Emerald Sports and Entertainment (ESE) is a new corporate venture headed by Chairman and CEO Armando Yepes. Armando has had a long career in management and professional sales holding such positions as Regional Contracts Manager, National Sales Manager and Division Vice President of Latin America for companies such as Xerox, IBM and Gaming Systems International. He holds an MBA from Pepperdine University and a law degree from Loyola University of Los Angeles.

Roy Virgen holds the role of COO and President. Roy has had a diverse career which includes years of experience in logistics for UPS, retail for Macy’s and Procter & Gamble, and experience in the sports business working for the Clippers former D-League affiliate, the Anaheim Arsenal. Roy has also had experience working with several teams in the American Basketball Association. Roy holds an MBA in Marketing from the University of La Verne and will oversee day-to-day and gameday operations.

Dr. M. Kahler holds the role of Chief of Staff and Team Chaplain. His background includes sports merchandising and nonprofit management. He oversees a local non-profit ministry and works with developing professional athletes. Dr. Kahler will oversee gameday operations with Roy Virgen, in addition, he will be tasked with helping to support the team’s players with any mental or emotional challenges that may arise.

A fourth member of the ESE is American Education Holdings, the parent organization for California Metropolitan University based out of Montclair, California. The university will be expanding in 2022 to include Sports Management and Leadership degrees and guaranteed internships with the new PBA team. More information about CMU and their programs can be found at www.cmu.ac.

The team will be based in eastern Los Angeles County. The SGV Team’s basketball games are slated to be streamed live on CMU’s internet radio station; a station managed by students playing a mix of commercial Top 40, Alternative Rock, Electronica, and Underground Hip Hop. The team will soon be holding a vote for the new name of this franchise. Team tryouts are slated for 2022. Please direct any questions to Roy Virgen at [email protected]