We have a change in the Charleston RiverDogs (Low A; Sally League) front office, where Dave Echols adds the title of President to his GM responsibilities.
Former club President Mike Veeck, who served as the RiverDogs’ president since 1997 and who guided the team during its most successful years, will continue his involvement with the team as President Emeritus.
“Dave has proven to be one of Minor League Baseball’s most talented and successful executives during his tenure as general manager and under his operational leadership, the RiverDogs have experienced unprecedented success,” said Marv Goldklang, Chairman and principal owner of the Charleston RiverDogs, in a press statement.
“Dave is a true professional who has become an integral and influential member of the Charleston community outside the ballpark gates,” he added. “We have every confidence that his transition to this larger role will be seamless and result in ever-deepening ties between the team and the Lowcountry.”
Echols, who held the title of Executive Vice-President & General Manager for the past two years and served as the team’s general manager since 2004, will continue to oversee all operations of the club. Under Echols’ leadership, the RiverDogs have been honored with multiple industry awards for excellence in promotions, marketing and ballpark operations and in 2015, established an all-time attendance record as 292,661 fans passed through the Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park turnstiles. Echols twice has been named Executive of the Year in the South Atlantic League.
Echols enters his 25th season in professional baseball, a career that began in 1992 as an intern with the Fayetteville Generals (Low A; Sally League). During the course of his time in baseball, he has served in various capacities including that of director of marketing for the Columbus Clippers (Class AAA; International League).
He joined the RiverDogs in 1999 as an assistant general manager, and departed in 2002 to become general manager of the Brockton Rox (independent; Northeast League), and was honored in 2003 as Executive of the Year of that league. He returned to Charleston as general manager in 2004 and now begins his 16th season with the RiverDogs, this time as president.
“I am indeed appreciative of the continued support of Marv Goldklang and everyone affiliated with The Goldklang Group,” Echols said. “Under Marv and Mike Veeck’s leadership, the RiverDogs have flourished, developing extremely strong roots in the community and making The Joe THE place to be. I am both proud and honored to be handed the reins.”
Echols, 45, is a native of Delaware, Ohio and a graduate of the University of Dayton. He and his wife, the former Debra Glenn, are the parents of a son, Logan, who is 4.
Veeck, son of legendary Baseball Hall of Famer Bill Veeck, will continue to teach sports management courses as a visiting professor at The Citadel, where he has been since 2008. He also remains involved with The Goldklang Group as president and co-owner of the St. Paul Saints (independent; American Association).