For the City Times

WISCONSIN RAPIDS – The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters will hold a meet and greet with new owners Joe and Vinnie Fonti on Feb. 27 at Great Expectations, 3551 Plover Rd., Wisconsin Rapids, 6-8 p.m.

The meet and greet marks the first public event for the Fonti brothers – Joe and Vinnie – as owners of the Rafters.

The event will kick off with a question and answer (Q&A) session. The Fonti brothers will be available for interviews, additional questions, and private conversations following the Q&A session.

In January, the Rafters announced the ownership transfer of the franchise from founders Steve Schmitt and Vern Stenman to Joe and Vinnie Fonti. Both residing in the Plover, the Fonti brothers are best known for their ownership of Furniture & ApplianceMart and Ashley Homestore brands.

In conjunction with the ownership transfer, General Manager Andy Francis has come to terms on a two-year agreement to continue overseeing the day-to-day management of the team. Former team president, Vern Stenman will continue in an advisory role for the next two seasons.