We have personnel news, including a Northwest League award for Boise Hawks general manager Bob Flannery and new front office hires by the Vermont Lake Monsters (Short Season A; NY-Penn League) and Joliet Slammers (independent; Frontier League).
In Boise, Hawks general manager Bob Flannery has been named the Northwest League Executive of the Year, as voted by his peers. In 2018, the Hawks drew 126,192 fans; including 11 straight sellouts dating back to 2017. Since 2015, Flannery’s first season as General Manager, the Hawks have seen a 44 percent increase in total attendance.
“I am honored and humbled to be recognized by my peers in the league,” said Flannery. “My name may be the only one on the award, but I know it is a total team effort by our staff to make this possible, and for that I am grateful to be associated with some of the best young minds in minor league baseball,” Flannery added.
The Hawks added their most robust promotional schedule to date that included 10 post-game firework shows, an appearance by Mr. Belding from Saved by the Bell, Military Appreciation Night and premium giveaway nights. Nightly promotions included Dog Day Sundays, Feed Your Face Mondays and Thirsty Thursdays. In the community, Hawks players and staff made over 50 local appearances, including the third annual Miracle League Game.
This past August, the Hawks announced Boise will be the host city for the Northwest League / Pioneer League All-Star Game. The two-day event will bring in the best young stars of Minor League Baseball and highlight the city of Boise.
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The Lake Monsters have announced the hirings of Hannah Carlin as the new Box Office and Team Operations Manager along with Philip Nerber as the new Ticket Sales & Operations Manager.
Both Carlin and Nerber have spent the past two summers working for the Lake Monsters, including as ticket office managers during the 2018 season.
Originally from Milton, Vermont, Carlin joins the front office after starting with the Lake Monsters as a gameday employee during the 2017 season before being named one of the ticket managers this past year. Hannah graduated from Endicott College this spring with a degree in Sports Marketing.
Nerber, a native of South Burlington, joins the Lake Monsters in a full-time capacity after spending two summers working out of the team’s Box Office and selling season ticket and mini-plan packages both summers. Philip graduated from Xavier University this past spring.
“We are looking forward to having Hannah and Philip join us in a full-time capacity”, says Lake Monsters General Manager Joe Doud. “It means a lot to us to be able to hire locally. Both Philip and Hannah have been great for us in the past, but both stepped up in a big way this season. It is great to be able to reward their hardwork with full-time positions.”
Carlin will oversee the day-to-day operations of the Box Office, along with handling many of the team’s interactions with the players and the Oakland A’s. Nerber will oversee a majority of the Lake Monsters ticket programs.
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In Joliet, the Slammers have announced that John Wilson is joining the team as the Vice President of Sales and Marketing.
John comes to the Slammers with significant, high-level experience in sports. Wilson is a graduate of Indiana State University and has worked in sports since 2004. He has spent time with the Minnesota Timberwolves of the NBA, Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the NFL, Sacramento River Cats and Pawtucket Red Sox both Triple A affiliated baseball teams, and most recently served as General Manager of the Frontier League’s Southern Illinois Miners.
“I’m excited for this opportunity to come to Joliet and apply my energy, passion and experience in to making the Joliet Slammers the preferred affordable family destination in the area. Our goal will be to provide superior customer service to all of our corporate partners and fans,” said Wilson
Slammers owner Nick Semaca added, “We are thrilled to have someone with John’s experience join our staff and look forward to what he brings to the Slammers.”