Lots of personnel news today. We begin with news from the San Rafael Pacifics (independent; Pacific Association) and the Yakima Valley Pippins (summer collegiate; West Coast League).
In San Rafael, President and General Manager Mike Shapiro announced two front office staff promotions. Kim McGinnis has been promoted to Vice President of Sales and Marketing, while Bill Spiller has been elevated to Vice President of Operations and Chairman of the Pacifics Community Fund.
McGinnis has served as the Pacifics Sales and Marketing Director since 2012. An Atlanta native, McGinnis has experience in fundraising, event planning and business management having run an ad agency and owned her own business, Peach of a Party, an event-planning company managing large and small events, fundraisers and parties. McGinnis has been active in fundraising for San Dominico and Marin Catholic, where her three children attended. A graduate of Kenyon College, McGinnis has over 35 years of experience in marketing, advertising, print production and event management.
“Kim has been a key member of our front office team since we began in 2012 and it’s fitting that she be recognized for all her contributions to making the Pacifics such a success,” said Shapiro. “She’s a dynamo for us, handling so many critical aspects of the business from sponsorship sales, marketing, event management and public relations. She does it all and I’m so grateful we have her with us.”
Bill Spiller, a long-time Larkspur resident with his wife and three children, joined the Pacifics last year as Director of Operations. The New Jersey native and Rutgers University graduate worked at Levi Strauss & Co. for over two decades in roles ranging from finance to supply chain to global reporting. Bill served five years as the chair of Levi Strauss & Co. Environmental Community Involvement Team that provided volunteers and grants to Bay Area environmental organizations. He joined the Pacifics in 2015 where he, among other things, rolled out and operated a new ticketing system, managed merchandise sales and promotional giveaways as well as assisting with promotions and day of game operations.
“Last year Bill was a lifesaver for us,” said Shapiro. “He came in and ably tackled some tough issues like introducing a new ticketing system and training the staff in how to operate the system, managing our merchandising efforts and promotional giveaway program and, even tougher, assisting me in a variety of business challenges. Bill’s attention to detail and business judgment has proven to be invaluable to us.”
In Yakima, Marcus McKimmy, the Pippins’ field manager for the team’s first two seasons, will take on expanded duties this season as assistant general manager and director of baseball operations, general manager Jeff Garretson announced.
“Marcus has been a tremendous asset and a major reason for the Pippins’ success in the first two seasons,” Garretson said. “And in just a short time, he’s already proving himself to be a success on the business side of the organization.”
McKimmy’s promotion completes the Pippins front-office staff. In September, Andy Jones joined the team as ticket sales and service manager, and retail summer intern Ashley Steffens was hired as retail and office manager in a part-time capacity.
“This is an exciting group of people to work with,” Garretson said. “We have groups booking dates with us now for nights at the ballpark next summer, and have already had record-setting off-season renewals for season-ticket holders. That’s directly attributed to the work that Andy, Marcus and Ashley have already been doing.”
“As a head coach, I’ve always tried to organize a staff of coaches and players that are highly intelligent, blue-collar, and have great personal character,” McKimmy said. “When the opportunity presented itself to join a team in the front office that also shares those beliefs and characteristics, it was a ‘no-brainer.’
“The Pippins organization from day one has proven to have exceptional leadership from the top down, and I couldn’t be more pleased to take on a more expanded role in the off-season and in the community.”
Team president Zachary Fraser echoed Garretson’s comments.
“I’ve worked with Marcus for the past two and a half years, and in that time he has become a great representative of Pippins baseball and Pacific Baseball Ventures in the Valley, as well as a close friend,” Fraser said.
“He is loyal and trustworthy – two characteristics that I value the most for our teams. I am excited to have him and Jeff strengthening the foundation that we’ve built the last two years, and to work alongside both of them in a full-time capacity to make this team great. He is a fantastic baseball and community mind.”