We have personnel news to report from the Omaha Storm Chasers (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) and the Somerset Patriots (independent; Atlantic League).
In Omaha, the Storm Chasers have announced several promotions and additions. Among the changes are a new Assistant General Manager, as well as the promotions of four 2017 seasonal associates to full-time roles.
“We are very excited to welcome staff members into new and exciting roles,” said Omaha Storm Chasers President and General Manager Martie Cordaro. “We have an experienced staff in place as we prepare for one of the biggest seasons in franchise history with our 50th campaign upcoming in 2018.”
Promotions in the Sales Department include naming Sean Olson as Assistant General Manager of Sales, joining Laurie Schlender and Andrea Bedore in serving as Assistant General Managers with the club. The 2017 season marked Olson’s fourth full season as Director of Sales with the Storm Chasers. Keri Feyerherm has also been promoted to the role of Director of Human Resources and Administration after serving as Human Resources and Office Manager since 2015. In addition, Cody Stewart’s role has been elevated to Client Services Manager after serving as Marketing and Sales Assistant during the 2017 campaign.
Cody Smoot and Kendall Hendrix have also been promoted to the roles of Group Sales Executive and Ticket Operations Assistant, respectively, after joining the organization prior to the 2017 season in the role of Ticket Operations Seasonal Associates. The Sales Department also welcomes new additions and Nebraska natives in Group Sales Executive Michael Herman, who spent the previous two seasons with the San Antonio Missions, and Sales Assistant Sara Howard.
The Marketing Department has also undergone several changes, including the promotion of Kaci Long to the role of Director of Marketing and Communications. Long’s previous role with the organization was as Client Services Manager, with the 2017 season marking her eighth year with the Storm Chasers. Nick Sandberg’s role has also been elevated to Mascot and Theme Night Manager after serving as the Storm Chasers’ Mascot and Community Relations Seasonal Associate in 2017. After joining the organization as Sales and Promotions Seasonal Associate prior to 2017, Andrew Asbury has also been promoted to Marketing and Promotions Coordinator.
In addition, several of the front office staff’s job titles have been updated. Noah Diercks will now serve as Director of Grounds and Scott Rowedder as the Grounds Manager, while Special Events Coordinator Kathleen Ezell will also assist in the team’s community relations efforts as Special Events and Community Relations Coordinator. Kory Foster’s role is Senior Ballpark Operations Assistant, with 2018 marking his fourth year in the organization, while Andrew Green will also take on additional social media duties as Media Operations Manager after serving the previous two seasons as Media Relations and Website Manager.
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In Somerset, the Patriots have announced four new hires to their front office staff, as Hal Hansen, Ken Smith, Chris Dillon and Ian Gatehouse have all joined the Patriots team.
Hal Hansen joins the Patriots as the team’s new Director of Marketing. The Manasquan, New Jersey resident enters his first season in Somerset with 14 years of service working in minor league baseball – all with the Lakewood BlueClaws (Low A; Sally League). Hansen began his time there as the Assistant Director of Ticket Sales and an original member of the front office before transitioning into the Director of Marketing and Promotions: a role he held for his final 10 seasons down the shore.
“After 14 years with one organization, I am very excited to join a new culture and a new community,” said Hansen. “There is a new energy around this team and I am ready to help out any way that I can.”
Ken Smith begins his time in Somerset after spending the last three years with the New Jersey Devils in sales and service. The current Garwood resident takes over as the Patriots’ new Corporate Sales Manager and will oversee the team’s digital displays.
“The Patriots have been super welcoming so far,” said Smith with a smile. “It has been an easy transition for me and my family to come into baseball – a sport that I played as a kid. I love how versatile the organization is and how I now have an opportunity to try my hand in many different departments.”
The Patriots are also welcoming in two new Group Sales Managers to their team this year. Chris Dillon and Ian Gatehouse join the bullpen for their first years with the team. Dillon, a Duquesne University alum, carries two years of service as an Account Executive with Bethlehem Steel FC into his first campaign with the six-time Atlantic League champions.
“It’s great to be here with a great organization,” said Dillon. “I’m very excited to begin a new chapter in Somerset.”
Gatehouse, a recent graduate of Johnson and Wales University, was brought on by the team after holding sales internships with the New York Islanders, New York Yankees, New England Patriots, Boston Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays.
“I feel like it is a family already,” added Gatehouse. “Everyone has been very welcoming here so far. I am now ready to take the next step in my career.”