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Personnel news in West Michigan, Lakewood, Bridgeport

West Michigan WhitecapsWe have a slew of personnel announcements involving the West Michigan Whitecaps (Low Class A; Midwest League), Lakewood BlueClaws (Low Class A: Sally League) and the Bridgeport Bluefish (independent; Atlantic League).

In the Midwest League, Whitecaps Vice President of Sales Steve McCarty has been named the league’s 2014 Executive of the Year, Steve McCarthy. During the 2014 season McCarthy led the Whitecaps to one of their most successful seasons ever in the areas of advertising revenue, total and per-game average attendance, and ticket revenue.  In addition, he was intimately involved in all of the planning, relocation and construction issues the Whitecaps faced as a result of the devastating fire of January 3.

The Midwest League Executive of the Year is nominated and selected by the league’s Member Clubs. The award is presented to an individual who has had a successful season in the areas of leadership, attendance accomplishments, marketing initiatives, promotions, stadium projects/enhancements, game day and non-game day events, community/charity involvement and overall baseball operations.

The league office also released nominees for MiLB awards to be announced at the Winter Meetings:

John Henry Moss Community Service Award: Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

Larry MacPhail Award: South Bend Silver Hawks

John H. Johnson President’s Award: West Michigan Whitecaps

Rawlings Woman Executive of the Year Award: Abba Naas, director of promotion and community relations for the Fort Wayne TinCaps

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It’s official: Adam Lorber has been named chief operating and revenue officer of the Lakewood BlueClaws (Low Class A; Sally League).

This newly formed position will focus on leading the ticket and advertising sales staffs. Lorber will be responsible for cultivating relationships within the Jersey Shore business community as well as overseeing the training and development of BlueClaws sales executives.

He comes to the BlueClaws from the Camden RiverSharks (independent; Atlantic League). His background in sports management and sales includes serving over 15 years in professional baseball along with the New Jersey Nets, The Coastal Group, and Madison Square Garden. Adam originally hails from North Caldwell, N.J. and currently resides in East Windsor, N.J. along with his wife Hallie and 13-year-old daughter Samara.

“Adam has over 15 years of experience in the professional baseball industry where he has proven to be a leader and an established sales executive,” said Joe Finley, BlueClaws president. “We welcome him to the BlueClaws family as we begin preparing for our 15th season as the premier family entertainment destination at the Jersey Shore.”

“I’m thrilled to start a new chapter in my career with the BlueClaws,” Lorber said “I have heard nothing but great things about FirstEnergy Park, the Jersey Shore community, and most importantly, the outstanding BlueClaws fans of Monmouth and Ocean Counties. I look forward to beginning this exciting opportunity.”

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In Bridgeport, the Bluefish are replacing the late Ken Shepard with the team’s assistant general manager, Jamie Toole.

“Jamie is a talented and experienced minor league operator,” said Bluefish principal owner/CEO Frank Boulton. “We are excited to continue to build on the momentum he and Ken built throughout the 2014 season.”

Toole, 36, is a native of West Columbia, S.C. and has 14 years of experience in professional baseball, including stints as vice president and general manager of the Joliet Jackhammers (independent; Northern League) and assistant director of Florida baseball operations for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Jamie and his wife Katie have four children; Grace (11), Jackson (10), Maggie (6), and Parker (5).

“I am thankful to Frank and Ken for the opportunity to join the Bluefish organization in 2013 and I am energized to take on this new role,” said Toole. “Ken Shepard has laid an excellent foundation for this organization and it is an honor to have the opportunity to build on that.”

RELATED STORIES: Personnel news in Camden, Lakewood, Nashville; In memoriam: Ken Shepard

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