Leadership

Michael Thompson

Founder & President

Michael “Juice” Thompson, founder and president of the Juice Hoops Foundation, is a retired professional basketball player whose distinguished 12-year career spanned three continents: Europe, Asia, and Africa. A four-year starter and record holder at Northwestern University, Michael earned numerous accolades throughout his professional career, including nine championships, multiple all-star selections, a scoring title, and a range of brand partnerships.

Today, he continues to share his expertise as the head basketball trainer for his Juice Hoops training academy, where he develops the talents of amateur and professional players. Beyond his success on the court, Michael’s greatest pride comes from being a father to two sons, one of whom has been diagnosed with Autism. This personal experience fueled his passion for making a positive impact, driving him to establish the Juice Hoops Foundation.

Navarro Thompson

Vice President

With over 20 years of dedicated community experience, Navarro brings a wealth of knowledge and skills to the Juice Hoops Foundation, where he spearheads initiatives to leverage the strengths and expertise within the Foundation’s network. He works closely with the executive team to drive growth, expand programs, and ensure the successful execution of the Foundation's mission

Navarro holds a bachelor’s degree in Exercise and Sports Science with a concentration in Sports Management from Carthage College, where he was a four-year letterman on the men’s basketball team. Before joining Juice Hoops, Navarro spent 15 years as a basketball skills trainer for youth, college, and professional athletes. He currently serves as a sports agent and Head of Women’s Basketball at Marc Global Sports & Entertainment, where he manages professional basketball athletes in the WNBA, Europe, Asia, and Latin America.

Jesse Omenazu

Chief Governance Officer

Jesse Omenazu serves as the Chief Governance Officer of the Juice Hoops Foundation, leveraging his 22 years of volunteer experience to guide our efforts in ensuring the Foundation consistently upholds effective governance practices aligned with its mission. For the past five years, he has also served on the Chicago Park District's Pendleton Park Advisory Council, contributing to community engagement and development.

Additionally, Jesse is a seasoned mechanical engineer in the aviation industry, bringing over 20 years of engineering experience to his role. He holds degrees from Southern Illinois University Carbondale and the University of Illinois Chicago, equipping him with a strong foundation in engineering principles. Alongside his engineering career, Jesse has cultivated a successful parallel path in the music industry, where he has spent over two decades as an artist, producer, and songwriter.

Billy Cross II

Chief Financial Officer

In his role as CFO, Billy oversees compliance with financial regulations, manages cash flow, and communicates value and risk to investors and board members. A graduate of Northern Illinois University (NIU) with a degree in Psychology, Billy is also a proud member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

Prior to joining the Foundation, Billy worked as equipment manager for the Northwestern University Men's Basketball team and later pursued his passion for the culinary arts, becoming a pastry chef. He is the owner of two successful businesses, ‘Billy The Baker Pastry’ and ‘Oak and English Catering.’ Outside of his professional life, Billy is a dedicated family man, married to Leslie Cross, with three sons: Tripp, Beck, and Brae. His diverse expertise and dedication have made him a valuable contributor to the nonprofit sector.

Terrell Perry

Senior Vice President of Finance

Terrell brings 14 years of experience in the financial sector to his role as Senior Vice President of Finance at the Foundation. He oversees key financial areas, including financial reporting and the implementation of financial strategies. Currently, Terrell also serves as a manager at Wintrust Financial Corporation, where he continues to enhance his expertise in financial management.

Passionate about empowering individuals both in finance and the community, Terrell has dedicated many years to working with children, helping them build basketball skills, conducting workshops on credit building and financial literacy in collaboration with the Rogers Park Chamber of Commerce. Outside of his professional pursuits, Terrell enjoys spending quality time with his wife and two children, aged 9 and 16, and traveling the world during his free time.

Advisory Board