Board of Advisors
Kelci A. Stringer - Founder and Spokesperson
Kelci Stringer is a firm believer that your life’s purpose will be revealed to you – even if it’s in the midst of tragic circumstances. Her journey towards advocacy, education and prevention of sudden death in sports began on August 1, 2001 when her husband, NFL All-Pro lineman, Korey Stringer, died from the complications of an exertional heat stroke while practicing with the Minnesota Vikings at the age of 27.
Kelci met Korey when she was a freshman at Ohio State University, where she was pursuing her bachelor’s degree in Psychology. The two were married for four years, and during that time, Kelci gave birth to their son Kodie Drew. As a young widow and mother, Kelci struggled to decide on the best way to honor Korey’s memory, and ultimately established the Korey Stringer Foundation, a 501(c) 3 organization. Through her foundation she was instrumental in developing a partnership among the National Football League, Gatorade and the University of Connecticut forming the Korey Stringer Institute. UConn was chosen because of its reputation as a leader in the study of heat and hydration issues related to athletes and the physically active.
An Atlanta, Georgia native, Mrs. Stringer’s love of community is evident in her other nationwide philanthropic contributions. She regularly assists families and children through donations, mentoring and reading at elementary schools. In 2005, she helped resettle evacuees from New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina to Atlanta, booking two hotels and providing food and shelter for several months, as well as grief counseling, job placement assistance, and buses for the evacuees to revisit New Orleans.
According to Mrs. Stringer, she has used the tragedies she’s faced to learn, grow and confidently walk in her purpose. As Mrs. Stringer so eloquently states: “It hasn’t been easy by any means, but I thank God for keeping me, strengthening me and giving me the courage to complete this awesome mission that He has for my life.”
James M. Gould- Chairman
Chairman, Management One, Korey’s NFL Agent
Mr. Gould is Chairman and Managing Partner of Management One, a sports management firm he founded in 1994. He has represented over 80 professional athletes in the NFL including; DeVante Parker, Lil’Jordan Humphrey, Frostee Rucker, Travaris Cadet, Terry Glenn, Peter Warrick, Dan “Big Daddy” Wilkinson, John Browning, Andre Smith, and the late Korey Stringer. Additionally, he represented NBA players including Sue Bird and Gary Trent. As a partner in Avondale Management Group, Mr. Gould represented Evander Holyfield, four-time Heavyweight Champion of the World.
Mr. Gould was a founding member of the United States Football League, and became President of the New Jersey Generals upon his selling the team to Donald J. Trump. During his years in the USFL, Mr. Gould negotiated several major contracts on behalf of ownership with players Lawrence Taylor, Cris Collinsworth, Craig James, and Brian Sipe, among others.
Mr. Gould has more than 30 years of experience in private equity and over 35 years of experience in development, marketing and negotiation related to investments in companies, real estate, sports and entertainment. Mr. Gould is the Founder, Chairman and CEO of Green Light Acquisitions, LLC and is responsible for the strategic direction of the Company, structuring of acquisitions and joint ventures. Mr. Gould spearheaded the legalization efforts of medical marijuana in Ohio. In 2016, he was named to the Ohio House Medical Cannabis Task Force by the Speaker of the House, assisting the State of Ohio in its legalization effort which became law September 8, 2016. He is the Owner and Chairman of CannAscend Ohio and of “The Love Company,” a multi-state medical cannabis processing company.
He was a founder and Managing Partner of The Walnut Group, a private equity fund, and he is the Owner and Chairman of Gould Management Group. Mr. Gould has served on several Boards of Directors notably Build-A-Bear Workshop (NYSE: BBW) and Lightbox OOH Video Network, a mall digital media network.
Mr. Gould is Chairman of the Board of Advisors and a founding member of the Korey Stringer Institute (KSI) in partnership with the NFL, Gatorade and The University of Connecticut, (KSI).
John Jardine, MD – Chairman
Chief Medical Officer, Korey Stringer Institute
Emergency Medicine Attending Physician, Kent Hospital, RI
Medical Director, Falmouth Road Race
Dr. Jardine has been a board-certified emergency medicine physician since 2000. His interest in sports medicine was piqued when he first volunteered at the Falmouth Road Race in the summer of 2000. Two years later, he was appointed co-medical director of the race and has been directing medical operations since. Through the history of the race, the medical team has developed protocols for the treatment of exertional heat illness. Dr. Jardine has continued to perfect these protocols and has teamed with KSI to continue research to protect athletes, laborers, and warfighters worldwide. He has co-authored several research papers through his experience with medical care at the race. Dr. Jardine’s start in medicine was in Emergency Medical Services (EMS) as an EMT and then Paramedic in New York State. After 12 years of practicing prehospital medicine, Dr. Jardine earned his medical degree at Downstate Medical School in Brooklyn, NY. He completed residency in emergency medicine at Rhode Island Hospital/Brown University serving as chief resident in his senior year. He is currently an attending physician at Kent Hospital Emergency Department in Warwick, RI.