Playbook Management International has a simple management philosophy that we run our business on and that we share with our clients... "Good People... Good Plan... Good Execution..." It all starts with Good People and that's what we're building PMI on... a solid foundation of good people. We'll be adding a number of part time and full time professionals to the team in the near future. Click on the "player" below for more information.
Join the Team:
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Contact the Team:
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Michael Hitchcock
Founding Partner
Playbook Management International is led by Founding Partner, Michael Hitchcock. Hitchcock recently completed a career in Major League Soccer where he helped grow the league from the early, struggling years to the strong, vibrant league that it is today. During his 12+ year MLS career, Hitchcock worked his way from the bottom of the organization (entry level sales rep) to the top of the organization (General Manager.) Hitchcock was the most decorated Business Executive in MLS History having won the MLS Sales Director of the Year award 4 times, his Sales Teams won MLS Sales Team of the Year 5 times and he was recognized as the Commissioner's New Business Leadership Award winner as a Sales Rep. Hitchcock is the only MLS Leader to have hosted and led the Major League Soccer Championship game, MLS CUP 4 times (all 4 games were SOLD OUT.) He's credited with elevating the status of the League's Championship game with very innovative initiatives including the MLS Host Committee (a committee made of the local business, community and political leaders to help promote the Championship game on all levels.) Also, he introduced the MLS CUP Trophy Tour; a program that took the Trophy all over the region to promote the Championship game where over 10,000 people had a chance to hold the trophy and take a picture with it (as part of a Grass Roots Marketing & Database Management campaign).
Starting his career in entry level ticket sales (commission only), on his first day as a Sales Rep, Hitchcock set a goal of becoming a President & General Manager of an MLS Team in 9 years. 8 years, 6 months after his first day as a Sales Rep; Michael Hitchcock was offered 3 President/GM jobs in the same week. He accepted the opportunity to become the General Manager of FC Dallas (MLS team) and the new Pizza Hut park (a state of the art 140 acre Soccer Facility that included a 20,500 Seat Soccer Stadium and 17 world class soccer fields.) As the General Manager of FC Dallas & Pizza Hut Park, Hitchcock brought over 1.5 Million guests to Pizza Hut Park per year through an aggressive Programming Plan & Strategy. Through his leadership, Pizza Hut Park became the first Professional Green Stadium in the state of Texas which was fully funded by a Recycling Grant. Green Stadiums have since become the trend in the industry. Hitchcock created the FC Dallas Foundation to help make the community where we live, work & play; a better place to live, work & play. The Foundation helps children with the goal of raising $500,000 a year that they give back to the community.
In 2009, he was recognized as the Frisco Business Leader of the Year with the Frisco Chairman's Award. Under Hitchcock's leadership, FC Dallas & Pizza Hut Park was recognized as Business of the Year by two different organizations in 2008. In 2007, Pizza Hut Park received the Dallas Business Journal Community Impact Award for the company in Dallas/Fort Worth that had the greatest impact on the local community.
Hitchcock is known in the industry as a visionary leader, innovative marketer and a strategic planner. Through his unique approach to the business; Hitchcock has shown throughout his career that his business management system can help clubs accomplish great things.
In two years, he took Colorado Rapids from averaging under 11,000 fans per game to 20,205 fans per game. In LA, he set all sales records including an Average Attendance of over 24,000 fans per game and selling 176,000 Group Tickets (11,000 group tickets per game). In Dallas, he improved attendance for a franchise that averaged @ 11,000 fans per game to an average attendance of 15,600 fans per game; while increasing the Franchise Value to $39 Million which was the third highest Franchise value in MLS (according to Forbes Magazine' 2009 Team Evaluation.) In 2009, FC Dallas built the first fully integrated Youth Development System in America that starts with the FC Dallas Academy through to the FC Dallas Juniors and now features over 1,800 players. In their first year, the youth club was ranked one of the top clubs in America plus Hitchcock signed their first Professional player from the clubs youth system. This player since signing with FC Dallas played in the U17 World Cup. FC Dallas had 5 players on the US National team that participated in the U20 World Cup.
Michael can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and linkedin.com/in/mhitchcock.
Mark Washo
Managing Partner
Mark Washo has over 20 years of experience in the sports business industry. Prior to PMI, Washo was the President, General Manager and Primary Board of Governor of the Women's Professional Soccer League's Washington Freedom where he turned the organization around from last in the league in revenue to second best in less than one playing season. Mark facilitated the sale of the Freedom franchise from previous Freedom owners, John and Maureen Hendricks (founders of Discovery Channel TV), to the founder of Magic Jack in early 2011. Prior to joining the Freedom, Washo served as the Executive Vice President of the Chicago Fire Soccer Club (MLS), where he oversaw ticket sales, ticket operations, customer service, marketing, community relations and public relations. Under Washo's leadership, the Fire achieved the team's all- time high ticket sales revenue during only the clubs second season at Toyota Park. As a key member of the Fire’s Senior Management team, Mark helped improve the teams business to the point where private equity firm Andell from Los Angeles, California purchased the Fire from AEG for a record MLS franchise fee at time of acquisition.Prior to joining the Fire, Washo was the Senior Vice President of the New York-New Jersey MetroStars (now New York Red Bulls). Mark was part of the Senior Management team that took the MetroStars from near the bottom of MLS in ticket sales units and revenue, and in four short seasons helped the team with the MLS “Ticket Sales Team of the Year Award”. The teams business performed so well, that in late 2005; Red Bull New York acquired the MetroStars from AEG, which was the highest franchise sale in MLS at the time of transaction.
Washo joined the MetroStars after spending the previous five seasons with D.C. United as the team's Senior Director of Ticket Sales. During the 2000 season while at D.C. United, Mark helped the D.C. United ticket sales team lead all MLS franchises in group sales and helped D.C. United win Major League Soccer's Team Ticketing Award in both 1999 and in 2000.
Mark also worked in sales for Budget Rent-A-Car during the 1994 World Cup when Budget was the official rent a car company of World Cup 1994. He was also an Account Executive with the NBA's Washington Wizards, being promoted to full time sales from inside sales within the first 3 months. Mark started his professional sports career as a Direct Marketing Representative of Buffalo Bisons Bison Baseball In addition to Washo's professional experiences, he is the author of "Break Into Sports Through Ticket Sales". He is also an Adjunct Professor of Sports Marketing at Georgetown University, and former Board Member of DC Scores.
Mark can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and linkedin.com/in/markwasho.
Andy Smith
Vice President of Business Development
Andy Smith joins PMI from IMG where he served as Manager of Business Development for IMG Academies. Before IMG, Andy had a very impressive career in Major League Soccer and USL. Andy started his MLS career as Corporate Sales Executive for Colorado Rapids where he was recognized as the Top Sales Executive in Major League Soccer for New Business Development. After Colorado, Andy Smith became Director of Sales for Charleston Battery where he elevated Battery Ticket and Sponsorship revenue to record numbers. Andy was then recruited by DC United where he became the Director of Sales before becoming Vice President of Sales for FC Dallas in 2006 where he led FC Dallas to their Top Group Sales & Season Seat Sales numbers in Franchise History. Andy is currently managing the Atlanta Silverbacks projects and overseeing the Frisco, Texas based PMI Global Sales Center.
Andy can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and linkedin.com/in/asmith11.
Evan Mitz
Manager of New Business Development
Evan Mitz joins PMI as one of the most successful Account Executives in FC Dallas history. For both the 2007 & 2008 seasons, Evan was recognized by Major League Soccer as Top 10 Representative in Group Sales, Season Seat Sales and Total Revenue Production. As account executive, Mitz was responsible for generating more than $2.1 million over four seasons at FC Dallas. Evan has served the role of Ticket Sales Manager for the Tampa Bay Rowdies of the North American Soccer League, Director of Sales for the Hartford Colonials of the United Football League, and Director of Sales for the Ft. Lauderdale Strikers. Currently, Evan is serving as the Director of Marketing and Sales for the San Antonio Scorpions.
Evan can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and linkedin.com/in/evanmitz.
Jose Lizardo
Manager of Latin America Business Development
Jose Lizardo is joining PMI from ISP where he served as a Sr. Account Executive for the UTEP Miner sports network. Prior to ISP, Jose had a very successful 4 year career with MLS side, FC Dallas where he was responsible for generating season ticket and group sales. Jose has served the role as the Director of Sales for Crystal Palace Baltimore, a client of Playbook Management International.
He's currently serving the role of Director of Sales & Marketing for STAR Soccer Complex and San Antonio Scorpions FC (NASL pro soccer team in San Antonio), both are clients of Playbook Management International.
Jose can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and linkedin.com/in/joselizardo.
Andrew Forrest
Account Executive
Andrew Forrest joins Playbook Management International as an Account Executive. Andrew played soccer at Roanoke College for 4 years before attending James Madison University where he earned a Master's of Science in Sports Leadership. Andrew joins Playbook Management International from PMI Client, Crystal Palace Baltimore, where he was a Corporate Sales Executive and successfully sold a number of Corporate Campaigns while in Baltimore. Recently, Andrew oversaw all aspects of ticketing from season tickets to corporate sponsorships at FC Edmonton. He's currently serving as Sr. Account Executive for the San Antonio Scorpions.
Andrew can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and linkedin.com/in/andrewforrest1.
Bradley Ryan
New Media Manager
Bradley Ryan joins Playbook Management International as a New Media Executive. Bradley played soccer at Eastern Illinois before completing his degree at the University of Illinois. Ranging from web design to app development, Bradley has worked PMI clients to leverage digital media. Bradley is responsible for designing the San Antonio Scorpions website, iPhone app, and managing their social media strategy. Currently, Bradley is serving as a New Media and Communications Executive at the San Antonio Scorpions.
Bradley can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and linkedin.com/in/bradleyryan.
