Meet our Leadership
Get to know the talented individuals who make up the Riptides Futbol Club.
"Integrity is the heart and the very essence of each Navy Core Value, but more importantly, it is the foundation on which every aspect of submarine operations is built. Integrity must be the standard instilled within the innermost heart of every man who takes a submarine to the uttermost depths of the sea." – From the essay on Submarine Sailor Integrity
Jeremy P. Messier
Jeremy Messier, President and Founder of Riptides FC, brings disciplined military leadership and a profound commitment to personal growth through soccer. A 10-year U.S. Navy veteran, he served as a Fire Control Technician aboard the USS Philadelphia (SSN-690) and USS Annapolis (SSN-760). As part of the Weapons Department, he managed ship safety, weapons deployment, and tactical operations. He led teams to maintain 100% system efficiency under pressure in high-stakes settings, including Mediterranean deployments where the submarines executed vital surveillance and support missions amid geopolitical tensions. Extending his leadership from naval operations to ground support, he commanded the Garrison Support Unit in 2006 during the fierce Battle of Ramadi (one of the Iraq War’s deadliest urban conflicts, marked by relentless insurgent IEDs, sniper fire, and ambushes in the heart of Al Anbar Province). There, Jeremy orchestrated critical logistics and security operations. He consulted with and trained the Iraqi Army to boost their tactical capabilities while ensuring unbroken supply lines and safe havens for coalition forces under constant threat. His efforts exemplified endurance and excellence. They fostered local partnerships that stabilized the region and paved the way for the Anbar Awakening. This mission-critical foundation sharpened his expertise in building cohesive, high-performing teams. These skills directly drive Riptides FC’s pursuit of excellence, unity, and perseverance.
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Post-military, Jeremy progressed from Systems Engineer (testing and deploying the 4G network) to consultant, designing enterprise networks for diverse clients. As a government contractor for the Naval Undersea Warfare Center in Rhode Island, he served as a Network and Systems Computer Engineer. There, he maintained and enhanced secret-level systems, enforced and refined NSA/NIST security protocols, and customized industry standards for specialized environments. Leveraging this expertise, he founded and led an innovative IT firm. He developed tailored solutions in services, cybersecurity, and infrastructure. He drove strategic growth, managed complex risks, and built resilient operations. These abilities benefit Riptides FC through efficient resource management, adaptive governance, and a culture of accountability for long-term success.
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Jeremy’s veteran leadership embodies Riptides FC’s core values of Honor, Courage, and Integrity, forged in naval operations and proven in executive roles. He instills resilience, accountability, and determination, creating an environment where adults escape daily pressures to rediscover joy, camaraderie, and purpose through the beautiful game. His approach fosters an inclusive culture prioritizing player welfare, operational excellence, and community engagement. It empowers individuals on the field, in the community, and in life. As a passionate soccer enthusiast, Jeremy established Riptides FC to empower players of all backgrounds through competition, mentorship, and service. Merging military discipline with the passion of the game, he is dedicated to positioning the club as a leading example of integrity and excellence. He develops skilled athletes into strong leaders who strengthen families, inspire generations, and rise with the tide.
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Beyond the club, Jeremy remains actively involved in youth soccer. He coaches a team in the New England Club Soccer League (NECSL) and volunteers as a middle school coach in the Catholic Athletic League (CAL). He also contributes to Massachusetts Youth Soccer, Soccer Rhode Island, and U.S. Soccer, advancing the sport at local, state, and national levels. He champions professional soccer as a dedicated supporter of Rhode Island FC (RIFC). As a lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), he supports veterans’ causes with the same unwavering commitment he brings to soccer and community building.
Dr. Christopher M. Baker
Dr. Christopher M. Baker serves on the board of Riptides FC, lending strategic oversight and governance expertise honed over two decades in high-stakes biopharmaceutical leadership. He guides risk management, data-driven decision-making, and cross-functional collaboration to strengthen club policies, ensure operational integrity, and support sustainable growth in player development, team performance, and community impact.
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Dr. Baker previously served as Corporate Quality Stability Specialist, where he pioneered stability and regulatory data integration for clinical and commercial programs—transferable skills that inform rigorous performance metrics, safety protocols, and program evaluation in youth and competitive soccer. As Adjunct Assistant Professor at Brown University, he educated emerging scientists and published groundbreaking research on polymer science, drug and gene delivery, and controlled-release systems in journals such as Polymer and the Journal of Controlled Release. An inventor in polymer-based drug delivery and material science, he has shaped industry quality governance through innovative models, now advising on training innovation, equipment standards, and long-term club strategy.
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His foundational discipline stems from honorable service in the U.S. Navy’s Nuclear Power Program aboard the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69), where he operated and supervised reactor control systems under extreme pressure—instilling standards of safety, teamwork, and precision that enhance board-level oversight of match operations, infrastructure resilience, and organizational excellence. Dr. Baker holds a Ph.D., Sc.M., and Sc.B. in Biotechnology from Brown University, plus an A.S. from the Community College of Rhode Island.
An active member of Sigma Xi and the Controlled Release Society, he contributes to the Boy Scouts of America, American Legion, and Disabled American Veterans.
Raymond Penyak II
Raymond Penyak II, Treasurer of the Board of Directors for Riptides FC, brings a rare blend of elite military precision, selfless community service, and federal-level financial expertise to guide the club’s growth and sustainability.
As a U.S. Navy Sonar Technician, Raymond commanded acoustic operations aboard the USS Connecticut (SSN-22), USS Seawolf (SSN-21), and USS Buffalo (SSN-715) — three of the Navy’s most advanced attack submarines. Leading the sonar division and weapons department, he enabled over 1,200 hours of under-ice Arctic operations, extended Western Pacific patrols, NATO exercises, and 11 multinational missions across six allied nations. His real-time intelligence ensured safe navigation in extreme environments, enabled covert SEAL insertions, and delivered flawless targeting execution, earning Meritorious Unit Commendations, Navy Unit Commendations, and Battle “E” awards for operational dominance.
Beyond the sea, Raymond served his community as a volunteer firefighter, responding to emergencies with the same calm under pressure honed in submarine damage control drills. He founded a 501(c)(3) nonprofit for his local fire department, securing federal and private grants that funded new equipment, training, and facility upgrades. A lifetime member of the DAV and VFW, he continues to champion veterans through advocacy and support — Values he now instills in Riptides FC.
After the Navy, Raymond applied his precision at Bizerba USA, ensuring legal compliance and quality assurance in global weighing systems, then advanced to the U.S. Department of Commerce, where he manages budget analysis and congressional funding requests within a $10 billion portfolio. His expertise in regulatory compliance, grant acquisition, and fiscal strategy — proven across submarines, firehouses, and federal offices — now safeguards Riptides FC’s financial future.
As Treasurer, Raymond operates with Navy-grade discipline, firefighter readiness, and veteran integrity. He ensures transparent budgeting, sustainable growth, and strategic resource allocation, turning every dollar into life-changing opportunities for young players. Under his stewardship, Riptides FC doesn’t just play the game — it wins with purpose.