Reffett Associates Seeking IT Leader for the Seattle Mariners

November 19, 2020 – Seattle, WA-based Reffett Associates has been retained to find the new vice president of information technology for Major League Baseball’s Seattle Mariners. Marshall Reffett, managing director of the firm’s Seattle office, is leading the search along with Tom Young, director of operations.

This is a new position for the organization and is part of a growing trend among sports franchises to integrate information technology into all aspects of their franchise management. Sports organizations have been investing heavily into experienced information technology leadership to ensure that the technology teams are playing a critical role in functions across their operations.

The Mariners are seeking an individual to develop and implement an IT vision that, while being an experienced technology leader, can ensure technology is aligned with the team’s mission, purpose, and core values, said Reffett Associates. The position reports to the executive vice president and chief financial officer, Tim Kornegay.

The Mariners were enfranchised in 1977. In 2016, longtime majority owner, Nintendo, announced its plans to sell most of its stake to the other members of the Mariners ownership group, First Avenue Entertainment. As part of that transition, John Stanton, a minority owner since 2000, became the new chairman. This marks the first time since at least 1981 that the majority of the Mariners ownership is local. In addition to a focus on youth baseball and softball and fighting homelessness, the organization has recently made commitments to take action to advance racial equity and social justice in baseball and in the community.

Related: Recruiters Offer Sports Clients an Expanding Talent Platform

Reffett Associates has previously worked with the Mariners under this new ownership. At the end of 2016, the firm placed Lisa Winsby as vice president of human resources. She is still with the organization now serving as senior vice president of people and culture. “Over the years, the Mariners have been a stellar participant in building a stronger, vibrant Seattle,” said William Reffett, a managing partner at the search firm.

Trusted Recruiters

Reffett Associates is a nationally recognized executive search firm. The boutique talent provider has extensive experience in retail and consumer packaged goods, private equity, commercial and federal services, government sectors, and associations and non-profits. Its team is made up of executives with tangible industry experience, possessing real world, relatable knowledge about the challenges executives face in managing talent in a competitive marketplace.

Marshall Reffett joined the search firm after having worked for U.S. Rep. Dave Reichert of Washington State. Mr. Reffett served as a legislative assistant to the congressman, advising him on legislation relating to financial services, small business, housing, consumer affairs, government oversight and reform, defense, veterans, foreign affairs and transportation. He helped to position the congressman as a leader on global health issues, working with organizations such as UNICEF, Save the Children and the U.S. Global Leadership Campaign.

Mr. Young brings 13 years of federal legislative, policy and constituent services experience to Reffett Associates. As district director and counsel for congressman Dave Reichert, Mr. Young oversaw constituent services, casework and was the district office policy lead for business, energy, environment and transportation issues.

Related: Executive Search Gets ‘On the Ball’ In Sports Recruitment

Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; and Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor  – Hunt Scanlon Media

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