2026RIC-January Breakfast - Business of Sports Panel Discussion

Jon Laaser is the Chief Operating Officer and Co-Owner of Performance Pickleball, a company he co-founded with Lee Warfield in 2023. In that role he oversees the operation of Performance Pickleball RVA, Performance Pickleball ROA and Performance Productions. He is also the host of "The Stack" podcast and serves as "The Voice of Collegiate Pickleball" for DUPR.

Prior to founding Performance Pickleball, Laaser was the President & Founder of Laaser's Ladybug Society and spent 22 years in sports broadcasting and athletic promotions. His diverse background includes stints as "The Voice of the Virginia Tech Hokies," "The Voice of the Richmond Flying Squirrels" and "The Voice of the Charleston Southern Buccaneers." The 45-year-old has also served stints in the broadcast booth for affiliates of the Tampa Bay Rays, Atlanta Braves, San Francisco Giants, Pittsburgh Pirates and Arizona Diamondbacks. Additionally, he could be heard on the call of both men's and women's basketball for the VCU Rams and for multiple sports on The ACC Network. His previous stops also include MASN, NBC Sports Washington and The Hampton Roads Sports Network.

A native of Minneapolis, MN, Laaser began his career at KFAN Radio in his hometown. He currently resides in Short Pump with his wife, Renée, and their beloved pug Steve.

Dennis Bickmeier is the Executive Director of Henrico Sports and Entertainment Authority, leading the county’s mission of bringing sports and entertainment facilities and events to the County.  Previously, he served as President of Richmond Raceway for more than a decade, guiding the Raceway’s motorsports, Amphitheater and facility rental efforts. 

Over his 36-year sports management career, Dennis has worked for some of the top sports organizations in the nation, including the Los Angeles Rams, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and the Big West Conference. He spent more than two decades in motorsports, serving in a variety of Public Relations and Marketing roles at Auto Club Speedway in California and Michigan International Speedway, prior to his appointment as President of Richmond Raceway in 2011.

A native Ohioan, he is a graduate of the Ohio University Scripps School of Journalism. He also holds a master’s degree in Sports Administration and Facility Management from Ohio University.

Dennis serves on the Board of Directors for the Henrico Police Athletic League.  In 2024, he was appointed to the Parent Advisory Council at The Ohio State University. 

Dennis lives in Henrico County with his wife and their three children. 

Giff serves as the President and CEO of Pros, Inc., which is the owner of Independence Golf Club.  He served as the Managing Director of the Golf and Outdoor division at Octagon, Inc.,before starting the company’s strategic initiatives division, where he spearheaded a wide variety of Octagon’s innovation, digital and strategic development projects. 

Giff began his marketing career in 1981 with Procter & Gamble and has worked for many leading corporations, such as Coca-Cola, Ralston Purina, AMF, and Eskimo Pie. In 1996, he became a partner in the golf representation firm Pros, Inc. 

Giff is a graduate of the University of Richmond, where he received a B.A. in Jouralism while playing baseball. He received his M.B.A. in 1987 from the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business. 

He is married to Laurie Sipe Breed (W’81), and they have two daughter who are both Doctors in Washington DC.