Dr. Leigh Byron, Executive Director

Dr. Leigh Byron is the first executive director of the Starfinder Foundation. His leadership experiences include superintendent of schools, headmaster, director, and principal in prestigious and diverse public, independent, and charter educational institutions.

Dr. Byron’s interests and skills in program design, development, and enhancement in organizations serving children, coupled with his extensive background in fund and facility development and resource optimization, will heighten and accelerate Starfinder’s actions in developing leadership, character, and positive attitudes through soccer.

He earned a doctorate and master’s degree from Columbia University; another master’s degree was received at Long Island University; the bachelor’s degree was awarded by SUNY Stony Brook.

His three daughters are active soccer players, and possess many other wonderful traits.

Julian Dorsey, Program Director

I was born and raised in Coatesville, Pennsylvania by my mother Robin Dorsey. She worked very hard to provide my sister and me with opportunities to better ourselves. I started playing soccer, and with the help of some friends who are like family, I was able to build the skills that are the foundation of my career.

I earned a scholarship to Loyola College in Maryland, where I obtained my degree in Elementary Education and my certification in Special Education. After graduating from Loyola, I played professional soccer for 9 years with several different clubs, including the Delaware Wizards, the Hershey Wildcats, the Connecticut Wolves, the Reading Rage, and the Harrisburg City Islanders.

While pursuing my professional soccer career, I worked at Wordsworth Academy, an alternative educational school for children with emotional and behavioral needs. I started in 1999 as a teacher and I became the Special Education Coordinator in 2001. I was promoted to the director position in 2003. Additionally, I have coached soccer at the premiere club level in Central Pennsylvania since 1999.

In 2006, I started the JT Dorsey Foundation in order to help at-risk youth develop their soccer skills and promote educational and physical wellness. It was through this endeavor that reunited me with Tony Williams, whom I knew from the professional soccer ranks. I now work with him at the Starfinder Foundation to help children develop a love of soccer, promote the importance of education, and assist the kids in building character and leadership skills.

Billy Gallagher, Urban Promise Coordinator

I started working with Starfinder in July 2006 as the Urban Promise Coordinator. I am 26 years old and originally from Belfast Northern Ireland. When I started playing soccer competitively at 8 years old, I met Tony Williams at his original camp in Belfast, and I played for and captained one of his UK select team for 4 years. I traveled all over Europe and Britain with Tony and had an amazing experience that I will never forget. I played with the Bangor FC and Glentoran FC Youth teams in Northern Ireland. I came to the US in 2003 as a student attending Irvine Valley College in California, winning a National championship with the soccer team. I then moved to Westmont College (NAIA) in Santa Barbara on a soccer scholarship graduating in May 2006 with a Bachelors degree in Business and Economics.

Coaching Qualifications: UEFA 'B' license and USSF National 'D' license

Bob Kozlowski, Soccer Public Relations

Bob "Koz" Kozlowski is in charge of Starfinder's soccer public relations. He comes to Starfinder having served as the Community Recreation Leader for the Philadelphia Department of Recreation for thirty-eight years and the Chairman for the PDR Outdoor Soccer League for nineteen years. He has also served as the Registrar and Director of Public Relations for the PDR Outdoor and Indoor Leagues as well as the PDR Soccer Liaison, where he coordinated events and programs with EPYSA, professional teams, businesses, foundations, and others. He serves as a Trustee on the board of the Philadelphia Oldtimers Soccer Association (and is a member of their Hall of Fame!), is an NCAA high school and youth soccer referee, and serves as the Program Coordinator for the PDR Inner City Soccer Camp. Additionally, Koz taught English and Business courses at Father Judge High School in Philadelphia for thirty-six years. He has a B.S. in Marketing with a minor in Economics from LaSalle University.

Tony Williams, President

The vision of Starfinder really began when Tony Williams traveled from his home city of Liverpool, England on a ferry to Belfast, Northern Ireland. Armed with a sack of soccer balls over his shoulder, he had a burning desire to make a difference in the lives of young players. Unable to afford a car, Tony traveled by taxi to nine elementary schools throughout the city of Belfast recruiting children to attend a weeklong soccer school.

For the next ten years, Tony worked on youth development programs for professional soccer clubs in England. Today, many of the children Tony coached are now playing as top professional and full international players.

During this time, Tony was funded by the Northern Ireland Office to bring Catholics and Protestants together through soccer and brought forty-eight underprivileged children to participate in soccer tournaments in Florida. After witnessing the soccer explosion and realizing the potential for developmental impact, Tony moved to the United States in 1996.

Over the last six years Tony has strived to understand the needs at every level of the game, from creating a "Big Fun Soccer Nursery" for three-year-old children to becoming a national scout for the United States Soccer Federation and being invited to accompany the Men's National Team during their World Cup preparations.

It was through these experiences that Tony recognized the need for soccer programs in the inner cities and how such programs could enhance the character and academic development of the participants as well.