Major League Soccer today announced the 2007 MLS Executive Award winners. D.C. United's front office earned a total of nine honors this season, including a fourth consecutive Team Public Relations Award. Doug Hicks (Team Public Relations Award), Jason Amaguaña and Jon Radke (Operations Directors of the Year), Brian Goodstein (Athletic Trainer of the Year presented by Mueller Sports Medicine), Francisco Tobar (Equipment Manager of the Year), Mike Harloff (Ticket Sales Director of the Year), Scott Miller (Account Executive of the Year, Top 10 Ticket Sales Revenue, Top 10 New FSE Ticket Sales, Top 10 Group Ticket Sales Leader) and Dan Giffin (Top 10 Ticket Sales Revenue, Top 10 Group Ticket Sales) were all honored for their work throughout the season. Winners were chosen in a voting process comprising team general managers, the League office and peers within respective departments. Members of the media also voted for the Public Relations Award.
"We've long thought that D.C. United employs the hardest working and most dedicated people in Major League Soccer," said United Executive Vice President Stephen Zack. "As evidenced by this year's award winners, United is able to achieve great success as a group due in large part to individual contributions of these talented people."
Team Public Relations Award: D.C. United
Vice President of Communications Doug Hicks and staff earned the Team Public Relations Award for the fourth straight season, having previously received the honor in 2004, 2005 and 2006. The department successfully managed a demanding media schedule, while serving as the team's voice for all aspects of business operations. In addition to routinely developing quality content-based collaterals in English and Spanish, United's public relations department was involved in a host of community relations activities, as well as overseeing broadcasting and internet properties.
Operations Director of the Year: Jason Amaguaña and Jon Radke
Jason Amaguaña and Jon Radke are responsible for coordination of all team needs and requests. They are b6th responsible for day-to-day functions and events that surround the team, office and RFK Stadium. They facilitate the operation of all D.C. United events, which includes 15 MLS regular season matches, several international matches and other club events (reserve team games, Corporate Receptions, Team Awards Dinner, etc).
Athletic Trainer of the Year presented by Mueller Sports Medicine: Brian Goodstein
Brian Goodstein is in his fifth year with D.C. United as the Head Athletic Trainer and in 2006 became the club's Strength and Conditioning Coach. Goodstein serves as the Vice President of PSATS (Professional Soccer Athletic Trainers Society), is a member of MLS Advisory Committee and serves on the editorial board for Training and Conditioning Magazine. This is Goodstein's second time winning Athletic Trainer of the Year, as he also won the award in 2004.
MLS Equipment Manager of the Year: Francisco Tobar
Francisco Tobar is in his fifth year with D.C. United as the team's equipment manager. His responsibilities include ensuring that the team and staff are properly equipped for all occasions. Previously, Tobar was the visiting team liaison for United from 1996-1998. Before being hired by United in January 2003, Tobar worked as the equipment coordinator for the U.S. Women's National Team in 2002.
Ticket Sales Director of the Year: Mike Harloff
Harloff, who has been with the team since its inception, won the top individual honor in each of his first two years as Director of Sales. Before taking over his current position prior to the 2006 season, he had been in the top five in Group Sales for five straight years (2001-2005), He was also in the top five for Ticket Revenue in 2002, and was twice honored with the Commissioner's New Business Leadership Award (1998 & 1999).
Account Executive of the Year, Top 10 Ticket Sales Revenue (3rd), Top 10 New FSE Ticket Sales (9th) and Top 10 Group Ticket Sales Leader: Scott Miller
In his sixth year with the team, Scott Miller finished first in MLS in Group Ticket Revenue and third in Ticket Sales and ninth in new FSE ticket sales on his way to being named the Account Executive of the Year. This is the second consecutive year for Miller being Account Executive of the Year. In 2006, he also finished first in MLS in Ticket Revenue and Group Ticket Sales.
Ticket Revenue Sales (6th) & Group Ticket Sales (4th): Dan Giffin
Giffin, who has been with the team since its first year, finished among League leaders in both total Ticket Revenue and Group Ticket Sales. The senior account executive has been among League sales leaders on numerous occasions during the last twelve years.
