Ken is a professional school counselor at Old Mill High School. Helping students succeed and seeing them grow is something he aspires to do. His family and his job are huge influences on his life. Ken’s favorite memory was watching a student who struggled with mental health issues finally graduate and achieve their goals. He is in the “Helping Profession” and supports the UMAR Boxing Program by working with student via the program staff.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Meet our dynamic leadership team
KENNETH BARRETT
ADAM CIZEK, ESQUIRE
Adam is an attorney and Partner with Whiteford Taylor. He is a seasoned construction lawyer with extensive courtroom and arbitration experience. Adam often serves in the role of outside general counsel, drafting and negotiating contracts and advising clients on the avoidance, resolution and prosecution of construction claims. He is additionally experienced in the representation of sureties. Adam was drawn to the UMAR Boxing because of the discipline and structure that is offered in the program.
JEFFREY KAYCE
Jeff is the Senior Vice President, Managing Director, D.C. Metro, Bozzuto Development Company and is responsible for expanding joint venture opportunities and overseeing a pipeline that exceeds $1 billion of mixed-use and multifamily developments throughout the Mid-Atlantic and South Florida regions. He has led the development of various communities, including Liberty Harbor East, Anthem House, Cathedral Commons, Union Wharf, The Fitzgerald, Flats170 at Academy Yard, and Arbors at Arundel Preserve. Jeff has a great appreciation for structured athletics as a way to support academic learning and developing core values.
WILLIAM KENNEDY
Bill comes from a varied background, holds a Master’s degree in Theology and is now a retired educator. He had been a teacher for 40 years in 3 private high schools while moonlighting in saleswork during summers and weekends. Bill developed a love of the sport of boxing through his father, who himself learned the art as a club boxer. Bill started a non-contact boxing club at the high school where he last taught and then good fortune led him to meet Marvin McDowell in 2005. Several of his students trained at the UMAR gym plus tutored the UMAR kids in the classroom. For Bill, boxing is the royal road for building character and deserves its place in our schools where this sport can be incorporated into the curriculum.
EULA McDOWELL
Eula of the Big Bean Theory feeds the homeless and partners with various groups in the city. She has collaborated with the mayor and city officials with providing healthy meals. Eula has created fundraisers, implemented fresh and healthy food initiatives and taught virtual cooking classes for youth and adults. She is a graduate of ICCC, Goldman Sachs 10k Small Businesses and plans to use her influence to promote and support UMAR Boxing Program’s mission.
MARVIN McDOWELL
Marvin is Founder, President and Executive Director of The UMAR Boxing Program and Youth Development Program. Marvin is a former professional boxer and a member of the Maryland Boxing Hall of Fame. In addition, during 2006 and 2008 he was head coach of the USA Boxing East Central Region 2 Boxing Team. As the first African American President of Amateur Boxing in the Maryland South Atlantic Association USA Boxing and of the Maryland Boxing Hall of Fame International Veterans Boxing Association 101, Marvin is an expert in all things related to boxing. In 1996, Marvin started the “Put the Guns Down Put the Gloves Up”/” No Hooks Before Books” Program as an alternative to street and gun violence. In the community where Marvin grew up, he saw there was a need to create community safe space where people can come and be nurtured through boxing.
KHADIJAH QUINONES
Khadijah holds a BA from Caldwell University and is a former Baltimore City teacher. Currently, she is a Lead Teacher at the Y in Central Maryland Baltimore City Head Start. Khadijah oversees Umar’s education director and tutors. She is a certified Yoga instructor and a part-time instructor at Community College Baltimore County. Khadijah became involved with Umar Boxing Program over ten years ago. She was informed by Mr. Marvin McDowell Sr. that his son was in need of a reading tutor at the boxing gym. Khadijah sought out the gym and became a volunteer reading tutor at Umar Boxing Gym for more than five years. She enjoys tutoring, teaching, encouraging the students to reach their goals and utilize their fullest potential. Khadijah believes in the saying “Each One Teach One” and “It takes a village to raise a child”.
PATRICK RADOMSKY
Patrick is a life-long Baltimorean with a passion for Sports and Public Service. After graduating from Morgan State University and teaching in Baltimore City Public Schools, he moved to the South American island of Aruba to start his own business. Upon returning to his hometown several years later, Patrick began his career in the Security industry and currently works as a consultant for a Baltimore based company. He joined the UMAR Boxing Board of Directors in 2016 because of his desire to give back to his community and his love for the Sweet Science of Boxing.
DAVID SCHORR, CPA
Dave is the Chief Accounting Officer at The Bozzuto Group. He joined the UMAR board in 2000, inspired by UMAR founder Marvin McDowell’s commitment to improving the lives of Baltimore City’s kids and UMAR’s motto of No Hooks before Books! Dave is a licensed CPA and holds a Master in Business Administration Degree from American University and a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree in Accounting from the College of William and Mary.
JAMES STAMAS
Jimmy holds a B.S. in economics from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. He is a Project Manager for Bozzuto Construction Company and has extensive knowledge of multi-family construction and development. Jimmy has been on project teams completing both private and public funded construction projects in Baltimore City. He grew up in the Baltimore area, loves the City of Baltimore and is dedicated to supporting the program and local youth. Jimmy was introduced to UMAR’s program in 2012 and has been involved ever since.
RONNIE YOUNTS
Ronnie is the managing principal / design director at Younts Design. From concept direction to final product, he oversees every aspect of the studio’s work. Over the past 20 years he has developed his expertise in the field of Environmental Graphic Design. Ronnie speaks through any medium-environmental graphics, web and print. In addition, his work defines identities, informs surroundings and crafts important stories. Ronnie instills important brand stories in the hearts and minds of audiences.