Indy Eleven Eyes State’s International Fans
Subscriber Benefit
As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowIndianapolis' professional soccer team hopes a new hire will help tap into the state's international population. Indy Eleven Director of International Markets Carlos May says connecting with communities that already love soccer but haven't heard of the new organization could have a “huge impact.” He says the team is also hoping to partner with adult teams, youth leagues and businesses that have a large international presence, such as Indianapolis-based Eli Lilly and Co. (NYSE: LLY).
August 7, 2013
News Release
Indianapolis, Ind. — Indy Eleven Professional Soccer has officially announced the addition of former City of Indianapolis staffer Carlos May as the club's new Director of International Markets. The hiring of May marks a major step towards fulfilling Indy Eleven’s commitment to earn the support of the international community across the Hoosier State, a group the North American Soccer League club will depend upon to provide support not only in the stands, but, more importantly, in the community through various outreach partnerships.
“This is an important position in our organization. Indy Eleven is proud to be the first professional sports team in the state of Indiana to create a department dedicated to connecting with international markets,” said Indy Eleven President/General Manager Peter Wilt. “Carlos has the experience, knowledge and contacts to create mutually beneficial partnerships that will grow Indy Eleven's presence in Central Indiana's growing Latino, African, Asian and European communities.”
May's primary roles as Director of International Markets will include managing and executing Indy Eleven’s corporate and grassroots marketing, community outreach and ticket sales efforts in the Indianapolis metropolitan area and state-wide international communities.
“With such a vibrant international community here in Indiana it is vital that organizations reach out and make genuine connections, and there is no better way to do so than through a sport loved the all over the world,” said May. “By establishing truly meaningful relationships with this built-in international fan base, Indy Eleven’s impact and reach can grow hand-in-hand with this important segment of the Indiana community. I want to thank Indy Eleven, especially Ersal Ozdemir and Peter Wilt, for giving me the opportunity to help grow the sport of soccer here in the Hoosier State.”
May brings a wealth of both local and international business acumen and community-building experience to the Indy Eleven front office. May spent the last four years with the Mayor’s Office in the City of Indianapolis, first as the Mayor’s Neighborhood Liaison and most recently as the City’s Director of Latino Affairs in Mayor Greg Ballard’s cabinet. May’s passion for public service drove him to run for the U.S. House of Representatives’ Indiana 7th District seat in both 2010 and 2012, and he would earn the Republican Party’s nomination during the second go-around last spring. May currently serves on the Boy Scouts of America’s Crossroads of America Council’s Board of Directors and is an Executive Board Director with both the Indiana Latino Expo and the Indiana Chapter of the Partners of the Americas.
Upon graduation from Wabash College in Crawfordsville in 2001, May began serving in the International Management department with LV Moet Hennessey in San Diego, where he was in charge of international purchase orders, distribution and product line selection for the company’s Asia-Pacific Region. After earning his Juris Doctorate degree at San Diego’s Thomas Jefferson Law School in 2003, May worked as the Director of West Coast Operations for Marathon Building Services before returning to the Hoosier State as a Strategic Consultant for Zebulon Inc. in 2006.
After living or studying in Mexico, Japan, Belgium, France and England as part of his travels to six continents (including Antarctica), May will no doubt bring a unique perspective to his new role as he continues to introduce “Indiana’s Team in the World’s Game” to local international communities across the Hoosier State.
About Indy Eleven
Born Indy Pro Soccer after launching as the 12th member of the North American Soccer League January 16, 2013, Indy Eleven established its permanent identity 99 days later on the 152nd anniversary of the establishment of the 11th Indiana Regiment during the Civil War on April 25th, 1861. The NASL is a professional soccer league established in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. The NASL member teams are: Atlanta Silverbacks, Carolina RailHawks, FC Edmonton, Fort Lauderdale Strikers, New York Cosmos, Minnesota Stars FC, Puerto Rico Islanders, San Antonio Scorpions FC, the 2012 champion Tampa Bay Rowdies, Indy Eleven (2014), Ottawa Fury FC (20014), Virginia Cavalry FC (2014), Oklahoma City (2015) and Jacksonville (2015).
Source: Indy Eleven