Our Leadership
MIKE SHILDT | CO-FOUNDER
Mike Shildt was born and raised in Charlotte, NC, and attended Olympic High School. Mike played baseball and graduated from UNC Asheville with a degree in business. Mike began his coaching career at his alma mater, serving as an assistant coach for 2 years, and then became the Head Coach at West Charlotte High School and American Legion post 262 where he was a former player. Mike was an assistant at UNC Charlotte in 1997 and 1998. After leaving Charlotte, he founded and owned On Deck Baseball Academy. After selling On Deck, Mike took a job in the scouting department of the St. Louis Cardinals in 2004. During the 2018 season, Mike was named Manager of the St. Louis Cardinals. In 2023, he was named manager of the San Diego Padres.
MICKEY HICKS | TREASURER
Mickey Hicks graduated with a Master of Accountancy and Bachelor of Science from the University of South Carolina. He has lived most of his life in Charlotte, NC and is active in community activities and organizations, having been a member of the East Mecklenburg Optimist Club, the Sportsman Club, and coaching numerous youth sports teams. Mickey and his wife Jan reside in Charlotte and have a son, daughter, and four grandchildren.
RACHEL MARK
Rachel is serving in a coordinator role for Baseball For Life and currently holds a full-time position with the National Park Foundation. In 2017, Rachel served as the community relations director for the Charlotte Knights (Triple-A/Chicago White Sox). Prior to her position with the Knights, Rachel spent four years in Scranton, PA as director of community relations for the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (Triple-A/New York Yankees).
Rachel graduated with a degree in Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management from North Carolina State University in 2009. She continued her education at East Carolina University, graduating in 2011 with a Master’s in Sports Administration. Rachel lives in Charlotte, NC, with her husband and daughter.
ERIC SHANKS
Eric was born and raised in Charlotte, NC, and played baseball at West Charlotte High School and American Legion Post 262. He played college baseball at UNC Charlotte and graduated with a communications degree. Eric played four seasons of minor league baseball, spending time in the Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, and Cincinnati Reds organizations, and worked for over 10 years at On Deck Baseball Academy as an instructor and coach. After his playing career, Eric earned a master’s degree in counseling and worked as a high school counselor for four years. He then went on to earn a master’s degree in accountancy and has spent the past five years working in public accounting at Grant Thornton where he is manager in the audit practice.
ED WALTON | CO-FOUNDER
Ed was raised in Arlington, VA where he attended Wakefield High School. After graduating from East Carolina University in 1967, Ed relocated to Charlotte and began his coaching career with two three-year stints at Alexander Graham and Quail Hollow Middle Schools. Following his time in the Mecklenburg County school system he began a 36-year teaching and coaching career at Charlotte Country Day School. His time at Country Day included 31-years as head coach of the varsity baseball team. Ed also headed up the junior varsity football program until his retirement in 2011. Ed is married to his wife Lesley of 46-years and has two daughters, Kelly and Kristen, and five grandchildren.
MIKE HENNESSEY | SECRETARY
Mike Hennessey is the head baseball coach and program director at Charlotte Country Day School. Mike began his coaching and teaching career at the Canterbury School in New Milford, CT in 1988, where he coached girls’ soccer, basketball, and baseball for seven years. In 1995, Mike moved to Charlotte and began coaching and teaching at Providence Day School prior to accepting the varsity baseball position at Charlotte Country Day. Mike is an active member of the Charlotte baseball community and is a hitting and pitching instructor at On Deck Baseball Academy. Mike is married to his wife of 24-years, Mindy, and they have a daughter.
MARK MENNITT
Mark Mennitt is currently the Director of Operations-Weddington for On Deck Baseball Academy. He attended Mars Hill College and received a BA in History/Social Studies Education. Mark attended Independence High School and was a state champion in 1984. Mark was a head baseball coach for 24 years (Independence, Parkwood, Marvin Ridge) and had a career record of 406-188. He won 12 conference titles as a head coach, 11 coach of the year awards, appeared in 4 regional championships, and won state championships in 2015 and 2016 with Marvin Ridge High.
lINDO JAVELONA
Lindo grew up in Charlotte, NC after his family immigrated from the Philippines in 1980 and is a graduate of West Charlotte High School. He earned a BS in Biology from UNC Charlotte. Lindo coached for three years at Covenant Day School and Marvin Ridge High School. Lindo has been working at On Deck Baseball Academy since 2000 and serves as an instructor and director of teams. Lindo lives in Charlotte with his wife Gabrielle, daughter, and son.