Our Leadership Team

Vince Cautero is the Founder and Managing Partner of Aurora Search Group, which was launched in 2023. With over 25 years of experience in recruiting and advisory roles, he has a strong background in executive search, including 12 years dedicated to retained executive search and nine years as a principal leading operations and talent acquisition. Vince has successfully closed numerous C-suite searches for Private Equity and Venture Capital groups, as well as multi-million-dollar organizations across North America. His previous experience as a Division I basketball coach, where he participated in six NCAA Tournaments and coached 12 future NBA players, continues to influence his performance-driven approach to executive consulting and leadership evaluation.

Deb Weinreich is an award-winning communications executive with over 20 years of leadership experience in professional and collegiate sports, media & entertainment, and the nonprofit sector. She specializes in executive consulting, having built and elevated brands for professional athletes, sports properties, and growth-focused organizations through strategic media, sponsorship, and communications initiatives. With deep industry relationships and an editorial background as a sports journalist, Deb brings brand strategy expertise and trusted access that enhance Aurora Search Group’s Sports & Entertainment platform, particularly in talent acquisition for top-tier executives.

Dr. Rich Petriccione has spent more than three decades shaping leadership and fundraising strategy across Division I athletics, higher education, healthcare, and national sports initiatives. A former NCAA Division I Athletics Director and Senior Vice President of the NY/NJ Super Bowl Host Committee, Rich has led transformational advancement and community impact efforts for major institutions. He provides executive consulting to universities and sports organizations, focusing on executive leadership, philanthropic growth, and strategic positioning. At Aurora Search Group, Rich leverages his expertise in executive search and talent acquisition, bringing national relationships and deep institutional credibility across the collegiate and professional sports landscape.

Antonio “Tony” Lopes is a brand strategist and creative executive whose work spans sports, enterprise marketing, and growth-stage advisory. As the founder of TILT Communications and Seven Swords Media, he has guided organizations in aligning brand strategy, cultural engagement, and market positioning. A former Division I athlete with experience in executive search and talent acquisition, Tony brings unique insight into how leadership, culture, and narrative intersect. At Aurora Search Group, he contributes his strategic brand advisory expertise to enhance executive positioning within the evolving Sports & Entertainment landscape, focusing on effective executive consulting.

Quincey “Q” Gamble is a former award-winning Division I basketball player and senior public affairs leader with experience in executive consulting at the national level. As Executive Director of the Maryland Democratic Party and a former White House advisor, he has operated in complex, high-visibility environments requiring strategic judgment and alignment among stakeholders. His background across professional sports, intercollegiate athletics, and government affairs provides Aurora Search Group with an informed perspective on talent acquisition and leadership operating at the intersection of sport, policy, and institutional influence.

Joe is a senior commercial and partnerships leader with more than 20 years of experience across entertainment, sports, and media. He has successfully led Billboard’s $60M+ global sales organization to record performance and has played a key role in Marvel’s evolution into an industry-defining entertainment brand. His extensive background includes roles with the New York Mets, Brooklyn Nets, and Florida State University Athletics, backed by a robust network that spans ESPN, senior entertainment executives, and leadership across professional and collegiate sports. Additionally, Joe's expertise in executive consulting and talent acquisition has made him a valuable asset in the field of executive search.

Marco is the Head of Operations for the WIN Sports Agency in Rome, Italy. A FIBA-certified agent since 2018, he is also accredited by the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) and the Italian Basketball Federation (FIP). As the creator of the WIN Agency brand, Marco has negotiated more than 400 contracts across the global professional sports landscape, utilizing his expertise in executive consulting and talent acquisition, built over 20 years in basketball scouting, sports media, and an extensive international network. A former Rome-area player, Marco is fluent in four languages and understands the nuances of executive search in the competitive sports industry.