At Valley Automotive Group, we take pride in supporting excellence both on and off the track. Introducing the Valley Pro Team – a diverse group of elite athletes sponsored by Valley Automotive Group, embodying the same dedication performance, and drive that we bring to our customers every day. Our team features champions from various sports, including Jeremy Hand, Amy Ruman, Steve Kwan, Adam Fantilli, and Carnell Tate. Explore this page to learn more about these incredible athlete and discover why we say, ” Shop like the Pros.”
Adam Fantilli, born October 12, 2004, is a shining example of resilience and adaptability. A Canadian professional ice hockey center for the Columbus Blue Jackets in the NHL, his career took a strategic turn when he was drafted 18th overall in the 2020 OHL Priority Selection Draft. However, instead of accepting the offer, Fantilli chose to play for the Chicago Steel, a decision that would prove to be a game-changer. With the Steel, he not only excelled but also earned MVP honors in the Clark Cup playoffs and was named to the USHL All-Rookie Second Team and All-USHL First Team, showcasing his ability to adapt and thrive in new environments.
Fantilli committed to the University of Michigan in 2021, debuting in the 2022-23 season and quickly making an impact with multiple awards, including Big Ten Freshman of the Year. He finished his freshman year with 30 goals and 35 assists in 36 games, leading the nation in points and goals, and won the NCAA MVP Hobey Baker Award. On July 1, 2023, he signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Blue Jackets, preceding the rest of his college career. Fantilli made his NHL debut on his 19th birthday and scored his first NHL goal on October 21, 2023. His debut season was cut short by a calf injury, but he still managed 12 goals and 15 assists in 49 games.
Fantilli’s talent extends beyond the NHL. He has represented Canada in various international tournaments, bringing home a bronze medal from the 2020 Winter Youth Olympics and gold medals from the 2023 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships and the 2023 IIHF World Championship. His game-winning goal in the semi-final against Latvia at the World Championship was a defining moment in his career. He was even nominated for the inaugural IIHF Male Player of the Year award, a testament to his global recognition.
Steven Robert Kwan, born on September 5, 1997, is a testament to the power of dedication and hard work. Graduating from Washington High School in Fremont, California, in 2015, he embarked on a journey that would redefine his life. Playing three seasons at Oregon State University, he achieved All-Pac-12 and Corvallis Regional All-Tourney First-Time honors in 2018. His contribution was instrumental in helping the Beavers win their third College World Series title that year, batting an impressive .355. Over his collegiate career, Kwan’s consistent performance saw him hit .328 with 96 runs in 156 games and earn Pac-12 All-Academic Honorable Mention twice. Beyond his passion for baseball, Steven Kwan enjoys chess, journaling, and basketball.
In 2023, Kwan led his team in runs, games, and doubles during his sophomore MLB season. He became the first player to win SIS Fielding Bible Awards in his first two seasons and recorded a combined bWAR of 9.1, the second highest in Cleveland’s history for a player’s first two years. Kwan also won consecutive Rawlings Gold Glove Awards, leading MLB left fielders with 16 Defensive Runs Saved. He reached base safely in 128 of 154 starts and led the league in singles with 123. Kwan was tied for sixth in the American League with 20 infield hits and had an 18-game streak of reaching base via hit or walk.
He is the newest member of the Valley Pro team. Carnell Tate, born on January 19, 2005, and raised in Chicago by his parents, Ashley Griggs and Sean Tate, has had a distinguished high school football career. He began playing at Marist High School in the Mount Greenwood neighborhood in 2019 and 2020. As a freshman in 2019, he caught 28 passes for 444 yards and five touchdowns. In 2021, Carnell transferred to IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, for his junior year. During his senior year in 2022, he accumulated 750 receiving yards and eight touchdowns over just eight games, averaging 20.3 yards per catch. In one standout performance, he had eight receptions for 103 yards and two touchdowns in a 27-16 win over nationally-ranked St. Frances Academy (Md.).
Highly regarded as a recruit, Carnell was rated as the No. 25 player nationally regardless of position by 247Sports and had a composite ranking of No. 62 overall and No. 10 at wide receiver. Rivals.com rated him as a five-star player and the No. 7 recruit in the 2023 college football class.
Carnell committed to Ohio State in June 2022 and enrolled in January 2023, where he is currently a wide receiver. He continues to blossom both on and off the field.
Amy Ruman, is an accomplished American racing driver from Ohio, a graduate of Kent State University, and a former Vice President and Owner of Valley’s own Cenweld Corp. in Stow, OH. She began her racing career in 1992 at the age of 18, driving a Corvette in autocross events. By 1995, she progressed to wheel-to-wheel racing in SCCA running in GT-1 and Spec Racer Ford (SRF) classes, becoming a five-time SCCA Northeast Division GT-1 Champion (2006-2008 & 2010-2011). Over the years, Ruman competed in the SCCA National Championship Runoffs and made her debut in Trans-Am Series in 2005 and 2006. She is the daughter of former Trans-Am driver (1996-2005 seasons) Bob Ruman, and her mother, Barbara and sister, Niki, were also competitive drivers.
Ruman’s most notable achievements include being the only female to win the Trans-Am Series championship, securing titles in both 2015 and 2016. She made history in 2011 as the first woman to win a Trans-Am race with her victory at Road Atlanta. Throughout her career, she consistently performed well, with multiple race wins and top finishes, including three victories at Daytona International Speedway. In 2015, Ruman won an impressive eight out of twelve races to secure her first TA Championship. These successes highlight her significant contributions and prowess in the racing world
Jeremy Hand, born on March 20, 1997, began his professional AMA career in 2015. Jeremy has made significant strides in his racing career over the years. His dedication and skill have earned him a notable reputation in the competitive world of motocross and supercross racing.
Among his accomplishments, Jeremy has achieved one career Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship 250SX East top 10 finish and secured 13 career AMA Pro Motocross Championship 450 top 20 finishes. These achievements highlight his consistent performance and ability to compete at a high level in the sport.
