Adam Silva is the CEO of Black 4, LLC, an executive coaching and organizational health consulting practice headquartered in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. He also serves as the Director of Player Development for the Jacksonville University men’s and women’s lacrosse teams.
Adam previously served as President of the Chesapeake Bayhawks, the most successful franchise in the history of Major League Lacrosse (MLL). He joined the team in April 2018 and immediately recognized the Bayhawks’ championship culture on the field, in the front office, and in the community. Adam worked closely with the head coach and general manager, Dave Cottle, to assemble the strongest roster in the league which went on to win the 2019 MLL Championship. He also worked with the Bayhawks’ owner to secure and steward world-class partnerships with national, regional, and local businesses.
A proven expert in direct marketing, brand development, strategic partnerships, and diversified fundraising, Adam was responsible for raising over $1 Billion while serving as Wounded Warrior Project Chief Development Officer from 2008-2014. He led the growth and expansion of WWP’s direct mail and online fundraising channels and successfully launched their profitable Direct Response Television campaign. Adam established strategic partnerships with iconic global brands to include Under Armour, GEICO, Heinz, Brawny, Harley-Davidson, and Stanley Black & Decker. He also helped establish the WWP brand as the most recognizable in the history of Veteran Service Organizations.
Adam served as Chief Program Officer from 2014-2016 leading 400+ teammates in 26 offices delivering 20 programs and services and serving 100,000 constituents. He was responsible for the largest programmatic expansion in WWP history and a program spend of $270+ million.
As Director of People, Adam established WWP’s mission, vision, values and acculturation program which led to annual recognition as The Nonprofit Times’ “Best Places to Work,” and spots on the Forbes Top 50 Nonprofits (#38), the Philanthropy 400 (#65), and the Nonprofit Times 100 (#45).
Adam logged over a decade in the music business, was an institutional fixed-income/equity salesman, and served as a field artillery officer in the United States Army and National Guard.
Adam is a nationally recognized lacrosse coach at the college, high school, and elite club level and is the former Director of Operations for the US Lacrosse Men’s National Team. He served on the US Lacrosse Board of Directors as well as the US Lacrosse Diversity and Inclusion Task Force and Men’s Game Committee. Adam is also the founder of the US Lacrosse North Florida Chapter.
Adam served as Character Development Coach for the Ponte Vedra High School football and lacrosse teams. He served as a Board Member for the Heather Abbott Foundation, and as a member of the National Advisory Councils for The One Love Foundation, the Rising Star Sports Ranch in Mesquite, NV, and ReSupply.com.
Adam is a highly sought after public speaker and executive coach. His clients include IMLCA, Creative Direct Response, Yellow Ribbon Fund, Susan G. Komen Foundation, Johns Hopkins Men’s Lacrosse, Penn State Men’s Lacrosse, University of North Florida Men’s Basketball, The Hill Academy, Arcadia University Men’s Lacrosse, The Calverton School (MD), Mt. St. Joseph High School (MD), The Benjamin School (FL), St. Mary’s High School (MD), and many others. Adam earned his Bachelor of Science degree from the United States Military Academy at West Point.
He served as captain of the 8th ranked Army Lacrosse Team, earned All-Patriot League honors (’91, ’92, ’93), was named to the Patriot League men’s lacrosse all-decade team (90’s), was a North-South national all-star in both high school and college, and was a USILA High School All-American.
Adam and his wife Jennifer are the proud parents of three adult
children and are expecting their first granddaughter in the spring of
2025.
Coaching experience:
Jacksonville University (2009-present) – assistant coach
Chesapeake Bayhawks – assistant coach
Johns Hopkins University – leadership and character development
Annapolis Hawks (MD) – assistant coach
University of California, Irvine (1995) – head coach
Chapman University (1996/1997) – head coach
Nease High School (FL) (2007-2009) – assistant coach
Ponte Vedra High School (FL) (2009-2011) – assistant coach
Team Florida, Florida National Team, Florida Possums, Florida Crush,
Florida Sand Gnats clubs (2007-2017)
Army Lacrosse Camp, Navy Lacrosse Camp
