We have personnel news to report from the Sonoma Stompers (independent; Pacific Association), and the Kansas City T-Bones (independent; American Association).
In Sonoma, the Stompers have announced that Jen Ramos is their new assistant general manager. Ramos has previously worked as a journalist, and once served a stint with the NHL’s San Jose Sharks.
“Jen comes to us highly regarded among her peers, and greatly respected by her references, several of whom I know and trust,” Stompers general manager Theo Fightmaster said. “She brings a wide array of skills, a positive mix of experiences – both professional and academically – and she’s seen the game from different angles; be it as a fan, a writer and an analyst.”
Ramos will be tasked with many responsibilities, among them serving as the director of ticketing and fan experience, and she will have a hand in the club’s promotions and media relations. In addition to helping build a team that can defend the Stompers’ 2016 Pacific Association Championship, Ramos will work improve the business operations too.
“Jen’s worked in small businesses, and she’s worked with the Sharks,” Fightmaster said. “She’s spent a lot of time writing about and attending minor-league baseball games. I’ve been very impressed by her understanding of not only who the Stompers are, but what we’re striving to become.”
“I’m excited to serve as the new Assistant General Manager for the Stompers and bring my expertise to the team,” Ramos sad. “With a diverse background in numerous fields, I feel like I can help the team develop from its current success into something even bigger.”
Ramos graduated from the University of Southern California in 2016, with a master’s of science in journalism, where she was part of Lambda Pi Eta, the communications and journalism honors society. She’s a member of the Association for Women in Sports Media, the Society of American Baseball Researcher and the Internet Baseball Writers Association of America.
—
In Kansas City, the T-Bones have announced that Scott Steckly is returning to the organization to assume the role of vice-president of corporate partnerships and sales.
This marks Steckly’s third stint the T-Bones. He was with the club during its infancy in Kansas City, 2002-03, the latter of which was the T-Bones’ first season in Kansas City, and then he left and came back as the Vice-President of Corporate Sales during 2008-11.
“Scott is a proven sports sales executive,” said vice-president and general manager Chris Browne. “He’s a veteran director that will lead our staff internally and maximize the relationships with our partners. He definitely gets our ‘Fun…Well Done’ slogan.
“We’re glad to have him back on board for our 15th anniversary season and beyond.”
It’s not a stretch to say that Steckly has been in sales throughout his entire adult life. A die-hard sports fan, who grew up approximately 30 minutes south of the Kansas City metro area pulling for the Royals and Chiefs, Steckly at the age of 21 opened a baseball card shop that he owned and operated for eight years. After working for the T-Bones during the club’s first season in Kansas City, Steckly spent five years, 2004-08, with Mid-America Sign Contractors, Inc. Following his second stint with the T-Bones, he worked for MAPS (Mid-America Peripheral Support) from 2011 until ‘15, and then Time-Warner Cable Business Class from 2015 until earlier this year.
“The T-Bones are like family to me, so I’m extremely excited and proud to be working for the Ehlert family and Chris Browne again,” Steckly said. “I will continue to build long term relationships with our customers and provide the best customer service possible.”