David ROBERTSON, Co-FOUNDER & President
David Robertson, best known as D-Rob, is currently a relief pitcher (#30) for the New York Mets. He previously played for the New York Yankees 2008-2014 and 2017-2018, for the Chicago White Sox between 2015-2017 and the Philadelphia Phillies 2018-2020. David also played on the 2020 USA Olympic team and helped the team bring home a silver medal. In 2022, David started the season with the Chicago Cubs and ended the season pitching in the World Series with the Philadelphia Phillies.
David was born and raised in Tuscaloosa, Alabama and attended and played for The University of Alabama Crimson Tide in 2005-2006 where he ranked among all-time school career leaders in strikeouts, appearances and saves. Drafted by the Yankees, David became the fifth former Alabama player to wear pinstripes in the 2006 Major League Baseball Draft.
Career Highlights:
2009 World Series Championship (Yankees)
Two playoff wins (Yankees, ALDS/ALCS)
2011 American League All-Star Player
100 strikeouts in 2011 Season
Nominated for the 2011 Marvin Miller Man of the Year Award
TEAM USA Gold Medal in 2017 World Baseball Classic
TEAM USA Silver Medal in 2020 Olympics
David and his wife Erin actively fundraise for High Socks, participate in all business decisions and serve on the board of directors. David pledges yearly $100 for every strikeout, and $200 for every recorded save.
ERIN (CRONIN) ROBERTSON, executive director
Erin was born and raised in Medfield, Massachussets and graduated from Bentley College in 2007.
Erin started her career working for the Massachusetts attorney general, then at the state of New Jersey. Since then Erin has dedicated her career to non-profit work full-time. In addition to her role at High Socks, in 2016 Erin also founded the Rick Cronin Memorial Fund, in memory of her late father and his brave fight with pancreatic cancer. The fund helps ease the burden of cancer patients and aids in cancer research.
Erin and David have three children: Luke, Violet and Rhett.
David refers to Erin as the “hero” of the family, working to juggle their hectic schedule while raising their kids and actively fundraising and overseeing all functions of High Socks for Hope.
JUDY HOLlAND, Managing Director
While volunteering with High Socks in her Tuscaloosa community after the 2011 tornadoes, Judy Holland was presented with the opportunity to further her community service through a full-time position with High Socks For Hope.
Today, Holland is the backbone of High Socks, managing the organization's relief and humanitarian services. Above the managing the many day-to-day business functions. Judy tirelessly advocates for many of the survivors High Socks helps and has been known to pull up her high socks for any occasion; you can find her anywhere from roofing damaged homes to purchasing a set of false teeth for a storm victim.
A testament to her dedication to the community, in 2017 Judy was named Northport Citizen of the Year as well as Tuscaloosa County Citizen of the Year in 2016.