Chicago Baseball Museum
Board Members

Dr. David Fletcher, Founder and President

An occupational medicine specialist and co-founder of SafeWorks Illinois, a private medical practice in downstate Illinois, he is a noted national expert in occupational health and a clinical assistant professor at the University of Illinois College of Medicine. The native Chicagoan has a passion for baseball that was recognized by the Baseball Reliquary in the 2005 Shrine of the Eternals Induction Ceremony, where he received the Hilda Award, established to honor baseball fans and their importance to the game and its history. He is a Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) member.

Paul Ladewski, Executive Director

The Orland Park resident has been involved in Major League Baseball among other sports as a columnist, beat reporter and radio talk show host for four decades. He was the first sports editor of the Daily Southtown, which made a successful transition from a twice-weekly newspaper under his direction. In 2008, the Associated Press selected him as the best sports columnist in the state. He also was a recipient of the Peter Lisagor Award among his honors. As a lifetime member of the Baseball Writers Association of America, he participates in the Hall of Fame selection process annually. He graduated from Northern Illinois University with a Journalism degree.

Paul Duffy, Legal Counsel

The Evanston native heads the Duffy Law Group in Chicago, where he resides. He is a graduate of De Paul University law school and also has a degree in chemistry. A student of baseball history, he has researched and co-authored several stories on the subject. In 2009, his article It Ain't so, Kid, It Just Ain't So in defense of Black Sox star Shoeless Joe Jackson gained nation-wide acclaim.

Eric Bergren, Treasurer

He serves as Vice President and Commercial Lender at Fifth Third Bank in Chicago, where he resides. Born in Madison, Wis., he graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a degree in Business Administration in Finance. He earned a degree from the Fisher College of Business at Ohio State University. His interests include baseball, education and his family.

Al Baysek

Since 2001, the Naperville resident has been the assistant varsity hitting coach at Naperville Central High School, which claimed two state championships in that span. A native of Shreveport, La., he is a Strategic Advisor for the Meinhardt Group, a global consulting engineering firm. He assisted in the design of the Convention Center and Hyatt Regency Hotel in McCormick Place as well as the Midway Airport expansion. He earned Engineering degrees at Kilgore College and the University of Texas at Austin.

Brian Bernardoni

In addition to Senior Director of Governmental Affairs and Public Policy for the Illinois Association of Realtors, he serves as Ambassador Guide for the Chicago Cubs. A Jerome Holtzman Award recipient and Old Timer of the Year selection. An authority on Federal League and Wrigley Field history, his efforts resulted in a plaque that marks the West Side Grounds location. The Chicago native and resident has a degree in Political Science at Illinois State University.

Peter Caliendo

The Hoffman Estates resident is President of Caliendo Sports International, a multi-sport group that focuses on the development of athletes and coaches and offers opportunities to compete on an international scale. He was selected Illinois High School Baseball Man of the Year. He also was a recipient of the American Baseball Coaches Association Meritorious Award and the Pitch and Hit Club Ambassador Award among his many honors. The Oak Park native attended the University of Illinois-Chicago, where he earned a degree in Criminal Justice.

Rich Ceffalio

As Senior Vice President in investments at UBS Financial Services in Oak Brook, he is responsible for the implementation of a comprehensive wealth management strategy for clients. Previously, the Prospect Heights resident was Branch Manager at A.G. Edwards, where he was recognized as a Chairman's Council Financial Advisor. He has a degree in Finance at De Paul University and is involved in Dreams for Kids, the Columbian Club of Chicago and Scott Dawson Evangelical Association. He also is a baseball coach for the Prospect Heights Park District.

Paul Donohue

The Champaign resident has a diverse background in the media, sales and executive management. He began his career at WGN radio in Chicago then moved to television, where he worked as an anchor-news reporter before completion of his studies at the University of Illinois. He served as Executive Vice President of Marketing for two financial services holding companies in downstate Illinois. Currently, he is Sales Director for The Downey Group, Inc., which provides life insurance, long-term care, disability programs and related planning for individuals, families and businesses.

Marvin Freeman

The former major league pitcher is an instructor at the Pro Performance Pitching academy in Tinley Park. In addition, he serves as pitching coordinator for the Chicago White Sox Inner City Youth Baseball program. Selected in the second round of the 1984 draft, the Jackson State University product split 10 seasons between the Philadelphia Phillies, Atlanta Braves, Colorado Rockies and White Sox and took part in the 1992 playoffs. In 1994, he ranked first in win percentage and third in earned run average among National League pitchers. He is an Olympia Fields resident.

Steve Lessman

The Northern Illinois University product has spent more than four decades in Chicago radio and television, which include stays at WMAQ, WLS and WBBM-FM Radio and WFLD-TV. As a CBS sports sales specialist, he works with advertisers to create marketing campaigns for WSCR Radio as well as the Bears and White Sox radio networks. Previously, he was United Airlines global sales manager. The longtime Buffalo Grove resident is a veteran in the Chicago North Men's Senior Baseball League.

Allen Rogoway

The Chicago resident has more than 17 years of experience in commercial real estate. In 2009, he joined the CresaPartners management and ownership team. He is an advocate for the real estate interests of tenants throughout the greater Chicago area and has been engaged in national corporate facility projects, providing comprehensive real estate advisory services for privately held and publicly traded organizations. He earned degrees at Oregon State University and the University of Illinois-Chicago.