LEADERSHIP
OUR TEAM OF PROS
A League Of Our Own
At MAVRX Sports Housing, a subsidiary of P.R.O.S. Enterprises, we are proud to be a certified women-owned organization led by a powerhouse team of experts. With extensive experience in the sports industry, real estate, operations, and client service, they lead an award-winning team known for delivering innovative, high-quality housing solutions tailored to elite athletes.
“When I founded the company, I was also creating the blueprint for sports housing as we know it today. I’m so proud of what we’ve built and all the ways we’ve embraced change and pushed boundaries to meet the forever evolving needs of the sports world.”
Nicolette Hawthorne, CCHP
Founder & CEO
Franchise Players
Nicolette Hawthorne
Founder & CEO
Nicolette Hawthorne
Founder & CEO
Nicolette Hawthorne is the founder and CEO of MAVRX Sports Housing (formerly P.R.O.S. Sports Housing)—a certified women-owned business accredited through the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC). With more than 20 years of experience in the corporate housing industry and an extensive background in real estate, Nicolette plays a pivotal role in leading diverse business operations through revenue generation, expansion strategies, public affairs, and business development.
Through Nicolette’s entrepreneurial spirit and visionary leadership, she grew MAVRX into three separate multimillion-dollar enterprises. Based in Phoenix, Arizona, and the first in industry, MAVRX specializes in providing fully furnished, short-term housing solutions for professional athletes nationwide. Working on behalf of sports teams, agencies, and individual players, some of MAVRX’s top clients include WNBA, NBA, NBA's G-League, IFL, USL, ECHL, and Major League Baseball. In 2023, MAVRX received the official designation as the preferred housing provider for Minor League Baseball.
Nicolette’s commitment to designing a culture rooted in service to others, coupled with her passion for giving back and supporting the communities she operates in, led to the creation of Pitch Initiative, a 501(c3) nonprofit dedicated to creating positive change through leveraging the power of sports. The defining pillars of Pitch Initiative are Athlete Philanthropy, Youth Sports Accessibility, Unhoused Aid, and Women’s Empowerment. This approach not only strengthens the brand’s authenticity and reputation but also demonstrates that genuine, impactful initiatives can drive meaningful change while aligning with the long-term success of the business.
In 2022, Nicolette was named Female Entrepreneur of the Year by WISE (Women In Sports & Events) and in 2023, was listed as one of the Top 20 Most Inspiring Women to Look Our For by the NYC Journal. She was also named one of Arizona’s Top 50 Real Estate Professionals in 2024 by AZ Big Media. As a certified Corporate Housing Professional, her company has been listed as one of the fastest growing private US companies four times since 2018 by Inc. 5000 Magazine.
Under Nicolette’s leadership, MAVRX continues to set the standard for excellence through championing values of service, innovation, and community impact. Her unwavering dedication—whether through providing top-tier housing for athletes or driving transformative change through Pitch Initiative—is as a testament to the power of combining business acumen with purpose-driven leadership to create a lasting legacy.
Amber
Ridenhour-
Palmore
President, COO & Partner
Amber Ridenhour-Palmore
President, COO & Partner
Amber Ridenhour-Palmore serves as the President and COO of MAVRX Sports Housing (formerly P.R.O.S. Sports Housing) a subsidiary company of P.R.O.S. Enterprises and certified women-owned business accredited through the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC). With a diverse background in consulting, insurance, and real estate, combined with almost a decade of firsthand experience in the sports world, Amber brings a wealth of industry knowledge and unique insight to her role within the company.Â
Amber received her bachelor’s and master’s degree in business from Western Governors University. She also serves as designated broker for P.R.O.S. Realty—a P.R.O.S. Enterprises real estate company.
Outside of her executive leadership role, Amber is an active member of WISE Arizona (Women In Sports & Events). She also serves on the board of Pitch Initiative, a 501(c3) nonprofit founded and partially funded through MAVRX Sports Housing. Her dedication to empowering female entrepreneurs, championing inclusivity within the sports industry, and giving back to her community, reflects her unwavering commitment to fostering positive change and creating opportunities for the next generation of leaders.Â
Amber serves as the President of MAVRX Sports Housing, (formally P.R.O.S. Sports Housing) a woman-owned company that redefines athlete accommodations and community engagement. With over seven years of experience in the sports industry, she blends her expertise in consulting and insurance with an unwavering passion for providing exceptional service to athletes, teams, and clients. Her leadership reflects a steadfast commitment to innovation, professionalism, and fostering meaningful connections within the sports community.
Amber holds both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Business from Western Governors University. Her professional journey spans more than 15 years and encompasses diverse fields, including consulting, construction, entrepreneurship, bonds and insurance, and extensive real estate experience.
An active member of Women in Sports & Events (WISE) Arizona, Amber also serves on the board of P.I.T.C.H., underscoring her dedication to empowering women and championing inclusivity within the sports industry.
Her passion for athletics was evident from an early age. At just three years old, Amber took to swimming naturally, excelling in backstroke and butterfly techniques. Her competitive spirit continued to flourish as she transitioned to volleyball in junior high and high school, where she shone on the court.
Encouraged by her mother—who humorously noted Amber could have been a natural football player—she embraced a family tradition of exploring both sports and extracurricular activities every season. This philosophy nurtured her love for athletics while instilling discipline, creativity, and an adventurous spirit that continue to define her today.
John
Zimmerman
Vice President
John Zimmerman
Vice President, MAVRX
John Zimmerman is a dynamic and results-driven leader known for transforming challenges into opportunities, underperforming teams into high achievers, and complex operations into streamlined models of efficiency. With a robust background in corporate housing, hotel management, and the broader hospitality industry, John has consistently brought a people-first leadership style to every role—championing growth, innovation, and operational excellence.
Throughout his career, John has worn many hats, each time demonstrating an unwavering commitment to driving performance and cultivating empowered, high-performing teams. His leadership approach is rooted in collaboration, open communication, and a belief in creating a workplace culture where individuals feel trusted, supported, and equipped to succeed.
Specializing in process optimization and profit growth, John brings a sharp, strategic lens to every challenge—whether managing multimillion-dollar budgets, leading customer service operations, or launching new business units. Notably, he successfully built a fully operational call center from the ground up, leading to significant gains in efficiency and customer satisfaction.
John’s leadership philosophy centers on people. Believing that engaged teams produce exceptional outcomes, he has designed and implemented strategic development initiatives, performance evaluations, and tailored training programs that have increased employee satisfaction, reduced turnover, and boosted productivity.
Passionate about solving the unsolvable, John thrives in fast-paced environments where innovation is key. He excels at identifying untapped opportunities, making data-driven decisions, and delivering actionable solutions that improve profitability, enhance customer experiences, and align operations with organizational goals.
Now, John is focused on leveraging his extensive expertise in operations, sales, and service leadership in a forward-thinking organization that values growth, innovation, and a people-centric approach. Whether in hospitality, real estate, or a new industry, he is committed to delivering operational excellence and long-term success.
Starting Lineup
Anttaj (Taj)
Hawthorne
Business Development
Executive & Partner
Anttaj (Taj) Hawthorne
Business Development Executive & Partner
Anattaj “Taj” Hawthorne serves as Partner and Business Development Executive at MAVRX Sports Housing. With a diverse background as an entrepreneur, mentor, former professional football player, husband, and proud girl dad, Taj brings a unique blend of leadership, experience, and passion to the organization.
Taj’s football career began early, earning USA TODAY High School All-American honors in 2000 after standout performances as a varsity player. He continued his athletic journey at the University of Wisconsin, where he became a team leader and standout defensive lineman. During his time at Wisconsin, Taj earned third-team All-American honors and was named All-Big Ten Conference three times.
Drafted by the Oakland Raiders in the sixth round of the 2005 NFL Draft, Taj went on to play in the National Football League (NFL) before transitioning to the Arena Football League (AFL), where he played from 2008 to 2016. His career in professional sports, coupled with his personal experiences, allows him to provide invaluable insight and support to clients and guests of MAVRX.
Taj is also a passionate advocate for mental health, using his platform to raise awareness and support initiatives that promote mental wellness for active players and those transitioning out of the league. His dedication to both mental and physical wellness continues to guide his professional journey and his commitment to uplifting others.
In recognition of his achievements, Taj was inducted into the Hamden Education Foundation Hall of Fame in 2016, a testament to his legacy both on and off the field.
As a former professional athlete, Taj’s firsthand experience has been instrumental in growing MAVRX Sports Housing, where he leverages his leadership skills and industry knowledge to ensure exceptional service for athletes, teams, and clients alike.
Ryan
Cook
Business Development
Executive
Ryan Cook
Business Development Executive
Ryan Cook serves as Sales Development Executive at MAVRX Sports Housing. As a former professional athlete and MLB All-Star, Ryan's career as a pitcher in the majors spanned 10 years. His background as a player and tenure at the University of Southern California, coupled with his post-retirement sales experience in the tech industry, has made him an instrumental part of the executive sales and leadership team.
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Through firsthand experience, Ryan understands the need and intrinsic value of the services offered through MAVRX--a company specializing in sourcing and managing fully furnished, short-term housing for professional athletes. His current role allows him to leverage his industry expertise, diverse professional network, and passion for improving the lives of players to create impactful partnerships and growth opportunities for the organization.
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The exceptional skill, discipline, and leadership demonstrated throughout his impressive career as a professional baseball player has made him an even greater asset off the field.Â
Jessica
Davila
Business Development
Executive
Jessica Davila
Business Development Executive
Jessica Davila is a Partner and Business Development Executive at MAVRX Sports Housing, where she plays a pivotal role in connecting professional and minor league athletes with housing solutions tailored to their unique needs. With a strong background in real estate and client relationship management, Jessica specializes in placing athletes in properties that emphasize privacy, functionality, and convenience—environments that support peak performance, recovery, and overall well-being.
Jessica began her career with MAVRX in 2017, bringing over a decade of prior experience in sales, banking, property management, and insurance. Her achievements, including being named the #1 salesperson in her district at US Bank, reflect her drive and commitment to excellence. As the wife of former Arena Football League quarterback Nick Davila and a lifelong athlete herself, Jessica has a personal connection to the sports world. This perspective, along with raising children active in sports, fuels her empathy and dedication to the athletes and families she serves.
Jessica is an active member of Women in Sports and Events (WISE) Arizona, Latinos in Sports, and a mentor through the ECHL’s Women in Hockey program. Her industry expertise, genuine relationships, and passion for service make her an indispensable part of the MAVRX leadership team and a trusted partner in the sports housing space.
Yolanda
Mendez
Vice President,
People & Culture
Stephanie
Knighton
Senior Director,
Accounting & Finance
Sandra
Draganoiu-
Bowler
Senior Director, Inside Sales &
Client Relations
Susan
Krause
Director, Field Operations
Tyanna
Belser
Director, Property &
Client Relations
Ariana
Bourque
Director, Marketing & PR