Forty Under 40

Unlike many of Jonathan Gilula’s current co-workers, the Boston Red Sox executive vice president for business affairs and Southern California native did not grow up roaming the concourses of Fenway Park and worshiping at the baseball shrine that is the now 99-year-old ballpark.

But Gilula nonetheless has methodically overseen a dramatic, 10-year ballpark renovation process totaling more than $285 million, serving as a key lieutenant to team President Larry Lucchino, that has likely preserved the facility for at least another generation and has become an industry model for the restoration of older sports facilities.

“I still get chills coming to work, walking through the doors of our office out into the ballpark,” Gilula said of Fenway Park. “It’s still a pretty intense feeling.”

On top of helping shepherd the series of major ballpark renovations, Gilula has been involved in nearly every other significant effort pursued by the Red Sox and parent company New England Sports Ventures, including the ongoing development of the club’s spring training complex in Fort Myers, Fla., slated to open next year; the 2010 Winter Classic at Fenway Park; a now-regular summer concert series at the ballpark; and an international soccer friendly held there last summer between Celtic and Sporting Club of Portugal.

“Last year was a very eventful year that obviously began right from the first day with the [2010] Winter Classic,” Gilula said. “But we are now building up to the crescendo of next year and the 100th anniversary of the ballpark. It’s an exciting time to be around here.”