Deke Saffery
President A native of Maui, Deke Saffery is the chairman of the Las Vegas Gay Athletics Arts and Activities Volleyball League, which started in Fall 2009. Deke is committed to expanding and building the gay volleyball community in Las Vegas.Deke’s passion for the sport started at the age of 12 while growing up in Hawaii. Ever since first being introduced to volleyball, his eagerness and commitment to the sport has grown. Deke has played volleyball at various levels both competitively and recreationally. He has also coached high school and club programs in both Hawaii and Nevada.
Deke is currently a professional educator, residing with his partner and 2 dogs in North Las Vegas.
Frederick Balduini MD
Vice President A native of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Dr. Balduini had practiced the specialty of Orthopaedic surgery and sports medicine for nearly thirty (30) years. He attended college and medical school at the University of New Mexico prior to doing his residency in Orthopaedics. He then completed a fellowship in sports medicine in Philadelphia where he practiced for the next 27 years, first at the University of Pennsylvania where he was team physician for all intercollegiate athletic teams and then in private practice as the founder of South Jersey Sports Medicine.Dr. Balduini has published many articles, chapters and has written a book on synthetic ligaments of the knee. In addition he has a web based curriculum for family physicians on the diagnosis and treatment of common Orthopaedic conditions.
Dr. Balduini has membership in the AAOS, AANA, AOSSM, AOA, and the Cum Laude society. His awards include the Khatali Award for distinguished medical alumni of the University of New Mexico, the Alumnus of the Year award from his high school, the Joseph Torg award for contributions to sports medicine and the Philadelphia magazine “Top Doc” award for sports medicine for eight consecutive years.
Board appointments include the Albuquerque Academy, Graduate Hospital, NAGVA, and the Walnut Street Theater. Dr. Balduini has also served as commissioner of the CBLSL softball league in Philadelphia. He is fluent in Spanish and enjoys finish carpentry and woodworking.
Robert Sylva
Vice President Born and raised in the beautiful islands of Hawaii, Robert grew up on the western coast of Oahu in a town called Waianae. Robert has played volleyball since his youth. He says that he "lives, breathes, and loves the sport of volleyball". It has been his passion and success from adolescence on. Las Vegas became Robert's home away from the islands in 2003-2005 until he returned to Hawaii from 2005-2009 when he once again entered the competitive side of volleyball. Finding himself once again in Las Vegas, Robert hopes to serve the Las Vegas LGBT community. He looks forward to helping make Las Vegas volleyball fun, unique and motivating.Rigel Painter
Vice President Rigel Painter, a product of Hawaii, began his volleyball journey at a young age, playing for the Kamali'i Manaloa Club and Hawaii Volleyball Academy, giving him the opportunity to compete in 5 different Junior Olympics throughout the country. He then went on to compete at the Division I level, as a setter, for the University of the Pacific in Stockton, California. Soon after college, he found himself in New York City and was introduced to the Gotham City Leauge along with NAGVA. He is currently a resident of Las Vegas and is an active member of the local gay volleyball scene. Rigel is looking forward to growing the sport of volleyball here in Sin City, which to him, has always been more than just a sport, but a lifestyle.Planning Committee Members
Frankie Fernandez
Program & GraphicsRobert Graff
TransportationMichael Tapia
Event PlanningMichael McKee
Event Planning Born in Ohio, Michael has also lived in Alabama, California, New York, Pennsylvania, Florida and now Nevada. He attended the University of Alabama and has been a member of Actors Equity Association for 30 years. Michael has performed on Broadway, in videos and on television variety shows. He is also a proud Hula Hoop Champion. Michael has been involved with NAGVA for many years. He was the Entertainment Director for NAGVA’s 15th Anniversary in Philadelphia.Michael is a decorative painter and enjoys spending time with his two whippets named Gianni and Sophia. Overall, Michael is most proud of the 21-year relationship he has shared with his life partner Fred.
