We have information on additions to the Tennessee Smokies (Class AA; Southern League) front office for the 2016 season.
First: Director of Ticket and Group Sales Tim Volk has been named the club’s new Assistant General Manager of Business Operations. Volk, who is entering his sixth season with the Smokies and third consecutive year, will now oversee more of the overall business operations for the Smokies and he will continue to oversee all of the ticketing and group sales aspects of the business.
“Tim’s organizational skills and his attention to detail allow him to be the perfect fit for his new role with the Smokies,” said Smokies Vice President Jeremy Boler.” We’re very excited for him and this opportunity moving forward with us, Tim is nothing short of amazing with what he has done here. Tim has been very successful everywhere he has been and we are excited for what he brings to the table with our sales department.”
2016 will be Volk’s 6th overall season with the Smokies after beginning with the club as an intern in 2008 and then served as a group representative from 2009-2010. Volk left the Smokies for a short stint and was with IMG Learfield Ticket Solutions at The University of Tennessee as a Senior Account Executive for two years. He then returned to the Smokies in 2013 as the Director of Ticket and Group Sales. Volk has been very successful everywhere he has been and has improved the overall growth of the sales department each time.
The Smokies have seen an increase of over 40 percent in all ticket and group sales since Volk returned in 2013. Volk helped the Smokies achieve their highest ticketing and group sales numbers in team history this past season. He looks to top those numbers in 2016 as he has already started implementing new ideas and training techniques for the sales department. Attendance continues to increase and Volk’s efforts are a large part of the success. Volk will still oversee the ticket operations, but will now be involved in all other departments as he will oversee the business operation.
In other Smokies front-office news, Allie Crain joins the Smokies Corporate Sales Department as the Sponsorship Service Coordinator. Allie spent the 2014 season as an intern with the Johnson City Cardinals. “I am delighted to have Allie join our Corporate Sales team,” Boler said. “She brings a work ethic and skill set that will fit in perfectly with what we are trying to accomplish here with the Smokies.”
Joining the Ticket Sales Department will be two new Account Executives Andrew O’Gara and Brad Dehler. Andrew also spent the 2014 season as an intern with the Johnson City Cardinals. Brad Dehler comes to the Smokies from IMG Learfield Ticket Solutions. “We are very excited to have both Andrew and Brad join our staff in 2016,” said Volk said. “They both are great assets and will enhance our sales team here at Smokies Stadium.”
The Smokies Ticket Sales Department will also add Kayla Croy and Matt Graves. Kayla and Matt both spend the 2014 season with the Smokies as Ticket Sales Interns. Both have been promoted to join the Ticket Sales Department full time and Volk gave both Kayla and Matt high praises. “We are thrilled that Matt and Kayla are now full time staff members of the Tennessee Smokies. Both of them played a large part in our success in 2015 as Sales Trainees. Matt and Kayla both bring a tremendous skill set and great attitude to our staff and will only enhance our overall efforts.”
Josh Howe will join the club as the Stadium Operations Assistant. Drew brings a wealth of knowledge and experience from the Lexington County Blowfish (summer collegiate; Coastal Plain League). While with the Blowfish Howe was in charge of all stadium operations at the brand new Lexington County Stadium. “We are excited to add someone with Josh’s knowledge to our staff,” said Director of Stadium Operations Bryan Webster. “His experience will be invaluable in improving the fan experience at Smokies Stadium.”