Sam Kennedy

Even those closest to Sam Kennedy often joke that the Boston Red Sox and Fenway Sports Group executive takes on too much, and indeed, Kennedy acknowledges that he essentially holds two full-time jobs. But he wouldn't have it any other way.

Sam Kennedy Age: 34 Titles: Executive vice president and chief sales and marketing officer Organizations: Boston Red Sox and Fenway Sports Group Education: B.S., American studies, Trinity College, 1995 Family: Wife, Amanda; son Jimmy (4) and daughter Ally (3) Career: WFAN 660AM, 1996; San Diego Padres, 1996-2002; joined the Red Sox and FSG in 2002. Last vacation: Long Boat Key, Fla. Last book read: “The Audacity of Hope,” by Barack Obama What’s on your iPod? Whatever my wife puts on it! Pet peeve: People who lack a sense of urgency Greatest achievement: Presenting my 2004 World Series ring to my dad Greatest disappointment: The 1986 New York Mets Fantasy job: Running a private equity firm that focuses on sports and entertainment Executive you most admire: Paul Danforth, CAA Sports Business advice: Get to people who can say “Yes.”

After several years of steadily establishing themselves as influential players in their respective fields, both the Red Sox and FSG with Kennedy's efforts exploded into dominance in 2007. The Red Sox last fall won their second World Series in four years, and the club was widely established as the organizational gold standard in baseball, in part due to a club sponsorship base that Kennedy has helped nearly triple since 2002 and a Fenway Park sellout streak now approaching 400 games.

FSG, meanwhile, transformed itself into a national sports marketing power with its February 2007 purchase of half of Roush Racing, subsequently renaming it Roush Fenway Racing, in a deal pegged in excess of $60 million. The high-profile entry into stock car racing was followed last year by the acquisition of an AVP volleyball tournament in Quincy, Mass., and the Class A Salem (Va.) Avalanche minor league baseball team.

"It can be a little crazy sometimes, but these two roles really feed off each other. It's all blended," Kennedy said.

"It's technically two roles, but the job has really morphed now into one. The Red Sox still generate an incredible amount of business for FSG and all of [parent company] New England Sports Ventures. But our work with the various FSG clients has also exposed the Red Sox brand in new ways and in new areas."