All Libero Sports Principals have significant experience in both sport
and business, with the ability to leverage detailed personal knowledge
and experience in sport with demonstrated business expertise.
Collectively, Libero Sports Principals have experience in personal and
business representation, negotiations and dispute resolution, business
management, political campaign management, wealth management, and a
variety of other areas critical to success in Libero Sports’ three
business platforms: player representation and career management,
strategic consulting, and facility development. Libero Sports has a
network of consultants with further specialized expertise as needed for
particular projects and clients. Additionally, all Libero Sports
Principals have experience either playing or coaching with elite youth
clubs, state and regional associations and collegiate teams.
FIFA Licensed Agent Eddie Rock leads Libero Sports' Player Representation
and Management division. Before co-founding Libero Sports, Rock spent
time at Major League Soccer in the player personnel department. Rock has
extensive experience in representation and public relations, having managed
national and state political campaigns and offices across the country.
Rock graduated from William Mitchell College of Law and earned a Bachelor of
Arts in Political Science from Beloit College, where he played soccer and
was a captain and all-region selection. Rock holds a USSF "C" coaching license
and has collegiate coaching experience at both the University of Chicago
and Beloit College.
A passion for soccer runs through nearly all of Ben Dickey's personal and
professional experiences. In addition to heading Libero's Strategic
Consulting business, he is Director of Wealth Management at Reinhart
Partners, Inc., where he leads the firm's Family Office advisory business.
Previously, Dickey served as Managing Director for U.S. Bancorp's Wealth
Management business in California, Arizona and Nevada. At U.S. Bank, he led
efforts to build relationships with American professional soccer players and
agents for the bank's Pro Sports Division. He also developed U.S. Bank's
unique partnership with Southern California's Coast Soccer League (CSL),
developing a comprehensive strategic plan to provide financial products and
services tailored to competitive youth soccer clubs, players and families.
Dickey completed his J.D. and M.B.A. degrees at the University of Wisconsin,
where he also served as an assistant coach with the women's varsity soccer
team. Ben holds USSF "B" and "Youth" licenses, as well as the NSCAA Advanced
National Diploma. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Law, Letters and
Society from The University of Chicago (with honors) in 1998. He was a
four-year letter winner at Chicago, where the team reached the 1996 NCAA
Division III Final Four.
Christian Lavers is an associate with the law firm Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek S.C.,
where his practice focuses on corporate transactions, contract negotiations, and
intellectual property. Lavers has prepared and negotiated contracts and joint
ventures for Fortune 100 and smaller companies, and a variety of employment and
other services contracts in the athletic arena. He earned both his law degree
(cum laude) and a Masters in Business Administration degree from the
University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he played collegiate soccer as an
undergraduate.
In addition to his legal practice, Lavers works extensively as a soccer coach
and trainer, identifying and developing talented players in Wisconsin and
throughout the Midwest. He holds the USSF "A" and "Youth" coaching licenses,
the NSCAA "Premier" coaching license, and currently serves as the director of
the FC Milwaukee US Soccer Development Academy program. Lavers has coached
collegiately at multiple levels, was a former member of both the Region II men's
and women's USYS Olympic Development Program staff, and writes extensively, with
numerous articles published by Soccer Coaching International, the NSCAA Soccer
Journal, and other publications.
Arvind is primarily focused with Libero Sports' operations in Asia. He was a former
member of the U20 Indian National Team. Arvind brings with him an extensive set of
contacts within the Asian football circle. From his time as a player, he has
established great relationships with many National Team players, coaches and general
secretaries of I-league clubs. He is responsible for arranging and coordinating trials
for clients who look to play for clubs in the AFC region. He is also responsible for
scouting and identifying talented players within India and Japan to send to clubs in
Europe.
Alex is an avid traveler, communicator and a problem-solver at heart. He grew up and
travelled extensively in Asia gaining valuable exposure to a wide range of cultures
and business practices. He spent two years in the Singapore Army where he served with
distinction as an instructor at the Basic Military Training Center. Alex has 5 years
of investment experience with family and private investment vehicles ranging from direct
investments in private companies to commercial and residential property across Asia.
Besides managing clients in Asia and coordinating trials, he is also responsible for
business development for Libero Sports' Asian operations.
Nate Winkel started his pro career in 2000 after being drafted in the first round
of the USL draft by the Minnesota Thunder. He won USL1 regular season championship
and playoff Championship Runners Up medals with Minnesota before going overseas to
pursue the next stage of his career. In 2003 Winkel joined Hollvikens GIF in the
Swedish second division, where he nearly led the club to promotion as the team's l
eading scorer in their best-ever season to date. In 2004, he returned to the US
with the Virginia Beach Mariners (USL1). Nate was back in Sweden for 2005 and
once again led his team in scoring, this time for Hogaborgs BK of Sweden, the club
famous for producing Swedish International and UEFA Champions League winner
Henrik Larsson. Winkel retired in 2007 after stints with the Minnesota Thunder
and Team Wellington of the New Zealand Football Championship. During his playing
career he forged valuable relationships with players, coaches, and staff from across
the world and had the pleasure of playing with and against many great players.
Winkel has gained valuable experience in the business sector since his playing career
ended. He worked as a Assistant Project Manager for Minneapolis-based firm Master
Engineering, Real Estate, & Construction before taking a role as a Business Development
Manager at the New Zealand Stock Exchange. He now lives in Shanghai, China and works
as the Director of Club Development for Shanghai's largest youth international football
club, QiLin FC. Winkel graduated from Marquette University with a degree in Business
Administration.