Kevin Martinez is Mariners New President of Business Operations

SEATTLE, Wash. — Mariners Chairman and Managing Partner John Stanton announced today that Kevin Martinez has been selected as the Seattle Mariners new President of Business Operations.

For Martinez, who was previously the Mariners Senior Vice President of Marketing & Communications, the new role is the culmination of a 34-year rise through the organization.

“Over the course of our search, Kevin set himself apart with his creativity, his vision and his passion for our team and our organization” Stanton said. “I had the opportunity, along with Jeff Raikes, to talk to outstanding candidates from both outside and within our front office. Kevin emerged as the best choice from a tremendously talented group.”

In his new role as President, Martinez will be responsible for all aspects of the Mariners business operations.

Martinez just completed his 34th season with the Mariners, his seventh since being promoted to Senior Vice President on Nov. 9, 2017. He previously spent 16 years as Vice President of Marketing at the Mariners. Kevin was originally hired as the club’s Promotions Manager in 1990 and promoted to Director of Promotions in 1993. From 1996–2001 he was the Director of Marketing for the club.

“When I joined this organization 34 years ago I was a long way from Edison, New Jersey, where I grew up,” Martinez said. “But very quickly Seattle, and this team, became home to me. And it was all about the people, both at the Mariners and in this community.

“I believe our team is on the doorstep of our greatest moments and achievements,” Martinez continued, “and my focus is working with the talented people within our organization to reach those heights on behalf of all of our fans.”

Martinez has shaped the Mariners brand for parts of four decades, overseeing the marketing, advertising, social media, digital content creation, research, in-park entertainment, and special events as well as directing the club’s communications departments, including broadcasting, baseball and brand communications. He has led the marketing & communications team that has created some of the most innovative and decorated marketing concepts in all of sports. The Mariners have been recognized nationally and locally for their brand advertising, in-park promotions, digital content, and communications.

Martinez has always focused on connecting Mariners players and Mariners baseball to our fans, and on creating an in-park environment that energizes our players on the field.

“The fans are the heart of our organization,” Martinez said. “We have always championed initiatives that keep our game fun and affordable and I’ll continue to ensure T-Mobile Park is accessible to all.”

During his time with the Mariners he has led the creation of FanFest, Opening Week Warm-Up, Mariners Street Fleet, Mariners Bar League and more. He has also designed and led all 11 of the Mariners Hall of Fame inductions and was instrumental in the creation and placement of statues honoring our three National Baseball Hall of Fame members, Dave Niehaus, Ken Griffey Jr., and Edgar Martinez.

“I want to continue to bring our fans and players closer together,” Martinez said. “It is our job to share the incredible stories and journeys our players take from the day they are drafted to when they are hopefully enshrined in our Hall of Fame.”

In addition to his work with the Mariners, Kevin was the Boston Celtics Director of Promotions & Special Events from 1994–96. His responsibilities in Boston included planning and executing marketing initiatives for the Celtics final season in historic Boston Garden and the inaugural season in the FleetCenter (now the TD Garden).

Prior to joining the Mariners Kevin worked for the ABC Television Network in New York.

Martinez graduated from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University.