Emerging Leaders

Learn first-hand from proven business leaders who will provide in depth discussions on career paths, networking, internships and real-life lessons.

Firmtrax Emerging
Leaders Workshop

Start Building the Career You Actually Want

You’ve got the degree—or the job—but now what? The Firmtrax Emerging Leaders program is your personalized launchpad into real-world success. Through a guided 4-session experience, we help you uncover what drives you, map out your existing network (yes, you have one!), and show you how to build powerful connections that lead to opportunities.

Along the way, you’ll gain access to our exclusive network of mentors and industry insiders—your very own “Career Sherpas” — who can open doors, make intros, and offer the kind of advice you won’t find in a classroom or on LinkedIn.

Benefits:
  • Guide young professionals in an ever changing job market using real life career path examples.
  • Provide the Firmtrax Networking Guide to identify and cultivate professional networks and gain a sense of purpose.
  • Provide a chance to network with other members and interface with the Firmtrax Wisdom Collective.
Let’s talk about your next move.

Fill out the contact form and schedule a quick intro call to learn more.

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Emerging Leaders
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Erica Acker

Partner & Member Engagement

Erica Acker is an agile, action-oriented business leader with more than 25 years experience in business development, sales and logistics.

She began her career in business development in the start-up world with pioneering online companies such as Food.com, Save.com and Coupons.com. 

Erica then joined marketing services giant Valassis Communications and dedicated the next decade to building their Direct Marketing division’s West Coast presence, earning multiple awards during her tenure. 

Ready to lead her own business, Erica became a Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt franchisee in 2012 with two locations in Los Angeles. As President & Owner, she oversaw construction of a new store, plus managed all aspects of the company – including marketing, vendor relations, fundraisers and hiring. She sold the stores at a profit five years later and was ready to lead a larger organization.

After a multistage, two-year vetting process, Erica was approved to become an Amazon Delivery Service Partner and founded Mercury Transport & Logistics in 2020. Less than 1% of applicants are accepted into the program. She has since grown the Mercury team to 100+ employees who have successfully delivered over 10 million Amazon packages since launch.

Erica is a native Angeleno and earned a History degree from UCLA, where she was a member of the water ski team (her greatest claim to fame). Erica currently lives in Los Angeles with her husband and two children.

Chip Cassady

Managing Partner & Deal Flow Channel

Chip has over 30 years of experience in the Publishing, Direct Mail, Digital and Retail Technology industries. Having worked with many of the largest brands and agencies, Chip has led large corporate sales and marketing teams at companies like Disney and ADVO/Valassis. In addition to his work at Fortune 500 companies, Chip also has over 15 years of startup experience in the mobile ad tech, indoor location and retail technology spaces. He currently lives in Scottsdale, Arizona, has two grown children, enjoys playing the drums, motorcycling riding and anything on or near the water.

Kevin Sneddon

Co-Managing Director

For more than 30 years, Coach Sneddon has strived to help student/athletes improve their overall wellness in order to achieve peak performance levels in the classroom, on the ice, and in the community. As a head coach, Kevin was named Hockey East Coach of the Year in 2008 and was a 2-time finalist for the Spencer Penrose Award (National Coach of the Year). With over 300 NCAA wins as a head coach at Union College (ECAC) and The University of Vermont (HE), Kevin brings a wealth of knowledge in the sports industry.

Prior to his coaching career, Kevin attended and was graduated from Harvard University. He was a member of the 1989 NCAA Championship team. During that historic first championship for Harvard, Kevin was named to the Frozen Four All-Tournament Team and was drafted by the Los Angeles Kings in the 1989 NHL Entry Draft. Kevin was later named the 96th Harvard captain during his senior year and received the Ralph “Cooney” Weiland Award for dedication and commitment to Harvard Hockey.

Growing up in Canada, Kevin was always around the game of hockey. His father, Bob Sneddon, was standout goaltender who played professionally for many years.

Upon his retirement from coaching in 2020, Kevin developed a consulting business, KAS Performance Consulting, LLC striving to assist NCAA coaches, players, and businesses. One of Kevin’s biggest clients, Elev802, has seen incredible growth in just 3 years. Arguably one of the top hockey skills training companies in the USA, Elev802 has 4 facilities open while 3 additional facilities are under construction. His role as business consultant and project manager for Elev802 has also created a massive social media presence growing from 3,000 followers in 2019 to over 150,000 followers on Instagram today. Kevin has helped negotiate several partnership contracts for Elev802 including: Bauer, Hockeyshot, Dunkin Donuts, Green Biscuit, BioSteel, and Pure Hockey.

His passion for both sports consulting as well as business consulting has made him one of the top emerging leaders within the sports industry

Chris McCabe

Co-Managing Director

Chris McCabe is the Founder of Firmtrax, LLP. In this capacity, McCabe is responsible for providing strategic direction and development to Firmtrax and its members. McCabe founded Firmtrax in 2019 and immediately helped clients organize their marketing and BD operations. Over time, Firmtrax became a community of contacts who find business services and opportunities from one another. In 2021 Firmtrax made a strategic investment in Athena Delivery Group and served as an advisor to The Front Door Collective, a national network of last mile delivery solutions. Prior to founding Firmtrax, McCabe served as the Director of Marketing and Business Development at Gallagher Flynn, LLP. In this capacity, McCabe was responsible for developing the GFC brand strategy as well as new business initiatives. McCabe also served on the RSM Alliance marketing board. Prior to joining GFC, McCabe served as an Officer of Administration at the University of Vermont as the first assistant VP of Marketing and Business Development. During his twelve year career at UVM he implemented several key marketing programs and oversaw the University’s Licensing unit. Athletic marketing and licensing recorded record revenues under McCabe’s direction. In 2012, McCabe served as the liason to USA Hockey when Burlington served as the host site for the 2012 Womens Hockey World Championships. McCabe also served as the Chair of the Marketing and Television Committee for Hockey East. As Chair, he helped lead all marketing and television negotiations behalf of Hockey East and it’s partners, TD Garden, NBC, NESN, ESPN and CBS College Sports. Prior to UVM, McCabe held the position of Vice President of Global Online and Integrated sales at World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE NYSE). At WWE, McCabe created several successful cross platform advertising programs for sponsors, including “I WANNA GO” in 2001. Prior to WWE, McCabe served at the Vice President of the Client Partnership Group of News Digital Media, the online arm of News Corporation (NASDAQ: NWS). While at NDM, McCabe created cross platform advertising programs directly with brand managers across the FOX family of properties including Fox Sports, Fox News and Fox Network. McCabe began his career with the Mass Bay Brewing Company where he directed the sales expansion of the Harpoon family of products to new regions of the country. McCabe is a graduate of The Lawrenceville School and holds a B.S from the University of Vermont (1991) where he was a member of the Men’s Lacrosse team and team captain. He went on to play professionally for the Boston Blazers of the NLL (MILL) and was inducted into the University of Vermont Athletic Hall of Fame in 2002. McCabe was named the University Vermont’s All Anniversary team in 2018. McCabe lives in Vermont with his wife and three children.