Front Office

Kevin Cuppia serves as Managing Partner and Executive Vice President of the Pee Dee IceCats, providing strategic leadership and operational direction for one of the Federal Prospects Hockey League’s most dynamic organizations. In this role, he is responsible for advancing the team’s long-term vision, overseeing business operations, and ensuring alignment between organizational strategy, community engagement, and on-ice excellence.

Mr. Cuppia brings extensive experience in organizational leadership, workforce development, and partnership management to his executive role with the IceCats. His background reflects a consistent record of building high-performing teams, cultivating stakeholder relationships, and driving sustainable growth across both public and private sectors. His leadership philosophy centers on accountability, innovation, and collaboration; principles that have shaped his success in developing programs and enterprises that make meaningful community impact.

In addition to this position, Mr. Cuppia is the Chief Executive Officer of the Workforce Training Alliance, an organization dedicated to building customized training plans to businesses in support of their workforce development goals.   He has held senior Human Resources leadership roles, where he collaborated with business and industry partners to design strategic programs that elevated regional competitiveness and talent readiness. His expertise in aligning organizational objectives with community advancement continues to inform his approach within the IceCats organization.

Mr. Cuppia is widely recognized for his professionalism, integrity, and forward-thinking approach to leadership. His work reflects a deep commitment to fostering growth, excellence, and opportunity, both within the organization and throughout the communities it serves.

Scott Brand will serve as the IceCats’ General Manager of Business Operations. His responsibilities will include creating corporate partnerships, driving ticket sales, overseeing promotions, and managing overall business operations.

A Michigan native, Brand previously led the creation of the Carolina Thunderbirds and the Columbus River Dragons, as well as serving as President of the Motor City Rockers. He has launched three wood bat summer league baseball teams — the Columbus Chatt-a-Hoots, the Choccolocco Monsters, and the Waterloo Bucks — and oversaw the renovation of the historic Golden Park in Columbus, GA.

Brand spent several years with the United States Hockey League (USHL), serving as the league’s Director of Hockey Operations and Referee-in-Chief, as well as President and General Manager for teams in Waterloo, Dubuque, and Youngstown. He also worked as an on-ice official. Under his leadership, each team he directed achieved record-breaking corporate partnership revenue, record attendance, and expanded traditional broadcast coverage — all while enjoying success on the ice, including championship seasons.

For 14 seasons, Brand helped guide USA Hockey’s Officiating Development Program, in addition to his role as Director of Hockey Operations with the USHL. During his tenure, 16 officials advanced to sign NHL contracts, and more than 275 moved on to careers in minor professional and college hockey. He is also credited as the inventor of the hybrid icing rule now used by every major hockey league worldwide.

Brand, who considers his “hometown” to be his family’s farm in St. Louis, Michigan, is proud of his community contributions, including helping to start a local farmers market and expanding operations for Pure Pro Wrestling, a Michigan-based sports entertainment promotion.

“I am honored and privileged to be entrusted with bringing hockey back to the Pee Dee Region,” said Brand. “While hockey is a great sport, we understand that as a professional entertainment organization, we also have a responsibility to the community — to provide affordable, family-friendly entertainment and to help showcase the many great aspects of our region.”

Phillip Bourque is a dynamic and dedicated professional in community relations. With a commitment to community engagement, Phillip plays a pivotal role in fostering relationships between a franchise and its fans, local businesses, and community organizations.

His innovative approaches to community programming will not only strengthen the IceCats' presence in the Pee Dee region, but also enhance the overall fan experience. By developing initiatives that promote youth involvement, health and wellness, and local partnerships, Phillip strives to bridge the gap between the team and the communities it serves.

A graduate of Louisiana State University, Phillip holds a degree in Sports Administration with emphasis on Sport Leadership and Sports Commerce-Sports as a Business Enterprise. He has further honed his expertise through various leadership roles in the sports industry during his time with Fanatics, Inc., Baton Rouge Zydeco Pro Hockey, and the Monroe Moccasins Pro Hockey. His commitment to professional development is evident through his active participation in workshops and seminars focused on community engagement and sports marketing.

Under Phillip's guidance, he seeks to propel Pee Dee IceCats to thrive as a beacon of community spirit, creating lasting bonds and memorable experiences for fans of all ages.

Brandi Tunnell is a dynamic and passionate professional currently serving as the Merchandise Director for the Pee Dee IceCats. In her role, Brandi is responsible for overseeing all aspects of team merchandise, including design, inventory, and sales, ensuring that fans have access to high-quality and popular team gear.

Prior to joining the IceCats organization, Brandi graduated from Coker University with a Bachelor's degree in Sports Management. Throughout her studies, she demonstrated strong academic performance and excelled as a student-athlete on the softball team. Recognized for her leadership abilities and dedication to her team, Brandi continues to apply these qualities in her professional endeavors.

Brandi’s unique combination of sports experience and academic background has allowed her to thrive in the sports industry. Whether it’s strategizing sales campaigns, organizing fan events, or collaborating with marketing teams, Brandi has proven herself to be an integral part of the Pee Dee IceCats organization. Her understanding of both the business side and the fan side of sports makes her a versatile and effective asset to the team.

Beyond her professional responsibilities, Brandi actively participates in youth sports programs alongside her two daughters, providing coaching and support to foster development. Her extensive expertise in sports culture and dedication to excellence enable Brandi to contribute significantly to both the Pee Dee IceCats organization and the broader sports community.