Front Office

Managing Partner / Co-Owner

Brian Slipka

Mr. Slipka, through True North Equity Partners, is the managing partner of more than a dozen independent small businesses throughout the upper Midwest.

Brian Slipka is the founder and serves as the leader of True North. The vision of True North began as, and is now a result of, Brian’s desire to do business differently: to chase something bigger than simply profits or selfish ambition. By applying a winsome approach to relationships and leadership, he began to forge the cultural imprint of what is now a diverse holding company that independently manages and operates business across many platforms and industries, across the country.

In 2021, Slipka and Anthony “Twan” Albanese purchased the Canaries under True North Sports and Entertainment, LLC. With a passion for business and baseball, upgrades and improvements were immediate including a new scoreboard and infield turf. The team had its first winning season since 2010 in 2023, when the team eclipsed the 50-win mark for just the 5th time in the Canaries 31-year history.

In addition to making an impact on the field, Slipka and Albanese also started The Canaries Community Fund. “The Canaries are so much more than baseball,” said Slipka. “People will see this when they come to games!”

Co-Owner

Anthony Albanese

Mr. Albanese is the co-founder of a national leading men’s grooming company, Duke Cannon Supply Co.

Mr. Albanese is the co-founder of a national leading men’s grooming company, Duke Cannon Supply Co. He and fellow co-founder Sam Swartz grew the company from conception to being recognized as one of the most highly respected and fastest-growing consumer goods brands in the country. Duke Cannon has created a cult-like consumer following both online and at key retail partners, such as Target, CVS, Carhartt, Duluth Trading, and Hy-Vee. Duke Cannon products are made in the USA and the company donates a portion of all proceeds to veterans’ causes. The company recently partnered with strategic investment firm Main Post Partners to accelerate long-term growth and Mr. Albanese remains the company’s brand innovation leader. Previously, he served as a marketing leader at PepsiCo, on the Gatorade brand, and worked as a consultant at the Boston Consulting Group.

Check Out Duke Cannon's Amazing Products: www.dukecannon.com

President

Brian Jamros

Brian Jamros was named the president of the Sioux Falls Canaries in August 2022. Jamros brings to the Canaries organization extensive and varied athletics administration experience from the collegiate and high school levels.

Brian Jamros was named the president of the Sioux Falls Canaries in August 2022. Jamros brings to the Canaries organization extensive and varied athletics administration experience from the collegiate and high school levels, having managed large departments and business development efforts in several previous roles.

He most recently served as director of athletics and activities at Centennial High School in Circle Pines, Minnesota. Previously, he served as the director of athletics at the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, Minnesota, where he led a department with 22 varsity sports. He served as the vice president and director of athletics at Concordia University in Portland, Oregon, where he led the school through the transition from NAIA to NCAA Division II. He has experience with Division I, as well, from when he worked for the University of Minnesota. Jamros started his sports administration career at Concordia University in St. Paul, Minnesota, where he served in the roles of assistant athletic director and associate athletic director.

Jamros resides in the area with his wife (Ashley) and two daughters (Grace and Olivia).

General Manager

Duell Higbe

Duell Higbe enters his eleventh season with the Sioux Falls Canaries, and ninth season as the General Manager.

Duell Higbe enters his eleventh season with the Sioux Falls Canaries, and ninth season as the General Manager. Higbe joined the organization prior to the 2013 season as a Stadium Operations Intern before joining the staff full time as the Assistant GM. He served as General Manager for 6 seasons beginning in 2016.

Higbe played college baseball for Iowa Western Community College, making two trips to the D1 Junior College World Series in Grand Junction, CO. His teams finished 5th in the country in 2008, and 9th in 2009.

The Austin, MN native earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Sport Management with a minor in Exercise Science from Mayville State University.

He and his wife Kate have two children: Lennon and Harrison. When not in the office, Higbe likes to spend time in the gym and the outdoors.

Staff

Director of Sales & Ticketing

Preston Kern

Preston enters his first season as the Director of Sales & Ticketing in the Canaries front office in 2024.

Preston enters his third season with the Canaries front office after moving from the Twin Cities where he worked as a Membership Specialist at a local community center. Preston graduated with a degree in Sport Management from Minnesota State University-Mankato in the summer of 2021 where he also interned for the Mankato MoonDogs as a Promotions Intern. When Preston is not in the office he enjoys reading, working out, and spending quality time with his friends and family
Assistant Director of Sales & Ticketing

Bailey Fey

Bailey enters his first season as the Assistant Director of Sales & Ticketing in the Canaries front office.

Bailey is entering his second season with the Canaries after moving from Minneapolis where he worked as a Footwear Specialist with Scheels – Eden Prairie. Bailey was born and raised in Edgerton, MN before graduating from the University of Minnesota with a degree in Business & Marketing Education and a minor in Sports Coaching. In his free time, you can catch Bailey coaching youth sports, rooting on his favorite Minnesota sports teams, and reading.

Bailey and his wife Brooklyn currently reside in the Dell Rapids, SD area.

Sales Executive

Jack Lust

Jack enters his third season as a sales executive in the Canaries front office.

Jack enters his third season as a sales executive in the Canaries front office, after previously serving as a sales intern. Jack currently attends Augustana University and is majoring in Business Administration and Finance. When Jack is not in the office or school he enjoys Traveling, playing sports such as basketball and skiing, and is an avid concert-goer.
Director of Media & Community Relations

Ali Lindner

Ali is entering her third full-time season with the Canaries.

Ali was born and raised in Sioux Falls, SD. Lindner enters her third season on the full-time staff of the Sioux Falls Canaries as a Gameday Operations Coordinator. She previously worked as a Gameday Intern in the summer of 2021 and a Game Operations and Activation intern in the spring of 2022.

Lindner graduated from the University of Minnesota in May of 2022, with a Sports Management BS degree. While attending the University of Minnesota, she played college softball all four years and appeared at the Women’s College World Series her freshman year.

In her free time, Ali enjoys being around friends and family. She also enjoys being outside, traveling, and listening to music.

Voice of the Canaries

Tanner Hoops

Tanner is entering his second season as the broadcaster and the voice of the Sioux Falls Canaries.

Tanner is entering his second season as the broadcaster and the voice of the Sioux Falls Canaries.

Tanner is also the play-by-play voice of Golden Gopher volleyball and studio host for Golden Gopher football on the University of Minnesota’s Learfield radio network.

His background in baseball includes play-by-play for the Duluth Huskies, appearing as a guest broadcaster on the Notre Dame baseball radio network and his sit-down interview with Minnesota Twins broadcaster Dick Bremer won the Intercollegiate Broadcasting Systems Golden Microphone award.

A fun fact about Tanner is that his younger brother, Brayden, plays football at Augustana University.

Gameday Entertainment

John Gaskins

Being Harry Canary and other eccentric characters at Canaries games like "Sweet Caroline" crooner Neil Diamond...'s nephew Doug...

Being Harry Canary and other eccentric characters at Canaries games like "Sweet Caroline" crooner Neil Diamond...'s nephew Doug, Kenny Chesney's not-so-identical twin brother Denny (Some of the biceps, none of the talent), and Jon Bon Jovi's distant French cousin Jauques is the most fun John has ever had on a job.

But making sure fans leaving The Birdcage with a smile on their faces and eagerness to come back soon is a role the veteran sports radio host takes seriously and relishes.

The Omaha native and University of Nebraska alumnus spent the 2020 season and 2020-21 offseason as the team's Media Director, bringing over 20 years of radio, TV, and sportswriting experience to the team's branding on both social media and traditional outlets. Before that, John spent 15 years coming to The Birdcage as a casual fan and looks forward to introducing more fresh in-game entertainment to compliment the traditional family fun each Canaries game provides.

Gameday Stadium Announcer

Randy Preston

Randy is the stadium voice of the Canaries. He started as a backup announcer for the team in July of 2012.

Randy is the stadium voice of the Canaries. He started as a backup announcer for the team in July of 2012.

His dulcet, high-energy tones can be heard nightly as he announces the batters, reads multiple commercials, banters with the on-field hosts and announces every airplane as it flies over the stadium. From his perch in the press box, he works with the operations team, DJ and producer planning and coordinating the between inning events at every Canaries game.

Randy's announcing experience includes multiple years with Sioux Falls Youth Hockey as well as the Sioux Falls Stampede. He takes pride in being an integral part of the game day experience for Sioux Falls sports fans over 80 nights a year.

Randy grew up on a farm near Battle Creek, Iowa and is an alumnus of Westmar College in LeMars, Iowa. He has been married for 40 years to his wife Nancy and they have two adult children, Kayla and Trevor. He enjoys cooking, hockey, baseball and auto racing. "Let's Play Ball!!"

Mascots

Full-Time Canary

Cagey

Cagey is our #1 fan, #1 promoter, and #1 Canary

#0
Hometown: Sioux Falls, SD
Throws/Bats: Right Wing/Right Wing
Weight: 195 pounds
Height: 6’ 8”
Favorite Movie: One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
Favorite Video Game: Angry Birds
Favorite Song: Bird is the Word
Role Model: Big Bird
Full-Time Canary

Peep

Peep is back for his 11th season with the Canaries after nesting with Cagey down South over the winter.

Peep is back for his 11th season with the Canaries after nesting with Cagey down South over the winter. Peep couldn't wait to get back to cheer on the Canaries and flap around the birdcage making people laugh.

Giving feathery hugs and pecks on the cheek, taking pictures with the fans, and giving high fives are what he does best!

He can also shake his tail feather...and the splits and the worm are just the beginning of his dance moves!

If you see Peep flying by the Peep mobile or hover board, you might want to step out of the way - he is a bird after all!

Cagey and Peep have hatched some fun plants for this summer - you never know what these cracked up Birds will be up to.

Hometown: Sioux Falls
Height: Short, but growing fast! (It's a touchy subject!)
Weight: Light as a feather
Bats: Ahh! Scared of bats! they are ugly with big, sharp teeth!
Throws: Strikes, fits, tantrums!
Hatch Date: 8-1-13
Favorite Food: Sunflower seeds

Looking for more information about the birds?

Feel free to give us a call or shoot us an email below… we’re happy to help 👇

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