Leadership

The founders at Oro Sports USA, Inc. share the same passion for customer-first service, high-quality products, USA manufacturing, and -- changing lives for the better. 

 

LUANNE DIBERNARDO, Co-founder + CEO 

Luanne is grateful for the Pickleball addiction that replaced her unfounded dream of becoming an Olympic Sprinter. 

A former filmmaker and copywriter, Luanne started her cooling journey in 2008 with brother, Van, a designer with heat intolerance due to Multiple Sclerosis. Together, they developed the first lifestyle cooling vest under their first label, "Coolture", the company they launched in 2013 through 2019. 

In early 2020, Luanne partnered with Tom Burns to launch Oro Sports USA, Inc. Since then they have introduced four new cooling wearables aimed at thermoregulation.  

TOM BURNS, Co-Founder + Manufacturing

Tom is a lifelong rugby player and wrestling coach who starts his mornings with Crossfit and finishes most days with kickboxing. He is the father of two wrestlers and a former Division 1 soccer player.

Tom has a Masters in Mechanical Engineering, an undergrad in Physics, and is a serial entrepreneur. He is the founder of QSG Technologies, Inc., an ISO Certified manufacturer. In addition to Oro Sports, Tom manufactures products for the military and provides fulfillment to a number of private companies.

VAN DIBERNARDO, Designer + MS Warrior

No one would ever accuse Van of being an athlete. But if medals were given out for selfless acts of kindness, Van would be wearing the Gold.  

A graduate of FIT (Fashion Institute of Technology) and Buffalo State University, Van started his design career with Unisa Shoes in New York and Miami. At Unisa, he designed and developed shoes for the popular women's brand.  

Van later joined DKNY (Donna Karan), where he designed women's shoes. His work took him to Spain, Italy, France, and Brasil, where prototypes went into first production. 

STEPHANIE RICHARDS, Operations

Stephanie is a lifelong tennis player who finds a court every chance she gets. Her previous experience with heat stroke led to the permanent heat intolerance that befalls understanding of thermoregulation. Stephanie and Misha, her fur baby, are never far from a cooling source. 

Stephanie joined Oro Sports in 2023 as Operations Manager. Her diverse career in product management, supply chain management, and consumer research for global brands is enhanced by her degree in Creative Problem Solving. Her diverse skills are key towards building a game-changing brand.