Our Team
Vin Baker
Vin Baker is the founder of both Bouncing Back Foundation and Vin Baker Recovery. Vin is a 4-Time NBA All Star, Olympic Gold Medalist, NBA Championship Assistant Coach for the Milwaukee Bucks, and a Sobriety Advocate.
He is one of the NBA’s most unique and inspiring redemption stories. He was the Milwaukee Bucks’ first-round draft pick in 1993 and went on to win Olympic Gold in 2000, but alcoholism and addiction derailed his career. Now, he's lived a sober life for over a decade, and has been a leader in efforts to treat, educate, and motivate those who are most endangered by addiction. Vin's mission of combatting substance use disorder and lifting the stigmas around addiction ensures that treatment reaches all people suffering from addiction fairly and with dignity.
Vin is a graduate of the University of Hartford in West Hartford, CT. He currently lives and works in Milwaukee, WI.
RJ BUNCH
As the foundation’s Executive Director, R.J. leads the day-to-day operations of Bouncing Back with a strong vision and tireless work ethic. An Old Saybrook, CT native and lifelong friend of Vin Baker, R.J. is a key player in all facets of Vin’s off the court interests providing vital support services – both practical and personal.
A successful small business owner, he founded R.J. Bunch Enterprises which owned and operated five Connecticut based floor care centers selling the entire line of high end Oreck and Miele vacuum cleaners. His lengthy track record of general management, handling all facets of the business from purchasing and operations through sales and marketing, prepared him well for the many hats worn by nonprofit executives. Specifically, his experience managing multiple budgets with full P&L accountability through economic ups and downs, made him the ideal candidate to take the helm of the foundation and coordinate the efforts of its professional and volunteer staff.
R.J. is a graduate of Central Connecticut State College who resides in Guilford, CT with his wife and young daughter.
DAVID GOLDBERG
David is a partner at G. Pirozzi Consulting, a niche consultancy that, under his leadership, has evolved from a tiny legal marketing powerhouse into a "nouveau mom and pop" solutions provider. With a concentration on sports and entertainment, he has been GPC's dedicated consultant to a roster of diverse clients including Meteor 17, Ripken Baseball and Cal Ripken Jr., Kevin Atlas, National Basketball Retired Players Association, Wingman 63, E-Title, International Basketball Marketing Group, The Safe Center LI, Maxie Media, and many others.
Previously, he led the marketing function at Foot Locker and Taubman Centers.
In addition to his work with Bouncing Back, David serves on the boards of Fathers Incorporated, What Better Looks Like, and The Calvin E. Ramsey Awards and is active in multiple charitable and civic endeavors. He has authored/ghost-authored six books and has been a part of multiple film productions including serving as Associate Producer on the critically-acclaimed 2020 documentary Jump Shot: The Kenny Sailors Story and as Producer on Holy Moses, a documentary feature due out in 2021.
The father of two lives on Long Island with his wife and dog and immerses himself in basketball, baseball, track and field, and baton twirling.
EDWARD LAWSON, J.D., M.B.A.
Ed is a committed change agent and transformative leader with over 20 years of direct service, public affairs, advocacy and executive management in Federal government, Not-For-Profit and Education sectors. He has continually provided technical assistance, capacity building, and consulting, to help local and national organizations construct and implement child and family-strengthening programs by evolving strategic plans into workable solutions with a laser focus on key operational targets and goals.
A two-time basketball captain at Manhattan College where he earned his B.S. and M.B.A, Ed is still the Jaspers’ all-time career assist leader and was also a 1,000-point scorer. He was honored with induction into the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame. He earned his J.D. from University of Virginia.
He is the founder and President of Family and Community Engagement Services Inc. and serves as an adjunct faculty member at SUNY New Paltz. The father of two, Ed is a native of Jersey City, NJ, and currently lives in Newburgh, NY with his wife.
Stephen Garrow
Steve is the Managing Partner of Rushmore Associates, a family wealth management firm based in New York City that specializes in alternative investments, and business development and oversight. He is founder of Esports Tech Invest, a gaming conference event and investment company, where he acts as advisor and consultant to investor and gaming groups.
A graduate of Amherst College, Steve received his MBA in finance from NYU's Stern School of Business where he serves as Entrepreneur-in-Residence in the Berkley Innovation Lab and runs innovation seminars. Steve serves on the advisory boards of Prosperity Candle, a group creating opportunities for women artisans and refugees, and The Center for Community Engagement in Amherst, MA. In 2005, Steve and his wife Rima launched Rushmore House - a non-profit organization providing college scholarship opportunities - that has currently assisted over 80 well deserved students.
Steve lives just outside of New York City where he continues to play ice hockey without hurting others, makes valiant attempts at improving his jazz piano, and makes a risotto che i romani ne sono innamorato.
