ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.-The Tampa Bay Rays have announced internal promotions in various departments, including communications, sales, finance and accounting, and strategy and development. The Tampa Bay Rowdies have made another promotion among their leadership.
Abts joined the Rays in March 2022 to lead the marketing team and oversee marketing, promotions and digital marketing. Prior to that, he spent nine years with the Tampa Bay Lightning, including the last four as their director of marketing and digital.
Artz joined the Rays in 2006 as a corporate partnerships intern and spent most of his time in fan affairs before transitioning to strategy and development in 2008. In his role as vice president, he will focus on long-term business strategy and strategy, including the development of ballpark and development. We’re working on the Rays’ next homecoming in Tampa Bay.
Hypes is celebrating his 14th season with the Rays. He joined the team as a marketing specialist and was hired full-time in 2010. In his role, he will oversee all internal and external graphic design and marketing, as well as strategic planning for the Rays’ on-field uniforms. starters and player-driven pieces. He has been instrumental in the planning and execution of the Rays 20th and 25th anniversary seasons.
O’Connell is entering his 18th season with the team. The focus of his position includes corporate communications, often presenting new products and policies, as well as internal communications, social events and military events. He has held a number of roles since joining the team in 2006, including director of corporate partnership services and season services.
Rioles will oversee all marketing and business operations, cultivating and developing integrated, multi-brand business partnerships to help local, national and international businesses leverage the Rays and Rowdies brand to meet their various business goals. He began his tenure with the Rays as a season ticket intern while earning his bachelor’s degree in sports management from Springfield College in 2013. He spent three seasons in ticket sales, focusing on team sales efforts, before joining the company’s marketing team. in 2015.
Smith began his tenure with the Rays as the team’s general manager, overseeing day-to-day accounting and financial operations, financial services, tax compliance, MLB reporting and several annual audits. He joins the Rays after nine seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he handled team-wide accounting and NFL reporting requirements.
Thomas joined the Rays in January 2006 and has worked in business, fan experience, business operations and strategy and development during his tenure. He was the executive director of the Rays Baseball Foundation from 2016-21 before transitioning to executive director, separate, equal and integrated in 2022. As a resident of St. Petersburg, has a passion for the community and believes in giving back.
Wallace began with the Rays in March 2022. He oversees the baseball team’s communications efforts, including its players and social media, and liaises with local, national and international media on requests for interviews with people in uniform. He joined the Rays after 11 seasons with the Memphis Grizzlies, including two years as executive director of media relations.
Helfrick joined the Rowdies in March of 2010 and has over 15 years of experience in both high and low level competition. His current responsibilities include managing and implementing the group’s business strategies, with an emphasis on building mutually beneficial relationships internally and externally.
Cuccati joined Rowdies prior to the change in ownership in 2018 after successfully working in design, product development, sales operations and business strategy with IBM and Motorola Solutions.
Parkinson started with the Rowdies in December 2013. He oversees the team’s operations and facilities at Al Lang Stadium and the new training center in Tampa, including sports and events. He joined the Rowdies after four seasons as the stadium and center manager for St. Petersburg Baseball Commission, which operated Al Lang Stadium.
Castillo rejoined the Rowdies on August 1, 2022 as head of soccer after two years with Miami Soccer Club of the USL Championship. He started his first job with the Rowdies as a student in 2012 and was hired full-time in the public relations department in 2013. After the acquisition of the club by the Rays in 2018, he took the position of director of football operations and remained there. that position until joining Miami FC.
