The York Revolution (independent; Atlantic League) has expanded its portfolio by assuming management of the York City Ice Arena, while adding more bodies to the front office.
The team will manage the arena on behalf of the city, per Channel 21 News’s Jason Bristol:
As part of its agreement with the City, Revolution president Eric Menzer says the team will aggressively promote and market the arena, something he believes hasn’t been done in in the past.
Revenue from all events held at the arena go to the City. The team’s cut from advertising and sponsorship deals will be roughly 35%, Menzer said.
The City is paying the Revolution a flat-rate to manage the ice arena, which was renovated in 2004. Menzer says the Revs’ fee is less than what the City was paying its previous management company.
Meanwhile, the team announced staff promotions and realignment to reflect and accommodate the increasing diversity of its business activities, which include ownership of WOYK Sports Radio 1350, management of the York Ice Arena and Eventive, its focused special-events production initiative.
John Gibson, former Assistant General Manager for Operations, has been promoted to General Manager. Gibson also has the title of Vice President of Operations. Eric Menzer, whose title had been President & General Manager, is now Team President and provides leadership of all of the Revolution’s business endeavors.
Gibson has been with the Revolution since the team’s founding, prior to the 2007 season. After beginning his time in York in a corporate sales position, he transitioned into the Assistant General Manager role prior to the 2011 season, overseeing all marketing, facility maintenance and game operations for the organization. 2015 will be Gibson’s 12th season in the Atlantic League. He was also a sales rep with the Somerset Patriots for three seasons (2004-2006), and started his career in sales for the Brockton Rox of the Can-Am Association in 2002.
In addition to the General Manager changeover, the organization has also made the following promotions since the tail end of the 2014 baseball season (former title): Kaylee Swanson is now Director of Sales (Senior Account Executive), Reed Gunderson is now Director of Client Services (Client Services Coordinator) and Paul Braverman is now Director of Communications & Marketing (Promotions & Communications Manager).
Along with the promotions, the Revolution has added two former part-time employees to its full-time staff. Nate Sterner, who spent the 2014 season as a stadium operations assistant, has been hired to help oversee maintenance at Santander Stadium and the York Ice Arena, now under Revolution management. Scott Parker, who spent the 2014 season as an intern heading up all things Revs video production, has been hired as Multi-Media Coordinator to oversee all things creative and digital for the organization.
“As the Revolution organization continues to grow, I am particularly excited that we have been able to develop these talented employees in-house to help manage that growth. They have all proven their abilities and commitment to the organization and it’s exciting to be able to reward them and rely on them,” Menzer said.
Nate Tile continues in the position of Vice President of Business Development and Darrell Henry continues as General Manager of WOYK as well as the Revolution’s play-by-play broadcaster. Mike Cleveland continues as General Manager of the York Ice Arena and Adam Nugent continues as Director of Special Events/Eventive.