization.

Director, New England Coaches Convention, 1998-2001
800 coaches in attendance at event held at Foxwoods Resort, CT.
Approximately $30,000 generated in corporate sponsorships.

Coordinator/Speaker, Norwich Navigators Baseball Club, 1998–2001

• Coordinated baseball clinics at Connecticut College for over 500 attendees.
  
• Guest speaker at baseball programs throughout the state.

Owner, Instructional Sports Marketing, 1996–present

• Produced video presentations communicating effective baseball hitting techniques.
  
• Ongoing marketing and distribution through Baseball America/Baseball Weekly.

Professional Baseball HIGHLIGHTS
Player, Boston Red Sox, 1977-1984, Minor League Coach, San Francisco Giants, 2004-2005, New York Mets, 1997-2003,
Chicago White Sox, 1989-1996, Montreal Expos, 1988-1989, Atlanta Braves, 1984-1985

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS:

• Chairman of Annual Sports Auction, Day Kimball Hospital Giving Appeal Committee, 1990-2007;
  Raised over $300,000 for hospital’s pediatric programs.
• Past President, Director of Instruction and Training, Executive Committee,
  International Assoc. of Approved Basketball Officials, 2000-present
• Chairman, Eastern Connecticut, Special Olympics Funraiser, 2004-2005
• Committee Member, Connecticut Sports Foundation, 1998-2005 
• Speaker, Donor, ALS (Lou Gherig’s Disease) Annual Fundraiser, Fenway Park, Boston, MA, 2002-2004
• Member, Professional Baseball Players of America (APBA)
• Member, Major League Baseball Alumni

Education:
University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT
Bachelor of Science, Physical Education/Health, 1986
Minor: Human Relations

University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK
3 Years Undergraduate Studies

Eastern Connecticut State University/Sacred Heart University
Graduate Studies