JEFF MOORAD NAMED ONE OF SAN DIEGO’S MOST ADMIRED CEOs

- Padres Vice Chairman and CEO recognized for business achievements and community contributions - 

SAN DIEGO, Calif. – The San Diego Padres today announced club Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jeff Moorad has been named one of San Diego’s Most Admired CEOs of 2010, by San Diego Business Journal and Vistage International. The awards were announced before an audience of more than 500 attendees, including special guest San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders.

This is the fourth year of San Diego Business Journal’s Most Admired CEO Awards event, which recognizes dynamic business leaders and role models. Moorad was named one of three honorees in the category of Large Private Company.

“I am incredibly honored and humbled to receive this award,” said Moorad. “I have great respect for the other finalists and honorees and the impact their leadership and service are making in the community. I would like to thank the San Diego Business Journal and Vistage International for giving us a platform to recognize each other’s achievements.”

"Jeff has led the Padres these past 18 months with passion, sound judgment, courage, and heart," said Tom Garfinkel, Padres President and Chief Operating Officer. "Everyone here at the Padres is proud to see Jeff honored in this way, with such a distinguished group of San Diego CEOs."

Honorees were selected by an independent panel of judges, who ranked nominations based on the CEO’s contributions to their companies and the community, with emphasis on innovation, leadership and results-based focus. Nominees are considered in five categories: Business Nonprofit Organization, Nonprofit Organization, Private Company, Education and Public Company.

“Our independent panel of judges was very impressed with Jeff Moorad’s contributions to the financial success of the San Diego Padres, as well as his commitment to the community,” said Armon Mills, president and publisher of the San Diego Business Journal.

Upon his arrival in the Padres front office in 2009, Moorad set forth a clear mission for the club: to become the best franchise in professional sports, as measured through the ability to win games, provide a meaningful fan experience and make a positive, lasting impact on the San Diego community. Moorad inherited the team at a point when its Season Ticket Holder base was at an all-time low. At the beginning of his tenure, he made a commitment to listen to the fans and implement innovative changes that would help rebuild their loyalty and confidence.

After just two short seasons under Moorad’s leadership, the Padres finished the 2010 regular season with 90 wins for only the fourth time in franchise history, despite having one of the lowest payrolls in Major League Baseball. Additionally in 2010, the number of Padres Season Ticket Holders increased over the previous year for the first time in the history of PETCO Park. At a time when MLB as a whole is experiencing an attendance decline, the Padres finished the 2010 season ranked fourth in the league in year-over-year attendance growth.

When it comes to serving the community, Moorad leads by example. He generously gives to a wide variety of causes. Most notable, however, is his commitment to raising funds to find a cure for ALS.  Moorad has been actively involved in fundraising for Augie’s Quest since its founding in 2005. He helped link Augie’s Quest to the Muscular Dystrophy Association, as well as biomedical research institute TGen. He also co-founded the Celebrity Golf Classic in Phoenix, which has raised nearly $500,000 for Augie’s Quest.

Since taking over at the Padres, Moorad has supported and helped further the efforts of the Padres Foundation to make a difference in the San Diego community. During the 2010 season, the Padres distributed more than 80,000 tickets to deserving non-profits and provided a platform for 16 local charities to promote their charitable efforts and increase awareness surrounding their causes.