Rapids Promote Pádraig Smith To Top Exec Post; Wayne Brant To Handle Business Ops

The Rapids have promoted Sporting Dir PÁDRAIG SMITH to Exec VP & GM -- the MLS club's top executive post. Smith, who joined the Rapids in January '15 from UEFA, had been serving as interim GM. He also had a stint as Irish Football Association Head of Finance. The club also promoted VP/Business Operations WAYNE BRANT, one of the longest-tenured Rapids employees, to Senior VP/Business Operations. Brant will be responsible for all day-to-day business areas. He joined the organization in ’07 as Dir of Marketing. Last summer, Smith and Brant were named to interim leadership positions after former Rapids President TIM HINCHEY resigned to become USA Swimming President & CEO. Both promotions are effective immediately.