Our Team

We help our clients Influence, Inform and Inspire the world.

As former NCAA athletes, we understand and appreciate the needs of the student athlete in creating and promoting their NIL while on the journey to becoming a professional athlete.

As experienced NIL professionals, we will assist the student athlete in capitalizing and protecting their NIL throughout that journey.

Contact us at: (202) 410-7450

OUR TEAM

Tara Sakraida Parker, Esq
CEO and Founder

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Tara is an experienced business attorney, professional gift planner, and successful nonprofit fundraiser living in Washington, D.C. For nearly a decade, Tara handled sophisticated real estate finance and land use regulatory issues as a business attorney. Before moving to D.C., Tara served as Director of Gift Planning and Director of Major Gifts at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where she helped solicit and close one of the largest gifts to the UCLA College of Letters and Science.

Tara worked her way through college and law school, and earned a number of academic, vocal music, and debate scholarships which made higher education possible. She graduated summa cum laude with a B.A. from Regis  University, a Jesuit college in Denver, Colorado, and received a J.D. from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law in 2003.

Tara is a 5th generation Oregonian from rural southern Oregon, and her education was key in opening many doors. She strives to live the Jesuit’s motto and “act in service to others,” supporting a number of nonprofit organizations in the Washington, D.C. community.

Tara is a member of the American Bar Association, Forum on the Entertainment and Sports Industry.

 

Shari Ulery, Esq.

OUTSIDE General Counsel

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In her role as a U.S. diplomat, Shari implemented U.S. policy as part of leadership teams working in challenging and complex political and security environments in Latin America, Asia, and Africa and at the U.N. She worked closely with U.S. government leaders and elected representatives, and forged productive relationships with elected officials at all levels of government. As lead in multilateral negotiations and interagency working groups, she developed strategies to implement U.S. policy goals in international organizations, balancing competing interests from political, governmental and civil society groups.

In her role as general counsel, senior corporate counsel and executive in both private corporations and in Fortune 500 public corporations, Shari managed legal department budgets and personnel, corporate contracts and compliance, helped develop and implement corporate strategy and goals, and  managed the successful conclusion of numerous complex projects such as mergers and acquisitions and corporate restructurings. Shari also was special counsel at a boutique law firm doing real estate, contracts, land use and oil and gas, and was a registered lobbyist.

Shari received an M.A. in International Relations from the Korbel School of International Studies at the University of Denver, a J.D. from Drake University and a B.S. in Spanish from Iowa State University.

Ronnesha Wingo

Coordinator of Athlete Acquisition & Community Outreach

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Ronnesha Wingo is a dedicated chemist from Saint Louis, Missouri, and a proud graduate of Dillard University, where she earned her degree in Chemistry. Her passion for science and commitment to excellence have shaped her professional journey as she continues to grow in the field. In addition to her work in the laboratory, Ronnesha plays a vital role in supporting her younger brother, Ryan Wingo, and other student-athletes as they navigate the complexities of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) opportunities. Her guidance and advocacy have helped young athletes make informed decisions as they pursue athletic and financial success. Motivated by her growing interest in policy and athlete representation, Ronnesha is preparing to further her education to attend law school.

Grace Adamczak

Coordinator of Athlete Services & Grand Strategy

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Grace Adamczak is a sports business professional with a passion for athlete services, personal branding, and helping athletes maximize opportunities beyond their sport. She graduated from Georgetown University in May 2026 with a Master of Professional Studies in Sports Industry Management. Prior to Georgetown, Grace graduated from Old Dominion University in May 2024 with a bachelor’s degree in Sport Management and Communications.

While at Old Dominion, Grace gained valuable experience working within a fast-paced NCAA Division I athletic department, developing a strong understanding of the day-to-day operations and support systems surrounding collegiate athletes. She was also an active sorority member of Zeta Tau Alpha, where she held multiple leadership positions that strengthened her skills in communication, organization, and relationship building.

At Prime 1 Sports, Grace is committed to understanding each athlete as an individual and identifying what they need to succeed off the field. Her work focuses on athlete services, brand development, NIL opportunities, and building meaningful relationships between athletes and brands. Grace is passionate about helping athletes strengthen their personal brands, navigate opportunities with confidence, and build a foundation for long-term success both during and beyond their playing careers.

Duke Crews

Head of Basketball

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Duke Crews is a trusted member of Prime 1 Sports and serves as Head of Basketball, leading basketball operations, athlete recruitment and representation, professional and international player placement, and basketball relations. A former High School All-American and nationally ranked Top 25 player at Bethel High School, Duke went on to compete at the University of Tennessee under Coach Bruce Pearl, earning SEC All-Freshman Team honors and multiple SEC Player of the Week recognitions, while also helping the team to its first number 1 ranking in school history.

Duke continued his collegiate career at Bowie State University, where he established himself as one of the premier players in HBCU basketball, earning CIAA Player of the Year and HBCU National Player of the Year honors. He later built an extensive professional basketball career spanning multiple international markets, including Indonesia, the Philippines, Japan, Europe, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Qatar, Bahrain, Uruguay, and Argentina. His professional résumé includes two championships, an Import of the Year award, and three First Team All-Asia selections.

Today, Duke uses his extensive basketball experience, national network, and international relationships to help athletes maximize their opportunities both on and off the court, with a major focus on the rapidly evolving NIL landscape. At Prime 1 Sports, he works closely with high school, college, and professional athletes on NIL strategy, brand development, athlete marketing, recruitment, representation, professional placement, contract opportunities, and long-term career planning. Duke’s goal is to help athletes understand and capitalize on their value while positioning them for sustainable success in the NIL, collegiate, NBA, PBA, and international basketball.

Ryal Jagd

Athlete Recruitment & NIL | Social Media Director | Executive & Security Operations

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Ryal Jagd is a trusted member of Prime 1 Sports, leading executive and security operations, athlete recruitment and NIL placement, and social media. A former dual-sport collegiate athlete, Ryal competed in football and men’s volleyball at UCLA, graduating in 2011 after a standout multi-sport career at Palos Verdes High School.

Ryal later served as Recruiting Coordinator at the University of Colorado and gained additional coaching experience in club volleyball. Coming from a prominent Southern California volleyball family, he brings firsthand knowledge of elite athletics, recruitment, coaching, and athlete development.

At Prime 1 Sports, Ryal combines operational expertise, digital branding, and athlete development to help players navigate transfers and pursue larger opportunities with meaningful NIL potential. Based in the Washington, D.C./Northern Virginia area, he supports athletes through strategic guidance, trusted relationships, and high-level execution.

Tajdha “Coach Taj” Zackery

Football Development Advisor

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Tajdha “Coach Taj” Zackery serves as Football Development Advisor at Prime 1 Sports, bringing hands-on coaching experience and a commitment to helping athletes grow on and off the field. Based in Southern California, he is a football coach, quarterback developer, and founder of OnThaMoneyTraining.

Since 2019, Coach Taj has developed youth, middle school, and high school quarterbacks, focusing on mechanics, footwork, throwing fundamentals, decision-making, football IQ, and confidence. His experience includes coaching with Inglewood High School, Centennial High School in Compton, and Compton High School, alongside private training and mentorship.

Coach Taj has contributed to the development of multiple Division I quarterbacks. His coaching background also includes offensive play-calling, serving as a youth Offensive Coordinator, and coaching varsity football and flag football. He emphasizes preparation, discipline, accountability, and consistency as foundations for success.

At Prime 1 Sports, Coach Taj brings this development perspective to supporting athletes as they prepare for their next opportunities. His philosophy guides his work: develop the player, teach the game, and build the person.

“Stay Solid. Stay Sharp. Stay OnThaMoney.”

Tavares Garland

Football Development Advisor

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A Baltimore native raised in Turbeville, South Carolina, Coach Tavares Garland is a former Allen University quarterback and four-sport athlete at East Clarendon High School. His coaching career centers on quarterback development, leadership, and mentorship, helping athletes build the skills and confidence to succeed on and off the field.

Before joining Central State University, Garland coached quarterbacks and wide receivers at St. Frances Academy in Baltimore, whose football program won the inaugural Overtime Nationals championship in 2025. He also brings more than 15 years of management experience in the fitness industry, complementing his coaching background with a strong foundation in team leadership and professional development.

Nikolas Hadeed

Recruiting & Athlete Outreach Associate

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Nik Hadeed is a former Division II football player and Shepherd University graduate who studied Sports Marketing and Management. He brings six years of experience in sports performance, having trained hundreds of youth, collegiate, and professional athletes, including Division I and NFL players. His experience also includes preparing athletes for the NFL Combine.

As a member of Prime 1 Sports’ recruiting team, Nik combines his background in athlete development with three years of experience in NIL. He helps athletes build their brands, strengthen their marketability, and pursue opportunities on and off the field. He values relationships with athletes and their families and is committed to helping players take the next step in their careers.

Nik also works with the Baltimore Ravens in a service role.

Liam Dirlam

Creative Director

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Liam is an Art Director/Video Editor/Sound Engineer with over 12 years of work experience at NYC-based marketing agencies, multi-media production companies, and post-houses. His client list includes Nike, Reebok, Ralph Lauren, Puma, Beats by Dre, Sony Music, Def Jam, Google, SiriusXM, Panasonic, Viacom, Nat Geo, Red Bull, Apple TV+, Netflix, and Hulu. Liam has worked closely  with artists such as Kendrick Lamar, Wiz Khalifa, The Black Keys, and Kygo. He can also throw a football a quarter mile.

Charlie Soven

Sports Operations Intern

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Charlie is currently an Economics student at McGill University with strong interests in finance, business strategy, and the sports industry. He is particularly interested in transactions, athlete and brand negotiations, investment analysis, and partnership development. His experience includes sponsorship and brand outreach, along with a promotions role with the Fredericksburg Nationals, where he helps create an engaging game-day experience for fans and supports the execution of in-stadium events.

Nate Hensley

Sports Operations Intern

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Nate is currently a senior at Virginia Tech studying Sports Media and Analytics. He currently serves as a student assistant for Virginia Tech’s mens basketball program, where he works closely with players and staff. Nate also has experience as an agency intern, along with Division 1 experience in football recruiting and operations.

Pathway to the Pros

At Prime 1 Sports, our commitment to athletes extends far beyond NIL opportunities. We believe the journey doesn’t end with college—it evolves into preparing for a successful professional career.

Through our strategic relationship with Andy Ross and his team at Upper Edge Sports, our athletes gain access to decades of NFL representation experience and professional guidance. This collaboration creates a seamless pathway from high school and collegiate athletics to the highest levels of professional sports, ensuring athletes and their families receive trusted support every step of the way.

Whether it’s building a personal brand, navigating NIL opportunities, preparing for the NFL Draft, evaluating professional contracts, or developing a long-term career strategy, Prime 1 Sports is committed to helping athletes maximize every opportunity—from their first NIL deal to competing on the biggest stage.

Prime 1 Sports isn’t just preparing athletes for today—we’re helping build tomorrow’s professional careers.

Andy Ross

CEO, Upper Edge Sports

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Andy Ross is a veteran in the agency world who is incredibly well respected within the industry. Over the past 25 years, Andy has helped shape the industry and has built an unmatched network of coaches, general managers, scouts, clients, specialists, and more. As the CEO of Upper Edge Management, Andy helped bring together this team of experts so that all of his clients can get an EDGE in their career and beyond!

Emanuel Drakes

SVP, Player Development & Marketing, Upper Edge Sports

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Emanuel Drakes, with over 20 years of experience in sales, management, and marketing, serves as a crucial connection between clients and the agency in the sports industry. As the Senior Vice President of Player Development, he leverages his extensive network of relationships within the NFL to open doors for clients and elevate the company’s standing. With a focus on meeting clients’ expectations on and off the field, Emanuel acts as a reliable point of contact, providing daily support and guidance throughout their entire careers.

Malcolm Blacken

Executive Vice-President of Player Development and Recruiting, Upper Edge Sports

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With 30 years of experience in Strength & Conditioning and Player Development, Malcolm empowers NCAA and NFL athletes, having worked with over 2,000 players, including with the Commanders and Lions. He uplifts athletes through multifaceted education and support, helping them eliminate distractions to enhance their edge on and off the field. A key pillar for Malcolm is his commitment to enriching lives and fostering productivity for all young men joining the Upper Edge way.

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