Brady Ballard enters his 22nd season in professional sports and his sixth year with the Hooks.

Brady's prior stints include General Manager at the Spring Training home of the Houston Astros and Washington Nationals, the Ballpark of the Palm Beaches, and Vice President of Historic Dodgertown in Vero Beach.

The Marion, Illinois native was named 2013 Executive of the Year in the Advanced-A Florida State League as General Manager of the Daytona Cubs. Ballard began his career in 2004 with the Double-A Jacksonville Suns.

Brady currently serves on community boards for Visit Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi Sports Commission and Goodwill Industries of South Texas. Additionally, he previously served as the Event Chair for Making Strides Against Breast Cancer in Vero Beach.

Ballard received a degree in Economics in 2001 from the University of Illinois, where he was a two-time All-Big Ten Academic Team and Third-Team All-Big Ten outfielder.

Brady lives in Corpus Christi with his wife Gina, their son Dash, and daughter Hannah. Away from Whataburger Field, he enjoys golf, exercising, yard work, family time, and fishing in the Coastal Bend.

Becca joined the business development team in February 2024 after working two seasons as a member of the Hooks promotions crew.

A graduate of Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, Becca owns a bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology. In addition to her coursework, the East Texas native served in multiple leadership roles with Zeta Tau Alpha while at the Island University.

Becca roots for all teams out of the Lone Star State, especially the Texas Longhorns and Dallas Cowboys. A big baseball fan, she is particularly torn when the Astros and Rangers battle for the Silver Boot.

Away from Whataburger Field, Becca enjoys spending time with friends and family, including her dog Bear. She also loves to start her day on the beach at sunrise, though that snooze button is mighty tempting during a Hooks homestand!

Anissa, who joined the ballclub in time for the 2021 campaign, is currently in her second role with the Hooks, moving from the promotions crew to our ticket sales and services team.

Born and raised as a Pirate in Sinton, America, Anissa played varsity softball at Sinton High School, where she graduated in 2020 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Relegated to online classes, she earned an Associate in Arts Degree in Business Administration at Del Mar College in 2021.

Away from the ballpark, Anissa enjoys traveling and spending time with friends. The Corpus Christi resident is an ardent supporter of sushi and buffalo wings, sometimes on the same night. On the playlist: throwbacks, Reggaeton, and country.

Cooper began working with the Hooks in 2024 as a customer sales representative intern before transitioning to a full time front office member as an account executive.

Cooper first arrived in the coastal bend during fall 2021, attending Texas A&M Corpus Christi. Cooper’s time on the island concluded in 2024 when he received his bachelor’s in Kinesiology and Exercise Science.

Cooper is from Seguin, Texas, and when he is away from Whataburger Field, he enjoys spending time outdoors. Some of his favorite activities include going fishing, hunting and playing golf.

Hana, who joined the Hooks in February 2026, is currently an account executive.

Prior to living in Corpus Christi, Hana attended UC Santa Barbara where she worked for the athletics department. Hana grew up in northern California, calling the Bay Area her home. When Hana has free time, she enjoys working out, going to concerts, and stopping by the beach to relax.

A Corpus Christi native, Darren entered the 2024 season in his current role after previously serving as a retail associate and customer service representative.

Darren attended Mary Carroll High School, totaling two seasons on the varsity football squad. Keeping his local ties, Darren continued his studies at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, graduating in 2023 with his degree in Sports Management.

The Islander graduate is a lover of the NFL, MLB & NBA, but keeps his roots firm in The Lone Star State as a fan of the Cowboys, Spurs, Longhorns and Astros.

Makenna, who joined the Hooks in September 2025, leads the charge in planning and executing special events at Whataburger Field.

An Oaklyn, New Jersey native, Makenna earned a bachelor's degree in Recreation & Sport Management at Coastal Carolina University in Conway, South Carolina and received a master's degree in Sport and Entertainment Management from the University of South Carolina in Columbia.

Makenna was ushered into the Philadelphia sports scene at an early age. While growing up in a military family, she played softball, basketball, rowing, gymnastics, and all-star cheerleading.

In addition to sports, Makenna enjoys trying new places to eat and going out with friends. She is also an all-star at laying out on the beach and couch surfing. Whatever it takes to binge a book or show!

Courtney transitioned to Creative Services in 2020, serving as the team's graphic design guru. She's been with the Hooks since 2012, first as an intern before moving into a full-time position as Community Relations Coordinator in December 2013. In that time, she oversaw community appearances, donation requests and held the honor of being Rusty Hook and Sammy Seagull's boss.

A South Texas native, Courtney was born a stone's throw away from Whataburger Field at Christus Spohn Shoreline Hospital, grew up in Calallen and graduated from Texas A&M-Corpus Christi with a degree in Sports Management and Marketing. She left the Coastal Bend for year to play softball at Blinn Junior College in Brenham, Texas, but returned home to attend TAMU-CC.

Courtney doesn't mind paying extra for guacamole.

Val’s tenure with the Hooks began in April 2021 as a member of the club’s gameday production crew.

An Alice Coyote, Val graduated from Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, where they earned a bachelor’s degree in Media Arts with an emphasis in Media Production. When not at the ballpark, Val enjoys doing freelance creative video for various sports organizations across Texas. Their other hobbies include golfing, watching horror films, and seeing how many pieces of sushi they can eat in one sitting.

You can also catch Val on Hooks social’s hosting their “What’s On Deck” segments, a fun and informative series highlighting upcoming Hooks games and promotions around the Coastal Bend.

Val’s passion for the fan experience drives everything they do, ensuring that everyone, whether a die-hard fan or a first-time visitor, has a memorable and engaging time at the ballpark.

“I’ll see you at the ballpark!”

Natalie joined the Hooks front office in March 2025, and is currently the social media marketing manager for the ballclub.

Natalie attended the University of Tampa where she majored in communications, media, and film, graduating in March 2025. While at UTampa, Natalie began working in social media in 2022, working primarily in hockey while supporting the Tampa Bay Lighting.

Natalie was born in Cocoa Beach, Florida, where she fell in love with the beach and swimming. Her time in the water includes a ten year competitive swimming career and becoming a professional scuba diver. When away from the ballpark, Natalie also enjoys watching movies and exploring nature.

Joey joined the Hooks front office in March 2025 and is currently the production and broadcast coordinator.

Joey arrived in Corpus Christi after a stint in Midland, Texas where he was a weekend anchor for Big 2 News. Joey’s broadcasting journey has also featured time at the University of the Incarnate word where he served as the play-by-broadcaster for Cardinal athletics on ESPN+. Prior to working at UIW, Joey served as the broadcasting/media relations manager for the Visalia Rawhide (Arizona Diamondbacks Single-A Affiliate).

Joey graduated from Texas State University in 2024, where he received his bachelor's degree in Electronic Media. While in San Marcos, Joey worked at campus radio station KTSW 89.9 FM where he broadcasted baseball, basketball, hockey, tennis, and volleyball.

Joey is from San Antonio and arrives in the coastal bend alongside his fiance Priscilla. When away from Whataburger Field, Joey enjoys working out, watching sports, and traveling together.

Eric, who joined the front office in time for the 2017 campaign, has worked as a retail associate and retail coordinator before this current role with the Hooks. His operations duties include oversight of Hook, Line & Sinker, the club’s official team store.

A big-time sports fan, Eric backs the Astros, Spurs and Seahawks. The Corpus Christi native enjoys spending time with family, going to concerts, and sampling the best food and drink the Coastal Bend has to offer.

Eric and his better-half Jenna have a son, Joe Anthony and a daughter, Emily. Their cat Luna runs the show!

Marcus joined the Hooks as a visiting clubhouse manager in 2017 and was promoted to home clubhouse manager prior to the 2018 season. The Sioux Falls, SD native handles all operations inside the Hooks clubhouse and equipment room. During the offseason, he assists in various construction and maintenance projects around Whataburger Field.

Marcus started his career in baseball as a bat boy for the independent Sioux Falls Canaries before ultimately being promoted to clubhouse manager for his hometown team. He transitioned to affiliated baseball in 2015, working alongside his brother (Matt) as a clubhouse assistant for the Double-A Biloxi Shuckers.

Marcus has two brothers (including a twin) and two sisters. On 10/10/20, he married the former Jorden Klaevemann of Taft, Texas. Marcus and Jorden, who met at Whataburger Field, have a son, Jackson, and make their home in Portland. Outside the ballpark, Marcus enjoys going to concerts, the beach, playing golf, and spending time with family.

Sam joined the Hooks as the Head Groundskeeper at the end of May 2025. Hailing from Snoqualmie, Washington Sam grew up playing baseball, golf, and track and field. Sports and outdoor activities have always and continue to be an important facet of day-to-day life for Sam.

With over a decade of experience in the turf industry, Sam began his journey in high school, working on the grounds crew for TPC Snoqualmie Ridge. He worked for several other golf courses while in his undergraduate program and graduated from Western Washington University with a Major in Anthropology and minored in Communications in 2019.

After a brief stint selling property and liability insurance, Sam decided to go back to school to pursue a master’s degree in Turf management at Penn State. During this time, he worked as an assistant superintendent at several golf courses including Anthem Golf and Country Club in Phoenix, Arizona.

Sam graduated from Penn State with a master’s degree in Turf Management in May 2025. Outside work, He and his Fiancée, Emily, love to adventure, or sit out in the sun by the pool with their dogs, PJ, Ollie, and Goose.

Brown-Jill@aramark.com