River Cats Appoint New President & COO
Published on August 22, 2002 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Sacramento River Cats News Release
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The Sacramento River Cats today announced the appointment of former Oakland A's executive Alan Ledford to the position of President & Chief Operating Officer (COO). Art Savage, majority owner of Minor League Baseball's most successful franchise, will retain his position of Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
Ledford, who has served the River Cats as a consultant since before the team relocated from Vancouver (Canada), will oversee the daily operation of the franchise, effective Sept. 1. He has more than 20 years of experience in all aspects of the sport industry, including 15 years with the Oakland A's, where he served as Vice President of Business Operations. He most recently oversaw MGO Marketing Group, a Lafayette-based sports and entertainment consulting group he helped found in 1997, as the organization's Executive Vice President.
"I couldn't be happier to be joining the best front office in Minor League Baseball," Ledford said. "Sacramento is a great sports city and Raley Field is an exceptional venue with great fans. I can't wait to get started."
As the franchise's CEO, Savage will focus on the further development of the River Cats franchise and Raley Field as a premier destination for family entertainment. Former President & CEO of the San Jose Sharks (1990-96), Savage purchased the Vancouver Canadians Triple-A franchise and moved it to Sacramento prior to the 2000 season. During his tenure as team President in Sacramento, the River Cats won back-to-back Pacific Coast League South Division Championships (2000-01) and set a new league attendance record with 901,214 fans during the 2001 season -- eclipsing Sacramento's attendance mark of 861,808 set during the 2000 season. The River Cats led all of Minor League Baseball in attendance in both 2000 and 2001, and the organization is on pace to lead the minors for the third consecutive season in 2002.
"This has been the design all along, and we couldn't be happier with the talent and experience that Alan Ledford brings to our organization," Savage said. "It has always been envisioned that someone else would oversee the day-to-day operations here and that I would be able to concentrate on the bigger picture and other opportunities. Alan makes that vision a reality."
The River Cats also announced the promotions of Garry Arthur to Senior Vice President and General Manager, Dan Vistica to Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and Tom Glick to Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing. Each has been with the team since its move to Sacramento.
Additionally, the River Cats announced that sports marketing veteran Ray Krise has been named Vice President of Consumer Marketing. Krise has worked on the management side of professional sports for more than 35 years in Major League Baseball, the NBA, the NFL and the XFL. Darrin Gross, who has been the River Cats Director of Corporate Partnerships since the team's inaugural season, has been promoted to Vice President of Corporate Partnerships and Broadcasting.
"The promotions announced today recognize some of the talented people who helped get us where we are today," Savage said. "Combine them with the additions we've made, and it allows us to expand on the first-rate product our fans have come to expect."
The River Cats are currently playing their final homestand of the season at Raley Field. They will remain at home through Aug. 29, when they travel to Las Vegas to finish their season with a four-game series against the 51s. Individual-game tickets for all River Cats home games are available at the Raley Field Ticket Office, all Tickets.com outlets (including select Raley's and Bel Air stores) and on the Internet at www.tickets.com. Fans can also purchase tickets by calling 916-766-2277 (Sacramento), 530-766-2277 (outside Sacramento) or 800-225-2277 (outside the Sacramento region).
Alan Ledford
With more than 20 years experience in all aspects of the sports business, Alan Ledford brings a proven track record of success to the Sacramento River Cats. His extensive background, professionalism and consummate work skills will help the River Cats maintain their position among the most successful minor league sports franchises.
Most recently, Ledford was executive vice president of MGO Marketing Group, a Lafayette-based sports and entertainment consulting group. In addition to managing day-to-day operations, Ledford was responsible for developing and executing strategic business plans for sports organizations and franchises, including the River Cats (PCL), Fresno Grizzlies (PCL), new Albuquerque Triple-A franchise, the NBA's Memphis Grizzlies and many others. Prior to MGO, Ledford spent 15 years with the Oakland A's Major League Baseball Club, rising to the position of vice president of business operations. In this capacity, Ledford was responsible for all team business activities, including sales, marketing, advertising, broadcasting, merchandising, in-stadium entertainment and stadium operations activities. While at the A's, Ledford was involved with numerous special projects and events (such as hosting the 1987 All Star Game, and the 1988, 1989 and 1990 World Series), new business ventures and all capital improvement projects. Ledford is a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley. He and his wife, Ann, have three children: Andrew (14), Alyse (12) and Gregory (8).
Art Savage
Art Savage, chief executive officer (CEO) of the Sacramento River Cats, brings a wealth of sporting expertise to Raley Field as a seasoned chief executive with NHL and NBA franchises in San Jose (CA) and Cleveland (OH). He served the River Cats franchise as president and chief executive officer through the 2002 season.
A native of Amarillo (TX), Savage became the Vancouver Canadians' sixth owner in franchise history when Japan Sports Systems, Inc., opted to sell the Pacific Coast League club in 1998. He relocated the team to Sacramento following the 1999 season to play in Raley Field, a privately financed state-of-the-art ballpark in West Sacramento. In the team's inaugural season (2000), the River Cats set a new Pacific Coast League attendance record and led all minor league teams with 861,808 fans. It also led all minor league teams in merchandise sales en route to winning the PCL's South Division Championship. For his success, Savage was named the "Sporting News Minor League Executive of the Year" and the Sacramento Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce's "Sacramento Businessman of the Year" for 2000.
Last season, the River Cats led Minor League Baseball and eclipsed their PCL attendance record with 901,214 fans en route to winning their second consecutive PCL South Division Championship. Savage was named the 2001 PCL Executive of the Year.
Savage originally began his foray in the PCL in 1997 as vice-chairman of the Fresno Diamond Group, LLC, the parent company of the Fresno Grizzlies franchise. Before his involvement in Triple-A baseball, Savage served as president and chief executive officer of the NHL's San Jose Sharks from 1990-96. Under his leadership, the Sharks became the most successful expansion franchise in NHL history in terms of ticket sales, fan enthusiasm and profitability. Sales of Sharks merchandising rocketed to the $125 million mark, quickly eclipsing all other NHL teams. At the box office, Savage saw sellouts for the entire regular and post-seasons during the 1994-95 and 1995-96 years.
Beginning in the late 1970s, Savage oversaw the diverse personal financial holdings of Sharks' majority owner George Gund. Acting as part of Gund's executive team, he served on the Board of Directors of Nationwide Advertising Service and the NBA's Cleveland Cavaliers. Gund purchased both enterprises upon Savage's advice in 1983, and under Savage's guidance both grew to become dominant in their respective fields. Following its acquisition, Nationwide Advertising revenues tripled and attained the status of top recruitment advertising firm in the world.
Prior to 1979, Savage was a tax manager for the "Big 8" firm of Deloitte, Haskins & Sells. He graduated with a degree in accounting from Texas Tech University and holds a Certificate in Public Accounting. Savage holds professional membership in both the California Society for CPA's and the American Institute of CPA's. He served as a member of the San Jose Rotary Club and as a director of the San Jose Chamber of Commerce. He is currently a director of the Sacramento Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce.
Garry Arthur
River Cats Senior Vice President & General Manager Garry Arthur is working his 12th season as a Triple-A general manager and his 13th season in Triple-A. He oversees all of the River Cats' baseball operations, including the player development contract with the Oakland Athletics, as well as media and public relations, merchandise sales and field and stadium operations.
Arthur has been involved in the Pacific Coast League since October 1988 when he was named general manager of the Calgary Cannons. After seven seasons (1989-95) in Calgary, he was named vice president of Japan Sports Systems, a Japan-based company which owned the Vancouver Canadians, in November 1996. Arthur became general manager of the Canadians in 1998, and he held that position until Savage relocated the franchise to Sacramento following the 1999 championship season.
Among the most decorated general managers in minor league baseball, Arthur was the 1999 recipient of the PCL Executive of the Year award. He was the 1993 winner of the PCL's Larry MacPhail Award (best promotional job) and the 1992 recipient of the PCL's John H. Johnson Award (individual who best exemplifies the operation of the complete baseball franchise).
Prior to his career in baseball, Arthur spent five years working for the XXV Olympic Winter Games in Calgary (Canada). He began his tenure with the XXV Olympic Winter Games as the manager of information systems (1984-85) and was promoted to press secretary (1985-87) in 1985. In 1987, he was appointed director of the Chairman's Office for the XXV Olympic Winter Games. For his efforts, he received the Alberta Achievement Award in 1998.
Arthur was a broadcaster with CBC (Canada) radio and television for 12 years and spent one year as vice president of All-Pro Sports Consultants, Inc. (1984). He has two adult children, Stacy (25) and Jamie (24).
Dan Vistica
Dan Vistica, senior vice president and chief financial officer for the River Cats, is responsible for all financial and administrative operations within the organization, as well as ticket and parking operations and guest and employee services. As chairman of the board and an officer of the River Cats Foundation, Vistica is responsible for all of the Foundation's administrative matters. The 2002 season is Vistica's third with the River Cats.
Vistica was vice president of finance and administration and chief financial officer for McLaren/Hart, Inc., in Rancho Cordova (CA) from 1988-99. He served as vice president of finance and administration for Exlog, Inc., in Sacramento from 1982-88. From 1978-82, Vistica served as tax manager-operations and held other financial positions for Baker Hughes, Inc., in Orange (CA).
A former tax manager for the "Big 8" firm of Deloitte, Haskins & Sells, CPAs, in Los Angeles (1973-78), Vistica earned his bachelor's degree in accounting from Loyola University (CA) and his master's degree in taxation from Golden Gate University (CA). He is a member of both the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the California CPA Society.
Tom Glick
River Cats Senior Vice President of Sales & Marketing Tom Glick oversees suite, season ticket and group sales, as well as corporate sponsorship sales and service, marketing, broadcasting, advertising, community relations and special events (concerts, festivals, etc.).
Prior to joining the River Cats in 1999, he served as general manager of the Lansing Lugnuts (A) from 1996-99. During his tenure, the Lugnuts became the first Single-A team to draw more than 500,000 fans in a season (1996) and were the top-selling minor league team in merchandising 1996 and 1997.
A two-time selection to Street & Smith's Sports Business Journal's "Forty under 40" list (1999-2000), Glick broke into baseball in 1989 as an intern with the Colorado Springs Sky Sox (A). He has also worked for the Jamestown Expos (1990, assistant general manager), Welland Pirates (1991-92, assistant general manager), Huntington Cubs (1993-94, general manager) and Peoria Rivermen (1994-95, business manager). Glick and his wife, Maria, have three children, Charlie (14), Teddy (10) and Maisy (5).
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