Behind The Stars
Executive Staff
Lane Smith
Owner
Tacoma native Lane Smith’s ties to soccer in the South Sound date back to his days as a player at Lincoln High School. His passion for the sport fueled his decision to purchase the rights to the Tacoma Stars branding and logos in 2014, and was involved in the team’s rise to the Major Arena Soccer League that same season.
Lane’s contributions to soccer in the South Sound include partnering with Seattle Sounders FC to establish successful player development franchises such as Sounders Women and Sounders U-23. He currently serves as lease holder and benefactor of the non-profit Tacoma Soccer Center.
Outside of his work on the pitch, Lane serves as the Chief Financial Officer and co-owner of Datec Inc., a well-regarded and locally owned enterprise infrastructure provider, systems integrator, and IT professional services company.
Nick Perera
General Manager
Front Office Staff
Jimmy McAlister
Sporting Director
Pete Richmire
Media-Communications Director
Kristin Wech
Social Media Director
Kristin Welch brings a passion for soccer, community, and organization to the Tacoma Stars social media and marketing team. With a background spanning soccer operations, event management, communications, and small business ownership, she enjoys finding creative ways to connect people, build community, and turn ideas into experiences.
After several years working behind the scenes in youth soccer, Kristin has seen firsthand that some of the best stories happen beyond what fans see on the field. She joined the Tacoma Stars excited to bring that perspective to the professional game and help showcase not only soccer, but also the players, personalities, fans, and community behind the club.
With the Stars, Kristin helps coordinate social media content and campaigns, works alongside and mentors the team’s social media interns, and develops new ideas for engaging fans throughout the season. From player features and behind-the-scenes content to fan engagement and community storytelling, she especially enjoys creating opportunities for people to feel more connected to the team.
Kristin resides in Southern California and is a longtime soccer mom and soccer fan who has spent countless hours on sidelines, in arenas, and behind the scenes of the game. For her, sports are as much about the relationships and communities built around them as they are about what happens during the game.
When she isn’t working on the next content idea, Kristin can usually be found at a soccer game, spending time with her husband and four daughters, or hanging out with her dogs.
And while she may now be working behind the Tacoma Stars' social media, she’ll always be a fan first. ⭐️
Nick Creasia
Arena DJ/Game Day Director
Randy McNair
Public Address Announcer
Josh Paul
Game Day Operations
Lilian Louie
Social Media Intern | Graphic Designer & Marketing
Originally born in Tucson, Arizona, Lillian “Lily” Louie has spent most of her life in Tacoma, Washington, and is proud to call the Pacific Northwest home. She holds a BFA in Graphic Design from Pacific Lutheran University and an AA in Graphic Design from Tacoma Community College.
Lily joined the Tacoma Stars to expand her experience in social media management, live-event marketing, photography, and analytics while bringing her graphic design background to the organization. Introduced to the Stars by her soccer-loving fiancé, she quickly became a fan of the fast-paced indoor game and the people behind it.
As part of the Stars’ social media team, Lily especially enjoys creating modern, engaging graphics and capturing photography for the club’s digital channels. She also loves being in the middle of the action on game days and at events. One of her favorite experiences so far was photographing the JOGA 253 Tournament from the bench, giving her a front-row view of the action.
What Lily appreciates most about sports is the dedication athletes show both on and off the field. She admires the drive, commitment, and courage it takes to pursue the game at a professional level.
Outside of the Stars, Lily has a lifelong passion for traditional art and has won several art contests over the years. Her creative interests include colored pencil, watercolor, ink, ceramics, jewelry, and printmaking. She’s also an avid baker who loves making homemade cookies, cakes, bars, and fresh bread.
And her favorite part of living in the Pacific Northwest? Fall—the crisp air, changing leaves, and everything that comes with the season.
**Connect with Lily:** [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/lillian-louie-8736b8264/)
Noah Yoo
Social Media Intern
Born and raised in South Korea, Noah Yoo moved to the United States when he was 10, spending time in California before eventually making Washington home. He graduated from the University of Washington Tacoma in 2025 with a degree in Communications.
Noah joined the Tacoma Stars for the opportunity to combine his interest in sports with the chance to support a professional team in his own community. As a sports fan, he was especially excited about working with a local organization and helping tell the Stars’ story through social media.
As part of the Stars’ social media team, Noah especially enjoys the creative side of content creation, with a particular interest in video editing. He also appreciates that social media gives him the opportunity to continue learning, experimenting, and improving his skills.
Soccer has a special meaning for Noah. Growing up in Korea, he watched the sport with his family, and following the game today still brings back those memories. Beyond soccer, he loves the competition and energy that come with sports.
Outside of his work with the Stars, Noah is fluent in both Korean and English. He also has a strong connection to Tacoma from his time at UW Tacoma and the memories he made throughout the city. When it comes to the Pacific Northwest as a whole, his favorite part is simple: the nature
Medical Staff
Michael Jennings
Game Day Medical Director
Fernando Santana
Head ATC
Patrick Pappalardo
Physical Therapist
Shoma Okita
Resident Physical Therapist
Christine Harris-Spinks
Medical Doctor