One week into his new job, Dodgers President & CEO Stan Kasten said that he is "still in assessment mode, for the most part," according to J.P Hoornstra of the L.A. DAILY NEWS. But some "significant assessments have already taken place." The team's "most pressing needs are obvious," as Vice Chair Jeff Ingram, Senior VP/Public Affairs Howard Sunkin and CFO Peter Wilhelm "have all resigned since the beginning of the month." Kasten also wants to hire a PR Dir "soon." Kasten said of the timetable for hiring a PR Dir, "As soon as we can -- but it's going to take a while. It's not going to happen today or tomorrow. It's going to take weeks. Hopefully not months." The first enhancements Kasten wants to make at Dodger Stadium "are also neither sexy nor obvious: Power, water and information systems." He said, "We're in need of major upgrades there." Orioles VP/Planning & Development Janet Marie Smith "visited Dodger Stadium on Tuesday," though Kasten "wouldn't divulge what they discussed during her visit." However, he indicated that the meeting "was the first of many." Kasten: "I'm going to be meeting with other people all along the next few weeks and months to try to figure out a plan." Meanwhile, Kasten said that Dodgers GM Ned Colletti and "everyone else in the department...are safe." He said of Colletti, "I think he's doing a fine job. I'm impressed with everyone I've met but it's still early. It's May" (L.A. DAILY NEWS, 5/11).
