PRESS RELEASES

Ashley Clinkscale Name Portland Trail Blazer’s SVP, Communications

April 9th, 2020 – The Portland Trail Blazers and the Rose Quarter, in partnership with Turnkey Search, have named Ashley Clinkscale Senior Vice President of Corporate Communications, effective April 6th, 2020. Clinkscale will serve as a member of the Trail Blazers senior leadership team and will report directly to Trail Blazers & Rose Quarter President & CEO Chris McGowan. Clinkscale comes to the City of Roses after spending the past two years as Director of Corporate Communications for the Oklahoma City Thunder. She will be responsible for developing and leading corporate communications, public relations and internal communications to support the overall organization and brand.

“We’re pleased to have Ashley join the Trail Blazers family,” said McGowan. “She brings a wealth of experience in communications in and out of the sports industry and will be a valuable addition to our senior leadership team and organization.” Clinkscale brings a dynamic approach to corporate communications for the Trail Blazers stemming from her deep experience across crisis communication, storytelling, and fostering relationships. Her passion and impact stems beyond the scope of her communications role, as she is a strong advocate for diversity and inclusion efforts both internally and externally. “I am thrilled to join such an iconic organization,” said Clinkscale. “I appreciate the confidence Chris and the Trail Blazers executives have placed in me and look forward to leading internal and external communication strategy.”

During her time with the Thunder, Clinkscale managed corporate communications and media training including the selection and vetting of numerous speaking engagements, interviews, and award opportunities for all business and community areas. She also created and executed the communications strategy for the Thunder’s social responsibility, diversity & inclusion and youth basketball programs, including LGBTQ and sensory inclusion efforts.

Additionally, Clinkscale spent time consulting for SJ&P, APPR, Schure Media Group, and the Kenny Smith Entertainment Group. Her experience also includes stints with CSE, PGA of America, Moroch Partners, and Jeff Dezen Public Relations. Clinkscale earned a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations from Clark Atlanta University. She will reside in Portland with her husband Bernard.

About the Portland Trail Blazers
Members of the National Basketball Association (NBA), the Portland Trail Blazers were founded in 1970 and purchased by the late Paul G. Allen in 1988. The team’s rich heritage includes 35 playoff appearances, three trips to the NBA Finals, an NBA Championship in 1977 and a commitment to community service and sustainability. The Trail Blazers are dedicated to positively impacting underserved kids and their families throughout Oregon and Southwest Washington where they live, learn, and play. Portland is the first and only professional sports franchise to receive the prestigious National Points of Light Award for excellence in corporate and community service. The Trail Blazers arena, Moda Center, is the first existing arena to earn LEED Platinum Certification in 2019 after receiving LEED Gold Recertification in 2015 and becoming the first existing professional sports venue in the world to receive LEE Gold status in 2010. The team is also one of the founding members of the Green Sports Alliance. For more information visit: trailblazers.com.

About Turnkey Sports & Entertainment
Turnkey Search is a subsidiary of Turnkey Sports & Entertainment – a leading talent recruitment and executive search firm that has placed more than 1,000 roles at all levels in sports, media, & entertainment since 1996. Turnkey Search helps teams, leagues, venues, college athletic departments, events, agencies, brands, media & tech companies, private equity firms, and others hire top talent. No other talent/recruitment firm is a more active sponsor, contributor & participant embedded in the sports, entertainment and media industry. For more information please visit: www.turnkeysearch.com. Or Call (856) 685-1450.