Staff
Chili Peppers staff
Chris Martin
Founder & Owner
Chris is an innovative entrepreneur in central Virginia who received his Economics degree in 2011 from Hampden-Sydney College. In 2013, he took over ownership of small, but growing baseball academy in Midlothian and has since turned RISE Baseball into one of the premier academies in central Virginia. Chris and his staff have trained professional, collegiate and young athletes` of all ages.
In his free time, Chris loves spending time with his wife Heather and son Easton. Much of the great entertainment that the Chili Peppers offer is inspired by his love for a fun and family-friendly atmosphere and Chris knows it’s not just baseball, but great food, drinks and fan engagement that will make the Tri-Cities Chili Pepper fans for life.
Rob Perez
Vice-President Staffing & Operations
rob@chilipeppersbaseball.com
Rob joined the Chili Peppers in 2022 after working in entertainment talent management and higher education. During his time with the team, Rob has worked with operations, merchandise, staff recruitment and hiring, community appearances, ticketing, and sponsorships. As Vice-President Rob oversees the CPL collegiate experience, staff hiring, payroll, merchandise, cosmic tour travel logistics, and meeting with prospective cosmic tour host sites.
First Season with Peppers: 2022
Hometown: La Porte, IN
Favorite Athlete Growing Up: Ryne Sandberg & Andre Dawson
Walk-Up Song: Iron Man by Black Sabbath
Dustin Saunders
General Manager
saunders@chilipeppersbaseball.com
Dustin earned his bachelor’s degree in sports management from Central Methodist University. Before joining the Tri-City Chili Peppers he worked for the Lansing Lugnuts as Director of Stadium Operations, Daytona Tortugas as Stadium Operations and Grounds Manager, South Bend Cubs as Stadium Operations Assistant and Operations and Events Manager at the University of Notre Dame. And many roles for the South Bend Silver Hawks and South Bend White Sox. Dustin brings over 17 years of minor league baseball experience and 15 years of Event Operations to the role of General Manager. Dustin is married to his beautiful wife Heather as is the father of 8 wonderful kids.
First Season with Peppers: 2026
Hometown: South Bend, IN
Favorite Athlete Growing Up: Michael Jordan
Walk-Up Song: Livin on a Prayer Bon Jovi
Eleanor Brickson
On-Field Host and Fan Engagement Coordinator
Bio Coming Soon!!
First Season with the Peppers: 2026
Hometown:
Favorite Athlete Growing Up:
Walk-Up Song:
Daniel Robins
Director of Operations and Food and Beverage
drobins@chilipeppersbaseball.com
Bio Coming Soon!!
First Season with the Peppers: 2026
Hometown:
Favorite Athlete Growing Up:
Walk-Up Song:
Alexis Fetzer
Director of Marketing and Entertainment
Bio Coming Soon!!
First Season with Peppers: 2026
Hometown:
Favorite Athlete Growing Up:
Walk-Up Song:
James Jackson
Director of Group Sales and Special Events
Bio Coming Soon!!
First Season with Peppers: 2026
Hometown:
Favorite Athlete Growing Up:
Walk-Up Song:
Cole Pegram
Office Manager
cole@chilipeppersbaseball.com
Cole joined the Peppers in December 2025 as the office manager. He previously worked at Taekwondo America of Richmond where he was the assistant program director for 3 years, before taking the next leap in his career to work with the Peppers. He is a native of Virginia and graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University in May of 2025 with a degree in marketing.
First Season with Peppers: 2025
Hometown: Glen Allen, VA
Favorite Athlete Growing Up: Max Scherzer
Walk-Up Song: Apparently by J. Cole
Chili Peppers coaches
James Bierlein
Field Manager (Head Coach)
james@chilipeppersbaseball.com
James Bierlein comes to Colonial Heights from Chesterfield, VA where he attended Matoaca High School. James started coaching the Chilipeppers in 2022. He grew up here with his brother Bryan and Kevin, and parents Jim and Eileen. He still lives in Chesterfield now with his wife Sarah and son Cooper. At Randolph Macon College, Bierlein was a Utility player where he pitched, played infield, and outfield. Bierlein was also part of 2 conference championships at R-MC in 2008 and 2011. After college, Bierlein pitched for 4 years in professional independent baseball and was a back-end bullpen reliever. In 2013, he was with the Schaumburg Boomers and won the Frontier League Championship; Bierlein finished his professional career with the Southern Illinois Miners in the Frontier League. Bierlein has been coaching since he stopped playing professionally at the end of 2014 and is the Director of Baseball Operations at RISE Baseball.
