Eric Avila
Land O Lakes ,FL
Summary
Sports industry professional with direct experience working with professional athletes, team personnel, and celebrities through Major League Baseball and sports memorabilia authentication. Proven ability to build trusted relationships, manage sensitive and high-profile interactions, support athlete signing events, and coordinate across multiple stakeholders in fast-paced environments. Brings extensive leadership, investigative, event, and customer-service experience with a reputation for discretion, professionalism, adaptability, and attention to detail.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
Game Compliance Investigator
Major League Baseball
St. Petersburg, FL
02.2022 - Current
- Serve as a trusted on-site liaison between Major League Baseball, professional athletes, team personnel, and club leadership, communicating directly with stakeholders regarding sensitive league and compliance matters.
- Build and maintain professional relationships with MLB players and team personnel while addressing confidential and high-profile matters requiring exceptional discretion and sound judgment in matters that affect the integrity of the game.
- Conduct comprehensive and discreet investigations involving MLB clubs and players while maintaining professionalism, confidentiality, and strong working relationships.
- Prepared reports outlining the facts found during investigations, which are submitted to MLB Commissioner's Office.
- Deliver in-person training and presentations to professional athletes and team personnel regarding league policies, compliance requirements, and rule changes.
Trade Show Event Authenticator
James Spence Authentication (JSA)
Sarasota, FL
03.2026 - Current
- Support athlete and celebrity autograph signings at major sports collectible shows, private signings, and public events.
- Work directly with athletes, celebrities, event personnel, dealers, collectors, and customers to facilitate efficient signing and authentication operations.
- Witness and authenticate athlete and celebrity autographs while maintaining accuracy, professionalism, and strict authentication standards.
- Assist with event logistics and product flow in fast-paced environments while adapting to changing schedules and operational requirements.
- Complete detailed post-event reporting, data entry, inventory/accountability functions, and customer-facing follow-up.
- Represent JSA/CGC professionally during high-profile events and interactions with athletes, celebrities, industry partners, and customers.
ATF Task Force Officer / Police Detective
City Of San Mateo
San Mateo, CA
09.2007 - 02.2022
- Led complex, high-profile investigations requiring exceptional discretion, professionalism, sound judgment, and the ability to build trusted relationships with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
- Served as a key liaison among federal, state, and local agencies, coordinating multiple stakeholders and maintaining clear communication throughout complex, time-sensitive operations.
- Conducted extensive interviews and developed rapport in sensitive and high-pressure situations, adapting communication styles to different personalities, circumstances, and audiences.
- Managed multiple investigations, operational priorities, deadlines, and logistical requirements in rapidly changing environments.
- Prepared detailed reports, maintained sensitive records, and ensured accurate documentation while adhering to strict organizational and legal requirements.
- Briefed ATF and law enforcement leadership on sensitive investigations, operational strategies, emerging issues, and recommended courses of action.
Customer Service & Technical Support Manager
Sony Computer Entertainment America
Foster City, CA
08.2005 - 09.2007
- Responsible for full-time management of a customer service call center and technical support staff of nearly eighty in-house employees and an additional three hundred outsourced team members.
- Conducted regular and detailed inventory of high-valued products such as PlayStation consoles and media. Developed tracking spreadsheets to better manage inventory and reduce theft.
- Trained and regularly mentored staff on performance-oriented strategies and customer service techniques to exceed service goals.
- Collaborated with the executive level management to improve customer service processes and support structures company-wide.
Customer Service Manager
Blizzard Entertainment
Irvine, CA
02.2003 - 08.2005
- Oversaw day-to-day operations of a customer service call center with an annual budget exceeding $5 million. Recruiting, training, and ongoing development of a staff of 375+ in-house customer service representatives.
- Managed support operations across France, South Korea, and China.
- Coordinate with senior management and lateral department heads to develop and maintain the industry's best customer service and satisfaction measurables.
Education
Administration of Justice - Criminal Justice
College of San Mateo
San Mateo, CA09.2007
Business Management -
University of Central Florida
Orlando, FL06.2000
Skills
- Professionalism & Discretion
- Written & Verbal Communication
- Athlete & Talent Relations
- Time Management & Prioritization
- Relationship & Stakeholder Management
- Sports Memorabilia & Authentication
- Event Logistics & Coordination
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Customer & Fan Experience
Accomplishments
- 2020 –Service Award for Northern CA – Awarded to top investigator in region.
- 2020 - ATF Distinguished Service Award from SAC Roundtree for outstanding investigative accomplishments
- 2020 – Distinguished Service from US Congresswoman Jackie Spears
- Four time Chief/Captain Commendation recipient for outstanding work and investigations.
Timeline
Trade Show Event Authenticator
James Spence Authentication (JSA)
03.2026 - Current
Game Compliance Investigator
Major League Baseball
02.2022 - Current
ATF Task Force Officer / Police Detective
City Of San Mateo
09.2007 - 02.2022
Customer Service & Technical Support Manager
Sony Computer Entertainment America
08.2005 - 09.2007
Customer Service Manager
Blizzard Entertainment
02.2003 - 08.2005
Administration of Justice - Criminal Justice
College of San Mateo
Business Management -
University of Central Florida