There is personnel news to report from the office of Minor League Baseball, and from the front office of the Altoona Curve (Class AA; Eastern League).
MiLB has announced the hiring of four new staff members and the promotions within the organization for three current executives.
Gerald Jones has been named Vice President, Business Development and Media. Jones comes to MiLB with 18 years of experience in marketing, media sales and corporate partnerships in the sports and entertainment industry. Most recently, Gerald was the Senior Director, Global Partnerships for Feld Entertainment. Prior to his time with Feld Entertainment, he held leadership positions with IMG College, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Pittsburgh Pirates. Jones earned his Master of Science in sports administration from the University of Southern Mississippi and a Bachelor of Science in business education from Armstrong State University.
Mallory Roberts has been named Senior Digital Marketing and Communications Manager. Mallory joins MiLB with seven years of experience in digital marketing, including stops with Learfield, Turner Sports and the Houston Astros. Roberts earned her Bachelor of Arts in communications with a minor in journalism from Texas A&M University.
Melissa Giesler-Hassell has been named Coordinator of Trademarks and Intellectual Property. Giesler-Hassell served as an assistant softball coach and academic advisor in the TOTA3L Program at St. Thomas University in Miami, where she earned a Master of Science in sports administration.
Jessica Nori has been named Events and Partnerships Coordinator, where she will assist with Minor League Baseball Charities initiatives, the Minor League Baseball Alumni Association and the MiLB Special Events department. Nori had previously served as an intern with Minor League Baseball Enterprises and the Special Events department. She received her Bachelor of Science degrees in entrepreneurship, professional sales and marketing from Florida State University and earned master’s degrees in business administration and sport business management from the University of Central Florida’s DeVos Sport Business Management Program.
In addition to these hires, Minor League Baseball recently shifted three staff members into new roles.
Vincent Pierson has been promoted to Director, Diversity and Inclusion. Pierson, who joined MiLB in 2015, oversees the development and implementation of programs, activities, partnerships and other strategic endeavors that activate Minor League Baseball’s Diversity Initiative. He is also responsible for the creation of educational programs focusing on diversity and inclusion for Minor League Baseball clubs. Pierson has a Bachelor of Science in sport management from Virginia State University and earned master’s degrees in business administration and sport business management from the University of Central Florida’s DeVos Sport Business Management Program.
Jess Schneider has been named Manager, Umpire Operations, where she will coordinate administrative functions for Minor League Baseball Umpire Development. Schneider joined Minor League Baseball in 2014 as the Trademarks and Intellectual Properties Coordinator after working in the player development department of the Toronto Blue Jays. Jess has a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Science in sports administration from St. Thomas University in Miami.
Meghan Madson has been promoted to Marketing Coordinator, where she will be tasked to support key influencer hospitality, club communication, partnership marketing execution and overall department efficiency. Madson joined Minor League Baseball in May 2016, after stints with the Aberdeen IronBirds (Short Season A; NY-Penn League), Hudson Valley Renegades (Short Season A; NY-Penn League) and Princeton Rays (Rookie; Appalachian League). Madson holds a Bachelor of Science in business administration from Trine University.
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In Altoona, the Curve have announced five new additions to their front office staff, as well as other role changes ahead of the upcoming season.
The new staff additions in the groundskeeping, creative services, business development, ticket sales and communications departments take effect heading into the 20th Season of Altoona Curve Baseball, presented by Stuckey Subaru.
Chris Mason joins the Curve as Head Groundskeeper for his eighth season in baseball after spending the last three years in the same role with the West Virginia Power (Low A; Sally League). A native of Eastlake, Ohio, Mason began his career in 2011 and 2012 as an assistant groundskeeper with the Lake County Captains (Low A; Midwest League). He was the Head Groundskeeper for the Clinton LumberKings (Low A; Midwest League) in 2013 before returning to Ohio in 2014 as the Head Groundskeeper/Assistant Director of Stadium Operations for the Mahoning Valley Scrappers (Short Season A; NY-Penn League), where he was named the New York-Penn League’s Sports Turf Manager of the Year.
“We are fortunate to bring in someone like Chris to Curve, PA,” Curve General Manager Derek Martin said. “His resume speaks for itself and have the utmost confidence in him that we will be providing a great playing surface for our team, especially with the sod that was replaced this off-season. Chris has worked in the Pirates minor league system the last several years and already has a lot of good relationships with our current coaching staff.”
David Gallagher is now the Curve’s Director of Creative Services after spending the 2017 season with the team as a production intern. Gallagher, a native of Saxonburg, Pa., is a 2018 alumnus of Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
“David showed us a lot in 2017 when he interned in the production room,” Martin said. “It was quickly evident that he has a lot of talent and his creativity is off the charts. I am excited to see how he creates and re-creates the atmosphere at PNG Field. David has a very important position as he is the one that manages the sights and sounds for our fans when they come to a game. I love being able to promote from within the organization and Gallagher definitely deserved it.”
Jade Giantini joins the Curve’s staff as Manager of Partnership Services after spending the 2017 season as an front office intern. A native of Duncannon, Pa., Giantini is a 2017 alumna of York College of Pennsylvania and worked on the game day staff of the Harrisburg Senators (Class AA; Eastern League) in 2015 and 2016.
”Jade is another one of the class of 2017 interns,” Martin said. “From day one, Jade set herself apart as she always spoke up, brought new ideas to the table, always volunteered and worked very well with the staff. Her work ethic impressed me and I knew she would be a valuable asset to the organization.”
Briana Hornung comes on board with the Curve as a Ticket Sales Manager after spending the 2017 season as a marketing assistant with the West Virginia Power (Low A; Sally League). Hornung is a native of Hollidaysburg, Pa. and a 2016 alumna of Penn State University.
“We were looking to add an additional ticket sales person for the 2018 season, and Briana came highly recommended,” Martin said. “I loved the fact that she was born and raised in Hollidaysburg. She is a hard worker and has a passion for her job and it shows. Briana has made an immediate impact in our ticket department. I just need to get her some bowling lessons from what I saw in our small bowling league.”
Garett Mansfield joins the Curve as the Communications & Broadcasting Assistant. A native of Defiance, Ohio, Mansfield is a 2015 graduate of Bowling Green State University and spent the 2017 season as the Media Relations & Marketing Manager and play-by-play broadcaster for the Beloit Snappers (Low A; Midwest League). He worked as the Broadcast & Media Relations Assistant for the El Paso Chihuahuas (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) during the 2016 season and spent two previous years as the Director of Broadcasting & Media Relations for the Chugiak-Eagle River Chinooks of the Alaska Baseball League.
Mansfield will join Trey Wilson and Nate Bowen on the Curve Radio Network broadcast team this season. He replaces Max Gun, who moved on to become the voice of the Lynchburg Hillcats (High A; Carolina League).
“We’re excited to have Garett join our broadcast team and communications staff this season,” said Wilson, the Curve’s Director of Communications & Broadcasting. “He brings several years of valuable experience from some great organizations, and we look forward to the contributions he will be making with Altoona this year on and off the airwaves.”
Bowen, who has been with the Curve since 2013, is now the club’s Director of Ticketing. Corey Homan, who enters his tenth season with the Curve’s front office, is now the Director of Corporate Partnerships.
Isaiah Arpino is now the Director of Entertainment & Branding. 2018 will be his tenth season with the Curve and his fourth in a full-time role. Mike Kessling, entering his fourth season with the front office, is now the Director of Marketing, Promotions & Special Events.
“I can’t say enough about Nate, Corey, Isaiah and Mike,” Martin said. “They truly have a passion for what they do and they ‘live it’ every day. The promotions were much deserved and we are fortunate to have them in Curve, PA.”