The Peoria Chiefs announced the promotion of Jason Mott to the vacant General Manager position while also announcing promotions and additions in the front office staff as the 2017 season approaches.
Mott served as the Chiefs VP of Ticket Sales and Service the last two seasons after working in the sales departments of the Triple-A Memphis Redbirds and NHL’s Nashville Predators. Under Mott’s leadership the ticket sales department had the best group sales season since 2010 last year and the Chiefs enjoyed their highest attendance since 2008 as well.
“We are really fortunate to have someone with Jason’s knowledge and experience here with the Chiefs and in Central Illinois,” said Chiefs President Rocky Vonachen. “He has worked tirelessly while leading our sales department the last two seasons and we are excited for what he will bring to move us forward in 2017 and beyond.”
With Mott’s promotion, Kate Voss has been promoted to Ticket Sales Manager and she will oversee the Inside Sales staff in addition to selling tickets. Voss, a Henry, IL native who came with Mott from Memphis before the 2014 season has had tremendous success in group and season tickets the last two years and also handles the Chiefs non-game day events at Dozer Park.
Joining the Chiefs full time sales staff this season are Kevin Kurowski and Kyle Belback who both worked last season as Inside Sales Representatives and came on board full time in September. Kurowski is a native of Spring Grove, Illinois who played baseball at Augustana College and worked for the ECHL’s Quad City Mallards before joining the Chiefs. Belback is from Fraser, MI, an alum of Otterbein University and a former intern at the Triple-A Columbus Clippers. He worked in the Rec Sports Department at Otterbein and has also worked as an umpire for baseball and softball the last nine years.
New to the Chiefs this season as Inside Sales Representatives are Christopher Borysewicz, Dylan Powers and John Phelps while Janae Shough joins the staff as a Ticket Sales Assistant. Borysewicz is from Richmond, VA and he was a member of the swim team at East Carolina University while also attending Old Dominion University. He worked for the Double-A Richmond Flying Squirrels and with the ECHL’s Norfolk Admirals. Powers is a Shiloh, OH native with degrees from Tiffin University and Cleveland State University. Before joining the Chiefs he worked for the West Michigan Whitecaps and Lake County Captains in the MWL while also working as a guest services representative for the NFL’s Cleveland Browns. Phelps is a native of Rapid City, SD and a graduate of St. Cloud State University. He worked in the SCSU Athletic Department and for the Independent baseball Sioux Falls Canaries before joining the Chiefs. Shough is from Farragut, IA a graduate of Wayne State College (NE) who is currently pursuing a Master’s degree at Liberty University. She worked two seasons with the Triple-A Iowa Cubs stadium operations department and worked in the Sports Information Department at Wayne State before joining the Chiefs.
Patrick Walker, who worked for the Chiefs the last two seasons as the Director of Merchandise, is now the Director of Entertainment and Community Relations. While Walker will continue to handle the FireHouse Team Store, he will also oversee all on-field entertainment, gameday promotions, player/mascot appearances and community events.
“This is definitely the most experienced staff we have had at the Chiefs,” said Vonachen. “We are looking forward to a great 2017 season and providing top-notch family friendly entertainment to Central Illinois.”
