Spikes' Dambach earns accolade
The announcement was made by New York-Penn League president Ben Hayes as part of the league's release of its annual postseason awards.
The NYPL Executive of the Year Award is voted on by owners, general managers and personnel from each of the league's 14 member clubs. Dambach will officially receive the award and be honored at this year's Baseball Winter Meetings, held between Dec. 3 and Dec. 6 at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center in Nashville, Tenn.
"I'm honored and humbled to receive the 2012 New York-Penn League Executive of the Year Award, especially because it was voted on by my colleagues from the league," said Dambach. "This isn't just my award, it's for our entire, hard-working front office team. They all dedicate so much time and energy and have so much passion for making the Spikes experience so special for our valued fans, sponsors and business partners."
The Executive of the Year award is Dambach's second individual league award in his four seasons since joining the Spikes as general manager prior to the 2009 season. In 2010, he was named the winner of the NYPL's Robert F. Julian Community and Baseball Service Award for his dedicated service to the baseball industry and commitment to community involvement. In addition, following the 2011 season, Dambach and the entire Spikes franchise were honored as the winner of the league's Vincent McNamara Outstanding Club Award.
"Everyone associated with the Spikes is extremely proud of Jason's role in furthering the franchise's growth since he became our general manager in 2009, and this honor is very well deserved," said Spikes chairman and managing partner Chuck Greenberg.
"On a personal note, Jason has been an integral part of my career as a Minor League Baseball club owner and operator, going back to my first season in Altoona in 2002. I couldn't be more proud of his personal and professional development and I'm thankful to have had him by my side as both a colleague and friend for the past 11 seasons."
Dambach is very active among New York-Penn League general managers, serving as vice chair of the NYPL Charitable Foundation and directing the league's annual scholarship program, which provides more than $10,000 each year to graduating high school seniors from within the league's footprint. Additionally, he is a member of the league's schedule committee.
The 2013 season will mark Dambach's 15th season in Minor League Baseball, and his fifth as the leader of the Spikes' management team. In his role as vice president and general manager, he is responsible for the Spikes' day-to-day business, financial and baseball operations, and oversees the club's front office staff.
He also works closely with Greenberg Sports Group (GSG), which manages the Spikes and sister franchise Myrtle Beach Pelicans, on all major club decisions. Additionally, he serves as the club liaison for the team's new Major League Baseball affiliate, the St. Louis Cardinals, and for Penn State University on matters related to the operating agreement between the club and the university for Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.
Prior to joining the Spikes, Dambach spent 10 seasons working in broadcasting and public relations with the Spikes former sister franchise, the Altoona Curve, from 1999 through the 2008 season. His role as director of communications included working closely with the Spikes from their inception, overseeing the team's broadcasting, media relations, publications and brand identity.
A native of Punxsutawney, Pa., and graduate of Punxsutawney Area High School, Dambach is a 1999 graduate of Clarion University of Pennsylvania, where he earned a degree in communication.