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Gates new COO/GM of Bowling Green Hot Rods

Bowling Green Hot RodsRyan Gates is the new COO/GM of the Bowling Green Hot Rods (Low Class A; Sally League), assuming the chief operating officer duties following the departure of Brad Taylor for El Paso.

Earlier today Taylor, who had been president of the Hot Rods, was named general manager of the El Paso team slated to begin play next season. The smooth move was to move Gates upstairs, as it were.

“We are fortunate to have someone of Ryan’s experience and leadership ability to assume responsibility as the team’s leader,” said Rick Brenner, president of the Hot Rods’ parent company, DSF Sports. “His hard work and leadership have been, and will continue to be, critical assets to our growth as a family entertainment destination in South Central Kentucky.”

Gates is in his third season with the Hot Rods after assuming the role of general manager in February 2011, and he has been involved in minor league for more than a decade. He was the highly successful general manager of the West Virginia Power, who opened a new ballpark, set several attendance records, and branded a new identity during his time with the team. Directly preceding his arrival in Bowling Green, Gates earned Frontier League Executive of the Year honors as the inaugural general manager of the Lake Erie Crushers in northeast Ohio.

Since joining the Hot Rods, he has directed the staff in the daily operations while bringing new ideas to enhance the Hot Rods Entertainment Experience.  Now, in addition to the day-to-day tasks of running the team, he will take on a greater role as a community ambassador while nurturing and creating new partnerships with sponsors and community leaders.

“I am so proud to be able to accept this additional responsibility with the Hot Rods,” said Gates. “Since I arrived in 2011, I have seen the hard work done by this staff to develop the Hot Rods into a true member of this community.  I look forward to taking on an even greater role to ensure that our fans receive the first-class, affordable, family entertainment they have come to expect.”

RELATED STORIES: Prepping for 2014: Taylor GM for new El Paso team

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