News & Stories

SMITH ELEVATED TO GM AS BERTHIAUME RETIRES

(New Britain, Conn., Sept. 26, 2017) – The New Britain Bees today announced the elevation of Vice President of Business Development Brad Smith to the role of GM, as General Manager Gerry Berthiaume has announced his retirement from baseball, effective immediately.
 
“I want to thank Gerry for his tireless work with the Bees and wish him well in retirement,” said Bees Majority Owner Anthony Iacovone. “At the same time we are excited about the future with Brad Smith and how his leadership will shape this organization in the seasons to come.”
 
Berthiaume, 62,  joined the Bees after spending nine years as an executive at Capital Workforce Partners in Hartford, and helped the club surpass their sponsorship totals from the 2016 season in his first three months. During the 2017 season, the Bees welcomed their largest crowd in franchise history on April 27th, donated more than $15,000 to local charities through sponsors and promotions, and had seven local Connecticut players suit up for the team, including Torrington’s Conor Bierfeldt (23 HR), all under Berthiaume’s direction.
 
Berthiaume retires after spending 19 of the 35 seasons of baseball in New Britain with the city’s teams, first working for the Bristol Red Sox in 1982. Across the New Britain franchises, Berthiaume has overseen over 2 million fans attend baseball games at Beehive Field and New Britain Stadium, as well as helping with the design and building process of New Britain Stadium. During Berthiaume’s tenure as General Manager, he has overseen the development of several top MLB prospects, including Roger Clemens, Jeff Bagwell, Torii Hunter, David Ortiz and most recently Berlin, CT native Anthony Marzi.
 
Berthiaume plans to spend his retirement rooting for the Bees while fishing and spending time with his family in Berlin.
 
New GM Smith takes over with  considerable experience in minor league baseball, starting as a 21-year old concessions intern in 1995 with the Chattanooga Lookouts (AA, Minnesota Twins) that worked his way into a president/GM/ownership role from 2005-2015 with the Kannapolis Intimidators (A, Chicago White Sox). While with Kannapolis, Smith negotiated the team’s stadium lease and naming rights, as well as managed the day-to-day operations of the team and facility.  A graduate and former baseball captain at Middlebury College, Smith also has experience as the Owner and President of the Wilmington Sharks, a summer collegiate team in the Coastal Plain League from 2014-2016. Smith joins the Bees full-time after working with both New Britain and the Bridgeport Bluefish during the 2017 season.
 
“Brad has a wealth of experience in professional baseball, and brings a unique perspective as a former franchise owner to the General Manager’s position,” said Iacovone. “I’m excited to have him lead the Bees front office as we look towards 2018 and beyond.”
 
“I look forward to building upon the foundation that Gerry helped establish with the New Britain Bees,” said Smith. “I eagerly accept the challenge to make the Bees a leader for affordable, family entertainment in Central Connecticut.”
 
About the New Britain Bees
The New Britain Bees are members of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, and play their home games at New Britain Stadium. For information on ticket packages, group outings and sponsorships call 860-826-BEES (2337) or visit NBBees.com.
 
About the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB)
The Atlantic League has been a leader in professional baseball and a gateway to Major League Baseball since 1998. Over 38 million fans have attended Atlantic League games and more than 800 players and 50 managers and coaches have joined MLB organizations directly from the ALPB.  The Atlantic League emphasizes winning baseball games, showcasing the talent of top-caliber players and offering affordable family entertainment to metropolitan markets serving nearly 15% of the US population.
 
For more information, please visit www.AtlanticLeague.com
 
###
 


Search Archive »




Browse by Year »

2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016

Browse by Month »

December 2023
August 2023
July 2023
June 2023
May 2023
November 2022
August 2022
July 2022
June 2022
May 2022
April 2022
December 2021
October 2021
August 2021
July 2021
June 2021
May 2021
April 2021
March 2021
January 2021
October 2020
September 2020
August 2020
July 2020
June 2020
April 2020
March 2020
February 2020
January 2020
September 2019
August 2019
July 2019
June 2019
May 2019
April 2019
March 2019
February 2019
January 2019
December 2018
November 2018
October 2018
September 2018
August 2018
July 2018
June 2018
May 2018
April 2018
March 2018
February 2018
January 2018
December 2017
November 2017
October 2017
September 2017
August 2017
July 2017
June 2017
May 2017
April 2017
March 2017
February 2017
January 2017
December 2016
November 2016
October 2016
September 2016
August 2016
July 2016