The MAX Fights DM Team
(Click here to download the MaxFightsDM Press Kit)
Chris Arns – Partner
Following a 25 plus year career in motion picture distribution, Chris gravitated to sports promotion based on the meteoric growth and untapped potential in mixed martial arts (MMA). The experience he gained in senior management positions with large, national companies easily translated to his current efforts producing and promoting live events, in talent management, and broadcasting. Chris entered the home entertainment business right out of school, working his way to a Vice President position with a $1 billion company, owning responsibility for a $70 million P&L, a large workforce, and multiple facilities. During the course of this part of his career, he spent 18 years with one company, relocating several times. He and his family have lived on both coasts and in Chicago. He decided to enter the world of combat sports when he left a position leading sales and marketing for a national entertainment trade publication and web site, returning to his native Iowa in 2006. There, he became managing partner for an established enterprise that owns a national radio program, a fight promotion company, voice talent and announcing firm, as well as an in-house ad agency. His collective experience and responsibilities in the entertainment, sports promotion, and management fields combined to create an opportunity for him to join the nation’s fastest growing sport at the most exciting time. For him, he never looks back to the DVD days and he thoroughly enjoys the new challenges as well as the great network of people he engages.
Scott Casber – Partner/Broadcaster
Scott provides a lifetime of experience in the broadcasting, promotions, publicity, and public relations fields. Scott’s voice is well known in the Iowa media market and in MMA and wrestling communities around the world. He has founded several successful companies, including other MMA companies as well as TakeDown Wrestling Radio, TDR-TV and Pit Pass Moto Racing Weekly. He is a much sought after announcer and has hosted countless sporting events throughout the country and across the globe. Previous to Scott’s role as owner/partner with MaxFights, his most recent venture added responsibilities scouting, recruiting, and managing fighters in promotions including the UFC, M1, and WEC for a leading national talent management firm.
Ted Baccam – Partner
Blending entrepreneurial spirit, financial expertise, and strong work ethic, there is barely an element of the fight promotion that Ted does not touch. In addition to his responsibilities handling day to day operations, he was instrumental in planning and implementing MMA events with some of the highest production values seen in the Des Moines market. Ted’s full time position with a leading national financial company is actually quite similar to his role in “the fight game”. He regularly applies his skills and experience in forecasting, budgeting, and project management, to deliver world class entertainment to thousands of fans.
His keen insight regarding business and marketing elements benefits the company’s match making process as well, as he works in close concert with Sully Baccam, his cousin. Family is very important to Ted, and he gained much of his work ethic and goal oriented work style from his parents. As a child, Ted witnessed his parents working manual jobs in meatpacking plants, going on to owning their own real estate venture.
Ted feels he has already attained one of his goals, to create a culture based on mutual respect as well as a professional atmosphere for both athletes and patrons. Another one of his goals was to advance Glory Fighting Championship to a higher level. He firmly believes the creation of the partnership with MaxFightsDM does exactly that.
Sully Bacaam – Partner
With experience equally grounded in combat sports and business, Sully takes the lead fighter liaison role in the organization. Constantly guided by one of his strongest personal principles, Sully has been known to state, “Take care of your fighters, and your fighters will take care of you.”
He gained significant experience and considerable success wrestling throughout high school at Des Moines North. That experience provided him with the ability to easily transition to competing in MMA. His continued education at Iowa State University and the American Institute of Business completed the knowledge base that was required to make him equally adept both outside and inside the cage.
He continues to hold a full time position in the banking industry. His ability to generate innovative and unique ideas has benefited all aspects of his life, including other entrepreneurial ventures. Recently, he added the role of proud father, providing what he considers his richest life experience yet.
Norm Davis- Leader, Operations Crew
We met Norm as a fan, and his infectious enthusiasm impresses nearly everyone he meets. He immediately jumped in to assist the logistical needs of the company, quickly showing his ability to organize and lead a team. The 31 year old Legal Assistant has trained in Taekwondo since a child, and has earned a black belt. Norm also serves as a technician for up and coming rock act, The Isaac James Band, and was instrumental getting airplay for them on two local radio stations.He is always seeking people with the same sense of cooperation, and work ethic to help our new 24′ cage, and related tasks.
Brad Fuller – Fan Appreciation
Brad Fuller is a communications professional responsible for developing on-line communities long before social networking became mainstream. As founder of kickassmma.com and kickasspoker.com, he is highly attuned to fans wants and needs in those categories. A long time and serious MMA fan, Brad brings his love for the sport, his business experience, and skill as a photographer to Maxfights. Brad works closely with fans, fighters, and ring girls to capture personal experiences and unique moments in both images and words. His contributions to MaxFights related to web optimization and navigation makes it easy for you to find those “up close and personal” moments shared during MaxFights events. You are able to access Brad’s work on this web site, in the gallery section, as well as at kickassmma.com.
Geno Hildreth – Official
Geno Hildreth brings experience, maturity, and his fair and balanced approach into application as MaxFights Head Referee. Often know simply as “The Coach”, the 31 year old Des Moines native has been an educator for the past eight years. Additional to teaching Special Education and Physical Education, Geno coaches wrestling at North/Hoover High School as well as football and boys track at North High School. Geno’s logged countless hours on the mat and in the cage, as he’s competed in pro MMA, and gained a 16-1 record in submission grappling. He’s also a graduate of Simpson College, where he wrestled for four years. A man of significant stature, Geno logged as many hours playing football through most of his years in school and college as well. MMA began as a father and son event for Geno as his father was early on the scene and became a bit of an icon in the Toad Holler days of Des Moines. There was rarely a week that went by where they didn’t attend the amateur event. Geno’s father, also named Gene, even served as a “ring guy” during female fights. Since then, and in addition to competing, he has judged hundreds of MMA matches and provided commentary for numerous televised MMA events. “I consider MMA the purest form of testing ones self. When pro fighters are in the cage, I completely understand they are putting everything on the line. I know it’s my personal responsibility to fairly uphold everything they’ve worked for,” stated a clearly committed Hildreth. MaxFights shares Geno’s view that our sport has taken the proper path and is currently prospering for that reason. We’re entirely proud to include him on our team.
John Meehan- Drake University Intern
John is a 21 year old, Drake University senior, majoring in Broadcast Journalism. The St. Louis native is a life long athlete and sports fan, including playing defensive end on the Drake football team. John grew up around the martial arts from the youngest age, his father being a well respected Tai Chi sifu. Throughout his life he was introduced to a variety of fight styles, and has participated in numerous competitions. John’s interest in MMA, combined with business, journalism, and law attracted him to MaxFightsDM, where he contributes in each of those areas. He is committed to pursuing a legal career and is currently evaluating law schools as he will begin his post grad education next year.
Tom Paulson – Official
Tom’s background in the martial arts runs over 30 years deep, and includes experience in multiple disciplines. He holds black belts in several karate organizations, and has served as an official in Taekwondo for the U.S. Junior Olympics. He is the original owner of Des Moines Song Moo Kwan here the Des Moines Mixed Martial Arts Academy is now located , and has officiated numerous MMA contests in Iowa. His dedication is evident through his tenure in the martial arts, his 30 year marriage, three children, and three decades of service with Qwest. He is also very skilled in the trades, and provides tremendous help to MaxFightsDM is carpentry, electrical, and other operational areas.
