The ownership of the Richmond Flying Squirrels (Class AA; Eastern League) has a greater local presence, after three local investment groups and eight new owners have been approved by Minor League Baseball as minority partners of the franchise.
The new members of the ownership group include:
- Sam Kornblau – Chairman of SAMCO Development Corporation and a member of the Board of Directors of the Wilton Companies
- Barry Kornblau – Retired Chairman and CEO of Summit Realty Group, Inc., based in Richmond
- Bryan Kornblau – Chairman and Founder of Eagle Construction of VA, President and Principal of Markel / Eagle Partners
- David Boardman – Founder and Former CEO of Dynamic Brands
- Ted Hanson – Chief Financial Officer, Apex Systems
- William T. Hupp – Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Estes Express Lines, Inc.
- Robey W. Estes Jr. – Chief Executive Officer and President of Estes Express Lines, Inc.
- John J. Marshall – Managing Member of WPB Partners LLC
“As the Squirrels continue to engrain themselves in the Richmond community, we realize the importance of expanding our voice locally,” said Flying Squirrels’ President & Managing Partner Lou DiBella. “We are thrilled to add a group of preeminent businessmen from the area who have proven that they share our vision of community leadership and can affect our efforts positively from within that community.”
The eight new minority owners join Brian Callaghan, founder of Apex Systems, who joined the Squirrels ownership team in January, 2010. In addition to the new investors, Callaghan has increased his investment in the franchise. With the additions to the group and Callaghan’s increased investment, the Squirrels are now over 20 percent locally owned.
“It has always been vitally important that the Squirrels have a member of the ownership group that is active within the Richmond community and can bring a local perspective to the table,” said Callaghan. “I have greatly enjoyed that role over the last four years and couldn’t be more excited to be joined by a group of like-minded investors who are equally committed to the positive role that the Flying Squirrels play here in Richmond.”
“Our commitment to Richmond has never wavered, and these additions reaffirm that,” added DiBella. “We intend to provide memories in the community and at the ballpark for years to come and remain steadfast in that pursuit.”
The additions come as the City Council debates a new-ballpark plan calling for the development of the Boulevard area — which includes the team’s current home, The Diamond — to fund a new downtwn Shockoe Bottom ballpark.
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