Our Team

Katie Phillips
Executive Director

Katie is the executive director and founder of the Soccer Foundation of Charlotte. Graduating from Houghton College with a bachelor's degree in Psychology and minor in Sports Ministry she moved to Charlotte taking a job in a Title I School. After seeing her student's love for the game and their need for mentorship she decided to use soccer to invest deeper into low socioeconomic communities. A year later she founded Soccer Foundation of Charlotte with the goal of providing every child in Charlotte with accessible soccer programming and quality mentorship.

Board of Directors

Jeremy Sorzano

Jeremy is one of the founders of Soccer Shots Charlotte and Soccer Shots Franchising. Jeremy moved to Charlotte in 1996 to play with the Charlotte Eagles and soon after started running soccer clinics for children all over the city at childcare centers and preschools. He’s always had a passion to positively impact children and help them fall in love with the game of soccer. Soccer Shots has since grown and now is run all over the country by small business owners looking to impact children positively in the communities they live as well. Jeremy lives in Charlotte with his wife Lisa and two children.

Dustin Swinehart

Dustin has been with Soccer Shots since the beginning and has helped with the Charlotte franchise since 2006. A former professional soccer player with the Charlotte Eagles and Richmond Kickers, he has been in the game as a player and coach for over 20 years. Along with Soccer Shots, Dustin also works with an organization called Project 658 that works with at risk and refugee families. Dustin and his wife Betty have lived in Charlotte since 1999, and have four children: Tyler, Bryce, Dylan and Avary.

Jamie Rodway

Micheal Littlejohn

Following a successful career as an executive with the championship NASCAR race team Roush Fenway Racing, Jamie started a sports licensing and development company. With clients that have included the Canadian Olympic Committee and the Professional Bull Riders Association, he also was one of the key figures to bring international soccer matches to Charlotte. Jamie is married with three boys who have all participated in Charlotte's Soccer Shots program as well as the eldest having played on the Barcelona Soccer Academy team.

Born on the West Side of Charlotte, Micheal L. Littlejohn Jr. attended Ashley Park Elementary before relocating with his family to South Carolina. He graduated from the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, VA, where he majored in political science. He later graduated from the Charlotte School of Law, attaining pro bono honors. During law school, Micheal received Dean’s List honors and was awarded the inaugural Julius L. Chambers Scholarship by the John S. Leary Association of Black Lawyers. He clerked for the iconic civil rights firm Ferguson Chambers & Sumter, as well as the Charlotte Hornets. As an attorney, Micheal has appeared in over 16 county courthouses, handling a range of legal matters and issues. His interest and passion for civil rights, employment law, and criminal law led him to open his own criminal defense practice.

Sam Casey

Sam is the Director of Sales and Marketing for the Buffalo Jackson Trading Co. He also co-owns Banyan Creative which helps small businesses with their marketing efforts online. He is also co-owner at Yellow Bike Tours, a custom cycling tour and adventure company. Previously he worked with Project 658, a nonprofit that serves underprivileged families, with a focus on the international refugee population in Charlotte. Sam played 4 years of professional soccer with the Charlotte Eagles Soccer Club. He attended Messiah College for undergraduate studies winning two NCAA national championships. He resides in nearby Matthews, NC with his wife Heidi and two children. He is passionate about helping young people gain access to great opportunities through sport and education.