Tri-City ValleyCats Bolster Front Office Staff

TROY, N.Y. - The Tri-City ValleyCats, Short Season Single-A affiliate of the Houston Astros, have bolstered its front office with the addition of two staff members and an internal promotion.

Christopher Dawson, of Clifton Park, joins the organization as an account executive after spending the previous two summers as an intern. Dawson, a 2009 graduate of Endicott College in Massachusetts, joins in a full-time capacity in its sales department and is responsible for attracting corporate partnerships and group outings.

Gian Rafaniello, of Saratoga Springs, has also accepted a full-time position with the ValleyCats after serving as an intern in the food and beverage department during the 2009 season. Rafaniello, a graduate of Michigan State University, will serve as the ValleyCats food and beverage coordinator and handle the day-to-day activities overseeing the organization's concessions.

"Christopher Dawson and Gian Rafaniello are two great additions to the front office of the Tri-City ValleyCats," said ValleyCats Vice President/General Manager Rick Murphy. "Both are committed to enhancing the fan experience and to help extend the ValleyCats' brand throughout the region."

Ryan Burke, of Colonie, has been promoted to community relations manager from account executive. Burke has been with the organization for five years in both a part-time and full-time capacity. A graduate of the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Burke will coordinate the ValleyCats community relations effort that contributed nearly $60,000 to the Capital Region in 2009.

"It is with great pleasure to announce the promotion of Ryan Burke to the position of Community Relations Manager," said Murphy. "Ryan's commitment to our organization and the Capital Region is a perfect double-play combination."