Chasers' Laurie Schlender Named Rawlings Woman Executive of the Year

Minor League Baseball announced Wednesday that Omaha Storm Chasers Assistant General Manager Laurie Schlender has been named the Rawlings Woman Executive of the Year. Since 1976, the Rawlings Woman Executive of the Year Award has been presented annually to a woman who has made outstanding contributions to her club or league, or to baseball. Schlender will receive the award at the Baseball Winter Meetings Awards Banquet on Monday, December 11 in Orlando, Florida.

"It was an honor just to be nominated for this award, but to be the recipient is truly humbling," said Schlender. "I am blessed to work with this organization, and my heartfelt thanks to everyone who has supported me both inside and outside of baseball."
"To say that this is a well-deserved honor for Laurie is an understatement," said Storm Chasers Owner Gary Green. "I'm thrilled to see Minor League Baseball recognize everything I have known about her since we met in 2012."
Schlender has been instrumental in the successes of the Omaha Storm Chasers organization over her ten-plus year tenure with the club. She started in a part-time role as a CPA before becoming a full-time employee in March 2008. Throughout the years, added responsibilities included managing Human Resources, Information Technology, Insurance and other general day-to-day operations.
Schlender became the highest-ranking female employee in the history of the Omaha Storm Chasers franchise when she was named Assistant General Manager of Business Operations in October 2011. In 2012, she also took on the role of managing the Storm Front Team Store and all Merchandise and Trademark operations. Her efforts helped lead the Storm Chasers to being recognized as among the Top 25 Organizations in merchandise sales for the 2016 season. Schlender also played a key role in the planning and execution of the First National Bank 2015 Triple-A All-Star Game at Werner Park.
Along with her work with the Omaha Storm Chasers organization, she has also been actively involved in the local Omaha Metro community, including extensive volunteer work for Millard Public Schools, as well as with St. Andrews Church since it began over 15 years ago. She is a graduate of Midland Lutheran College in Fremont, Nebraska and resides in Omaha, Nebraska.
"There are many, including me, who believe there is no one more deserving of this award than Laurie," said Storm Chasers President and General Manager Martie Cordaro. "The impact she has made on this organization cannot be overstated. We all have become better at what we strive to do because of her commitment and leadership."
"Laurie has been instrumental in the achievements and successes of the Omaha Storm Chasers over the last decade," said Minor League Baseball President & CEO Pat O'Conner. "She has demonstrated tremendous versatility in overseeing various departments and leading each to success. On behalf of Minor League Baseball, I congratulate Laurie on being named the 2017 Rawlings Woman Executive of the Year."
The Omaha Storm Chasers are the Triple-A Affiliate of the Kansas City Royals. The Storm Chasers play at Werner Park in Papillion, Sarpy County, Nebraska. For more information please visit omahastormchasers.com and follow us on Twitter @omastormchasers and at facebook.com/omahastormchasers.
The Storm Chasers will host the Royals in an exhibition game, sponsored by SAC Federal Credit Union, at Werner Park on March 26, 2018 before beginning their 50^th Season in franchise history on April 5, 2018 against the Colorado Springs Sky Sox.