Current Leadership

Brandon McDaniel – President

Director of Player Performance – Los Angeles Dodgers.

Brandon McDaniel enters his 13th season in Professional Baseball. He currently is a Director of Player Performance for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

He has been in the field of Strength & Conditioning for 15 years and has previously worked for the Pittsburgh Pirates at the Minor League level and EXOS (formerly Athletes Performance) in their Military Strength and Conditioning department with the Department of Defense.

Brandon holds a Bachelors Degree in Exercise Science from Wayne State College (NE) where he was a member of the baseball team. He holds a Masters Degree from A.T. Still University in Human Movement. He also holds many certifications including his Registered Strength and Conditioning Coach Certification through the National Strength and Conditioning Association, as well as FMS, SFMA, USAW, DNS, PRI and Strong First Kettlebell.

Brandon has been married to his wife Andrea, who also as a registered dietitian. They have three young sons and currently reside in Burbank, CA.

James Clifford – Vice President

Director, Strength and Conditioning – Seattle Mariners

James Clifford is in his 22nd season in the Mariners front office, his eighth since joining the Major League staff and his third as Director, Strength and Conditioning. He was the AL Strength and Conditioning Coach in the 2018 All-Star Game in Washington, DC. James spent the previous 14 seasons as Sports Science & Performance Coordinator and was responsible for implementing weight training programs at all levels of Seattle’s minor league system. James is a certified strength and conditioning specialist (CSCS) from the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), is a Registered Strength and Conditioning Coach Emeritus (RSCC*E). He was the AL rep for the Professional Baseball Strength and Conditioning Coaches Society (PBSCCS) 2015-18 and was elected to the position of Vice President of the PBSCCS at the 2018 MLB winter meeting in Las Vegas, NV.

James had a six-year playing career in the Mariners minor league system from 1992-98. June, 2016 marked 25 years in the Seattle Organization for James.

A Seattle native, he graduated from Ingraham High School in 1988, where he was an all-state selection in football and baseball. He was drafted out of high school by the Mariners in 19th round in 1988, but elected to attend and graduated from the University of Washington where he starred in baseball and football. James led the Pac-10 in tackles (164) in 1989 as an inside linebacker and was a member of the Huskies 1991 National Championship team. He played one season of college baseball in 1992 and led the Huskies to their first postseason appearance since 1959.

James resides in Peoria, Ariz., with wife Kimberley and daughters Kaelyn, Kennedy and Kinley.

Scott Weberg – MA, CSCS, RSCC -Treasurer

Head Major League Strength and Conditioning Coach – Toronto Blue Jays

Entering his 13^th season in professional baseball, and 1^st as the Head Major League Strength and Conditioning Coach for the Toronto Blue Jays. Previously held positions as Assistant Major League Strength and Conditioning Coach (2017-2018), Minor League Coordinator (2016), Assistant Minor League Coordinator (2014-2015), and Advanced-A affiliate Strength and Conditioning Coach (2012-2013) with the Toronto Blue Jays. Entered professional baseball with the Chicago Cubs strength and conditioning staff from 2007-2011 as the AAA Strength and Conditioning Coach and the Assistant to the Minor League Strength and Conditioning Coordinator. Was the Strength and Conditioning Coach for Team Canada at the 2017 World Baseball Classic. Was the Strength and Conditioning Coordinator, Netherlands Region, with MLB International from 2012-2013. Facilitated a start up youth training academy, Athlete School (Waukee, IA) at SportsPlex West in 2011. Worked as a Graduate Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach at Morehead State University (Morehead, KY) from 2007-2008. Was a strength and conditioning intern at Drake University (Des Moines, IA) from 2006-2007.

Earned his Master of Arts Degree in Health, Physical Education and Sport Sciences from Morehead State University (Morehead, KY) in 2008, and his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Health Promotion – Fitness Management from Grand View University (Des Moines, IA) in 2007. Attended Porterville College (Porterville, CA) from 2003-2004. Played three (3) years of varsity baseball at Grand View College (Des Moines, IA), and was named team captain 2007. Presented with the 2007 Champion of Character Award – Baseball – Grand View College, a 2007 Academic All-Region VII Selection, and 2006/2007 Academic All-Conference (Midwest Classic Conference) Selection. Played one (1) year Varsity Baseball at Porterville College (Porterville, CA).

Is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) and Registered Strength and Conditioning Coach (RSCC) from the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). Presented at the Blue Jays Baseball Academy National Coaches Clinic (2018), PBSCCS Winter Meetings (2016), European Coaches Clinic (2012) and Nova College CIOS (Haarlem, NL 2013). Currently the Treasurer of the Professional Baseball Strength and Conditioning Coaches Society (PBSCCS). Originally from Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada and currently resides in Dunedin, FL.

Kiyoshi Momose – CSCS, RSCC*D – Secretary

Head Strength and Conditioning Coach – Boston Red Sox

Joined the Red Sox organization in 2016 and is entering his 4^th season as the Red Sox Head Strength and Conditioning Coach. Prior to joining the Red Sox, spent 15 years (2001-2015) in the Pittsburgh Pirates Organization in a variety of roles, such as S&C Specialist, Assistant ML S&C coach, Latin American S&C coordinator, and Minor League S&C coach. Started his baseball career as a S&C intern in the Tampa Bay Rays minor league system. Earned his master’s degree in physical education and wellness from Central Florida and his bachelor’s degree in physical education from Nippon College of Physical Education. Is a certified strength and conditioning specialist (CSCS) from the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), is a Registered Strength and Conditioning Coach with distinction (RSCC*D). Served as S&C coach for the team of MLB players that played in Japan All-Star Series in 2014. A native of Nagano, Japan, resides in Belmont, MA with his wife, Lucianna and sons, Tristan and Kiyan.

Matthew Krause – ATC, CSCSD, RSCCE – Administrative Director

Director of Strength and Conditioning – New York Yankees

Enters his sixth season as the Yankees’ Director of Strength and Conditioning… spent 11 seasons with Cincinnati (2003-13), including nine as their Major League strength and conditioning coordinator (2005-13)…was named the 2013 “Nolan Ryan – Hammer Strength” Strength Coach of the Year… the award honors the outstanding Strength and Conditioning Coach in professional baseball whose accomplishments, in the opinion of peers, reflect an exemplary dedication to strength and conditioning… was the Reds organization’s minor league strength and conditioning coordinator from 2003-04… prior to joining the Reds, spent three years in the Pirates organization, serving as the minor league strength and conditioning coordinator from 2001-02 and Single-A Hickory strength coach in 2000… also worked with the Chicago Cubs as an intern with Single-A Daytona in 1999… earned his master’s degree in physical education and wellness from Central Florida in 1999 and his bachelor’s degree in exercise and sports science from East Carolina University in 1997…is a certified strength and conditioning specialist (CSCS) with distinction from the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), is a Registered Strength and Conditioning Coach Emeritus (RSCC*D) and a certified athletic trainer (ATC) for the National Athletic Trainers’ Association…sits on the Performance Committee and is a national speaker for the NSCA, 2018 NCSA Strength Coach of the Year. He was the vice president of the Professional Baseball Strength and Conditioning Coaches Society (PBSCCS)for 6 years and currently is the President of the PBSCCS…was the American League Strength representative for the 2015 MLB All-Star Game in Cincinnati…the Lynbrook, N.Y., native is a former member of the U.S. Marine Corps, and resides in Tampa, Fla., with his wife, LuzMaria, daughter, Olivia and son, Matthew.

Joe Kessler- Major League Representative (AL)

Major League Strength and Conditioning Coach – Cleveland Indians

Joe is in his 12th season as the Major League Strength and Conditioning Coach for the Cleveland Indians. Joe was named MLB Strength Coach of the Year by his MLB peers at the 2018 Winter Meetings and served as the Strength Coach at the 2019 All-Star Game in Cleveland. Kessler’s previous experience includes two years as the Director of Athletic Development for OAK Athletic Development in Bourbonnais, IL and spent two seasons as a Strength and Conditioning Assistant with the Indianapolis Colts from 2005-07 and the Chicago Bears in 2004. Joe is CSCS with a RSCC*D through the NSCA, having graduated from Illinois State University where he majored in Kinesiology with a concentration in Exercise Science and he also hold a Masters Degree in Leadership and Organizational Development.

Brad Scott – Major League Representative (NL)

Head Performance Coach- Atlanta Braves

Brad Scott – Head Performance Coach for the Atlanta Braves, is heading into his 20th year as a strength and conditioning coach and 6th season in professional baseball. Prior to his current position, Brad was involved extensively in collegiate sports. After graduating from University of Massachusetts – Boston in 2001, he gained experience in strength and conditioning first as an intern at Northeastern University and then as a graduate assistant at the University of Arizona from 2002-2004. He worked as the Assistant Director of Strength & Conditioning at Velocity Sports Performance in Irvine, California (2004-2005) before becoming the Director of Strength and Conditioning at California State University Northridge in 2005. In 2006, he became the Director of Strength and Conditioning for Men’s & Women’s Basketball and Volleyball at the University of Southern California. In 2007, he became the Associate Athletics Director / Director of Athletic Performance at the University of Portland, a position he held for 9 years before joining the Braves in 2016.

A native of Westwood, Mass, Brad graduated from Xaverian Brothers High School where he played football, wrestling and lacrosse and was a member of the powerlifting team. After high school, he earned both a BS in Exercise Physiology from the University of Massachusetts – Boston in 2001 and M Ed. in Teacher and Teacher Education from the University of Arizona in 2003. In 2012, he earned his license in Massage Therapy from East West College of Healing Arts in Portland.

He is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) and Registered Strength and Conditioning Coach (RSCC) through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA).

Aaron Reis – Minor League Representative (AL)

Minor League Strength and Conditioning Coordinator – Seattle Mariners

Aaron Reis begins his 7^th season in the Mariners High Performance department, his 2^nd as Strength and Conditioning Coordinator. Aaron spent three seasons as the Strength and Conditioning Coach in the Mariners organization with various teams in the organization and three seasons as the Assistant Minor League Strength and Conditioning Coordinator. Prior to joining the Mariners organization, Aaron spent two season with the Kansas City Royals as a minor league strength and conditioning coach, including the 2013 season with the AZL Royals and the 2014 season with Lexington in the South Atlantic League. He was awarded the PBSCCS Arizona League Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Year following the 2013 season. Also in 2013, he interned at EXOS (formerly Athletes’ Performance) where he trained a variety of professional athletes from the Olympics and MLB along with the corporate and college prep population. In 2012, he was also a Sports Performance Intern at Stanford University. He earned his Master’s of Science in Exercise Physiology from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (2013) and Bachelor’s of Science in Exercise and Sports Science with a Minor in Sports Psychology from University of Evansville (2010).

Furey Leva – Minor League Representative (NL)

Minor League Strength and Conditioning Coordinator – Philadelphia Phillies

A Philadelphia native, Furey joined the Phillies staff in December of 2016 after four years as a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates player development staff. Furey worked as a strength coach at four minor league stops for the Pirates: Indianapolis (AAA), Altoona (AA), Bradenton (A) and Jamestown (A). At the collegiate level, he spent one year (2013) as the assistant strength coach for Temple University football and two years (2012-2013) as the head baseball strength coach for North Penn High School. Furey is a certified strength and conditioning specialist (CSCS) and registered strength and conditioning coach (RSCC) through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). He is also a certified level 1 coach with USA-Weightlifting. This is Furey’s first year serving the PBSCCS board as Minor League Representative (National League). Furey earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Temple University and currently lives in Palm Harbor, FL.

Dennis Pitts – CPA – Trustee

Senior Audit Manager – Wipfli, LLP

Dennis Pitts is a senior manager within the audit department of Wipfli, LLP a national accounting firm. With over 20 years of experience, he has provided consulting and tax services to organizations within Major League Baseball, the National Football League and the National Basketball Association.

Pitts is a graduate of Philadelphia University with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. He is a certified public accountant in Pennsylvania and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants as well as the Pennsylvania Institute of Public Accountants. Additionally, he is a board member of the Philadelphia Catholic Charities Appeal and West Norriton Little League.

Dennis resides outside of Philadelphia, PA with wife Lynne, their twin sons, Denny and Ray, and daughter Charlotte.