The independent American Association has announced co-winners for its 2019 Executive of the Year award, with Saint Paul Saints Vice President/General Manager Derek Sharrer and Cleburne Railroaders Director of Operations Josh Robertson sharing the honor.
For Sharrer, the announcement marks the fifth consecutive year he has won the award. The longtime General Manager of the Saints is in his 16th season as General Manager and oversaw promotions that led St. Paul to draw a league-high 394,970 fans to CHS Field this season.
“Derek continues to set the standard of leadership within the sport, overseeing an atmosphere of innovation and creativity that is unique to the Saints’ culture,” Saints Chairman and principal owner Marv Goldklang said in a team-issued press statement. “He is, quite simply, one of the best at what he does, and we’re thrilled to have him at the helm. Congratulations once again to Derek and his staff on this well-deserved accolade.”
“With a front office loaded with experience, talent, creativity, energy, and dedication, an ownership group as highly regarded as any in baseball, I’m so fortunate to work with, and for, the best,” Sharrer said in a press statement. “To be selected by my peers makes this that much more meaningful and to share this recognition with Josh Robertson is an honor. Congratulations to Josh on a job well done in Cleburne.”
Robertson earned the award after helping to assemble a Railroaders’ squad that put together a franchise-best 57 win season, a 24-win improvement from the 2018 campaign. The award is Robertson’s first of his career.
“Josh has been instrumental in our success this season, both on the field and off,” Railroaders President and Co-Owner John Junker said in a team-issued press statement. “We knew when we brought Josh into the fold that he was going to do some amazing things for the Railroaders and the Johnson County communities. We are blessed to have him as part of our organization and very happy his hard work has been recognized by the other members of our great league. The future is bright with Josh leading the charge.”