Front-office changes for two Ken Young teams: Buck Rogers steps down as GM of the Biloxi Shuckers (Class AA; Southern League), while the Albuquerque Isotopes (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) welcome new staffers.
Rogers, a 19-year Minor League Baseball executive, stepped down due to personal reasons. He was named the first General Manager in the history of the Biloxi Baseball Club last spring. Rogers operated the Shuckers through construction of MGM Park, creation of a front office staff and a 2015 that saw the team begin play an irregular schedule, finally opening at home well into the season.
“I truly appreciate the opportunity and trust from the ownership group to be a part of the launch of the franchise at MGM Park,” Rogers said. “The experience has been amazing and I can’t thank them enough for allowing me to be a part of it. The staff and my successor will take the operation to new levels and the community will have something to be proud of for years to come.”
“Buck did an outstanding job under trying circumstances this year,” said team President Ken Young. “His passion and commitment were contagious and we are sorry to see him leave.”
Chris Birch, Director of Sales, will serve as interim General Manager until a replacement for Rogers is hired.
In Albuquerque, Kevin Collins is the Isotopes’ new Public Relations Director, and Michelle Montoya is the Isotopes’ new Community Relations Manager.
Originally from Philadelphia, Collins received his Bachelor’s degree in Communications Studies from Northeastern University in Boston in 2010. His career path has taken him through internships with various radio stations in the northeast before starting his journey into the baseball world.
Collins was the Media Relations Assistant with the Memphis Redbirds (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) this past season. Prior to that, he was the New Media Associate with the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (Class AAA; International League) in 2014 and was a front office intern with the Trenton Thunder (Class AA; Eastern League) in 2013.
Collins replaces Lee Van Horn, who is leaving the organization to pursue opportunities outside of baseball. Van Horn served as the Isotopes’ publicity contact for the previous two seasons.
Montoya joins the Isotopes with a diverse educational and employment background. She received her Master’s degree from the University of New Mexico this past May in Professional Physical Education with a concentration in Sport Administration. Additionally, she received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from UNM in 2007.
She was a corporate development intern with Learfield Sports at UNM from 2012-15. Montoya is currently working two jobs – one as a legal assistant with the Rothstein Law Firm and the other as a game day entertainment representative with the Oakland Raiders. Originally from Belen, her volunteer work has included the Albuquerque Christian Children’s Home Auction Committee, Special Olympics of New Mexico, UNMH Carrie Tingley Hospital, among many others activities.