Storm Front Office Reloads

Lake Elsinore, CA - After the exodus of 16 front office employees in 2013, the Lake Elsinore Storm have reloaded their staff in preparation of the 2014 California League baseball season. "The movement within the staff last season was unprecedented" said team President Dave Oster. "A large amount of our former staff members had been with the Storm family for years, but as we often see in Minor League baseball many of them were hired away to take on bigger opportunities within the industry. While the departures left us with many holes to fill, there are now opportunities for others to step up and take the Storm to even greater heights."

Oster, who has led the Storm since the 2000 season, will retain the General Manager title and share responsibilities with new Co-General Manager Raj Narayanan, who last season was the team's Assistant GM and Director of Sales. Narayanan has been with the Storm since 2009 and previously worked with the Inland Empire 66ers as the Director of Group Sales for four seasons. "Raj has been huge for this organization the last few years," commented Oster. "He is a tremendous team player and has been instrumental in helping reshape the baseball side of this operation, making him an incredible asset to our organization and the surrounding community. Raj is an up and comer in the baseball industry as he is continually striving to make himself and the team better." Last year, Raj was honored as the 2013 Murrieta Citizen of the year for his contributions to the area. "It's an honor to be named General Manager of the Lake Elsinore Storm and work alongside Dave Oster, who's had tremendous success running minor league clubs," offered Narayanan. "Our staff is excited as we head into our 20th Anniversary Season and look forward to ushering in the next level of excitement, fan interaction and affordable fun. The City of Lake Elsinore is headed towards exciting times in the next few years in terms of growth and we're happy to help lead that charge."

Senior Graphic Designer Mark Beskid joins the Storm leadership ranks and has been named Assistant General Manager. Beskid, who has been a member of the Storm front office since 2001, created the primary "Storm" logo that is featured on player jerseys and merchandise and since made countless contributions to the organization's marketing, media and sales initiatives.

A familiar face has returned to the shores of Lake Elsinore, as former Director of Marketing and Promotions Courtney Kessler is back with the Storm as Director of Community Relations/Group Sales following one season with the Peoria (Ill.) Chiefs. Kessler began her tenure with the Storm as an intern in 2009. Terrance Tucker has also returned as a full-time staffer, accepting the duties of Community and Player Relations in addition to his role as Clubhouse Manager. Tucker has been with the Padres organization for over a decade, including a 7-year stint with the parent club as a batboy prior to his time with the Storm.

Eric Colunga, last year's Assistant Director of Ticketing, has been promoted to Director and will lead the Storm's ticket office. Colunga, a resident of Ontario (CA), earned a degree in Sports Management from Whittier College. Bay Area native Sara Dugan has been tabbed to fill Colunga's former position as Assistant Director. Prior to joining the Storm, Dugan was a game day employee for her hometown San Francisco 49ers, Oakland Raiders, and Berkeley Bears. She is a 2013 graduate of the University of Hawaii at Manoa with a degree in Marketing.

On the business side, New Yorker Dave Barnick has been promoted to Director of Corporate Partnerships. The SUNY Cortland alum spent last season as the Partnership Coordinator. Michelle Browne is the Storm's new Assistant Director of Finance, beginning her second season with the organization. Browne was an integral part of the hospitality team in the luxury suites last year and has previously worked as an office manager and accountant for a local medical business.

Leah Kelley of Massachusetts is the new Assistant Director of Merchandising. A graduate of the University of West Florida with a degree in Sports Management, Kelley previously worked for the Pensacola Blue Wahoos in Pensacola, Florida. Rounding out the 2014 Storm Front Office staff is San Diego native Tyler Zickel, who assumes the role of Assistant Director of Media Relations. A graduate of Whittier College with a degree in English, Zickel serves as media liaison while managing the Storm's New Media communications.

Changes within Golden State Concessions were also made, as Andrew Nelson begins his second season with the Storm and his first as the Director of Food & Beverage. Nelson is a Long Beach State alumnus, where he received a degree in Business Management. Nelson is joined by long-time Storm employee Chris Kidder, who will act as Assistant Director in the department after a decade of service to the team. The Diamond Club is also under new management this year, with Storm employee Christina Constancio taking over as Director of Diamond Club Events, leading the charge in The Diamond's on-site restaurant.

In Storm Events and Stadium Operations, Josh Ferguson has been named the new Director of Storm Events as he enters his second year with the organization. Pat Kennedy, beginning his sophomore season with the team, will helm the Stadium Operations as Director. Kennedy is a 2012 graduate of Lasell College, where he studied Sports Management. Coloradoan Casey Scott has been selected as Assistant Director of the department. Scott received a bachelor's degree in Sports Management from Colorado Mesa University, and last year served as a Food & Beverage intern for the Grand Junction Rockies.

Joe Jimenez returns to the Storm family, assuming the role of Head Groundskeeper following a season with the High Desert Mavericks. Prior to his time with the Mavericks, Jimenez was the Assistant Groundskeeper for the Storm for three seasons, a position now filled by Jordan Schrader. Schrader recently graduated from Oregon State University where he was a member of the OSU Athletics Grounds Crew, and is a former baseball coach for Corvallis High School in his hometown of Corvallis, OR.

Visit our Facebook page at Lake Elsinore Storm or follow us on Twitter via @Storm_Baseball for the latest news and notes from the team. For information on tickets, promotions and giveaways log on to stormbaseball.com or call the Storm front office at 951-245-4487.