People

BASEBALL

The Houston Astros promoted Leah Tobin to communications assistant from media relations intern.

Tumminia

The Class A Hudson Valley Renegades named Tyler Tumminia director of community relations. Tumminia previously was a public relations associate for Morrissey & Co.

Thorn

The Class AA Bowie (Md.) Baysox named Lars Thorn director of public relations. Thorn formerly was the sports information director for George Washington University’s baseball team.

The New York Yankees named Tony Bruno vice president and chief financial officer, promoted Robert Brown from controller to director of finance, and named Derrick Baio controller. The club also hired Scott Krug as internal auditor/special projects.

---

HOCKEY

The Spokane (Wash.) Chiefs of the Western Hockey League hired Jim Paterson as an account executive.

The Springfield (Mass.) Falcons of the American Hockey League hired Melissa Gardner as manager of promotions and game night operations. The team also named Bob Oliver, formerly assistant general manager, vice president of business operations.

---

MOTORSPORTS

Phoenix International Raceway hired Scott Rovn as director of sales and marketing. Rovn previously was senior director of marketing and sales at Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International and Nazareth (Pa.) Speedway.

Kristi King was hired as director of public relations at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway. King previously worked as director of public relations for North Carolina Speedway.

Chris Browning was named president of Darlington (S.C.) Raceway. Browning previously was vice president and general manager for North Carolina Speedway.

---

FACILITIES

Colon

Palace Sports and Entertainment named Debra Colon director of marketing. Colon will be responsible for the advertising and marketing for concerts and events at The Palace of Auburn Hills, DTE Energy Music Theatre and Meadow Brook Music Festival as well as advertising and marketing support for the Detroit Pistons.

---

MARKETING

The Bonham Group promoted Sandra Brumer to manager of client services and Dax Altenburg to account executive. In addition, Chris Davis was named sales coordinator.

Pepe

Premier Partnerships Inc. hired Christopher Pepe as vice president of Western operations. Pepe will oversee the corporate sponsorship sales and consulting team in the company’s Los Angeles office.

Culbert

The Carter Ryley Thomas agency hired Kurt Culbert as an account executive.

Sapinski

Genesco Sports Enterprises Inc. hired Dave Sapinski as senior manager of corporate hospitality and events.

 

---

MEDIA

Michael Kay agreed to a five-year contract extension with the YES Network as New York Yankees play-by-play announcer.

Michael Feller, director of programming for Fox Sports Net, was promoted to vice president of programming.

---

OTHER

Daniel Swartz, former sports producer at Fox Sports Net, launched DSSM, a Los Angeles-based sports management firm focusing on public relations.

Memorabilia company Dreams Inc. named Michael Jaworski divisional president of Field of Dreams and named Victor Shaffer executive vice president of Dreams Inc.

Jackson

PricewaterhouseCoopers named R. Wayne Jackson global leader of the firm’s entertainment and media practice.

Blue Star Jets named Howard Moses executive vice president and chief marketing officer. Moses will be responsible for all marketing efforts of the company.

---

AWARDS AND BOARDS

Jack Nicklaus was selected to receive the 2005 Old Tom Morris Award from the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America. The award is presented annually to an individual who “through a continuing lifetime commitment to the game of golf has helped to mold the welfare of the game in a manner and style exemplified by Old Tom Morris,” considered one of the top links designers of the 19th century.

Amarillo (Texas) Gorillas play-by-play broadcaster Denis Puska was named Central Hockey League Broadcaster of the Year. The award is presented annually to the league broadcaster who best exemplifies the qualities of excellence and professionalism in the broadcasting field.

---

PEOPLE NEWS

To have your personnel announcements included in the People section, please send information and photos to Jessie Lewis at 120 W. Morehead St., Suite 310, Charlotte, NC 28202, or e-mail them to jlewis@sportsbusinessjournal.com. Electronic photos must be a jpg or tiff file for Macintosh, 2.25 inches wide at 300 dpi. Color is preferred. News items may also be sent via fax to (704) 973-1401. If you have questions, call (704) 973-1415.