We have news of several staff appointments and promotions in Lowell, Southern Illinois and San Rafael.
The Lowell Spinners (short season A; NY-Penn League) announced a trio of personnel promotions, elevating three long-time staff members to new positions.
Director of Media Relations Jon Boswell has been promoted to assistant general manager, while Jon Goode has been promoted to executive vice president of communications and Brian Lindsay was named executive vice president of sales.
“Being able to promote from within the organization is always a rewarding process,” said Spinners President and General Manager Tim Bawmann. “Each of these individuals has been instrumental in the success of our organization and helps us form the best staff in Minor League Baseball.
Boswell, a native of Woburn, Mass., has been with the organization since 2006 when he started as an intern in the Media Relations and Promotions department. After interning with the team again in 2007, he joined the team full-time in 2008 as the Media Relations Manager before spending the past three seasons as Media Relations Director. He is a graduate of Duquesne University, where he also has a Masters Degree from the School of Leadership and Professional Development.
“Both Drew and I have witnessed Jon’s dedication the Lowell Spinners and his tireless work ethic to make this organization stronger,” said Bawmann. “He’s earned it. He deserves it and the sky is the limit for this talented young man.”
Lindsay, a resident of Hudson, NH, has been with the Spinners since the team relocated from Elmira, NY. Previously a vice president, Lindsay will oversee the team’s entire sales operations, including ticket sales and group sales, as well as the team’s corporate partnerships. His duties will still include overseeing the food and beverage operations for the Spinners and Nashua Silver Knights (FCBL).
“I feel that we need a new vision and energy to oversee this critical part of our operation. With Brian’s experience the decision was simple,” said Bawmann. “In all my years in business, I’ve never seen a more passionate and skilled revenue generator. We are lucky to have him lead us to new heights.”
Goode, a native of Natick, Mass. and Tewksbury, Mass. resident, takes on the new title of Executive Vice President of Corporate Communications. The idea man behind many of the Spinners most popular promotions, Goode’s passion for the Red Sox and hatred of the Yankees spawned the team’s “Yankee Elimination Promotion,” one of many Spinners promotions to garner national media attention. He, along with Bawmann, helped launch the Nashua Silver Knights and the Futures Collegiate Baseball League. The Silver Knights have won two championships in three seasons and numerous awards under Goode’s guidance. Goode is a graduate of Merrimack College, where he currently serves as an adjunct professor.
“Jon is such a creative individual and outside-the-box thinker,” said Bawmann. “We look forward to many more years of incredible promotions that we can’t wait to share with the fans. His business spirit has helped create many new opportunities for Diamond Action, Inc. and that vision has made us one of the most successful Minor League operations in Baseball.”
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Vermont Lake Monsters (short season; NY-Penn League) owner Ray Pecor Jr. is the inaugural David K. Hakins Award inductee into the Vermont Sports Hall of Fame.
The Hakins Award recognizes a business leader or an organization for exceptional promotion and development of sports, athletics and recreation in the state of Vermont. It is named in memory of the late David K. Hakins, a businessman who was a founding member of the VSHOF and the inspirational first president of its board of directors.
“This is an honor and I am proud to receive this award,” Pecor said after he was informed of his selection. “As you know, I love the sport, our community and our state. I am very proud of what we have been able to accomplish with the facility,” said Pecor, referring to Centennial Field. “It could not have happened without the support of the University of Vermont, the fans and the business community … and the media has been very supportive.”
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Tim Arseneau has been promoted to vice president of the Southern Illinois Miners (independent; Frontier League), while Jody Sellers is his replacement as GM.
“We are excited to bring Jody aboard,” Arseneau said. “He has a strong background in corporate and group sales. We look forward to him implementing his past experiences here in Southern Illinois.”
“I’m thrilled about the opportunity to work for a well-respected organization in the Southern Illinois Miners,” said Sellers. “I’m equally as excited to know and work with the surrounding communities in the Southern Illinois area.”
Sellers brings fourteen years experience of working in professional sports. The past two seasons, Jody has worked with the River City Rascals (independent; Frontier League) as assistant general manager and director of corporate sales & promotions. Previously he worked for the Memphis Redbirds (Class AAA: Pacific Coast League) as a corporate sales executive from 2009 until 2011.
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The San Rafael Pacifics (independent; Pacific Association) hired Josh Jackson as the club’s new assistant general manager. Jackson joins the Pacifics after previously serving as the media relations and marketing manager of the Visalia Rawhide (High Class A; California League).
“We’re extremely excited for someone of Josh’s experience and knowledge to join our organization,” said Pacifics President and General Manager Mike Shapiro. “Josh brings proven sales and marketing experience and we’re looking forward to having him join us as we continue our efforts to build another championship-caliber team.”
Jackson, who began his minor league baseball career in 2011 as an intern with the Fresno Grizzles (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League), will oversee the club’s marketing efforts, sponsorship and group sales, as well as media relations
“It’s important to provide a healthy fan experience in independent ball, and I’m looking forward to contributing to that cause,” Jackson said. “This is going to be an exciting challenge. I’m really excited to become a part of the Marin County community and I’m looking forward to creating new ways to bring more fun to our fans when they come out to the ballpark.”
Mary Marshall, who had been the club’s assistant general manager since the team’s inaugural 2012 season, leaves the organization to pursue other opportunities.
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