As a former Penn State lacrosse player and Lifetime Member of the Penn State Alumni Association, Jennifer Ferrang brings a wealth of Penn State pride to her role as Happy Valley United’s General Manager of Development and Corporate Partnerships. With more than 30 years in the healthcare sales and general management, Jennifer also brings significant experience as a successful executive leading commercial teams, having held various leadership roles at Cardinal Health, Quest Diagnostics, Aetna and Kaiser Permanente. Jennifer earned a bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Administration from Penn State and a master’s degree in Business Administration from Rensselaer Polytechnic University. She is passionate about helping women advance their careers, serving as Executive Sponsor of the Women’s Initiative Network for the North Chapter at Cardinal Health. Jennifer is a past member of AWE (Advancing Women Executives) and a current member of Women Business Leaders (WBL) in Health Care and active in supporting students enrolled in Penn State’s Health Policy and Administration master’s program.
Rich Stankewicz is a proud Penn State Letterman who joins Happy Valley United with a distinguished career spanning 20 years in software development and product management. As the company's Director of Operations, Rich leverages his passion for fostering high-performing teams and his love of everything Penn State. He has overseen and guided teams across the United States, Canada, India, and Vietnam, consistently demonstrating his relentless commitment to operational efficiency, product innovation, and professional success. His track record is a testament to his innovative approach to software development and adeptness in managing large-scale projects. Rich eagerly anticipates harnessing his extensive Penn State network and his strategic management techniques to contribute to the cultivation of NIL opportunities for Nittany Lion student-athletes through Happy Valley United.
Michael Villagrana is in his first year with Happy Valley United after serving three seasons with Virginia Tech, serving as the Hokies’ senior director of player personnel. He joined Virginia Tech after working as general manager at Marshall University, where he managed recruiting, player personnel, and roster oversight alongside head coach Charles Huff.
At Marshall, Villagrana led the charge to secure the university’s highest-rated recruiting class in 2022. Before that, he served as director of recruiting at Mississippi State, collaborating with head coaches Mike Leach and Joe Moorhead. He was instrumental in stabilizing the 2020 recruiting class during a coaching transition, ultimately securing commitments from 24 of 25 players. Mississippi State’s 2021 recruiting class ranked 26th nationally, while the 2019 class, which included standout recruit Charles Cross, ranked 24th.
Villagrana’s career in college football recruiting began at Penn State, where he worked from 2015 to 2017. At Penn State, he played a key role in building highly ranked recruiting classes, helping recruit future NFL players like Micah Parsons, Odafe Oweh, and Pat Freiermuth. Starting as an assistant recruiting coordinator in 2015, Villagrana transitioned from coaching to player personnel.
Read MoreMichael Villagrana is in his first year with Happy Valley United after serving three seasons with Virginia Tech, serving as the Hokies’ senior director of player personnel. He joined Virginia Tech after working as general manager at Marshall University, where he managed recruiting, player personnel, and roster oversight alongside head coach Charles Huff.
At Marshall, Villagrana led the charge to secure the university’s highest-rated recruiting class in 2022. Before that, he served as director of recruiting at Mississippi State, collaborating with head coaches Mike Leach and Joe Moorhead. He was instrumental in stabilizing the 2020 recruiting class during a coaching transition, ultimately securing commitments from 24 of 25 players. Mississippi State’s 2021 recruiting class ranked 26th nationally, while the 2019 class, which included standout recruit Charles Cross, ranked 24th.
Villagrana’s career in college football recruiting began at Penn State, where he worked from 2015 to 2017. At Penn State, he played a key role in building highly ranked recruiting classes, helping recruit future NFL players like Micah Parsons, Odafe Oweh, and Pat Freiermuth. Starting as an assistant recruiting coordinator in 2015, Villagrana transitioned from coaching to player personnel.
Earlier in his career, Villagrana coached wide receivers at Savannah State in 2014. Before that, he was offensive coordinator and recruiting coordinator at Hampton in 2013, following his role as special teams coordinator from 2010 to 2012.
Originally from Youngstown, Ohio, Villagrana began his collegiate career as a graduate assistant at his alma mater, West Virginia University, where he earned a master’s degree in athletic coaching education. A former player, he was part of the Mountaineers’ Sugar Bowl and Fiesta Bowl victories from 2003 to 2007, contributing as both a defensive lineman and tight end.
Villagrana and his wife, Tiffany, have two children, Dominic and Camryn.
For more than two decades, Wendy Hoover has been a well-regarded counselor to a Pennsylvania governor, high-ranking state lawmakers, and leaders of business and industry. A passionate supporter of Penn State football, she’s now putting her vast experience to work for Happy Valley United.
Wendy has represented Fortune 500 companies, health care providers, nonprofits, colleges and universities, cultural institutions, and statewide organizations. While working in the Pennsylvania Senate, she helped build critically needed grassroots support to secure new stadiums for professional sports franchises in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, as well as Penn State’s baseball stadium, considered one of the finest in college baseball.
Read MorePrior to joining Happy Valley United, Wendy served as a key member of one of Pennsylvania’s most influential and successful lobbying firms and a national trade association. In addition to lobbying, she helped organize fundraisers, special events and receptions. Among her clients were the Pennsylvania Troopers Association, the Kimmel Center, the City of Philadelphia and the Philadelphia 76ers.
She began her career in public service, serving in leadership roles for several elected officials, including Gov. Tom Ridge, Senate President Pro Tempores’ Robert Jubelirer and Joseph Scarnati, she was Chief of Staff to a state senator from the western part of the state, and legislative assistant and assistant of special projects to Speaker of the House Matthew J. Ryan.
A native of Claysburg, Blair County, Wendy is a graduate of Lock Haven University with a degree in political science. She resides in Mechanicsburg and State College with her husband, Will, a longtime business executive and former Penn State baseball coach. They have four children: Emerson, Addyson, Grayson and Will (Bub) – and the real bosses of their family, French bulldogs: Clemens, George, Hendrix and Huxley.
James Liotta is a dedicated and multifaceted professional who brings a dynamic blend of sports engagement, operations, communications, and media expertise to Happy Valley United. Before joining Happy Valley United, James gained valuable experience as a Recruiting Intern with Penn State Football, Ohio Football and The Scouting Academy, where he honed his skills in player scouting and recruitment. His tenure with Penn State Football further developed his expertise in recruiting and camp operations, where he played a key role in scouting and coordinating official visits for potential recruits. Graduating from Penn State in 2023 with a bachelor's degree in economics and a passion for sports, James combines academic knowledge with practical experience, including a significant role in THON and leadership as the Head Coach of the Penn State Women’s Club Basketball team. His diverse skill set and enthusiasm for fostering meaningful connections make him a vital asset to the HVU team. James looks forward to leveraging his expertise and extensive network to create impactful NIL opportunities for Nittany Lion student-athletes through his role at Happy Valley United.
James Liotta is a dedicated and multifaceted professional who brings a dynamic blend of sports engagement, operations, communications, and media expertise to Happy Valley United. Before joining Happy Valley United, James gained valuable experience as a Recruiting Intern with Penn State Football, Ohio Football and The Scouting Academy, where he honed his skills in player scouting and recruitment. His tenure with Penn State Football further developed his expertise in recruiting and camp operations, where he played a key role in scouting and coordinating official visits for potential recruits. Graduating from Penn State in 2023 with a bachelor's degree in economics and a passion for sports, James combines academic knowledge with practical experience, including a significant role in THON and leadership as the Head Coach of the Penn State Women’s Club Basketball team. His diverse skill set and enthusiasm for fostering meaningful connections make him a vital asset to the HVU team. James looks forward to leveraging his expertise and extensive network to create impactful NIL opportunities for Nittany Lion student-athletes through his role at Happy Valley United.
