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Flying Squirrels add more locals to ownership

Richmond Flying SquirrelsThe ownership of the Richmond Flying Squirrels (Class AA; Eastern League) has a greater local presence, after three local investment groups and eight new owners have been approved by Minor League Baseball as minority partners of the franchise.

The new members of the ownership group include:

  • Sam Kornblau – Chairman of SAMCO Development Corporation and a member of the Board of Directors of the Wilton Companies
  • Barry Kornblau – Retired Chairman and CEO of Summit Realty Group, Inc., based in Richmond
  • Bryan Kornblau – Chairman and Founder of Eagle Construction of VA, President and Principal of Markel / Eagle Partners
  • David Boardman – Founder and Former CEO of Dynamic Brands
  • Ted Hanson – Chief Financial Officer, Apex Systems
  • William T. Hupp – Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Estes Express Lines, Inc.
  • Robey W. Estes Jr. – Chief Executive Officer and President of Estes Express Lines, Inc.
  • John J. Marshall – Managing Member of WPB Partners LLC

“As the Squirrels continue to engrain themselves in the Richmond community, we realize the importance of expanding our voice locally,” said Flying Squirrels’ President & Managing Partner Lou DiBella. “We are thrilled to add a group of preeminent businessmen from the area who have proven that they share our vision of community leadership and can affect our efforts positively from within that community.”

The eight new minority owners join Brian Callaghan, founder of Apex Systems, who joined the Squirrels ownership team in January, 2010.  In addition to the new investors, Callaghan has increased his investment in the franchise. With the additions to the group and Callaghan’s increased investment, the Squirrels are now over 20 percent locally owned.

“It has always been vitally important that the Squirrels have a member of the ownership group that is active within the Richmond community and can bring a local perspective to the table,” said Callaghan. “I have greatly enjoyed that role over the last four years and couldn’t be more excited to be joined by a group of like-minded investors who are equally committed to the positive role that the Flying Squirrels play here in Richmond.”

“Our commitment to Richmond has never wavered, and these additions reaffirm that,” added DiBella. “We intend to provide memories in the community and at the ballpark for years to come and remain steadfast in that pursuit.”

The additions come as the City Council debates a new-ballpark plan calling for the development of the Boulevard area — which includes the team’s current home, The Diamond — to fund a new downtwn Shockoe Bottom ballpark.

RELATED STORIES: Richmond ballpark revenues could be used for other purposes; Richmond ballpark opponents: Map used to justify location is inaccurate; Richmond purchase of Diamond: Making way for Shockoe Bottom ballpark; Alternative plan pitched for Richmond’s Shockoe Bottom: No new ballpark; Flying Squirrels lease: $1.7M annually; naming rights could lower that number; Squirrels ballpark plan include hotel, apartments, grocery; Richmond quietly positions for new ballpark; Activists: Ballpark not best use for Shockoe Bottom; Poll: Squirrels home should be built next to current ballpark; Richmond: No vote on ballpark location; Flying Squirrels: Fans don’t know what they are missing; Richmond committee: Don’t put ballpark location to vote; Richmond ballpark location may be decided by voters; New Richmond ballpark: on or off?; Shockoe Bottom gaining momentum as Flying Squirrels ballpark site?; Progress made on new Richmond ballpark: McEacharn; MiLB squirrelly about new Richmond ballpark; Flying Squirrels: New ballpark still a priority; Flying Squirrels extend Diamond lease, setting stage for ballpark improvements; Experts: Downtown ballpark could revitalize Richmond; Squirrels: No plans to leave Richmond “at the present time”; Didn’t take long: Opposition rises to Richmond Shockoe Bottom ballpark siteRichmond ballpark discussion shifts back to Shockoe Bottom; Manchester in play as well; Richmond: Yes, we really do intend on building a new ballparkBudget issues postpone Squirrels ballpark to 2015 at the earliestNew Richmond ballpark by 2014?; DiBella: Time to start talking new ballpark; Flying Squirrels throw out first offer on new ballparkBaseball returns to Richmond’s Diamond — but for how long?

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