There is some personnel news to report, as Scott Sonju is stepping down from his post as president of the Frisco RoughRiders (Class AA; Texas League). Sonju is leaving the position to pursue new business ventures, according to the team.
Sonju, who joined the RoughRiders during the team’s inaugural 2003 season and has served as president since 2006, will step away from his day-to-day responsibilities immediately. He will continue to serve the franchise in an advisory capacity and will maintain a minority ownership interest in the club.
“Scott made me aware of his desire to transition away from the team more than a year ago and, together with our entire executive leadership team, we immediately began planning to ensure that his duties and responsibilities were seamlessly transitioned prior to his departure,” RoughRiders general partner & CEO Chuck Greenberg said. “Scott’s outstanding strategic vision and leadership are key reasons why the RoughRiders have been one of Minor League Baseball’s model franchises since inception. We’re thrilled that even though he is moving on to other business opportunities Scott will maintain his affiliation with the team, and forever be a friend and mentor to many people in our organization.”
The team does not plan to hire a new president. Greenberg will continue to direct the franchise’s strategic vision as general partner & CEO, while executive vice president/general manager Jason Dambach and chief operating officer Scott Burchett will maintain their roles overseeing all day-to-day business operations. Chief sales officer John Alper (corporate sponsorships) and chief ticketing officer Bill Goren will direct the team’s key revenue categories.
“It has been an honor to lead the RoughRiders for over a decade,” Sonju said. “The best part has been the wonderful people I have worked with every day. The RoughRiders are in a great place – and have all the pieces in place – which makes now a good time for me to pursue other business interests.”
“For the past year, I have worked with Chuck, Jason, Scott and others within our organization to prepare for my departure from the day-to-day operation of the team,” Sonju added. “I will continue to be an investor, advisor and cheerleader, and I look forward to great things for the team in the years to come.”
During Scott’s tenure, the RoughRiders led all 30 Double-A teams in attendance for 12 consecutive seasons (2005-2016) and received numerous accolades, including Baseball America‘s 2007 Bob Freitas Award as the top Double-A franchise in the country and the Texas League’s 2010 Organization of the Year.
A two-time selection for the Dallas Business Journal “40 Under Forty,” Scott also was named Texas League Executive of the Year in 2014. He enjoys being involved in the community, and serves on the boards of the Collin County Business Alliance and the Frisco RoughRiders Foundation, which Scott founded and has been widely recognized for its outstanding community work.