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Personnel News: Jacksonville, Visalia

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We have some personnel news to report from the Visalia Rawhide (High A; Carolina League) and the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (Class AA; Southern League). 

In Visalia, the Rawhide have added two new front office members. Vinnie Longo is the new director of broadcasting and media relations, while Audrea Avalos has been named the community relations manager.

Avalos had previously spent the past four years working as a Broadcast Assistant for the Los Angeles Clippers, which involved co-managing the production of all Clippers game broadcasts and communicating directly with the NBA and broadcast sponsors. A native of Fowler, CA, she graduated with a degree in Radio Broadcasting from the University of La Verne.

“I am so happy to be home and very grateful for the opportunity here in Visalia,” said Avalos. “I’m excited to continue my career in sports as a part of the Rawhide family.”

“I’m incredibly excited to be taking on this role with the Rawhide and to be joining the Visalia community,” said Longo. “The Rawhide are a first-rate organization in Minor League Baseball, and I’m looking forward to becoming a part of it.

“I’m proud to say that the Rawhide staff continues to get stronger & stronger each year,” said General Manager Jennifer Pendergraft. “We continue to strive to be better each year, and fresh blood helps us all stay creative, and at the top of our game. Both Vinnie and Audrea are joining our experienced staff with a vast knowledge of their own, and I’m looking forward to hearing their ideas and getting them involved in our great community!”

Longo & Avalos are joining a veteran staff with over 35 years of combined experience:

– Jennifer Pendergraft, General Manager: 10 years
– Cody Gray, AGM of Ballpark Operations: 6 years
– Charlie Saponara, AGM of Groups, Ticketing & Events: 5 years
– Jill Webb, Director of Sales & Promotions: 3 years
– Jon Bueno, Director of Community Partnerships: 3 years
– Heather Dominguez, Director of Ticketing: 3 years
– James Templeton, Head Groundskeeper: 3 years
– Julian Rifkind, Baseball Operations Manager: 2 years
– Jerry Verastegui, Ballpark Operations Manager: 2 years

In Jacksonville, the Jumbo Shrimp added four new front office staff members.

New to the Jumbo Shrimp front office team are Promotions and Special Events Manager David Ratz, Accounting Manager Teresa Lively-Hall, Corporate Partnership Account Executive Eric Turner, and Account Executive Taylor Boyle. In new positions are Box Office Manager Peter Ercey and Military Liaison and Account Executive Theresa Viets.

“We are excited to welcome staff with diverse talents and experience to our front office, while also broadening our community connections and impact with staff in new roles,” said Jumbo Shrimp General Manager Harold Craw. “Most importantly, the entire Jumbo Shrimp staff is committed to excellent customer service and bringing affordable family fun for Northeast Florida.”

David Ratz is the new Jumbo Shrimp Promotions and Special Events Manager. The Atlanta native brings 13 years of experience in radio promotions and events, producing everything from concerts to golf tournaments.

Teresa Lively-Hall became the Jumbo Shrimp Accounting Manager in September. Born in Modesto, California, and having lived in nine states, she has 15 years of accounting experience, most recently with a nonprofit hospital in Mississippi.

Eric Turner, a Jacksonville native, joins the Jumbo Shrimp as a Corporate Partnership Account Executive after two years as the Marketing Events/Fan Service Coordinator for the Jacksonville Armada FC. He is a Fan Service Supervisor for game day experiences with the Jacksonville Jaguars. He also worked four years with mentally challenged children and adults.

Taylor Boyle is the new Jumbo Shrimp Account Executive. He worked three years as a business development representative for the Winston-Salem Dash (North Carolina) of the Class-A Advanced Carolina League and worked for the Jacksonville Armada FC before joining the Jumbo Shrimp.

Two staff members have new roles in the Jumbo Shrimp front office.

Peter Ercey enters his second season with the team and first as Box Office Manager after a season as an Account Executive. A Coconut Creek, Florida, native, and a sports management graduate from the University of North Florida, he worked a season as Promotions Coordinator for the Inland Empire 66ers (San Bernardino, California) of the Class-A Advanced California League before returning to Jacksonville.

Theresa Viets, a Jacksonville native, has the new role of Military Liaison and Account Executive for her 11th season with the Jacksonville club. She was the Box Office Manager last season, as well as 2011 to 2014. She was the Director of Community Relations during the 2015 season, and she was the Executive Assistant and Receptionist from 2007 to 2011.

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