The Hagerstown Suns (Low A; Sally League) have hired a new general manager, selecting Travis Painter 
to serve in that role. Painter, who is accepting his first GM position in the minors, arrives from the Quad Cities River Bandits (Low A; Midwest League), where he had spent the past two seasons as the assistant general manager of baseball operations.
Prior to joining Quad Cities, Painter logged five seasons of front office experience, beginning with the Potomac Nationals (High A; Carolina League) before serving time with the Pensacola Blue Wahoos (Class AA; Southern League). In Potomac, he rose from an internship in food service to the assistant general manager of corporate sales within a few seasons. Painter was the sales manager for two years with the Blue Wahoos, a stretch that included the team’s inaugural 2012 season at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.
His arrival in Hagerstown is something of a homecoming, as he hails from nearby Luray, Va. Additionally, Painter graduated from James Madison University, which is a little less than two hours south of Hagerstown.
“It’s nice to be back within an hour from where I grew up,” said Painter. “I’m excited for the opportunity and look forward to becoming more involved with the community.”
Painter is taking over a GM position that was vacant for most of the offseason. Chris Easom had served as the Suns GM from 2014 until midway through last season, when he resigned. Bob Bruchey, who remains with the Suns as the director of community affairs, took Easom’s place for the remainder of the 2015 season.
The hiring of Painter adds to what has already been a busy offseason for the Suns. The team recently signed a lease extension to remain in Hagerstown’s Municipal Stadium through the 2018 season, and has made a few upgrades to the venerable facility, including a new infield.