Alumni on the Rise Award Winners l. to r., Pam Ganley, Steve Novak, and Christy Grady
Alumni-On-The-Rise Award Winners
Geoff Iacuessa, BS '01
Executive Vice President and General Manager
Portland Sea Dogs
The 2012 season will be Geoff's second season as the Sea Dogs'
Executive Vice President & General Manager and 12th season with the
organization. He began his career with the team as an intern in 2001 and
was hired as Director of Group Sales prior to the 2002 season. In 2004
Geoff became the Director of Sales and Promotions and after the 2006
season, Geoff was promoted to Assistant General Manager for Sales and
Promotions.
In 2011 he was named to the Portland Press Herald's "40 under 40"
list, recognizing 40 local business leaders under the age of 40. Geoff
is a 2001 graduate of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst with a
degree in sport management. In addition to his work with the Sea Dogs,
Geoff has served on the Maine Children's Cancer Program Board of
Directors since March of 2005 and serves on the Portland Community
Chamber's Economic Development & City Affairs Committee.
Pamela Ganley, BS '01
Director of Media Relations
Boston Red Sox
Pam Ganley was named Director of Media Relations for the Boston
Red Sox in November of 2008. In that role, she acts as the liaison
between the media and the team, handles all baseball press conferences
and announcements and travels with the club throughout Spring Training
and the regular season. She has coordinated several significant press
conferences for the Red Sox recently, including Tim Wakefield's and
Jason Varitek's retirement announcements, the hiring of manager Bobby
Valentine and the naming of Ben Cherington as the club's General
Manager.
Prior to joining the media relations department as the Manager,
Media Relations in 2006, Pam served as the Alumni Coordinator, improving
relations between the club and its former players and staff. She has
assisted in a variety of events and celebrations, including the tribute
to Ted Williams in 2002, the reunion of the 1967 Impossible Dream Team,
the Jimmy Fund Radio/Telethon, and various activities with Red Sox
alumni, including the creation of Autograph Alley on Yawkey Way. Pam
originally joined the Red Sox as an intern in June of 2000 while still a
student in the University of Massachusetts' Sport Management program. The Burlington, MA native returned to the Red Sox after graduating with a
B.S. from UMass in June 2001. While at UMass, Pam assisted the sports
information office and also worked on the Event Staff at the Mullins
Center.
Christine Grady, MS '01
Director of Partnership Development
Seahawks & Seattle Sounders FC
Christy is in her eighth season with the Seattle Seahawks and fourth
with Seattle Sounders FC. She serves as a Director of Business
Development securing corporate partners for both organizations. In
addition to renewing current partnerships and developing new business,
Christy is responsible for maintaining the relationship between the MLS
office and Sounders FC from a partnership's standpoint.
She began her professional career serving as the Compliance intern
for the University of Notre Dame for one year. Christy moved on to
become Account Coordinator for The Gazelle Group; a sports marketing
company focused on pre-season college basketball tournaments. After her
time with The Gazelle Group, she served as the Director of Special
Events for 16W Marketing in East Rutherford, N.J. There, she managed a
number of charity golf tournaments, along with hospitality events at
Super Bowl XXXVIII & XXXIX.
Grady earned her Bachelors degree in marketing from the University
of Notre Dame and her Masters in Sport Management from UMass-Amherst.
While at Notre Dame, she served as the women's basketball student
manager and during their 1997 NCAA Tournament run, Grady happened to
become the "manager-turned-player," and for her efforts was highlighted
on CNN's Play of the Day.
Steve Novak, MS '01
Associate AD for Development
Boston College
Steve Novak is in his 10th season at Boston College and currently
serves as Assistant Athletic Director for Development. Prior to
assuming his current role, Novak served as Associate Director -
Development, Assistant Director, Flynn Fund and Athletic Development
Assistant.
Novak's duties at Boston College include supervising all aspects of
fundraising associated with Boston College Athletics. He also
supervises all aspects of fundraising associated with Boston College's
athletic annual fund - the Flynn Fund for its 4,500 members.
During his tenure Novak managed the implementation and launch of
Boston College's first donor-based seating system for basketball in
March 2006. Football donor-based seating was implemented for the 2007
season. He also initiated Boston College's first-ever courtside seating
program. The Flynn Fund oversees donor services including the
University's privileged parking systems for football, basketball and
hockey as well as numerous events throughout the year. The staff also
operates BC's 54 luxury suites which generate revenues of $1M annually.
