#CollegeSeries Technology Services Night

Sean Walker joined the Phillies as vice president, chief technology officer in March 2018. In his role, he oversees the club’s Information Technology Department to enhance overall business operations.

Sean brought 19 years of technology and information systems experience in highly visible sports environments, where he was responsible for strategic IT planning and project execution. In his career, he has helped define strategies to ensure high performance and cost-effective technology solutions.

Before joining the Phillies, Sean served as vice president of innovation and technology services for the Tampa Bay Lightning. Prior to that, he served as associate vice president of team, arena and event technology for the National Basketball Association (NBA). At the NBA, Sean worked with senior management to develop the technology strategy for use around the league. He also provided support for the league’s premier events such as the NBA All-Star Game, NBA Finals and NBA Draft. Sean began his career with the Professional Golfers’ Association of America (PGA).

During his 13-year career with the PGA as director of enterprise applications, he developed and led technology initiatives for the world’s largest working sports organization, including the PGA Championship and Ryder Cup.

Sean is a graduate of the University of Florida at Gainesville, where he received both Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees. He and his wife Becca have three children, Ellie, Sean and Lillian.

In her current role as Broadcast Technology Coordinator, Val Bendas oversees the technology relating to audio and video paths, providing necessary camera angles and audio sources that enable national television networks, such as ESPN, FOX, Apple TV, Peacock, TBS, and MLB TV, to broadcast Phillies games live from Citizens Bank Park. She is also the liaison for any visiting team's broadcast networks as it relates to broadcast technology, and also the main point of contact for the Phillies' local Regional Sports Network (RSN), which is NBC Sports Philadelphia.

Her game day responsibilities include working behind the scenes, overseeing the operations, setup and location of all network trucks visiting the ballpark on game days. She is also an integral member of the PhanaVision Control Room engineers, who oversee the technology as it relates to sharing various program content, including camera and audio feeds, with various networks.

In addition, she is part of a team that works across the organization for all AV requests including special events and press events, taking place on both game days and non-game days.

Val began her career with the Phillies in 2017, working as a seasonal employee assisting with on-field pre-game needs, special event AV setups, PhanaVision control room maintenance and upgrades, and soldering cables. She joined the organization as a full-time employee the following year.

A 2016 graduate of Kutztown University, Val has a BS in Electronic Media as well as an AAS in Audio Video Communications from Luzerne County Community College in 2013.

Matt Bryan is the Senior Director of Technology Services for the Philadelphia Phillies where he oversees technology operations, cybersecurity, and systems administration. Previously, he held leadership roles in technical product management at BoardEffect, a Diligent company, where he launched software products for boards of directors. He is a graduate of Temple University’s Fox School of Business and Klein College of Media and Communications holding a master’s degree in IT Auditing & Cybersecurity and a bachelor’s in American Culture & Media Arts.

Matt has been with the Phillies since 2018 and has worked on numerous projects to advance digital transformation and cybersecurity initiatives. He was instrumental in leading the Phillies transition to remote work during COVID-19 and continues to support the club’s on-going hybrid work model. He frequently liaises with MLB’s cybersecurity team helping the Phillies to respond to new threats, implement best practices, and respond to the current risk landscape.

He resides in Philadelphia with his wife and dog Buddy.

Dr. Michael Cunningham is in his fifth season with the organization. His team works collaboratively across all departments in the organization to achieve efficiency through the deployment of technology solutions such as CRM, ERP, HRIS, and technology related to the fan experience.

Born and raised in Drexel Hill, Michael has a BA, MS in Counseling and Human Relations, MBA in Strategic Management from Villanova University and a Doctorate of Business Administration from the Fox School of Business at Temple University. Michael’s research focuses on consumer behavior and technology acceptance of emerging technologies in the sports & entertainment space.

Michael is an adjunct professor at Villanova University instructing course on Business Process Management and Business Intelligence. Michael currently serves on the board of Family Promise of the Mainline, which helps families experiencing homelessness and low-income families achieve sustainable independence through a community-based response.

Michael and his wife Jennifer live in Drexel Hill with their two children Michael and Henry.

Kristine Robicheaux joined the Phillies in 2020 as a Help Desk associate after being recruited at a Phillies College Series event. After earning her way into a role as the Technology Services Intern, she earned a full-time role as Technology Services Coordinator. Kristine now serves as the Manager of Technology Operations, where she is the lead for the department for major events including Spring Training, Opening Day, concerts, the MLB Draft, and Postseason.

Kristine also oversees the daily operations of the Technology Services department including the Help Desk, project initiatives, and gameday operations. In addition, she partners with other departments and contractors of the Phillies to ensure all technology needs are met.

Kristine was born and raised in Philadelphia, PA. She served in the United States Army after graduating high school from 2013-2018 (Active Duty) and 2018-2021 (Reserves) where she earned the rank of Sergeant. After transitioning out of the military, she moved back home to Philadelphia where she received her B.S. in Sport Management from Drexel University (2021). Kristine is currently pursuing her Master’s Degree in Business Information Technology at Drexel University.

Kristine resides in Levittown, PA with her husband Napoleon and their two cats.

As Phillies Ambassador, Scott is involved in various aspects with the club, including fan engagement and Phillies Charities, Inc. He also can be found at the podium, hosting news conferences and other special events for the organization.

In 2016, Scott was inducted into the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame, which honors the lifetime sports contributions of Pennsylvanians. Scott is also a proud member of the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia.

Prior to joining the Phillies in 2005, Scott was an anchor and sportscaster at WPVI-6ABC in Philadelphia for over 24 years

An outfielder for the 1993 National League champs and hitting coach for the 2008 World Series champions, Milt Thompson returned to the Phillies organization as a community club ambassador in March 2022. In this role, he serves as a club resource for community outreach with an emphasis on youth baseball and softball development, working with the Phillies RBI program and the Phillies Urban Youth Academy.

Milt previously served the Phillies as major league hitting coach (2005-10) following one season as first base coach (2004). From 2005-09, Milt guided Phillies hitters to the National League lead in home runs, RBI, runs, extra-base hits and total bases. He also served as a coach on the NL All-Star team in 2009.

Originally drafted by the Atlanta Braves out of Howard University in 1979, Milt played 18 years of professional baseball, including 13 seasons in the majors with the Braves (1984-85), Phillies (1986, 1993-94), St. Louis Cardinals (1989-92), Houston Astros (1994-95), Los Angeles Dodgers (1996) and Colorado Rockies (1996). He hit .313 with six RBI in 1993 World Series and set a Phillies record with five RBI in Game 4 at Veterans Stadium.

Milt began his coaching career in 1997 as minor league outfield/baserunning coordinator for Tampa Bay before joining the Phillies minor league system as a coach at Reading (1998-99) and outfield/baserunning coordinator (2001-03).

Born in Washington, D.C., Milt lives in Sewell, N.J. with his wife Carole. He has four daughters: Torri, Jennifer, Courtney and Alyssa.