Performance Advantage
Contact Information
Executive Management
Keith Gracey
Chief Executive Officer, Chairman of the Board, Director
Mr. Gracey, President and Founder of Jump Capital Corporation, is a corporate financier with over 20 years of experience in the acquisition and operation of public and private companies. Mr. Gracey has been a major shareholder as well as an officer and director in various industry sectors.
A former world-class athlete in professional handball, Mr. Gracey was sponsored by Nike for ten years. Over his career he won one World Invitation Doubles Title, five Canadian National Titles, three US Regional Titles and was a Single’s Finalist in the World Championships. Today, he brings the same passion, success and competitive spirit to FIRSTAR as he did on the court as a world champion.
Doug Thom
Vice President of Product Development, Director
Mr. Thom, FIRSTAR’S co-creator, brings his considerable talent and extensive experience in all aspects of product development, manufacturing and marketing to the Company. He has been involved in the retail sporting goods industry for more than 20 years, with special emphasis on creating MST performance clothing. He has used his vast knowledge, design skills and industry connections to develop an innovative performance line of micro-fiber products that far exceed industry standards.
Prior to founding FIRSTAR, Mr. Thom served as the National Sales Manager for Victoriaville Hockey, Progress Sports and Eddy Goal Masks, creating and implementing sales programs and managing a national team of salesmen. He was also a Chief Product Designer involved with Victoriaville, Nike, Rawlings and Graf, bringing his passion for product design to bear on the creation and successful market launches of many new and innovative sports products.
Hank Wang
Vice President of Supply Management, Director
Mr. Wang, based in Asia and FIRSTAR’s co-creator, is responsible for the company’s overseas manufacturing resources. He has been involved in design, manufacturing and procurement associated with the sporting goods industry for over 15 years.
In addition to sourcing the highest quality, technically advanced micro-fiber material used in all FIRSTAR Performance Apparel, Hank has scoured the Asia-Pacific region in search of optimum manufacturing facilities. He currently supervises our multiple production facilities in Asia.
Mr. Wang is a seasoned athlete and highly skilled businessman, well-versed in the Asian business landscape. Working on-site at FIRSTAR’s manufacturing facilities allows him to personally control the impressive production operations.
Ray Ferraro
Director of Hockey Relations
Vancouver-based 18-year NHL veteran and TSN Commentator Ray Ferraro is also now the Director of Hockey Relations at FIRSTAR Sports.
Ray joined FIRSTAR after using a CoolSkin golf shirt during two different golf games, two days in a row in 100+ degree California heat. “I was told that the shirt wouldn’t stink after two days of golf,” said Ray. “After sweating through rounds of golf on both days and not washing the shirt, it did what they said it would; kept me cool with no apparent odour. I’ve had enough stinky hockey equipment in my life to know that this borders on unbelievable.”
The technology that keeps FIRSTAR products odourless is the proprietary BACT OUT antibacterial treatment which makes CoolSkin apparel some of the most effective heat, moisture and odour dissipating performance wear.
Keith Gracey, FIRSTAR’s CEO, is excited that Ray will introduce the brand and products to many of his hockey connections across the country. “We have a handful of NHLers that use our products and about 40 percent of our sales are now to athletes under 18, with hockey being the biggest segment,” he says. “Ray will undoubtedly help us keep growing amongst Canada’s thriving hockey industry.
Luvlina Sanghera
Creative Director, Product Development
Ms. Sanghera’s fresh insight and creative approach to design solutions have led her to work with memorable brands, such as Vespa and Holt Renfrew, throughout her career. Having a background in graphic design, fashion, arts and entertainment, marketing, communications and business, she brings a phenomenal portfolio of skills and talent to the sports apparel industry.
An accomplished graphic designer, Ms. Sanghera has created and implemented retail management procedures, developed and managed ecommerce businesses, as well as taught at the post-secondary level at The Art Institute of Vancouver. Along with a commitment to student development in the design industries, Ms. Sanghera has been a lifelong supporter of the Endowment of the Arts and is on the board of directors of the Vancouver Fashion Association.
Steven Toews
Senior Graphic Designer, IT Manager
Mr. Toews has been active in the implementation of innovative technology for a number of growth-stage businesses, enhancing the business unit's competitive advantage, and managing all aspects of leading IT infrastructure and application environment. He has been responsible for the design of world-class integrated strategies, processes and architecture in a number of hi-tech disciplines within the software development life-cycle including: ecommerce analysis & development, content management methodologies, dynamic flash application & development, information engineering and data/process modeling.
In addition to his work at FIRSTAR, Steve has facilitated courses in digital media at both Vancouver Community College and the University of British Columbia. He is also a founding partner in a natural health product business that involves the manufacturing and marketing of a scientifically proven prostate formula.
Russ Courtnall
Director of Corporate Development
Former NHL right-winger Russ Courtnall recently signed on as FIRSTAR’s Director of Corporate Development. Mr. Courtnall played for 16 seasons in the NHL with a variety of teams, including the Vancouver Canucks, where he and his older brother Geoff shared the bench for part of the ’94-’95 season. After retiring from professional hockey in 1999, he focused his efforts on raising his family in Los Angeles and organizing the Courtnall Celebrity Golf Classic, supporting mental health programs. Mr. Courtnall will exercise his considerable connections in professional sports to create awareness of the FIRSTAR brand, promoting the superior performance qualities demanded by top level athletes.
Chief Executive Officer, Chairman of the Board, Director
Mr. Gracey, President and Founder of Jump Capital Corporation, is a corporate financier with over 20 years of experience in the acquisition and operation of public and private companies. Mr. Gracey has been a major shareholder as well as an officer and director in various industry sectors.
A former world-class athlete in professional handball, Mr. Gracey was sponsored by Nike for ten years. Over his career he won one World Invitation Doubles Title, five Canadian National Titles, three US Regional Titles and was a Single’s Finalist in the World Championships. Today, he brings the same passion, success and competitive spirit to FIRSTAR as he did on the court as a world champion.
Doug Thom
Vice President of Product Development, Director
Mr. Thom, FIRSTAR’S co-creator, brings his considerable talent and extensive experience in all aspects of product development, manufacturing and marketing to the Company. He has been involved in the retail sporting goods industry for more than 20 years, with special emphasis on creating MST performance clothing. He has used his vast knowledge, design skills and industry connections to develop an innovative performance line of micro-fiber products that far exceed industry standards.
Prior to founding FIRSTAR, Mr. Thom served as the National Sales Manager for Victoriaville Hockey, Progress Sports and Eddy Goal Masks, creating and implementing sales programs and managing a national team of salesmen. He was also a Chief Product Designer involved with Victoriaville, Nike, Rawlings and Graf, bringing his passion for product design to bear on the creation and successful market launches of many new and innovative sports products.
Hank Wang
Vice President of Supply Management, Director
Mr. Wang, based in Asia and FIRSTAR’s co-creator, is responsible for the company’s overseas manufacturing resources. He has been involved in design, manufacturing and procurement associated with the sporting goods industry for over 15 years.
In addition to sourcing the highest quality, technically advanced micro-fiber material used in all FIRSTAR Performance Apparel, Hank has scoured the Asia-Pacific region in search of optimum manufacturing facilities. He currently supervises our multiple production facilities in Asia.
Mr. Wang is a seasoned athlete and highly skilled businessman, well-versed in the Asian business landscape. Working on-site at FIRSTAR’s manufacturing facilities allows him to personally control the impressive production operations.
Ray Ferraro
Director of Hockey Relations
Vancouver-based 18-year NHL veteran and TSN Commentator Ray Ferraro is also now the Director of Hockey Relations at FIRSTAR Sports.
Ray joined FIRSTAR after using a CoolSkin golf shirt during two different golf games, two days in a row in 100+ degree California heat. “I was told that the shirt wouldn’t stink after two days of golf,” said Ray. “After sweating through rounds of golf on both days and not washing the shirt, it did what they said it would; kept me cool with no apparent odour. I’ve had enough stinky hockey equipment in my life to know that this borders on unbelievable.”
The technology that keeps FIRSTAR products odourless is the proprietary BACT OUT antibacterial treatment which makes CoolSkin apparel some of the most effective heat, moisture and odour dissipating performance wear.
Keith Gracey, FIRSTAR’s CEO, is excited that Ray will introduce the brand and products to many of his hockey connections across the country. “We have a handful of NHLers that use our products and about 40 percent of our sales are now to athletes under 18, with hockey being the biggest segment,” he says. “Ray will undoubtedly help us keep growing amongst Canada’s thriving hockey industry.
Luvlina Sanghera
Creative Director, Product Development
Ms. Sanghera’s fresh insight and creative approach to design solutions have led her to work with memorable brands, such as Vespa and Holt Renfrew, throughout her career. Having a background in graphic design, fashion, arts and entertainment, marketing, communications and business, she brings a phenomenal portfolio of skills and talent to the sports apparel industry.
An accomplished graphic designer, Ms. Sanghera has created and implemented retail management procedures, developed and managed ecommerce businesses, as well as taught at the post-secondary level at The Art Institute of Vancouver. Along with a commitment to student development in the design industries, Ms. Sanghera has been a lifelong supporter of the Endowment of the Arts and is on the board of directors of the Vancouver Fashion Association.
Steven Toews
Senior Graphic Designer, IT Manager
Mr. Toews has been active in the implementation of innovative technology for a number of growth-stage businesses, enhancing the business unit's competitive advantage, and managing all aspects of leading IT infrastructure and application environment. He has been responsible for the design of world-class integrated strategies, processes and architecture in a number of hi-tech disciplines within the software development life-cycle including: ecommerce analysis & development, content management methodologies, dynamic flash application & development, information engineering and data/process modeling.
In addition to his work at FIRSTAR, Steve has facilitated courses in digital media at both Vancouver Community College and the University of British Columbia. He is also a founding partner in a natural health product business that involves the manufacturing and marketing of a scientifically proven prostate formula.
Russ Courtnall
Director of Corporate Development
Former NHL right-winger Russ Courtnall recently signed on as FIRSTAR’s Director of Corporate Development. Mr. Courtnall played for 16 seasons in the NHL with a variety of teams, including the Vancouver Canucks, where he and his older brother Geoff shared the bench for part of the ’94-’95 season. After retiring from professional hockey in 1999, he focused his efforts on raising his family in Los Angeles and organizing the Courtnall Celebrity Golf Classic, supporting mental health programs. Mr. Courtnall will exercise his considerable connections in professional sports to create awareness of the FIRSTAR brand, promoting the superior performance qualities demanded by top level athletes.
