Grizzlies Bolster Front Office Staff
FRESNO, CA - The Fresno Grizzlies are proud to announce the addition of three new employees, in addition to seven internal promotions, to their front office staff in preparation for the 2008 season at Chukchansi Park.
"We could not be more pleased with the additions to our front office in anticipation of the upcoming season at Chukchansi Park," said Grizzlies Executive Vice President Andrew Stuebner. "In both the newcomers and the internal promotions we have a group of people who align well with our overall philosophy of providing affordable family fun to Fresno and the surrounding Central Valley."
Jeff Benton, previously Fresno's Director of Marketing, will take on several new responsibilities as he enters his third season with the Grizzlies. Benton, who earned both his undergraduate and graduate degrees at Texas Tech University, takes over as the club's Director of Marketing and Corporate Partnerships. In this new role he will manage the corporate sales department while continuing to oversee all grassroots marketing initiatives.
Sebastian Biagioni, begins his second season with the Grizzlies in a new role, as Ticket Sales Manager. Biagioni, a Carlsbad, CA native and graduate of Cal State University - Monterey Bay, spent the 2007 season with the Grizzlies as a Group Sales Account Executive. With more than four years of experience in sales at Pebble Beach, he will manage the day-to-day operations of the Chukchansi Park box office.
After spending the 2007 season as the Grizzlies Marketing Manager, Krista Boyd will take on a new challenge as the Director of Entertainment and Publications. Entering her fifth season in baseball, she will handle all in-game entertainment at Chukchansi Park, the production and publication of Play Ball magazine, and all graphic design responsibilities for the club.
New to the Grizzlies, Clovis native Danielle Cabral takes over as the team's Director of Community Relations. A graduate of Cal State University - Long Beach, Cabral will draw on her past experience in event planning and group sales as she operates as the Executive Director of the Grizzlies Community Fund and oversees all community outreach programs on behalf of the ballclub.
Originally from Kingsburg, CA, Derek Franks begins his fifth season with the Grizzlies as the team's new Director of Inside Sales. Having spent the previous four years in various capacities within the ticket office, Franks is now in charge of hiring and training all inside sales representatives, the department focused on attracting new clients for the team.
Jason Hannold begins his third season in baseball, and second in Fresno, as the Grizzlies new Director of Event Operations. A native of Harrisburg, PA and a graduate of Slippery Rock University, Hannold's primary responsibility will be the hiring, training, scheduling, and management of Chukchansi Park's game-day staff of more than 200 people.
Following three seasons east of the Mississippi, Paul Kennedy begins his first season in Fresno as the Grizzlies Director of Media and Public Relations. Originally from Massachusetts and a graduate of The George Washington University, Kennedy spent the 2007 season as the Director of Media Relations for the Birmingham Barons of the Southern League.
A Fresno native, Ray Ortiz brings over eleven years of sales and customer service experience, including a season in the Grizzlies Inside Sales department, to his new position as Account Executive. A parent, coach, and board member of several local baseball and softball leagues, Ortiz will handle ticket sales and the development of Little League programs throughout the region.
Also hailing from Fresno, Karen Thomas takes over as the Grizzlies Finance Manager in her seventh season in professional baseball. Thomas, a graduate of Fresno City College, previously worked as a Ticket Office Assistant and will oversee all accounts receivable for the ticket office and sponsorship sales department.
Finally, Paul Zilm takes over as the Grizzlies Director of Tickets. Approaching his tenth season in baseball, Zilm comes to Fresno after serving as the Assistant General Manager of the Spokane Indians of the Northwest League. In addition to selling Grizzlies' ticket packages and group outings he will oversee all ticket sales and box office operations. A native of Spokane, WA, and a graduate of Eastern Washington University, Zilm has a 5-year old daughter Madelyn.
The Fresno Grizzlies open the 2008 baseball season at Chukchansi Park with an exhibition game versus the San Francisco Giants on March 26th. For information on the 13-game Giants Fan Plan, which includes a ticket to the exhibition tilt, opening day on April 11th, and the Fourth of July, contact the Grizzlies ticket office at 559.320.TIXS.