Commission
Executive Director Vella has nearly two decades of experience in combat sports, he began as a boxer and became a National Junior Golden Gloves Champion. He also wrestled in school and coached youth boxing, wrestling, and baseball. Prior to his service with the Commission, Executive Director Vella served as Chief of Officials for the Nevada LBC and officiated major events across the country. He has been recognized as Administrator of the Year (2018, 2022), Excellent Referee (2021), ranked as a top Referee and Judge by USA Boxing (2022), and named Executive Officer of the Year by the NABF (2024). Since becoming Executive Director in March 2022, he has streamlined internal and external processes, improved training for officials, and driven changes to enhance the safety, integrity, and fairness of combat sports in Arizona. Actively involved in the Association of Boxing Commissions (ABC), he chairs the Inter-Commission Communication and Collaboration Committee and serves on the Unified Bare Knuckle and Unified Boxing Rules Committees.
Mr. Fletcher has worked in the investment advisory industry since 1983, and has served as President of his own investment advisory firm since 2002. Having boxed as an amateur while attending the University of Arizona in the early 1980s, Mr. Fletcher learned as a young man to love and respect the combat sports. An enthusiastic proponent of Arizona boxing and mixed martial arts, he feels honored to be a part of our State’s incredibly talented and hardworking combat sports community. When not involved with Commission activities, he loves spending time with his wife and daughter.
Dr. Ara Feinstein has over a decade of experience as a trauma surgeon and ringside physician. He currently serves as an associate professor at the University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix and Physician Executive at Banner Health. Outside of his professional career, he continues his lifelong pursuit of wrestling and martial arts by practicing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with his two sons.
Mr. Xavier “Alex” Carpio is a native of Tucson, Arizona, and has lived in Phoenix since 2001. He is a graduate of the University of Arizona, B.S. and B.A. He also graduated from Arizona State University School of Law and obtained his J.D. Since 2008, he has worked as a partner and attorney at Snow, Carpio & Weekley, PLC litigating cases involving workers’ compensation claims. Prior to starting his firm, he worked as a prosecutor for the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office and insurance defense firms. In his spare time, Alex can be found traveling with his wife Emily and his children. He enjoys traveling, attending MMA/Boxing events and music festivals.
