For our first employee spotlight, we’re excited to feature Greg Cousins, SVP of the East Region at Vantage Financial. With nearly 13 years of leadership and dedication at Vantage, Greg has been instrumental in driving the company’s growth and success. Outside of work, his passion for basketball has evolved into a love for officiating, and he’s also deeply committed to raising awareness for breast cancer — a cause that holds personal significance for him.
A Journey in Officiating
Greg's love for basketball took root when his kids got involved in the sport. Throughout their childhood, he enjoyed coaching their youth teams and even running a local basketball organization. As his kids grew older, Greg transitioned from coaching to officiating, discovering a new passion that’s kept him close to the game. For over a decade, he’s been a basketball official — starting with youth leagues, moving up to high school games, and today, proudly serving as an NCAA Division III referee in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island.
Officiating offers Greg a personal challenge, with each game providing an opportunity to sharpen his skills. Much like the teams on the court, officials work their way up through the season. Last year, Greg reached the Quarterfinals of the Connecticut High School State Tournament, and this year, he’s aiming to make it all the way to the State Championship! Staying active is another benefit — Greg hits the court 3-4 times a week — but for him, the most rewarding part of officiating is the camaraderie. There’s a strong sense of community among the officials, and he truly enjoys the bond that comes from being part of a team.
Officials vs. Cancer: A Cause Close to Greg's Heart
Greg's passion for officiating connects each year with a cause close to his heart — the "Officials vs. Cancer" campaign. This nationwide initiative, launched in 2008, raises awareness and funds for breast cancer research. Greg’s commitment to the campaign is personal: his mother is a two-time breast cancer survivor, but sadly lost her final battle with pancreatic cancer. Over the past decade, Greg has honored her memory by dedicating his time, energy, and voice to this important cause.
One of Greg's favorite moments each year is the Officials vs. Cancer event, where players, coaches, and fans wear pink, and referees use pink whistles to honor those affected by breast cancer. For Greg, it’s a meaningful tradition that keeps his mother’s legacy alive.
In addition to raising awareness, Greg went a step further this year by donating his game fees from the annual event, along with personal contributions over the years, to support the campaign. His generosity and dedication are just a few of the ways he continues to give back and make a difference in the lives of those affected by breast cancer.
Whether he's working with his team at Vantage, officiating a basketball game, or supporting cancer research, Greg Cousins exemplifies what it means to lead with his heart. Through his work with Officials vs. Cancer, he has not only honored his mother's memory but is contributing to the brave fight against breast cancer.
To learn more about Officials vs. Cancer and how you can donate, please visit, https://officials.cancer.org/.
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