Our Team

Our team is built on the same core values that you will find in a baseball dugout. We like to have fun, we like to tell stories, we like to slap hands, we like to cheer each other on, and we love working together to ensure you know you are the most important part of our dugout. No order is too small or too large - we love earning your business, so much so - that we would take a 3-0 fastball down the middle of the plate to earn it. That's saying a lot.

Kris Dehnert

CEO & Co-Founder

Kris "PROMO" Dehnert bats clean-up for Dugout Mugs®, and is always swinging for the fences! With an extensive background in business growth and development, Kris brings the ability to get mugs to the masses by networking and collaborating with some of the industry's biggest brands! In his spare time, Kris enjoys spending time with his family, traveling, fishing, and golfing.

Kris's Favorite Quote:

"It's not who you know that matters... It's who knows you!"
Kris Dehnert

Jared Murphy

COO

Jared is from and has lived in Lakeland Florida all his life. If there is one thing he is passionate about it is baseball. He has played since he was 4 years old and made a couple state championship runs with his high school team before he decided to hang up the cleats. In his free time he likes to golf and spend some time on the pickleball courts.

Jared's Favorite Quote:

"There may be people who have more talent than you, but there's no excuse for anyone to work harder than you do - and I believe that."
Derek Jeter

Nate "The Laser" Bearden

Laser Tech & Product Advancement

Nate was born and raised in central Florida. As a kid he fell in love with music and acting. These outlets soon grew to ambitions, which helped reach his goals in academics, music composition, and theater. After those adventures - he found himself wondering what the next step would be. Suddenly as if the universe heard his call, he found LASER ENGRAVING!!!!! Once he dove into this field, he couldn't get or learn enough about it. It truly is his passion and he enjoys everyday that he comes into work. So even though you won't see him at the game - he is always at the dugout.

Nate's Favorite Quote:

"If music Be the food of love, play on."
William Shakespeare

Mauricio "Tito" Miranda

Tech Specialist and Latin Market Liaison

Tito is a trilingual tech specialist who grew up in both Miami and Nicaragua. A lifelong baseball fan, his favorite team was the Florida Marlins before they became the Miami Marlins. Tito is essential to keeping the store running smoothly and serves as the key contact for the Latin Baseball Market, leveraging his language skills and deep cultural connections. In his free time, he enjoys cosplaying and attending conventions, bringing his creativity and passion for fandoms to life.

Mauricio's Favorite Quote:

"Don’t half ass two things, whole ass one thing."
Ron Swanson

Karin Claessens

Sales & Customer Experience

Dating all the back to 2017, Karin was the VERY first member of the Dugout Mugs Team. After a few years in self-development, we managed to get her back on the roster!

She is an avid baseball fan (GO CARDS!) and currently travels the country with her awesome husband and Chihuahua bringing mugs to the masses.

Karin's Favorite Quote:

"There's no crying in baseball". - Jimmy Dugan, A League of Their Own

Ax Scott

Account Manager

Ax comes to us from British Columbia, Canada. After a stint in California JC ball, there was always a desire to be involved in the game of baseball. Starting out as a younger youth/amateur coach, to developing his own product, and now "Swiggin' for the Fences" with Dugout Mugs. In his free time you can find him at any Okanagan lake, a local brewery (with a bat mug in hand of course) or spending time with family and friends.

Ax's Favorite Quote:

"Just Do It"

Tony Gougeon

Laser Technician

Tony was born in the Midwest, he is a retired Veteran from the US Army with 20 years of service. Moved to Florida, worked as a citrus inspector. Found Dugout Mugs and loves the job and the people. He thinks it's an interesting and fun job!

Tony's Favorite Quote:

"Another Day in Paradise"

Tina Walker

Fulfillment Team

Tina loves concerts and her family! When not working on our fulfillment team she loves spending time with her grandbabies who make her life more interesting and fun.

Tina's Favorite Quote:

"God never puts anything on your shoulders you can't handle"

Randall Thompson

Co-Founder

Randall was the creator of the original baseball “Bat Mug” back in 2014 after sitting in a dugout while a fellow coach was cutting bats in half... Then, in 2016 teamed up with entrepreneur & business veteran, Kris Dehnert, to form Dugout Mugs® - Though he has moved on from the company, Randall's vision will continue to live on!

Randall's Favorite Quote:

"It's not about what it is - it's about what it can become."
Dr. Seuss