We have personnel news today from the Pawtucket Red Sox (Class AAA; International League) and the Reading Fightin Phils (Class AA; Eastern League).
In Pawtucket, longtime Public Relations head Bill Wanless has been promoted to Vice President of Communications & Community Relations, while 25-year veteran Michael Gwynn is the new Vice President of Sponsorships and former Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders president Rob Crain is new Vice President of Sales.
“Bill Wanless and Michael Gwynn represent the heart and soul of PawSox loyalty,” said club Chairman Larry Lucchino. “Their solid reputations were known to us at the Red Sox, and both have been even more impressive the more we have worked with them over this past year.
“Rob Crain brings a breadth of minor league experience from several clubs across the country, including, of course, the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, the Triple-A affiliate of a nearby American League team. His defection from their minor league tentacles demonstrates hope for redemption for all.”
Wanless, who will begin his 32nd season with the PawSox in 2016, has been Vice President of Public Relations since 1992. He began his career as an intern with the club in 1985, and upon graduating from Saint Anselm College, was promoted in May, 1986 to Public Relations Director. Wanless will continue to oversee public relations, publications, and media relations, while adding community relations and social media to his department’s responsibilities. The Canton, MA native lives in North Attleboro, MA with his wife Linda, daughters Lauren and Hannah, and son Matt.
Gwynn joined the PawSox in 1991 after a career as sports reporter/anchor for WPRI-TV 12 in Providence from 1988-91 and WCVX TV-58 on Cape Cod from 1983-88. The Milton, MA native was also a fill-in anchor for NBC-10 from 1995-2003. Gwynn attended the University of Southern California and Babson College, earning his undergraduate degree in 1978. He received an MBA from Babson College in 1981. He lives in West Falmouth, MA with his wife Cathy. The couple has three grown children: John, Cate, and Tyler.
A graduate of Springfield College, Crain will oversee the team’s sales functions in his new role. Crain most recently served as President and General Manager of the RailRiders, the New York Yankees’ Triple-A affiliate, from July of 2012 to January of 2015. Prior to that, Rob spent six seasons working for the Omaha Royals (later called the Storm Chasers), Triple-A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals, including four seasons as the club’s Assistant General Manager. Crain, a native of Burlington, MA, and his wife Amy are in the process of moving to Rhode Island.
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In Reading, Jon Nally has been promoted to Director of Groups effective immediately. Nally, 24, will oversee the groups department and manage their sales effort for FirstEnergy Stadium’s group and picnic areas, including the all-new Savage61 Dugout Suite.
“First as an intern, and then as an Assistant Director of Groups, Jon has proven to be a superstar in customer service,” said Fightins General Manager Scott Hunsicker. “Group leaders have always raved about Jon’s attention to detail. He’s a fun guy, he’s friendly, and he treats all Fightins group leaders as friends. Jon’s goal has always been to make the group leader’s role as easy as possible. We are certain that Jon will do an outstanding job as the Fightin Phils Director of Groups.”
A 2009 graduate of Wilson, Nally is entering his fifth season with the Fightins. He came on board as a sales associate in 2012 and returned in the same role during the 2013 season. Following that season, he was promoted to full-time staff as Groups Manager. The Sinking Spring resident was promoted to Assistant Director of Groups heading into the 2015 season. He earned a B.S. in Sports Administration from Lock Haven University in 2013.
In addition to Nally’s promotion, the Fightins are also happy to announce the addition of eleven new sales associates to the front office staff. The new sales associates are Brittany Bridi, Kyle Hartman, Brittney Hickernell, Laken Leber, Casey Lydon, Ed Moffett, Darrell Scott, Brian Wells, Janelle Yonkovitch, Evan Smith, and Wes Tillet.