With just one week remaining to apply, PlayAnnapolis is searching for a new Executive Director to help lead a growing movement aimed at ensuring year-round access to sports and recreation for all youth in Annapolis—regardless of income or zip code. The deadline to apply is Tuesday, July 15.
PlayAnnapolis unites families, nonprofits, educators, government agencies, and community leaders through collective action to expand opportunities for young people. The incoming Executive Director will play a key role in implementing the organization’s strategic plan—known as “The Playbook”—while working closely with the board, partners, and volunteer-led Coalition Crew to align resources and bring bold ideas to life.
This part-time, hybrid position offers a salary between $50,000 and $70,000, depending on experience. The role requires up to 30 hours per week and includes responsibilities in strategic leadership, partnership development, fundraising, advocacy, communications, and program management. The Executive Director will also oversee scholarships, interscholastic sports programs, and community research efforts while representing the organization at public events and meetings.
Interested applicants should submit a resume or professional bio (no more than two pages) and a cover letter to [email protected] and [email protected] by July 15, 2025. For more details about the role and the organization, visit playannapolis.org.
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Haniff Brown likes to say that some years feel slow, and others feel like they happen in a week. This has been one of those weeks-that-feel-like-years phases for FIT:MATCH.ai. When sat down for an interview with Refresh Miami, Brown joked about fighting off a cold amidst the Art Week madness, but his energy gave away what was really going on: the company has stepped into a faster phase of growth.
That shift arrived with QuadraScan, a technology Brown described as a clear turning point. With nothing more than four standard photos taken on any device, FIT:MATCH can now generate a hyperrealistic digital twin in seconds. The magic happens inside a giant neural network running on high-powered NVIDIA chips. It’s the kind of leap that once required expensive hardware and controlled environments. Now it works from a kid’s Android phone or a patient’s living room.
It also meant rebuilding FIT:MATCH from the inside out. The team had to rework their full infrastructure so this process could run fast enough for real clients in healthcare, sports, and retail. But the payoff has been immediate. Through computer vision landmarks, the system instantly extracts more than 40 body data points, then layers in estimates on lean mass, fat mass, and bone metrics.
The first time he explained it, Brown paused and summed it up in a single line: “Our goal is to generate what we call the ChatGPT of the human body.”
That idea helps explain why the company’s growth has jumped sharply. Brown said FIT:MATCH has expanded its client base by roughly 300% in the past year, driven almost entirely by this new model. Sports teams now use it to scout kids as young as 13. A baseball scout no longer has to guess whether a young pitcher will top out at five-nine or grow into a six-two frame. The tech gives them a projection backed by data. Major League Soccer is next in line, with Brown traveling to Atlanta and Arizona for upcoming work with youth development programs.
Retail buyers have also leaned in. Instead of asking whether someone should order a medium shirt online, FIT:MATCH helps designers understand what a medium should even be. Brands have long relied on rigid avatar libraries in their 3D design tools. FIT:MATCH now gives them flexible, population-level inputs in minutes, not weeks. Cost drops. Accuracy rises. And shoppers get clothing that actually fits.
Healthcare, though, might be where the biggest shift happens. FIT:MATCH is used by GLP-1 programs, bariatric groups, and plastic surgeons to monitor patients from home. One Miami surgeon, known for a large out-of-state clientele, now has a clear read on patients long after they’ve flown home. Brown pulled up before-and-after images of real cases. With four photos, the model measures changes with precision; every change in fat distribution or muscle tone is quantified.
The health side is also where Brown’s own vision seems to be headed. “I actually think this can help save lives,” he said. One hospital partner is using it to monitor certain neuro conditions from home, where early detection can change outcomes. What began as a tool aimed at improving shopping has turned into a platform with medical value.
All of this has pushed the team to around 30 employees, with a growing South Florida presence. FIT:MATCH also raised an extension to its Series A to support expansion into sports science and digital health. Brown expects another raise within the next year. To date, the company has secured $18 million.
“I like to tell people that the worst version of the model is the one being used today,” Brown asserted. If that’s true, the next versions could open a much bigger window into how our bodies work.
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I am a Miami-based technology researcher and writer with a passion for sharing stories about the South Florida tech ecosystem. I particularly enjoy learning about GovTech startups, cutting-edge applications of artificial intelligence, and innovators that leverage technology to transform society for the better. Always open for pitches via Twitter @rileywk or www.RileyKaminer.com.
The Great Falls Firefighters Local 8 is hosting its first-ever Blazing Paddles Pickleball Tournament from February 20 through February 22 at the Mansfield Convention Center.
The three-day event serves as a fundraiser for the firefighters’ charitable fund, which supports various causes throughout the Great Falls community. “This tournament is a fundraiser, and it’s a good opportunity for us to raise money for our charitable account,” said Steven Luwe with Great Falls Firefighters Local 8. “Our main focus right now is Paul’s Holiday Wish, where we buy Christmas presents for kids in our community.”
In addition to Paul’s Holiday Wish, the charitable fund also assists first responders in need and supports youth sports and other community initiatives throughout the year.
Firefighters say pickleball was a natural choice for their first tournament. The sport’s growing popularity and social atmosphere made it an ideal way to connect with the community during the winter months.
When Garber Ford Bay City underwent a major rebuild last year, Sales Manager Vaughn Roten played a pivotal role in achieving nearly 200% year-over-year growth. This accomplishment marks the latest milestone in a career that began unexpectedly when he transitioned from construction to automotive retail. Today, Roten’s leadership on the sales floor and his dedication to youth sports in his community have earned him a spot on CBT News’ 40 Under 40 list.
One of Roten’s proudest achievements is securing the business of a local company that now purchases approximately 15 vehicles a year through him. He attributes this success to his persistence and accountability, which transformed a single outreach into a long-term partnership. He also emphasizes that this same mindset shapes his leadership style, noting that his recent experience on the sales floor allows him to empathize with the challenges his team faces, from missing paperwork to complex deal handoffs.
Despite broader market uncertainties, including higher transaction prices and consumer concerns about tariffs imposed by the president, Roten reports that affordability issues have not been as significant as anticipated in their smaller market. Customers are often better informed and more prepared for pricing discussions, which he believes simplifies the sales process.
Roten acknowledges that moving into management brought its own challenges, including increased administrative responsibilities and the pressure of handling complex negotiations. However, he enjoys the variety of the role and the constant interaction with customers, which have become some of his favorite aspects of the job.
“I’m in the auto industry for life… if you love something, you’ll find a way to make it work.”
Outside the dealership, Roten serves as president of a youth football nonprofit and coaches one of its teams. He schedules all league activities after work hours and credits his wife for making the demanding balance possible.
As for what comes next, Roten keeps his focus less on titles and more on fulfillment. He hopes that five years from now, he will still be happy, still motivated, and still doing work he enjoys within the industry he now considers home.
Manchester United’s thrilling 4-4 draw with Bournemouth might have captured global attention on Monday night, but just four miles away, a couple of hours before kick-off, one of the Old Trafford club’s famous old boys was a notable presence at a far less glamorous occasion.
United are often accused of not caring about their local community but that ignores the hard work that goes on behind the scenes.
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Treble-winner and Class of ’92 member Nicky Butt was at the Manchester Academy in Moss Side, helping out at a youth training session run under the umbrella of Sir Bobby’s Street Reds, funded by Sir Bobby Charlton’s Foundation.
The rain that swept across the north-west all day didn’t dampen spirits for something Butt – who grew up in nearby Gorton – feels is an essential aspect of United’s DNA.
“Manchester United and charities like Sir Bobby’s Foundation have to look after local communities,” he said.
“We must be aware there are kids out there that need support.
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“It isn’t all rosy in the garden. Not everyone’s got a perfect life and a great family or parents that can afford to take them to training. Even one-on-one coaching is a big thing nowadays.
“It’s an important part and it’s good to see Street Reds getting involved.”
Nicky Butt made 387 appearances for Manchester United, winning 11 major trophies [Getty Images]
Plans are in the works to replace the Watsonville Metro center with a multi-story, mixed-use development that combines housing, transit and commercial space. (Tarmo Hannula/The Pajaronian)
The City of Watsonville, in partnership with Santa Cruz METRO and MidPen Housing, has been awarded a $39 million state grant to help build a new affordable housing and transit-centered development in downtown Watsonville.
The funding, awarded through the state’s Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities (AHSC) Program, will support the Watsonville Metro Project, which will redevelop the Watsonville Transit Center at 475 Rodriguez St. into a multi-story, mixed-use development that combines housing, transit and commercial space.
The project was one of just 21 selected statewide in this funding round, and the only one on the Central Coast.
Plans for the site call for 79 new affordable housing units, with a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, along with upgraded transit facilities, a new bike hub and bike lanes, ground-floor commercial space and an outdoor forecourt.
City officials said the redesigned site is intended to serve as a pedestrian-friendly, transit-connected hub that improves regional mobility while supporting nearby businesses.
“The AHSC award is a major investment in the future of our downtown and in the residents who rely on accessible, affordable housing and transportation,” said Assistant Community Development Director Justin Meek. “We are grateful for the collaboration with Santa Cruz METRO and MidPen Housing that made this competitive award possible.”
The project builds on the city’s 2023 Downtown Watsonville Specific Plan, which outlines a long-term vision for revitalizing the downtown core through new housing, mixed-use development and expanded commercial activity.
City staff said the Watsonville Metro Project aligns with the plan’s goals of creating a walkable, inclusive and active downtown.
The AHSC Program, administered by the California Strategic Growth Council, funds developments that aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by integrating affordable housing with public transit and active transportation infrastructure. Eligible projects are designed to reduce vehicle miles traveled while expanding access to transit, biking and walking.
Construction timelines and next steps for the project have not yet been announced.
Prior to Brøndby, Che played for FC Dallas in MLS from 2020 to 2023. Che joined FC Dallas in 2020 as a homegrown, and during that season he played with North Texas SC, Dallas’s USL League One affiliate. He made 16 appearances for North Texas, where he tallied one assist and earned USL League One All-League honors. The defender went on loan with Bayern Munich II in 2021, where he made eight appearances and returned to FC Dallas on June 15, 2021. He then made 15 appearances for FC Dallas, where he tallied three assists for the club. Che recorded his first career MLS assist in a 4-0 win over Los Angeles Galaxy on July 24, 2021. He then went on loan to TSG Hoffenheim in 2022, where he made two appearances for their first team and also featured for TSG Hoffenheim II, where he made 24 appearances and recorded one goal and one assist.
The Richardson, Texas native has represented the United States at the youth national team level, which includes appearances with the U-16’s and U-20’s. Che made 10 appearances for the U-20’s. He participated in the 2023 U-20 World Cup, where he helped the U.S. reach the quarterfinals and scored a goal in their Round of 16 win against New Zealand U-20’s.
