Barons announce front office additions

HOOVER, Ala. -- The Birmingham Barons announced Wednesday eight new promotions and additions to their front-office staff for the 2008 season. Steve Hamilton (head groundskeeper), Justin Firesheets (director of media relations) and Jo Ann Bragan (accountant) join the front office, while Bill Adema (director of sales), Kyle Krebs (community relations coordinator), Jonathan Howe (corporate event planner), Charlie Santiago (community group ticket representative) and Casey Odom (corporate event planner) return in expanded roles.

Steve Hamilton will start his first season as the team's head groundskeeper in 2008. A 2006 graduate of Jackson State (Tenn.) Community College, he had spent the previous three seasons with the Nashville Sounds (Triple-A, Milwaukee Brewers) as both an assistant groundskeeper and as field operations manager.

Justin Firesheets begins his first year as the Director of Media Relations for the Barons, overseeing all details of the team's print media, website and videoboard operations. He was previously the Director of Broadcasting for the Samford University Department of Athletics and is a 2003 graduate of Samford.

Jo Ann Bragan joined the Barons prior to the 2007 season, and starts her second full year as the team's Accountant. Before coming to the club, she retired after spending over 34 years with Southern Progress Corporation and three years with Business Interiors, Inc.

Bill Adema returns as the Director of Sales in an expanded role. Prior to joining the Barons before the 2007 season, Adema spent time with the Alabama Army National Guard and was a sales representative with Xerox. He is a 1995 graduate of the University of Alabama-Birmingham (UAB).

Kyle Krebs will begin his first season as the team's Community Relations Coordinator. He joined the staff midway through the 2007 campaign as the Ticketing Intern before being promoted to his current position. Krebs will handle all relationships with non-profit organizations and charities, assist in corporate sales, and manage the appearances of the Barons' mascots, Babe Ruff and Lillie Mays. He is a 2007 graduate of Samford University.

Jonathan Howe joined the front office staff during the 2007 season as a Marketing Representative. He returns this season as a Corporate Event Planner, handling group ticket sales. He worked previously in the Department of Athletics with both McNeese State University and the University of Southern Mississippi. He received his bachelor's degree from USM in 2001, and his master's from USM in 2002.

After serving as the Concessions Intern last season, Charlie Santiago returns to the Barons staff as the Group Ticket Representative. In his current role, he will oversee all details of the team's merchandise operations and will also serve as the primary contact for the Barons' relationship with local youth baseball and softball teams. He graduated from Troy University in 2007.

Casey Odom will be a Corporate Event Planner for the 2008 campaign, after filling the role of Ticket and Merchandise Intern last season. In his current position, he will handle group ticket sales. He is a 2004 graduate of the University of Arkansas.

The Barons will open the 2008 Southern League schedule on April 3rd by hosting the Tennessee Smokies, Double-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs, to Regions Park in a battle between the Southern League affiliates of Chicago's two Major League franchises.

For a full schedule and ticket information, please call (205) 988-3200, or visit www.barons.com.