EAST WINDSOR, N.J. ― New Jersey Youth Soccer announced Monday that Vinny Farina has joined its staff as the new project manager of operations.

Farina will provide strategic leadership to NJYS events and overall marketing efforts.

“On behalf of everyone at New Jersey Youth Soccer, we are very excited to welcome Vinny Farina onto our staff,” NJYS president Evelyn Gill said in a statement. “Vinny has been an instrumental member of the youth soccer community in New Jersey for quite some time, and he brings a level of expertise that will enable us to continue in our strong developmental efforts. We look forward to what the future holds with Vinny on our team.”

As the project manager of operations, Farina will apply various strategies in the implementation of NJYS and US Youth Soccer initiatives, with his approach focusing on the enhancement of on[ and off-field experiences for players and coaches. He also will help in leading major events for the organization, while also working directly with key sponsors and partners.

“I am excited to join New Jersey Youth Soccer,” Farina in a press release. “The state has a vision and is forming a strategy to really pursue high standards of excellence within everything that it pursues for the clubs, teams and players. Branding is critical and requires constant attention. I am looking forward to being part of the team that enhances all of the great programs and offerings through New Jersey Youth Soccer.”

Farina has served as an active board member and Coach for Millstone United Travel Soccer for severalyears. He holds a USSF D License and having completed La Liga’s Methodology Level 2 Training. Besides his soccer background, Farina brings more than 20 years of experience in the healthcare industry as a project manager in the revenue cycle space. In that position, he focused on process improvement engagements while serving the provider and payer communities.

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.