Rich Stankewicz

Director of Operations

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.

Mike Villagrana

Executive Director, Football

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.

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Wendy Hoover

Director of External Relations

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.

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