Squirrels Expand Local Presence in Ownership Group
Richmond, Va. - The Richmond Flying Squirrels, Double-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants, are pleased to announce an expansion to the team's ownership group that will dramatically increase the organization's local presence. Three local investment groups, comprised of eight prominent members of the Richmond community, have been approved by Minor League Baseball as minority partners of the Flying Squirrels.
Flying Squirrels' Ownership Group Additions:
Sam Kornblau - Chairman of SAMCO Development Corporation and a member of the Board of Directors of the Wilton Companies
Barry Kornblau - Retired Chairman and CEO of Summit Realty Group, Inc., based in Richmond
Bryan Kornblau - Chairman and Founder of Eagle Construction of VA, President and Principal of Markel / Eagle Partners
David Boardman - Founder and Former CEO of Dynamic Brands
Ted Hanson - Chief Financial Officer, Apex Systems
William T. Hupp - Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Estes Express Lines, Inc.
Robey W. Estes Jr. - Chief Executive Officer and President of Estes Express Lines, Inc.
John J. Marshall - Managing Member of WPB Partners LLC
"As the Squirrels continue to engrain themselves in the Richmond community, we realize the importance of expanding our voice locally," said Flying Squirrels' President & Managing Partner Lou DiBella. "We are thrilled to add a group of preeminent businessmen from the area who have proven that they share our vision of community leadership and can affect our efforts positively from within that community."
The eight new minority owners join Brian Callaghan, Founder of Apex Systems, who joined the Squirrels ownership team in January, 2010. In addition to the new investors, Callaghan has increased his investment in the franchise. With the additions to the group and Callaghan's increased investment, the Squirrels are now over 20% locally owned.
"It has always been vitally important that the Squirrels have a member of the ownership group that is active within the Richmond community and can bring a local perspective to the table," said Callaghan. "I have greatly enjoyed that role over the last four years and couldn't be more excited to be joined by a group of like-minded investors who are equally committed to the positive role that the Flying Squirrels play here in Richmond."
The Squirrels recently released their 2014 promotional schedule, beginning a celebration of their fifth season in Richmond. The team has billed their promotional lineup as the most comprehensive in team history - a history that includes two average and two overall attendance titles in the 12-team Eastern League.
"Our commitment to Richmond has never wavered, and these additions reaffirm that," added DiBella. "We intend to provide memories in the community and at the ballpark for years to come and remain steadfast in that pursuit."
Quotes from New Minority Owners:
David Boardman: "The Flying Squirrels have had a tremendously positive influence on this community due to their focus on making their games family-oriented entertainment. I am excited to be a part of the organization and help expand the local ownership."
William T. Hupp: "It is not difficult to recognize that the Flying Squirrels have become one of the pillars of our community. Our group considers it a privilege to join the Squirrels' ownership team and greatly looks forward to lending our local voices to their already strong message."
Sam Kornblau: "Baseball is a game that fathers and sons have shared for generations, and it is a great joy to be able to share in this exciting endeavor with my sons. The Flying Squirrels have proven themselves to be community leaders intent on creating lasting memories for families in the area. My family is delighted to be one of those families and can't wait to play ball."
Season-ticket and mini-plan packages for the fifth season of Flying Squirrels baseball are currently available. To purchase tickets or for more information, please call (804) 359-3866 or visit either SquirrelsBaseball.com or the Squirrels' ticket office at The Diamond. The fifth season will open at The Diamond on April 10th, 2014, as for the first time the Squirrels will bring a Flying Circus to Richmond. Individual game tickets for the fifth season will go on sale on March 1st at Flying Squirrels Fan Fest.