Astros owner Jim Crane announced Thursday that president of business operations Pam Gardner has voluntarily resigned from her position, but will remain with the ballclub as a special advisor.
Gardner has been with the Astros for 23 years, including 11 as president, and held the honor as MLB's longest tenured female executive.
Under Gardner's guidance, the Astros have been one of the most consistently ranked Major League Baseball teams at drawing attendance.
Gardner became the first female executive inducted into the Texas Baseball Hall of Fame and was a 2008 recipient of the Marguerite Ross Barnett leadership award from the Houston Area Urban League.
She has previously been recognized by Street and Smith's Sports Business Journal as one of the 20 Most Influential Women in Sports.
Gardner was part of a special exhibit at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown saluting women in baseball.
Also, her contribution to the formation of Comcast Sports Net Houston in the Fall 2010 that will televise Astros and Rockets games beginning in 2012-13 represents another one of her accomplishments.
She played a role in the building of Minute Maid Park (Enron Field) and oversaw the completion of the MLB Urban Youth Academy in Houston.
Gardner's two recent projects were the implementation of two HD video scoreboards at Minute Maid Park and the opening of the Insperity Club in the lower concourse stretching behind home plate.
She has excelled in generating revenue, customer service, building and financial operations, sponsorship and ticket sales, as well as community marketing, public relations and special events.
"The Houston Astros have been a very important part of my life for more than 23 years," Gardner said. "It truly has been a joyful and rewarding experience. I am very proud of what we have been able to accomplish as an organization and the important role the club plays in the life of our city and region. With the upcoming 50th anniversary of the club and the 2013 move to the American League, this is an ideal time for a fresh start."
For the latest Astros news, click on the Subscribe button at the top of the page. Also, be sure to follow Houston Astros Examiner Stephen Goff on Facebook and Twitter, or email sgoff80@yahoo.com.
Comments