301 A. Philip Randolph Blvd.
Jacksonville, FL 32202
Phone: (904) 358-2846 lFax: (904) 358-2845
Email:[email protected]
Miami Marlins (2009-Present)
Years in the International League: 1962-68; 2022-present
301 A. Philip Randolph Blvd.
Jacksonville, FL 32202
Phone: (904) 358-2846 lFax: (904) 358-2845
Email:[email protected]
Miami Marlins (2009-Present)
Years in the International League: 1962-68; 2022-present
Ken Babby, a native of Potomac, Maryland, is the founder of Fast Forward Sports Group, owning the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (AAA) and Akron RubberDucks (AA) minor league baseball teams.
Before founding Fast Forward Sports Group, Babby spent 13 years on the business side of The Washington Post, starting as a summer intern, rising to the role of Chief Revenue Officer of Washington Post Media and General Manager of Washington Post Digital. Ken oversaw the company’s $500M in annual advertising revenue and led the Post into the digital era overseeing all aspects of the company’s digital, mobile and video strategy and operations. The entrepreneurial growth of Post’s digital business and national growth caught the attention of Amazon Founder Jeff Bezos, who acquired the media company in 2012.
In September 2015, Babby purchased the Jacksonville Suns, Southern League affiliate of the Miami Marlins. He invested more than $3 million into fan areas at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville before rebranding the team as the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp after the 2016 season. In the inaugural season as the Jumbo Shrimp, attendance increased by more than 61,000 – the most of any Double-A ballpark and a ballpark-record 23 percent – to more than 325,000 for the first time in seven years. The Jumbo Shrimp won the Southern League’s Organization of the Year. In 2021, the Miami Marlins selected Jacksonville as their new AAA affiliate a testament to continued benefits of community and facility investment.
Babby purchased the Akron Aeros, Eastern League affiliate of the Cleveland Indians, in October 2012, and rebranded the team as the Akron RubberDucks after the 2013 season. Babby has privately invested more than $8 million in Canal Park, which has welcomed more than 340,000 fans each of the past four seasons. In 2015, Akron earned the Larry MacPhail Award for the most outstanding and creative marketing and promotional efforts in Minor League Baseball. In 2016, Akron hosted the franchise’s firstever Eastern League All-Star Game and was the Eastern League nominee for the John H. Johnson President’s Award, Minor League Baseball’s top award for an organization. Since Babby's acquisition, the franchise has grown average attendance by 38%. In 2019, as recognition of the club’s successes in the community the Sports Business Journal named Akron a Top 10 minor league sports city in the US.
Ken was named to Sports Business Journal’s coveted “Forty Under 40, list in 2016. For the growth of the Akron franchise, he was a winner of the EY Entrepreneur of the Year® 2017 Award in the Northeast Ohio region. Ken credits the success of team every step of the way. Akron General Manager and Fast Forward Sports Group President Jim Pfander was the 2016 Eastern League Executive of the Year, and Jacksonville General Manager Harold Craw was the 2017 Southern League Executive of the Year, becoming the first African-American to win Executive of the Year for any league in Minor League Baseball.
Babby’s two-fold mission is to create a memorable, unique, affordable and enjoyable fan experience, and maximize the opportunity to create change in the community through charitable, wellness and education initiatives. He serves on numerous boards in Northeast Ohio and Northeast Florida including Baptist Hospitals of Florida and Greater Akron Chamber of Commerce, and trustee at Wheaton College and Jacksonville University. Ken is a graduate of Wheaton College (MA) with an MBA from Johns Hopkins University.
Ken is married to his wife, Liz, and has a teenage son, Josh. Ken’s father (Lon) is a long-time sports executive serving as an NBA agent and prior as General Counsel of the Baltimore Orioles, and later President, Basketball Operations at the Phoenix Suns.
email:[email protected] l phone: 904-716-0701
Veteran minor league baseball executive Jim Pfander was named president of Fast Forward Sports Group LLC - comprising the Akron RubberDucks and Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp - in October 2015. An Akron, Ohio, native and Ohio University graduate, he has been General Manager and Chief Operating Officer of the Akron franchise since October 2012.
After serving as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Aeros in 2011, Pfander was the first executive hired by team owner and Fast Forward Sports Group founder Ken Babby after the latter bought the club. Under Pfander, the Akron franchise has risen into one of the Minor League Baseball's premier franchises. In 2016, Pfander was named the Eastern League Executive of the Year.
During the new ownership's first season in 2013, the then-named Aeros posted a franchise-record single-season attendance increase of nearly 12 percent. Following the season, Pfander led a company-wide identity change from the Aeros to the RubberDucks. The ensuing 2014 season at Canal Park saw the club reset its attendance increase record, jumping another 15.7 percent to a total of 350,704 and bringing the team from ninth to fourth in the Eastern League ranks. In the club's first two seasons as the RubberDucks, Akron hosted 23 sellouts and more than 340,000 fans in consecutive years for the first time since 2007-08.
Pfander has overseen large-scale additions to Canal Park, including a $1.65 million HD video board (one of the largest in Minor League Baseball), The Game Grill + Bar high-end restaurant, the Fowl Territory picnic area, the Tiki Terrace and Tiki Bar group areas, the exclusive, special-event Duck Club and other stadium improvements.
Pfander also started several special events at Canal Park, including the Ballpark Festival of Beers, Movie Nights, Fourth on the Field, and the Mini Golf Tournament. Akron's blend of special events and fun ballpark promotions, to go along with the creative concessions, including the Extreme Foods Menu, helped it earn the 2015 Larry MacPhail Award, which goes to the Minor League Baseball team with the most outstanding and creative marketing and promotional efforts.
In 2016, Akron hosted the Eastern League All-Star Game and Home Run Derby for the first time, saw an increase of more than 10,000 in attendance, and the team won its fifth Eastern League championship. The RubberDucks were nominated by the Eastern League for the Minor League Baseball's top award, the John H. Johnson President's Award, which goes to the most "complete" baseball franchise.
Pfander began as an intern in the Cleveland Indians broadcasting department in 2000; other stops during his 17-year career include various positions with teams in Charleston, S.C.; Brockton, Mass.; and Spokane, Wash. Before rejoining Akron, Pfander spent the 2012 season as the General Manager of the Charlotte (Fla.) Stone Crabs, where he also oversaw Tampa Bay Rays spring training and hosted the Class-A Advanced Florida State League's All-Star Game.
Pfander resides in Akron with his wife, Page, and daughters, Olivia and Ella.
email: [email protected]
Leatrice Buck has over 15 years in the Human Resources field. She began her HR career at a Fortune 500 company and was quickly promoted to a senior-level position. She is known for helping executives outline their strategic goals and putting in plans to help them realize those goals. In 2011, Leatrice successfully started an HR consulting company that specializes in assisting small to large businesses with their tactical and strategic human resources needs. She is the “go-to” person for clients when they need to hire people for hard-to-fill positions and when they are faced with complex HR issues. Leatrice joined Fast Forward Sports Group in 2013 and works with with club leadership and staff.
Shawn joined Fast Forward Sports Group LLC in May 2015 in the newly created role of CFO of the sports group which encompasses both the Akron RubberDucks and Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp.
Shawn is a native of northeast Ohio having grown up in Dover, Ohio before attending Kent State University. He received his Bachelor of Business Administration and Masters of Science in Accounting from Kent State. He worked his way through college as a member of the Internal Audit Department in the University’s Budget Office.
Following graduation, Shawn continued his professional career at a public accounting firm headquartered in Akron, Ohio where he worked for the next 8 years rising to Manager in the Audit & Assurance department. During this tenure, he served a wide variety of clients in both audit and consulting services as a trusted advisor.
Shawn now serves as the CFO for Fast Forward Sports Group LLC. In this role, he oversees the financial operation of all subsidiary clubs including, but not limited to, financial reporting and analysis, forecasting, and strategic planning.
Shawn resides in Green with his wife: Molly and children: Dominic, Alyssa, and Austin. In 2017, Shawn graduated from the 4-year Jackson Bible Institute and School of Ministry. Shawn and Molly also have served and continue to serve in a variety of roles within their church.
email:[email protected]
Harold Craw, promoted to Executive Vice President/General Manager of the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp in December of 2019, was originally named the General Manager of the Jacksonville Suns in September of 2015, when Fast Forward Sports Group, LLC, officially took ownership of the Southern League club. In 2017, Craw became the first African-American to win Executive of the Year for any league in Minor League Baseball. He was voted the 2017 Southern League Jimmy Bragan Executive of the Year by the general managers of the league member clubs.
After helping the franchise draw nationwide attention following their Nov. 2, 2016 rebrand, Craw oversaw an incredible 23 percent increase in attendance for the inaugural Jumbo Shrimp season in 2017, the largest increase for any Double-A club. The success carried over to the following campaign, as the July 3, 2018 crowd of 11,762 was the largest at the Baseball Grounds in 10 years. In 2021, Craw guided the Jumbo Shrimp into their transition to the Triple-A level – the first time since 1968 the city fielded a team at Minor League Baseball’s top level. His leadership spearheaded VyStar Ballpark’s Project NEXT renovations, beginning in 2023 with updated clubhouses and other player amenities that met MLB’s new player development guidelines and continued in 2024 with a brand-new video board, ribbon board and concourse fans. The ballpark’s transformational renovations culminated in 2025 with the creation of a new front porch to VyStar Ballpark in the Baptist Health Centerfield Plaza, a multi-level building in right field and an unrivaled premium hospitality experience with the all-new PNC Bank Home Plate Club.
With 23 seasons of Minor League Baseball experience, Craw oversees marketing and sales, community engagement, game-day experience, and all other operational aspects of the organization at the dawn of a new era of affordable family fun at VyStar Ballpark.
A native of Chattanooga, Tenn., Craw graduated from Emory and Henry College (Va.) with a Bachelor's Degree in Physical Education, and he earned a Master's Degree in Sport Management from East Tennessee State University in 2001. He started his Minor League Baseball career in 2002 with the Johnson City (Tenn.) Cardinals as its Director of Stadium Operations. Craw spent more than 10 seasons with the Charleston (S.C.) River Dogs from 2003 to 2012, twice being recognized by the South Atlantic League as Sales Executive of the Year and for community relations. Craw was the General Manager of the Quad Cities River Bandits and a Senior Corporate Sales Executive, and later Assistant General Manager, of the Chattanooga Lookouts before being hired by Fast Forward Sports Group to lead the Suns.
In each community he has lived, Craw has been an active volunteer, including co-founding and co-chairing the Charleston RBI Baseball League and mentoring middle school youth through Jacksonville's Duval County Public Schools 5000 Role Models program. He currently serves on the Board of Directors at Visit Jacksonville, Walkoff Charities and Operation New Hope, respectively. He and his wife, Angie, live in Jacksonville with their daughters, Cameron and Jasmine.
Noel works closely with the General Manager in overseeing the media relations, merchandise and promotions departments, while also playing an integral role in the corporate partnership department. Noel began his tenure as assistant general manager in 2015 before being elevated to Vice President, Marketing and Media in March 2021.
Noel joined the Jacksonville front office in 2015 following 10 seasons with the Charleston (S.C.) RiverDogs as director of marketing, promotions director, box office manager and media relations assistant. With the RiverDogs, Noel helped oversee the 2012 South Atlantic League Home Run Derby from the flight deck of the USS Yorktown - a promotion that won two Minor League Baseball Golden Bobbleheads. Noel also helped the RiverDogs win the 2013 Larry MacPhail Award for Minor League Baseball's top promotional effort.
A native of Aberdeen, Scotland, Noel earned a bachelor's degree from Cornell (Iowa) College and a master's degree from Bowling Green (Ohio) State University. He has also worked with the Toledo (Ohio) Mud Hens (Triple-A International League), as well as in minor league soccer and hockey.
Noel, his wife Betsy, and their sons, Campbell and Andrew, reside in Jacksonville. Noel is an avid follower of the Bowling Green State University Falcons, Cleveland sports teams, Aberdeen Football Club and Southampton Football Club. In the community, Noel works with Junior Achievement and the Fort Caroline Athletic Association.
email:[email protected] lphone: 904-358-2846 ext. 112
A two-time executive of the year and recipient of the John Johnson Award as the top minor league franchise per classification, Dave Burke joined the Jumbo Shrimp in January 2024 as the team’s Director of Corporate Sales. He was elevated to the Vice President of Sales following the 2025 season. In the new role, he will oversee all areas of the Jumbo Shrimp sales efforts.
Originally from Wayne, N.J. and an alumnus of Rutgers University, Dave’s past experiences spans more than three decades and seven states with the Burlington Indians, Fort Myers Miracle, Hudson Valley Renegades, Grand Prairie AirHogs, Mississippi Braves and Akron RubberDucks. Now as a member of the Jumbo Shrimp, he is looking forward to getting involved in the Jacksonville community.
An avid sports fan, Dave attended the infamous “Pine Tar” game at Yankee Stadium and has also had the privilege of assisting with the Super Bowl the past 13 years. He is married to his wife, Jan, and has three daughters, Abbie, Allie and Addie.
email:[email protected] IPhone: 904-358-2846 ext. 142
David joined the Jumbo Shrimp before the start of the 2017 season, where the Jumbo Shrimp would go on to win the Southern League Promotional Trophy, two out of the next three seasons. Before joining the Jumbo Shrimp, he worked in radio for 13 years, overseeing promotions for a cluster of six radio stations along with producing events from concerts to golf tournaments and everything in between.
A native of Atlanta, GA (born and raised in the actual city limits!) he graduated from Elon University with a communications degree. He and his wife live in Jacksonville and are avid hikers and brewery connoisseurs.
email:[email protected] lphone: 904-358-2846 ext. 110
Matt Goudreau joined the Jumbo Shrimp in June 2021 as the club’s assistant general manager. He will oversee stadium operations and capital improvements efforts, as well as assist with Marlins’ operations, revenue generation, and corporate sales efforts.
A native of Laguna Niguel, Calif., Matt earned a master’s degree in sport management from San Jose State University after receiving his bachelor’s degree in business administration and marketing from the University of San Francisco.
Matt joins the Jumbo Shrimp from the University of Memphis, where he was the assistant athletics director for revenue generation and capital projects. Prior to his time in The Volunteer State, Matt previously worked for the San Francisco 49ers and San Jose State University. His career in sports began by working for the Pittsburgh Pirates with their Florida operations.
During his time at Memphis, Matt led operations for hosting the American Athletic Conference Football Championship in 2019 and served as the assistant tournament director for the 2017 NCAA men’s basketball tournament in Memphis.
Matt loves live music, and in his free time can be found playing and coaching sports or volunteering at local food banks. Matt and his wife Kait have a son, Knox, and a daughter, Lexi. Since moving to Jacksonville, Matt is looking forward to spending a lot of time at the beach with his family.
email:[email protected] IPhone: 904-358-2846 ext. 119
email:[email protected] Iphone: 904-358-2846
Christine is responsible for coordinating all aspects of travel for the Jumbo Shrimp as the Triple-A affiliate in Minor League Baseball’s International League. She is in her seventh season with the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp.
Christine is a Military Brat – she grew up around the world while her father served 20+ years in the US Army. Her husband, Mark, is currently in his 32nd year in the United States Air Force. Together, they have 3 grown sons.
She loves to travel and can often be found researching new destinations to visit. "Once a year, go someplace you've never been before.” - Dalai Lama
email:[email protected] lphone: 904-358-2846
Scott Kornberg joined the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp in November 2018 as a broadcaster and the club's Media and Public Relations Manager. He was named the Jumbo Shrimp's lead broadcaster in February 2020 and was promoted to Director of Broadcasting and Media Relations following the 2021 season. Kornberg works as the primary contact between the media and front office and helps manage the Jumbo Shrimp's presence and coverage on a variety of platforms.
In addition to his work with the Jumbo Shrimp, Kornberg is a fill-in broadcaster for select Miami Marlins regular season and Spring Training contests. He made his major league debut for the Marlins on May 18, 2024. Outside of baseball, he is an ESPN+ broadcaster for Jacksonville University men's and women's basketball, volleyball, men's and women's lacrosse and men's soccer. He also serves as part of the Jacksonville Jaguars' Public Relations gameday team and has filled in on broadcasts with both the Alabama Crimson Tide Sports Network and NC State Wolfpack Sports Network.
A native of Belle Mead, N.J., Kornberg was the broadcaster and manager of media relations for the Myrtle Beach Pelicans (High-A, Chicago Cubs) from December 2015 through the 2018 season. In 2017, he was named the Carolina League's co-Broadcaster of the Year. Kornberg also worked as the football and men's basketball radio broadcaster with the Western Illinois University Leathernecks from 2014-18. His prior experience additionally includes stints with the Winston-Salem Dash (High-A, Chicago White Sox), Quad Cities River Bandits (Low-A, Houston Astros), Colgate University (N.Y.) and High Point-Thomasville HiToms (Coastal Plain League).
Kornberg graduated in 2013 from the University of Maryland. During his time in College Park, he served as the co-director of the school's student radio station, WMUC Sports. In addition to helping run its day-to-day operations and managing the station's news and web content, Kornberg hosted a pair of talk shows and broadcast Terps men's and women's basketball, football, baseball, men's soccer and softball. While at Maryland, he enjoyed being a campus tour guide with Maryland Images and also worked as a television reporter for Capital News Service, where he covered the 2012 Democratic National Convention in Charlotte.
Scott lives in Middleburg with his wife, Madie, their sons Sam and Luca, and daughter, Alma.
Email:[email protected] lPhone: 904-358-2846, ext. 134
Matt Davis joined the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp in March 2022 as the Media & Broadcasting Assistant.
A native of Montville, N.J., Davis previously served as the lead play-by-play voice of the Down East Wood Ducks (Low-A, Texas Rangers). He also worked with the Johnson City Cardinals (Rookie-level, St. Louis Cardinals), Peoria Chiefs (Low-A, St. Louis) and Columbia Fireflies (Low-A, New York Mets) from 2018-20. Outside of MiLB, Davis has experience as the radio play-by-play voice for Radford University men’s and women’s basketball for Learfield IMG College from 2018-20.
In addition to his work with the Jumbo Shrimp, Davis is a fill-in broadcaster for Jacksonville University on ESPN+ for women's basketball and volleyball as well as Alabama baseball on the Crimson Tide Sports Network.
Davis graduated from the University of Alabama in 2016. During his time in Tuscaloosa, he worked on the sports staff at the campus radio station WVUA-FM 90.7 the Capstone. There he produced & hosted various sports talk shows, including Men's Basketball and Softball broadcasts before broadcasting select Alabama Men's Basketball games.
Matt lives in Jacksonville with his wife, Kristin, their daughter Adelynn Grace and their cat and dog, Quinn and Crash.
email:[email protected] IPhone: 904-358-2846 ext. 128
Brian rejoined the front office staff in the 2013 to oversee all aspects of the HD video board displays installed at the ballpark. He also helps manage jaxshrimp.com, supervises the press box staff, designs the digital publications and sells season and group ticket packages.
A Jacksonville native, Brian's sports career began with then-Suns in 1998. His roles have included bat boy, clubhouse assistant, playground coordinator, usher, box office assistant, official scorer and media relations assistant. He joined the full-time staff in 2013.
Brian earned a bachelor's degree in physical education with emphasis in sports administration from Jacksonville University, where he worked in the athletic media relations office from 2005 to 2013. He also worked as a communications assistant for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the NFL in 2007, and he continues to work on the Jaguars game day staff. He served as the media contact for the 74th and 75th annual Gator Bowl games. He has also worked for four NCAA Basketball Tournaments, four Atlantic Coast Conference Baseball Championships and awide variety of other sports events in Jacksonville.
In his spare time, Brian enjoys attending "other" team's baseball games, reading, movies, and being a sitcom junkie.
email:[email protected] l phone: 904-358-2846 ext. 102
Wyatt Lucovsky joined the Jumbo Shrimp in January 2023 as the team's Graphic Designer. He creates designs for a wide range of digital and print applications to promote the Jumbo Shrimp brand, players and fan experience.
A native of Jacksonville, Wyatt comes to the Jumbo Shrimp after graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Florida. He majored in Graphic Design with a minor in Mass Communication. While in Gainesville, he worked as a graphic designer for UF RecSports, designing a wide range of marketing materials for on-campus fitness facilities, intramural sports, club sports and outdoor recreation facilities.
Wyatt has been a certified swim coach for Special Olympics Florida since 2016. He coaches and encourages many special needs athletes in freestyle swimming events in Nassau County.
In his spare time, Wyatt enjoys supporting the Jacksonville Jaguars, Everton Football Club and Florida Gators.
email:[email protected] IPhone: 904-358-2846
email:[email protected] IPhone: 904-358-2846 ext. 106
Kaleb Womack joined the Jumbo Shrimp in September 2025 as the club’s Director of Sales. He managed and expands existing corporate accounts, and creates new revenue opportunities through partnerships and driving business growth.
A native of Kingsville, Texas, Kaleb spent six years with the Corpus Christi Hooks (Double-A, Houston Astros) as a Corporate Partnerships Account Executive and Corporate Partnerships Manager prior to coming to Jacksonville. In his time away from baseball, he was part of a number of organizations, most notably the Buccaneer Commision (Buc Days).
Kaleb graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in Sports Management. He, his wife, Sara, daughter, Eleanor, and cocker spaniel, Mulligan, live and breath Texas A&M Aggie football on Saturdays, and root for the Houston Texans on Sundays in the fall.
email:[email protected] lphone:904-358-2846
Alicia Marcotte joined the Jumbo Shrimp in October 2023 as the club’s Partner Services Coordinator.
A native of Middletown, N.J., Alicia spent the previous two baseball seasons with the High Point Rockers (Atlantic League of Professional Baseball) as their Promotions and Fan Experience Manager. She graduated in 2021 with a B.S. in Sports and Recreation Management from James Madison University. While in school, Alicia completed a digital marketing internship with the Hurricane Junior Golf Tour in Orlando and worked as a student assistant with the JMU athletics’ marketing team.
Alicia is a huge hockey fan of the New York Rangers, and is looking forward to checking out the Jacksonville Icemen, living closer to the beach and getting involved in the Northeast Florida community. Alicia is also excited to be living closer to her family, which resides in Florida.
email:[email protected]Phone: 904-358-2846 ext. 111
Teresa is a highly experienced accounting professional who oversees all accounting aspects for the organization. With more than 20 years in various accounting positions, she brings a depth of knowledge to her role. Teresa holds a Master of Science in Accountancy from the University of Phoenix.
Though born in Modesto, California, and having lived in 10 states, Teresa now calls Florida home. She is the oldest of four sisters, the mother of three sons, and a proud grandma to a girl and a boy.
In her personal time, Teresa is actively involved with the local LGBTQ community. She maintains an active lifestyle, having participated in many 5K runs, and enjoys hobbies like riding her motorcycle, reading, movies, and spending time at the beach or camping.
email:[email protected] lphone:904-594-2725
The 2023 Groundskeeper of the Year for the South Atlantic League and all of High-A Minor League Baseball, Josh Leo joined the Jumbo Shrimp in January 2024 as the club’s Head Groundskeeper. He maintains the entire playing surface at VyStar ballpark.
A native of Pembroke Pines, Fla., Josh graduated with a BA in Business Management from Northwood University and later a Sports Turfgrass Management degree from the University of Georgia. From there, he worked as a Grounds Manager with the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park before becoming the Head Groundskeeper of the Winston-Salem Dash, High-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox.
A huge Pittsburgh Penguins fan, Josh is married to his wife, Ashley, and the couple has a daughter, Abigail, and son, Jackson.
email:[email protected] IPhone: 904-358-2846
Michael Giovingo joined the Jumbo Shrimp in November 2024 as the club's assistant groundskeeper. He works to maintain the field and keep it safe and playable for players while also making it aesthetically pleasing to Jumbo Shrimp fans and exceeding the expectations put forth by MLB and MiLB.
Michael was born and raised in Harahan, Louisiana, just outside of New Orleans. Following his high school graduation, Michael attended the University of Louisiana at Monroe and studied business management while also working a as student assistant for the baseball team for five seasons and a member of the football equipment staff for one season.
As a seasonal assistant for the Triple-A Reno Aces in 2022, he was a member of the grounds crew that won SFMA's Field of the Year award. He moved to Winston-Salem in 2023 to work for the High-A Dash, helping current Jumbo Shrimp head groundskeeper Josh Leo earn the South Atlantic League Groundskeeper of the Year honor. At the conclusion of the 2023 minor league season, Michael moved to Sarasota, Fla., in a full-time groundskeeping role at the Baltimore Orioles' Spring Training complex.
Michael lives in Jacksonville with his girlfriend, Sarah, and the pair enjoy rooting for the Buffalo Bills on Sundays. He also enjoys cheering for the New Orleans Saints, ULM Warhawks, Chicago Cubs, Chicago Blackhawks and Florida Gators.
email:[email protected] IPhone: 904-358-2846
email:[email protected] IPhone: 904-358-2846 ext. 136
Matthew assists the Stadium Operations Director in oversight of the department, assisting in general maintenance of the ballpark and overseeing the baseball operations department, serving as liaison with management of the Miami Marlins.
Born in Crofton, Md., and moved to Raleigh, N.C., Matthew earned a B.S. in sport management with a minor in business administration from Gardner-Webb University, where he was a sports information intern and baseball student manager. He has worked in stadium operations for the Asheboro (N.C.) Copperheads, the Winston-Salem (N.C.) Dash (Class-A Advanced Carolina League) and the Frisco (Texas) Roughriders (Double-A Texas League).
One of two brothers, Matthew played baseball for four seasons at Leesville Road High School and was an active member of Soapstone United Methodist Church and the University Christian Life & Services at Gardner-Webb. Matthew is a fan of the Baltimore Ravens, Baltimore Orioles, Washington Wizards and Carolina Hurricanes, as well as college teams from Maryland, Navy, North Carolina, Gardner-Webb, Appalachian State, West Virginia and Marshall. Matthew enjoys working out and playing disc golf, video games and baseball.
email:[email protected] lphone: 904-358-2846 ext. 145
email:[email protected] IPhone: 904-358-2846
Gillian Bay joined the Jumbo Shrimp in May 2022 as the team's Food & Beverage Manager. She was promoted to Premium Experiences Manager in December 2022 and manages the operation of employees on the Haskell Suite Level, Wheelhouse Kitchen & Bar and PNC Home Plate Club, ensuring fans in those areas are receiving the highest level of service, food quality and overall experience.
Prior to joining the Jumbo Shrimp, Gillian worked for the Charleston RiverDogs as their Group Event Supervisor and Concourse Manager. During the summer of 2021, she was the first female Ballpark Operations intern for the Savannah Bananas, who won the CPL Pettit Cup Championship (she received a championship ring for it!). In the spring of 2021, she transitioned to Hospitality Assistant for the Bananas for the Banana Ball World Tour, traveling to several different cities and assisting the club's Ticket Team in the gameday experience of fans in the suites.
Born and raised in Atlanta, Gillian graduated from the University of South Carolina with a B.S. in Sport and Entertainment Management. While in college, she had the opportunity to work on-field at the 2022 College Football Playoff National Championship in Indianapolis and the 2022 Super Bowl LVI at Los Angeles' So-Fi Stadium. She also served as a student-teacher in the sport management department community and represented the department at various events for admitted students.
email:[email protected] IPhone: 904-358-2846
Aidan Podloski has been a part of the Jumbo Shrimp's food and beverage staff since 2019. He was promoted to Food and Beverage Manager in February 2025 and will oversee all concession operations within the ballpark, including inventory and digital menu signage for all concession stands at VyStar Ballpark.
Prior to joining the Jumbo Shrimp, Aidan has worked as a Premium Supervisor at the UCF Athletic Venues, including FBC Mortgage Stadium, Addition Financial Arena and John Euliano Park. He also spent one year as the Concessions Supervisor at the Kia Center.
A native of Jacksonville, Florida, Podolski graduated from the University of Central Florida in December 2024 with a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management and Event Management. He grew up going to watch the Jaguars, Suns and Jumbo Shrimp. He had the chance to see then Mike Stanton play before he was promoted to the Marlins. He played a year of Division II baseball at Edward Waters University and was selected to the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference honor roll for academic achievement in 2021.
When he's not at VyStar Ballpark, Podolski has volunteered with Walk Off Charities, hosting baseball camps to help under privileged kids learn the game of baseball. He is a Jaguars season ticket holder and enjoys cheering on the UCF Knights. He also tries to attend at least one Pittsburgh Pirates game each season at PNC Park.
email:[email protected] Iphone: 904-358-2846 ext. 146
Erin Whittaker joined the Jumbo Shrimp in January 2024 as the club’s Culinary Operations Manager. She helps with BOH operations, menu development, ordering and receiving, and of course, having fun!
Born in Morgan Hill, California and raised in Saint Cloud, Florida, Erin has lived in Jacksonville for more than a decade and considers the city her home. After graduating with her A.A. from FSCJ, she attended the University of North Florida for their Jazz Studies program. Following her time at UNF, she worked her way up the restaurant industry in Jacksonville, having roles in menu development, catering coordinating and front- and back-of-house operations, including Sou Chef and Assistant Front of House manager.
In her spare time, Erin plays the upright bass and loves playing the blues. She and her wife, Megan, love hosting karaoke nights at their home. Erin is also very passionate about raising awareness for mental health and advocating for LGBT youth in Jacksonville.
email:[email protected] IPhone: 904-358-2846
Brennan joined the Jacksonville staff in 2016 as the club's Merchandise Manager and was promoted to Director of Merchandise in March 2022. He oversees the Jumbo Shrimp merchandise operation, both at the team store within the ballpark as well as the Jumbo Shrimp online store. Brennan also handles the designing & buying of merchandise from vendors, store inventory maintenance, store layout, game day store operations and online orders.
A native of Jonesville, Va., Brennan earned his Bachelor’s degree from Radford University in 2011 before completing his Master’s degree from the University of Kentucky in 2014 (GO CATS!).
In his spare time, Brennan enjoys cheering on his random assortment of sports teams (that’s what happens when you grow up nowhere close to any professional teams), traveling, and spending time with his wife, Samantha, daughter, Saige, and his two dogs: Derby & Arlo.
email:[email protected] lphone: 904-358-2846 ext. 132
email:[email protected]phone: 904-358-2846
David joined the Jumbo Shrimp before the start of the 2017 season, where the Jumbo Shrimp would go on to win the Southern League Promotional Trophy, two out of the next three seasons. Before joining the Jumbo Shrimp, he worked in radio for 13 years, overseeing promotions for a cluster of six radio stations along with producing events from concerts to golf tournaments and everything in between.
A native of Atlanta, GA (born and raised in the actual city limits!) he graduated from Elon University with a communications degree. He and his wife live in Jacksonville and are avid hikers and brewery connoisseurs.
email:[email protected] lphone: 904-358-2846 ext. 110
Abby Decker joined the Jumbo Shrimp in December 2024 as the club's promotions coordinator. She helps plan and execute everything during baseball games at the ballpark that isn't baseball, as well as the Jumbo Shrimp's slate of offseason events.
Abby calls Exton, Pa. her hometown, but her current home is in Bluffton S.C., where her parents reside. Abby graduated in May 2024 from Virginia Tech with a bachelor's degree in Sports Media and Analytics and Psychology minor. Prior to her time in Jacksonville, she interned with the Salem Red Sox on their game day promotions team, worked as a marketing manager for Virginia Tech volleyball, swim & dive and softball and a promotions manager and emcee for both the Danville Otterbots and Danville Dairy Daddies.
During her time at Virginia Tech, Abby started a chapter of Girls Club, which helps women get their foot in the sports industry and provides resources, support, networking and social events.
Abby has two older brothers; Jake is in the Army and Luke works for BNY in Pittsburgh, Pa.. Abby’s family has been her biggest supporters from Day 1.
In her spare time, Abby enjoys rooting for the Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots.
email:[email protected] IPhone: 904-358-2846 ext. 116
As the Director of Ticketing, Peter is responsible for managing all aspects of ticket sales and services. His main role includes overseeing ticket inventory, implementing sales strategies, providing high-quality customer service, and ensuring the smooth running of ticketing operations.
A Coconut Creek, Fla., native, Peter earned a Bachelor of Science degree in sport management and a minor in business administration from the University of North Florida. He completed an internship with the Jacksonville Sharks (Arena Football) and worked as Promotions Coordinator for the Inland Empire (San Bernardino, Calif.) 66ers (Class-A Advanced California League) in 2015. Peter joined the Jacksonville staff in 2016 as an account executive before working his way up to Director of Ticketing.
Peter and his wife, Lauren, have two kids, Madison and Hunter, two cats and two dogs, Makaira, which is the Genus for his favorite team, the Miami Marlins, and Violet. They reside in Jacksonville.
email:[email protected] lphone: 904-358-2846 ext. 129
After working as a Jacksonville Suns bat boy in 2012 and 2013, helping the Jumbo Shrimp in 50/50 raffle sales in 2018 and 2019 and serving as a ticket sales associate in 2020, Cody Davis rejoined the Jumbo Shrimp in a full-time role as the club's box office manager in January 2021. He was elevated to Ticket Operations Manager after the 2024 season. He oversees ticket operations in our box office, sells ticket packages and makes sure clients are happy every time they are at the ballpark!
A native of Hilliard, Fla., Cody graduated Magna Cum Laude in 2020 from the University of North Florida with a degree in Sport Management. While at UNF, he served in the National Society for Leadership & Success and was a member of Sigma Alpha Pi. He also worked with the MDA doing fundraising while in school.
He and his wife, Tamara, were married in the 2023 offseason and reside in Jacksonville. In his spare time, Cody enjoys hiking, hunting for shark teeth at the beach, spending time outdoors and playing the drums. He is also an avid Jacksonville Jaguars fan and roots for the New York Yankees and Alabama Crimson Tide.
email:[email protected] Iphone: 904-358-2846 ext. 147
A Jacksonville native, Theresa returned to the Jumbo Shrimp for the 2024 season as the Ticket Sales Manager following a three-year break, marking her 15th season working in baseball in Jacksonville. She has held the roles of Receptionist & Executive Assistant, Box Office Manager, Director of Community Relations, Military Liaison, Corporate Sales Executive, and even filled in as the team seamstress while she was away!
Now that she's back, Theresa is once again focused on providing exceptional customer service and fan experiences while selling season tickets, mini plans, group outings, suite leases, and nightly suite rentals. Additionally, she returns to her passion of supporting the Military and Veteran community in Jacksonville, and she asks that any Military Personnel and Veterans please stop her and say hello so she can personally thank you for your service!
In her free time, Theresa enjoys volunteering with and supporting her American Legion Post, visiting her best friends in Key Largo and Austin, Texas, attending Jeep events to go off-roading in her PINK(!) Jeep Wrangler, and spoiling her fur-babies: three cats, as well as two Pugs and two French Bulldogs, which she lovingly calls The Snort Quartet.
email:[email protected] lphone: 904-358-2846 ext. 150
Marc Spera joined the Jumbo Shrimp as an account executive in March 2022. He was elevated to Senior Account Executive following the 2024 season. He helps sell season tickets and group packages, works at the box office on gameday and work to make sure all fans are enjoying their experience within the ballpark worry-free.
Marc was born on Long Island in New York, but now calls Fleming Island home. He graduated from the University of North Florida in 2020 with a Bachelor of Science in Sport Management. Prior to joining the Jumbo Shrimp, he worked at Eagle Harbor Golf Course as a pro shop attendant and on their outside services team. He also spent time with Fanatics, Inc. as a warehouse associate.
Marc and his wife, Kaitlyn, have a golden retriever puppy. In his spare time, he enjoys watching sports, playing video games and golfing His favorite sports teams include the Baltimore Ravens, Notre Dame Fighting Irish, New York Yankees, New York Rangers and New York Knicks.
email:[email protected] IPhone: 904-358-2846 ext. 105
Brian Baumann joined the Jumbo Shrimp in January 2024 as an account executive. He serves as part of the club’s sales team, selling season tickets and group outings to individuals, companies and organizations.
A native of Indialantic, Fla., Brian came to Jacksonville and earned a Sport Management degree from the University of North Florida. Prior to his time with the Jumbo Shrimp, he worked as a server at TacoLu and as a door-to-door sales rep for Aptive Environmental.
In his spare time, Brian loves spending time with his family, which resides in Jacksonville, but also in Switzerland. He, his brother and dad enjoy playing golf, and Brian is also an assistant coach for the UNF club lacrosse team, overseeing the faceoff and offensive side of the ball. He has a dachshund named Kona.
email:[email protected] IPhone: 904-358-2846 ext. 109
Cody Bratten joined the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp in May of 2023 as an Account Executive. He is a big believer in giving fans the best experience possible at VyStar Ballpark and will go out of his way to make sure every fan is comfortable, enjoying the game, and ultimately having fun. Cody oversees our Stars of Tomorrow program and the Youth Sports Day event during the season and does what he can to bring the youth closer to the game.
Cody is originally a native of Fort Wayne, Indiana. He played four years of collegiate baseball at Adrian College (Mich.), where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Sports Management. During his time at Adrian, he held a big role for the sports management club, volunteering at both Super Bowl LV in Tampa Bay and the NFL Draft in Cleveland in 2021. Cody has had various roles in coaching throughout college and after, giving private baseball lessons and running youth baseball clinics.
In his spare time, Cody is a baseball fanatic. He loves doing player analysis, engaging the community in the sport, and ultimately loves to spend time with his family when he is not focused on the baseball community. His favorite teams are the Cincinnati Reds, Cincinnati Bengals, and San Jose Sharks. His favorite player growing up was Ken Griffey Jr.
email:[email protected] IPhone: 904-358-2846 ext. 133
Lindsay Plymale joined the Jumbo Shrimp in December 2024 as an account executive. She sells season tickets, group tickets and suites, and works to ensure a memorable and exciting experience for all fans at the ballpark.
A native of Columbus, Ohio, Lindsay graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a bachelor's degree in Sports Administration and Marketing. While working part-time as a restaurant server, she also held positions as an account executive with the Cincinnati Cyclones (ECHL), lead marketing and fan experience intern with the University of Cincinnati athletics and sales and project management intern with the Flying Pig Marathon. While working in minor league hockey with the Cyclones, she was named the 2023-24 ECHL Sales Rookie of the Year.
During her time in college, Lindsay played on the Cincinnati club soccer team, helping win Nationals during her senior year. She loves running and pilates, and wants to run a marathon in the near future. Additionally, she enjoys rooting for The Ohio State Buckeyes, Cincinnati Bengals and Columbus Crew.
email:[email protected] IPhone: 904-358-2846 ext. 117
Charlie Reier joined the Jumbo Shrimp in April 2024 as an account executive. He sells season and group ticket packages and helps to create a fun, family-friendly environment at our ballpark.
A native of Burlington, N.C., Reier earned his bachelor’s degree in Sport Management with a minor in Marketing from Wingate University in 2023. He earned his master’s in Sport Management in 2024. While in school, he served as a ticketing intern for the Greensboro Grasshoppers (High-A, Pittsburgh Pirates). He also worked as a Residence Director for Wingate University and in the school’s broadcast operations for their sports programs. He was named the Wingate University Athletic Communications Sports Network MVP.
In his spare time, Charlie enjoys rooting for the Philadelphia Phillies, Eagles, Sixers and Flyers. He also likes to go bowling and was a back-to-back intramural basketball champion in college.
email:[email protected] IPhone: 904-358-2846 ext. 153
Unsolicited Idea Submission Policy: The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp and its employees do not accept or consider unsolicited ideas, including ideas for new advertising campaigns, new promotions, new or improved products or technologies, new club names or logos, product enhancements, materials, or marketing plans. Please do not send or provide any unsolicited ideas, original creative artwork, suggestions, information, or other works (each, a "Submission") in any form to the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp office, email address, web address, employee, or other Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp representative. Please understand that this policy is intended to help the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp avoid future misunderstandings or disputes when Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp products or marketing strategies seem similar or even identical to those submitted to it without having been solicited. If, despite our request that you not send us your ideas, you still send them, the following terms shall apply to your Submission regardless of what your letter, email, or other form of communication says.
TERMS OF IDEA SUBMISSION: You hereby assign to the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, free of charge, all worldwide rights, title, and interest in all copyrights and other intellectual property rights in your Submission. The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp will be entitled to reproduce, display, prepare derivative works based upon, or otherwise use any Submission, including any ideas, concepts, know-how, or techniques contained in the Submission, for any purpose whatsoever, including but not limited to, developing and marketing products using such Submission, without restriction and without compensating you in any way. The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp are not obligated to review your Submission. The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp do not agree to keep your Submission confidential and shall not be held liable for any use or disclosure of it.
Linda oversees all areas of the Jumbo Shrimp sales efforts. She joined the team in July 2015, bringing more than 30 years of experience in sales, including everything from car care chemicals, office supplies, boats and Harley Davidsons to baseball.
A Cleveland native, Linda worked in sales for three different southwest Florida radio stations before entering baseball. Linda began her career in baseball in 1994 with the Fort Myers Miracle (Class-A Advanced Florida State League) and the Minnesota Twins' Spring Training. She began as Director of Sales and was later Vice President and President of Miracle Professional Baseball. In 2001, she became a senior officer of the Goldklang Group, and she was awarded the Rawlings Female Executive of the Year, given to an outstanding woman executive by the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues, which governed all affiliated minor league clubs.
After 31 years in southwest Florida, Linda moved to Jacksonville. She has two grown children. Her son, Matthew (a former United States Marine), and her daughter, Nicole, son-in-law, Justin, a firefighter, and two grandchildren, Addison and Riggs, reside in Cape Coral, Fla.
email:[email protected] lphone: 904-358-2846 ext. 108
A’Niya Sconiers joined the Jumbo Shrimp in October 2024 as the club’s accounting supervisor. She helps to oversee the team’s accounting work.
A native of Harlem, N.Y., A’Niya comes to Jacksonville after stints with the Tampa Bay Rays (separate roles as accounting coordinator & ticket sales representative) and Washington Commanders (inside sales representative). In each of those roles, she set up many outreaches to give back to local Hispanic and military communities, as well as to youth organizations in the sport of dance. A’Niya is a former competitive dancer, and graduated from the University of Alabama.
A’Niya speaks three different languages (Spanish, English and French) and works with Daughters I Believe In You Mentoring Ministry, which is dedicated to mentoring young and underprivileged girls. In her spare time, she enjoys trying new styles and colors with her nails and hair, baking and dancing. She also loves matching her clothes with her pens and cups for each workday.
email:[email protected] IPhone: 904-358-2846