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Personnel News: Lexington County, Greensboro

Lexington County Blowfish

We have personnel news to report from the Lexington County Blowfish (summer collegiate; Coastal Plain League) and the Greensboro Grasshoppers (Low A; Sally League). 

In Lexington County, the Blowfish have announced that Brian Larkin has been promoted to Vice-President of Shanahan & Company Sports Management/Blowfish Baseball and Theo Bacot has been named the new General Manager of the Blowfish.

Larkin joined the Blowfish as GM in October of 2016 after three seasons with the Pensacola Blue Wahoos (Class AA; Southern League).

Brian shared his thoughts about his new position. “I am blessed and thankful to be able to accept the VP role within Shanahan & Company Sports Management and the Lexington County Blowfish. Vicki, Bill and the rest of the Blowfish staff are like family. I have the upmost respect for them and I am looking forward to being able to continue to be rooted as well as serve within the Lexington County. What an exciting time it is be a part of such a wonderful community as it continues to grow!”

Theo Bacot accepted the General Manager position after three years with the Biloxi Shuckers (Class AA; Southern League). The Shuckers were recently ranked first among high performing minor league baseball teams in customer satisfaction. Theo graduated from East Carolina University with a Sports Studies degree and Communications minor and is originally from Raleigh, NC. His first job in sports was with the Durham Bulls the summer of 2010. Theo also spent a year working for the Myrtle Beach Pelicans (High A; Carolina League) and another working in the Coastal Plain League for the Wilmington Sharks.

“I am extremely grateful that owners Bill and Vicki Shanahan trust in me to be the next General Manager of the Lexington County Blowfish. I am looking forward to joining the Lexington County community, and getting to know everyone. I am excited to join an outstanding organization and build upon the great foundation that Brian already has in place,” stated Bacot.

Larkin added, “We are excited for the Blowfish family to be growing. The Shanahan’s and myself are thrilled to have Theo joining our team as we are looking forward to seeing his passion, values, and intelligence spread throughout our Lexington County communities. Our staff firmly believes in the “One Team One Dream” mentality. Now with stronger management, we truly feel that the sky is the limit in showcasing Lexington County’s Home Team. Not only this, but the 2018 CPL All Star Show will raise awareness and magnify how well Lexington County loves the game of baseball. Our mission statement is: To continually help enhance the quality of life in Lexington County!”

In addition the Blowfish announced other staff title changes:

Kyle Calhoun has been promoted to Assistant General Manager. Throughout 2017, Kyle assisted and executed group sales for the Blowfish. He is a graduate of the University of South Carolina majoring in Sport and Entertainment Management (SPTE). Calhoun will oversee all phases of ticket operations which includes group outings, season tickets as well as game day. Kyle will continue to sell/service groups and supervise ticket sales training of our All You Can Eat Baseball Ticket Packages.

Anna Grace Foell is the new Director of Marketing & Promotions. She is a senior at the University of South Carolina majoring in Sport and Entertainment Management (SPTE). Anna Grace begian as an intern managing game day entertainment during the 2017 season and will oversee game presentation and the 2018 CPL All-Star Show campaign set for July 8th and 9th at Lexington County Baseball Stadium.

Anna Vergelli is the new Director of Community Relations. Responsible for the community outreach programs, merchandising, as well as the Lexington County Elementary Schools Reading Program. Anna joined the Blowfish during the summer of 2017 as an intern and is a junior at the University of South Carolina in Sport and Entertainment Management (SPTE).

Lawson Estridge is interning with the Blowfish and handling Media Coordination on the off season. Lawson attends Lexington High and was the team photographer during this past season. The Blowfish are excited to continue in our development programs for Lexington County High Schools and their students.

Robbie Hardy will continue as Director of Stadium Operations. Robbie is originally from Columbia, SC and finished his undergraduate work from the USC and has his Master of Science degree in Sports Management from American Public University. He and his wife, Lea, currently live in Lexington County and have been married for 17 years and have 3 boys, Tyler, Scott, and Greyson. Robbie teaches at Gilbert High, has been a high school business education teacher for 16 years, and a high school coach in South Carolina for 20 years. Robbie has helped coach the Blowfish in 2010, 2011, and 2016 and oversees the Blowfish Summer Baseball Camps at Lexington County Baseball Stadium

In Greensboro, the Grasshoppers have added four new staff members to their front office. As the team brings all food and beverage operations in-house for the 2018 season, the Grasshoppers welcome Drew Gill as the team’s Director of Food & Beverage as well as Shawn Wilson who will serve as the Kitchen Manager. Additionally, Josh Feldman joins the organization as the new Director of Production & Partnership Services while Jordan Billingsley is the new Head Groundskeeper.

Gill, a graduate of UNC-Greensboro, brings more than 13 years of food & beverage experience to the Grasshoppers. He began his work in the food industry as the General Manager of Natty Greene’s Pub & Brewery and has also worked for Red Robin, Lone Star Steakhouse, and Taco Mac. Gill has served in many roles in the food industry, including kitchen manager, floor manager, event coordinator, and most recently the Assistant Facilities Director of a Denny’s franchise group.

Wilson has spent the past 10 seasons at First National Bank Field with the two previous third-party concessionaires, giving him intimate knowledge of the Grasshoppers operations as he joins the staff. He brings more than 30 years of experience to the organization. He spent two years with Centerplate at the Greensboro Coliseum while also working at High Point County Club, Willow Creek Country Club, and the Marriott Hotel.

Feldman comes to Greensboro after seven seasons with the Kannapolis Intimidators (Low A; Sally League) where he served as the Director of Communications, radio broadcaster, and on-field MC. With more than a decade of experience in Minor League Baseball, he will help oversee many of the production elements of the new scoreboard at First National Bank Field in 2018 season. He will also work in business development to expand both the sponsorship and season ticket base for the franchise. Feldman graduated from the University of Southern California with a degree in Broadcast Journalism and worked in the independent Golden Baseball League for four seasons before joining the Intimidators in 2011.

Billingsley joins the Grasshoppers after building a strong resume in the Marlins minor league system. He served as the Head Groundskeeper for the Gulf Coast League Marlins in 2016 before ascending to the role of Head Groundskeeper for the Jupiter Hammerheads (High A; Florida State League) and Assistant Head Groundskeeper of Roger Dean Stadium through the 2017 season. Billingsley graduated from Mississippi State with a degree in Turf and Turfgrass Management.

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