MWL1 Great Lakes Loons

Leadership Changes for Michigan Baseball Foundation

Published on April 25, 2018 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Great Lakes Loons News Release


MIDLAND, Mich. - After over 12 years with the Michigan Baseball Foundation (MBF) and MBF Enterprises (MBFE), the organization's first and only president, Paul Barbeau, will be leaving his role effective May 6, 2018, to join the Dow Chemical Company as Director, Real Estate Strategy & Facility Development.

Assuming elevated roles in a leadership restructure for MBFE are Scott Litle as Senior Vice President - Chief Operating Officer, Jana Chotivkova as Vice President - Chief Financial Officer, and Chris Mundhenk as Vice President - Chief Revenue Officer. MBFE is a social enterprise focused on driving economic development and improving the quality of life in the Great Lakes Bay Region. MBFE owns the Great Lakes Loons, ESPN 100.9-FM and the State Street restaurant. Litle, Chotivkova, and Mundhenk will be leading and managing all aspects of these businesses.

After retiring as Chief Executive Officer of Chemical Bank in June 2017, David Ramaker has joined the organization as Interim President of the Michigan Baseball Foundation. MBF owns Dow Diamond and leads Momentum Midland, a collaborative effort to drive investment and vibrancy in and around downtown Midland. Ramaker's focus will be to lead MBF's efforts in these areas.

Ramaker has been added as a Director for both MBF and MBFE. Barbeau will remain on the Board of Directors for both MBF and MBFE.

"I am very grateful to Bill Stavropoulos - and so many other leaders, community members, and Loons fans - for the opportunity to lead MBF and MBF Enterprises since 2006," said Barbeau. "As I transition to this new professional opportunity, I am confident this new leadership structure and team will take the Loons and downtown Midland to new heights."

Barbeau joined MBF and MBF Enterprises in 2006 as the first president and general manager of the Great Lakes Loons and helped launch the team, aid in the building of Dow Diamond, and facilitate the now long-standing partnership with the Los Angeles Dodgers. In the years that followed, Barbeau led MBF's economic development and downtown Midland investment initiatives and provided leadership for MBF Enterprises, including the acquisition of ESPN 100.9-FM (WLUN) in 2008 and the opening of the State Street restaurant in the East End Development in 2014.

Under Barbeau's leadership, the Loons franchise has been built from the ground up. Nearly three million people have attended Loons games over the franchise's first eleven seasons. In addition, Dow Diamond has hosted over 1,700 other events, including concerts, trade shows, business meetings and private functions. In January 2008, Barbeau received the Ruby Award from Great Lakes Bay Regional Lifestyle Magazine, an honor recognizing young professionals in the Great Lakes Bay Region. After the 2008 season, Barbeau was named Midwest League Executive of the Year.

"Paul has been instrumental to our efforts to improve the quality of life in the region and create new investment in downtown Midland," said Bill Stavropoulos, Founder and Chairman of MBF and MBFE. "On behalf of both Boards of Directors, I want to thank Paul for his many contributions. We are excited to welcome new people and perspectives to our organization and look forward to many more years of success and impact. David's years of Midland business and community leadership will help MBF further its mission of downtown investment."

Like Barbeau, Litle joined MBF and MBFE in 2006 and most recently served as the Senior Vice President and General Manager. Litle previously held the roles of Vice President of Sales & Event Operations and Assistant GM of Ticket Sales & Event Operations.

Chotivkova has been with MBF and the Loons since 2012 after spending 12 years in the public accounting sector. She most recently served as the Vice President of Finance.

Mundhenk has worked in the sports and entertainment industry since 2001 and has spent the last 12 years with MBF and the Loons. For the last year, he has served as the Vice President of Business Development. His previous roles have been Vice President of Marketing & Entertainment and Assistant GM of Marketing & Entertainment.

Ramaker joined Chemical Bank as a Vice President in 1989, was appointed President and CEO of Chemical Bank in January 1996, and was the CEO and President of the Chemical Financial Corporation until June 2017. He has also served in a variety of roles with area non-profit organizations including the Herbert H. & Grace A. Dow Foundation, Midland Area Community Foundation, Midland Center for the Arts, Midland Tomorrow, Midland Business Alliance, Midland County Economic Development Corporation, United Way of Midland County, and Midland DDA.

The Michigan Baseball Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit public charity that was founded in 2006 to create regional economic development through creative partnerships, and to enhance the efforts of regional organizations that serve young people. The Michigan Baseball Foundation owns and operates Dow Diamond, home of the Great Lakes Loons, a Single-A partner of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Great Lakes Loons have been the Single-A partner of the Los Angeles Dodgers since the team's inception in 2007. Dow Diamond serves as the team's home and also houses the Michigan Baseball Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit public charity, and ESPN 100.9-FM. For tickets or information about the Loons, call 989-837-BALL or visit Loons.com.

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