Badger News
The Badger Region has welcomed three new staff members to its ranks starting at the end of February.
The three new hires will serve the region as a Communication Coordinator, Operations Coordinator and Independent Investigator.
Let’s meet them:
Alex Phan (Communication Coordinator)
Alex brings over five years of experience in social media and communications, having previously worked in the marketing department at Russ Darrow, where he specialized in reaching audiences on a large scale. His expertise will be instrumental in strengthening Badger Region’s communication strategy and expanding its reach.
Alex is a self-taught volleyball player who discovered his love for the game during his senior year of college in 2017. Determined to grow quickly, he sought out guidance from some of the best Badger Region alumni, accelerating his development and deepening his understanding of the sport. His rapid progression led him to coaching roles within just a year, including with UW-Milwaukee’s men’s and women’s club teams.
Since then, Alex has become a respected player, coach, and volleyball advocate in Wisconsin. He currently coaches at Arrowhead High School and works with Milwaukee Dive, one of Milwaukee’s teams that participates in the Volleyball League of America (VLA).
You’ll find Alex at volleyball events all across the Midwest, whether working, coaching, or competing. As an adult player, he captains MKE Phantoms, representing Badger Region at USAV Adult Nationals. In the summer, you’ll catch him on the grass courts, competing and embracing the volleyball community that shaped him.
As a part-time staff member, Alex’s focus will be in the realm of social media and producing content for the Badger Region website, newsletters and other publications.
Micaela Encarnacion (Operations Coordinator)
Micaela is a 2022 graduate of Ripon College, where she played on the NCAA Div. III Women’s Volleyball and Softball teams. She served as team captain for both squads during her tenure with the Redhawks.
On her next step in her academic and professional journey, Micaela served as the graduate assistant for the UW-Parkside women’s volleyball team. While at Parkside, the Schaumburg, Ill.- native earned her Master of Science Degree in Sport Management.
The following year, Micaela was the Assistant Director of Volleyball Operations at Marquette University, during which time she also served as a site director for the Badger Region Volleyball Association and Wisconsin Juniors Volleyball Club for various events, assisting with both AES and Sports Engine.
The American Volleyball Coaches Association honored Micaela with one of 20 Diversity Awards at the AVCA Convention in Tampa, Fla., in 2023. The year prior, she was selected as one of 200 NCAA student athletes nationally to participate in a four-day NCAA Career in Sports Forum in Indianapolis.
As the part-time Operations Coordinator in the Badger Region, Micaela, who has been involved with volleyball since the fifth grade, will assist athletes, coaches, officials and administrators with memberships and organizational assistance and communication.
Monica Shipley (Independent Investigator)
A longtime volleyball coach, volleyball parent and supporter of our sport, Monica is joining the Badger Region as the Independent Investigator.
In this role, Monica will investigate non-administrative ethics and eligibility grievances that are filed within Badger Region and provide reports to the Badger Region Ethics and Eligibility committee, who will be in charge of adjudication.
Monica conducted criminal and national security investigations for 23 years as a Special Agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigations. During her two decades in the Bureau, she served in multiple roles including Informant Program Coordinator, Foreign Language Program Coordinator for the FBI Milwaukee Office, Media Coordinator for the Milwaukee Office, Coordinator for the Citizens’ Academy and New Agent Development Program Coordinator, among other positions.
Her background in law enforcement, investigations and compliance is going to be a huge asset for the Badger Region moving forward.
The Cedarburg native will work closely with Executive Director / Commissioner Jennifer Armson-Dyer and Badger Region Board President Holly Jablonowski to provide unbiased, neutral interviews and research conducted by a trained investigator to ensure fairness and due process throughout the entire Ethics and Eligibility process.
About the Badger Region
The Badger Region region is one of the 40 regions of USA Volleyball (USAV), which is recognized by the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) as the National Governing Body (NGB) of volleyball in the United States. USA Volleyball provides the highest level of child protection training and standards in the industry, as mandated by Congress.
Essentially, Badger Region Volleyball Association is the Wisconsin chapter of USA Volleyball and the premier volleyball authority in the state. Whether you are a junior player or an adult, an official or a fan, a parent or a coach, we believe our organization can provide you with a high-quality and educational experience in the volleyball world. We prioritize child safety, safe and welcoming environments, and skills for a life-long volleyball experience.
The Badger Region Volleyball Association is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization as recognized by the State of Wisconsin and the IRS.