Laven is in his fifth year and fourth season as Vice President and General Manager for the M-Braves. During his first season in 2019, Laven guided the organization to an 8.25% growth in attendance from 2018. Despite the 2020 season cancellation, Laven kept the organization alive in the community, putting on socially distanced events for Movie Nights, Graduations, Independence Day, and Target Golf. In 2021, Laven led the club through Mississippi's "Return to Baseball" in 2021, which resulted in the organization's first league championship in 13 years.
Laven joined the Braves after spending the 2018 baseball season as Director of Corporate Partnerships for the Chicago Dogs (American Association). Before 2018, Laven spent five years as President of Salvi Sports Enterprises, overseeing two Independent League franchises, the Schaumburg Boomers (Frontier League) and Gary SouthShore RailCats (American Association). Laven held the additional role of General Manager of the Boomers from 2015-17.
Laven spent 13 seasons with the Arkansas Travelers, a Double-A Texas League affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels. Following the 2006 season, the Travelers' final season at Ray Winder Field, which also featured the Texas League All-Star Game, Laven was recognized as the 2006 Texas League Executive of the Year. In September 2006, he received the first-ever "Closer Award" as the top salesperson in Minor League Baseball. After three years as the club's Assistant General manager (2004-06), Laven was promoted to General Manager by the team's Executive Committee in 2007 and served as the Travs' GM for six seasons. Laven ascended through the organization, beginning as a Stadium Operations Intern in 1992 and returning as the Director of Stadium Operations in 1993.
Between two stints in Arkansas, Laven spent one season as Account Executive for the Kane County Cougars (1994), one season as Assistant General Manager for the Albany Polecats (1995), and four seasons as Director of Food and Beverage and Director of Sales with Piedmont (NC) Boll Weevils (1996-99). His second stint with the Travelers began in 2000, taking on responsibilities such as planning promotions, advertising, ticket sales, and public relations until being named Assistant General Manager in 2004._
A native of LaGrange, Illinois, Laven graduated from Eastern Illinois University in 1991. He and his wife, Holly, have one daughter, Kellan.