Chief Operating Officer

Conor Caloia is one of the founders and owners of Forward Madison FC and oversees the day-to-day operation of the business as Chief Operating Officer.

Along with Vern Stenman, Caloia oversees the Madison Mallards and the Kenosha Kingfish of the Northwoods League, as well as Green Bay Voyageurs FC of USL League Two. In 2019, their events attracted nearly 700,000 visitors to their venues with a staff of more than 1,200 employees.

Caloia started his career in sports as a public relations intern for the Madison Mallards in 2003. Caloia also spent time as the Director of Marketing at the Western Athletic Conference and Director of Operations of the Wilmington Sharks of the Coastal Plain League.

Caloia is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a B.A. in Journalism-Strategic Communication and an M.B.A. He lives in the Madison area with his wife Rachel and two kids.

conor@bigtopbaseball.com

President

As the President of Big Top Events, Vern’s role includes management and part ownership of Forward Madison FC and the Madison Mallards. Stenman and his partners also launched and subsequently sold the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters, Kenosha Kingfish, and Green Bay Booyah in the Northwoods League. His innovative promotional ideas and steady vision have contributed to the his teams consistently leading their respective leagues in attendance. Prior to Madison he was an intern and later Asst GM for the St. Cloud River Bats before taking a position with the NHL’s Minnesota Wild in their inaugural year. Stenman and his wife Kallie have two children, daughter Chloe Mae, and son Bode and live in the Town of Dunn, WI. He is originally from St. Cloud, MN.

vern@bigtopbaseball.com

Owner

Schmitt’s passion for the game and extraordinary attention to customer service are two big reasons why Mallards baseball has become a summertime mainstay in Madison. Since 2001 the Mallards have made the playoffs seven times, including Northwoods League Championships in 2004 and 2013, and appearances in the Championship Series in 2005 & 2008. Schmitt’s teams have accumulated 482 regular season wins since the franchise’s inception and have finished at-least in the top-half of the division standings for every year but two. Also the owner of the Shoe Box and Rookies Sports Bar in Black Earth, WI, Steve is actively involved in the community and is a huge St. Louis Cardinals fan. He is also the owner of the Kenosha Kingfish, Madison Mallards, and Forward Madison FC.

General Manager

Tristan is embarking on his eleventh annual journey navigating the landscape of Big Top Events d.b.a. Breese Stevens Field, armed only with his expertise, wit, and determination to vanquish hunger and defeat culinary insipidness at all costs. His journey began long ago as a dishwasher in the faraway land of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He then scaled the mountainous terrain of Central PA to find a culinary oasis at Hotel State College, where he would serve the great people of State College as Sous-Chef from 2000-2004 and reign as Employee of the Year throughout 2002. In 2005, Staub would relocate to Madison and work under the tutelage of Chef Tory Miller at L’Etoile; leading to a five-year stint at Maple Bluff Country Club from 2006-2012 and a three-year run as Sous-Chef/Pastry Chef at Brickhouse BBQ. In 2014, following a 15 year hiatus from secondary education, he earned his bachelor’s degree in Communication Arts – Rhetorical Studies with an emphasis on Social Justice discourse from the University of Wisconsin – Madison.

In his free time, Tristan relishes in the splendor of fine literature, cinema, writing, and auditory pleasures spanning all forms of wonderful music human history has to offer. Tristan is happily married to the illustrious Mel Straub in a home riddled with a variety of kittens and puppies.

tristan@breesestevensfield.com

Director of Operations

Tryg (short for Trygve) is entering his fifth year with Big Top Events d.b.a. Breese Stevens Field. With a degree in Sport Management from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, Tryg arrived in Madison eager for the Mallards season to kick off in 2016. After interning and working two summers in the Food & Beverage and Operations Departments, he transitioned into a full time role as the Director of Operations at Breese Stevens Field. This role allows Tryg to use his event management background to help bring a wide variety of events to life, ranging from high school athletics, to food and beer festivals, to large scale concerts that draw thousands of fans.

Wisconsin born and raised, it comes as no surprise that his favorite events from last fall were the Cheese Curd Festival and Oktobeerfest. When he isn’t helping run events, Tryg enjoys duck hunting, playing cards, and spending time with his new black lab, Thor. Make sure you keep an eye out for this friendly Norwegian at events you attend at Breese Stevens Field this year!

tryg@breesestevensfield.com

Assistant General Manager

Stephen, a young 22 year old hailing from Maryland - the Crown Jewel of the East Coast - is entering his 4th season with Big Top Events.

Starting his journey at the age of 20 as a hospitality intern with the Madison Mallards he quickly joined the full time Food and Beverage team as Hospitality Manager with the Mallards in 2023. After spending 3 total seasons with the Mallards (1 as intern 2 as fulltime) the young Mr. Cobb transitioned into the Assistant General Manager Historic Breese Stevens Field.

Determined, energetic and eager to attack his new role Stephen finds learning fun never shying away from a new challenge and welcoming tasks with open arms. He hopes to learn and take strides forward and add to the already impressive history at Breese Stevens Field and continue to take in the great area and culture of Madison, Wisconsin. 

In his free time Stephen thoroughly enjoys exercising and working out as his background as a former collegiate track athlete still burns deep within him. However, when he isn't exercising he enjoys listening to wide ranges of music, axe throwing and of course in the most Maryland way possible indulging in some great seafood from time to time as he chases a taste of home in the great state of Wisconsin.

stephen@bigtopse.com

Director of Food & Beverage

David is heading into his 3rd full-time season with Big Top Events after many seasonal roles at Breese Stevens Field and Mallards Baseball.  He graduated from The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY in 2007 with a Culinary Arts degree.  After that, David opened and operated several cafes in the Madison area for the last 15 years; Gooseberry on the Square is still operating today.  He oversees all aspects of the Food and Beverage operation at Breese during Forward matches, concerts, and one-off events.  With his 20 years of experience in the industry, he offers a wide range of offerings even at events that can be as large as ten thousand people.  Being raised in Madison, working at this historical venue is a thrill. 

dave@breesestevensfield.com

Chef de Cuisine

Christopher is a seasoned Chef with over 15 years of experience in the culinary arts. Originally from New York City, he brings a passion for creating delicious and innovative dishes and a wealth of expertise to every plate. When not in the kitchen, he enjoys spending quality time with his wife and their four children.

chris@breesestevensfield.com