• ABOUT US
  • OUR MISSION
  • LEADERSHIP
  • PROGRAMS & GRANTS
  • SPONSORSHIPS
  • SCHOLARSHIPS
  • INTERNSHIPS
  • CONTACT

David B. Rimington, President
Dave Rimington has served with the Boomer Esiason Foundation since 1993 and has been President since 1995. Dave and Boomer played football together for the Cincinnati Bengals. Before joining the Boomer Esiason Foundation as President, He also was a graduate assistant football coach at the University of Wisconsin, helping them win the Big 10 Championship and their first Rose Bowl ever. In 1992, he received a master’s degree in international business. While at Wisconsin, Dave was a member of Beta Gamma Sigma National Honorary Business Fraternity. Dave was a first round draft choice for the Bengals in 1983 and was their starting center from 1983 to 1988. He was the NFL All Rookie Team Center in 1983, and he received the NFL Edward Block Courage Award in 1986. He later played for the Philadelphia Eagles (1988 to 1990). Dave received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in economics from the University of Nebraska. He was awarded many honors while in college, including: the Outland Trophy in 1981 and 1982 – the only player in college football history to win this award twice; the Lombardi Trophy, 1982; All-American Center, 1981, 1982; NCAA Top Ten Student-Athletes, 1982; and NCAA Post Graduate Scholarship, 1982. In 1997, Dave was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. In 2004, Dave was inducted into CoSIDA’s Academic All America Hall of Fame.

Natalie Wainwright, Chief Operating Officer
Natalie Wainwright joined the Foundation in 2004. Natalie manages and oversees all BEF activities and operations. She also acts as the liaison for the BEF Board of Directors. Prior to joining the Foundation, Natalie interned with the New York Jets. She met Boomer while volunteering for the Outback Steakhouse Empire Challenge on behalf of the Jets organization. Natalie earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism with an emphasis in public relations and a minor in business management from Marshall University in 2004. She is from Bridgeport, W.V. Natalie and her husband, Nate, live in Long Island City, N.Y.

Etsuko Murase, Senior Vice President, Finance
Etsuko Murase has been with the Foundation since 2003. She oversees the day-to-day finances of the Foundation, as well as all accounts receivables and payables. She works closely with the accounting firm in Bethesda to put together complete and accurate financial information. She also manages the finances for the Empire Challenge Foundation, Inc. Prior to joining BEF, Etsuko worked in the retail industry for ten years. She previously managed the flagship store for the luxury leather goods company, Ghurka. Etsuko holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from New York University. She resides in Manhasset with her husband, Ari and their son, Isaac.

Michael Buscemi, Senior Vice President, Events
Michael Buscemi joined the Foundation in 2001 as an intern during his senior year at St. John’s University. Upon graduating with a degree in sports management and a minor in business, Michael began working full time for the Foundation. He now oversees the coordination and planning of all BEF events throughout the year. Michael is the General Manager for the annual Outback Steakhouse Empire Challenge, where he organizes coaches, players and trainers in the months before the event along with game day operations. Michael also oversees BEF interns and their job tasks in the Foundation’s Long Island office.

Tami Amaker, Special Program Director
Originally from the Washington, D.C., area, Tami has been an integral part of BEF since 1990. Prior to joining Boomer, Tami worked for ProServ in Washington, D.C., and was part of the Volvo Tennis Event Program. Tami graduated from the University of Maryland in 1986 with degrees in public relations and journalism and a minor in African-American studies. Tami resides in New York City.

Jerry Cahill, Volunteer Director for Education & Team Boomer
Jerry Cahill has volunteered at the Foundation since 2004. He plays an integral role in all BEF efforts in the CF community. Jerry, 53 years old and living with CF, heads up the BEF scholarship and transplant grant programs and hosts a regular CF podcast. Under his leadership, the Foundation launched the Exercise For Life Scholarship and Team Boomer-Fighting Cystic Fibrosis athletic program. Jerry previously spent 27 years working in sales and management in the apparel industry. He was introduced to the Foundation by BEF Board Members Billy Heinzerling and Bob DiFazio at a New York Athletic Club fundraiser. Jerry is a lifelong athlete – he competed in the pole vault for the University of Connnecticut and NYAC, including a personal best 16 feet, 10 3⁄4 inches -- and former actor. He is living, breathing proof that people living with CF can have a fulfilling life. He resides in Brooklyn, N.Y.

Michaela Seccareccia, Event Program Director
BEF welcomed Michaela Seccareccia in 2007. Michaela organizes and executes all Foundation events along with BEF’s Michael Buscemi. She also heads the Team Boomer athletic program, which includes managing the more than 100 runners who participate in the ING NYC Marathon on behalf of BEF. In 2008, Michaela founded the BEF Young Professionals Committee, which hosts semi-annual events to benefit the cystic fibrosis community and to support the efforts of the BEF Board of Directors. Prior to joining BEF, Michaela spent two-and-a-half years working at CBS Sports, where she began as an Intern in the press department before becoming an Advertising Sales Assistant. She also was the Coordinator of Business Affairs. Michaela was introduced to the Foundation by Boomer, whom she met during the 2007 CBS Sports NFL Seminar. Originally from Suffield, Conn., Michaela graduated from Iona College in 2005 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications. She played defender for four years on the varsity soccer team and was captain her senior year. She lives in New York City.

Mary Ann Rinkleff, Outreach Program Manager
Mary Ann Rinkleff has been involved with the Foundation since 1994, when she was asked to write some of the organization's first fundraising pieces. Since then, Mary Ann has volunteered to write or edit countless Foundation newsletters, brochures, Booming Celebration journals, web articles and fundraising materials. She joined the Board of Directors in 1997 and in July 2009, she joined the BEF staff as Outreach Program Manager. Mary Ann has two decades of experience in journalism, marketing and communications, and media relations. She previously worked as an Assistant Editor for McGraw-Hill, Director of Communications for the national nonprofit Alliance to Save Energy, and Assistant Dean for External Relations at Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism. Mary Ann holds bachelor's and master's degrees in journalism from Northwestern. She lives and works in Door County, Wis., with her husband, Erik, and their daughter, Anka.

Rich Hahn, Operations Manager
Operations Manager Rich Hahn assists Mike Buscemi with the coordination of the Outback Steakhouse Empire Challenge and other BEF events. Rich previously worked in the automotive accessory business, where he met Boomer and began serving on the Foundation’s Business Advisory Committee. Rich has two children, Kristen and Richard. He lives on Long Island and works out of the Garden City Park, N.Y., office.

Seth Gonzales, Social Media Coordinator & Rimington Trophy Media Relations
Seth Gonzales joined BEF in 2007 as Social Media Coordinator. He works on all social media ventures produced at the Foundation. In addition, he manages publicity and publications for the Rimington Trophy and helps coordinate the award’s annual presentation in Lincoln, Neb. Seth previously worked as a Project Coordinator for Dallas-based The Sports Group, where he helped manage media relations for the firm’s clients, which include the Rimington Trophy and the Heisman Winners Association. He also spent time as a sponsorship services intern at the Major League Soccer franchise FC Dallas. Seth became familiar with the Foundation while working with BEF President Dave Rimington on Rimington Trophy activities. Originally from Dallas, Seth graduated from the University of Dallas in 2002 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. He obtained his MBA in Sports and Entertainment Management from UD in 2007. Seth resides in Brooklyn, N.Y.