Iowa's Pettit named Gridiron Executive of the Year

Wednesday August 8, 2012

Tampa Bay Storm awarded with Source One Support Staff of the Year

NEW ORLEANS – Iowa Barnstormers General Manager and part owner John Pettit has been named the 2012 Gridiron Executive of the Year, the Arena Football League announced today.

Pettit has played an instrumental role with the Barnstormers since joining the team in 2008. Under his leadership, the team displayed a commitment to the community and held several successful events including a training camp in Oskaloosa, military nights and several youth football camps.

Prior to the 2012 season, Pettit lured the long-time AFL Head Coach Mike Hohensee to Iowa.

“Not only is he a great innovator, he is a great listener,” Hohensee said. “We wanted to change the environment and he was all for it. A great leader doesn’t do all of the talking, he steps back, adds his ideas and makes it even better. He is very experienced. He loves Arena Football and his family. We may not have had the wins that we have hoped for but we had the fans. I am extremely happy for him.”

Pettit brought over 30 years of executive level management experience to the Barnstormers and worked for several championship teams in both the NHL, AHL including the Detroit Red Wings.

Moreover, the Tampa Bay Storm were awarded with the Source One Support Staff of the Year Award. The recognition includes the team’s front office support as a whole, a combination of Public Relations, Operations, Player Personnel, Coaches, Management and Equipment Staff.

Prior to the 2011 Arena Football League season, Tampa Bay Sports and Entertainment Jeff Vinik purchased the Storm. With Tod Leiweke serving as CEO and under the direction of President Derrick Brooks, the Storm became the model Arena Football League organization.

Storm executives include: Steve Griggs, COO; Martha Fuller, CFO; and Elmer Straub, AFL Board Member.

Storm operations include: Jeff Gooch, VP of Football Operations; Dave Wilson, Director of Player Personnel; Monty Bussey, Football Operations Manager; Jim Robinson, Media Relations Manager; Jenna DeBruler, Administrative Coordinator; Kindra Stocher, Director of Storm Cheerleaders; John Franzone, VP of Event Production and Entertainment; Kelsey Carlson, Marketing Manager; James Royer, Director of Digital Media; Ryan Cook, Director of Digital Media; Ryan Cook, Director of Storm Ticket Sales; Dr. David Thompson, Team Doctor; Samantha Blakely, Head Athletic Trainer; and Jessica Groth, Associate Athletic Trainer.

AVITAE ArenaBowl XXV Championship Week continues from New Orleans, LA. The Philadelphia Soul will take on the Arizona Rattlers on Friday, August 10 at 10:30 p.m. ET on NFL Network at the New Orleans Arena. Tickets are still available and can be purchased on TicketMaster.com.com/event/1B004747D7DE745F or by calling 504-875-3900.