SMG VP/Arenas HANK ABATE is leaving the facility management firm after 20 years, according to industry sources. His last day on the job is Friday, said one source who saw an e-mail from Abate disclosing his departure. Abate oversaw the operation of 70 venues worldwide. He started working for SMG in '92 as Mellon Arena GM. Abate was not available for comment, nor was SMG President & CEO WES WESTLEY, who was traveling. A message left with company officials was not immediately returned for comment (Don Muret, SportsBusiness Journal).
UNION JUNCTION: The MLBPA announced Yankees CF CURTIS GRANDERSON and Royals P JEREMY GUTHRIE were re-elected as Player Reps, while Indians P JUSTIN MASTERSON was elected Alternate Player Rep, joining free agent P CARLOS VILLANEUVA, who is returning in the position. In addition, Red Sox P CRAIG BRESLOW was elected Pension Committee Rep, with Dodgers P CHRIS CAPUANO returning in the position. Free agent Ps ROSS OHLENDORF and KEVIN SLOWEY are returning as Alternate Pension Committee Reps (MLBPA).
EXECS: The Blackhawks promoted STEVE WAIGHT to Senior Exec Dir of Corporate Partnerships, PETE HASSEN to Senior Exec Dir of Marketing and BRANDON FABER to Senior Dir of Communications & Community Relations (THE DAILY)....The Cubs named MLB Coordinator of Major League Operations SCOTT HARRIS Dir of Baseball Operations (Cubs)....Broadcasting & Cable named Exec Editor MELISSA GREGO Editor-in-Chief, replacing BEN GROSSMAN, who will become Twitter Head of Global Operations for Media. Grego is the publication’s first female EIC (THE DAILY).
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