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www.HartfordBusiness.com • May 28, 2018 • Hartford Business Journal 3 Newsmakers EDITORIAL Greg Bordonaro | Editor, ext. 139, gbordonaro@HartfordBusiness.com Gregory Seay | News Editor, ext. 144, gseay@HartfordBusiness.com Matt Pilon | News Editor, ext. 143, mpilon@HartfordBusiness.com John Stearns | Staff Writer, ext. 145, jstearns@HartfordBusiness.com Joe Cooper | Web Editor, ext. 127, jcooper@HartfordBusiness.com Stephanie Meagher | Research Director Heide Martin | Research Assistant Steve Laschever | Photographer BUSINESS Joe Zwiebel | President and Publisher, ext. 132, jzwiebel@HartfordBusiness.com Donna Collins | Associate Publisher, ext. 121, dcollins@HartfordBusiness.com Lauren Stroud | Marketing & Project Manager, ext. 137, lstroud@HartfordBusiness.com Shannon Vincelette | HBJ Office and Events Coordinator, ext. 122, svincelette@hartfordbusiness.com David Hartley | Sr. Accounts Manager, ext. 130, dhartley@HartfordBusiness.com Christopher Mazzaia | Sr. Accounts Manager, ext. 128, cmazzaia@HartfordBusiness.com Kristen P. 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Box 330, Congers, NY 10920-9894 www.copyright.com HartfordBusiness.com (860) 236-9998 Mike Abramson | General Manager, Hartford Yard Goats By John Stearns jstearns@HartfordBusiness.com Mike Abramson plays guitar, bass, piano and drums and jokes he'd like to be a rock star when he grows up, but today he's a chief drum-beater for the Hartford Yard Goats, for which he became general manager last fall after Tim Restall's pro- motion to team president. Abramson joined the then-New Britain Rock Cats in Nov. 2012 as vice president of marketing, partly on the chance there'd someday be a new ballpark and rebranded organization. He also was ready for a larger role than he had with the Pawtucket Red Sox, plus living in Providence with children approaching school age didn't fit the family's plans. "The last six years have been really amazing," he said. "I can honestly say that I've been able to experience the full scope of the start-to-finish aspect of the job I envisioned in 2012." It wasn't always easy, though, he said, noting challenging circumstances like the year the team move was announced; the last year in New Brit- ain; the year the Goats played all games outside Hartford (2016) before Dunkin' Donuts Park was finished; and the park's opening year in 2017, when he was assistant GM. "But it's all been such a learning experience," Abramson said. "Had we announced the move and everyone was happy, loved the idea of the new ballpark, loved the brand from the begin- ning, and the ballpark opened on time, I wouldn't have learned 1/10th as much as I ultimately did." How many sellouts have the Goats had through the latest home game and how are ticket sales trending overall? We had four sellouts through this point last year, and we've had eight this year (as of May 10), so we're certainly ahead. We're at or near sellout on 12 more games upcoming this season, so the future is bright. How we pan out at the end of the season depends on weather and continued enthusiasm, but I'd say we're all feeling pretty good about our chances of finishing ahead of '17. What promotion was most successful last season and which excites you this season? Whalers Alumni Weekend was a big success and really seemed appreciated by fans. It's nice everyone has embraced the way we've folded the modern aspects of the ballpark with Hartford's rich sports history. I'm really excited about the Hartford Steamed Cheeseburgers game this year because people have just gone crazy for the name and the logo. Looking forward to Harry Potter night because my kids and I are reading the series now. The Los Chivos games, along with our You Can Play Night (Pride Night), are high on my list, too, because I'm so committed to the notion that this is everyone's ballpark. What's the biggest challenge you face in your new role? Time is always my greatest challenge. Though I work 12 hours a day when the team is home, and eight hours when they're not, I can never seem to find enough time to do everything well. When you don't have enough time to do things the way you'd like, great becomes the enemy of good — and that's never a comfortable place to be. Fortunately, I think our fans see an A+ product and that's what counts. What needs to happen this season for you to consider it a success? Surpassing last year's attendance would be a nice, visible marker; the continued buzz; and the ballpark continuing to be the "cool" place to be. What's your favorite thing about Dunkin' Donuts Park? I love the city skyline and the sunset over the ballpark. 860.871.1111 Toll Free: 800.741.6367 nemsi.com License #'s: E1-104939 • S1-302974 • P1-203519 • F1-10498 • SM1-192 • MC-1134 MECHANICAL • ELECTRICAL • PLUMBING • SHEET METAL • BUILDING AUTOMATION • FACILITIES SERVICES SERVICE SOLUTIONS…ONE SOURCE The company that builds and installs the critical systems in virtually every type of facility is the same company you can rely on to maintain them. For over 50 years, our clients have trusted us to deliver end-to-end facilities solutions, so they can focus on their core business. We are experts in: Facilities Services Preventive Maintenance Programs Onsite Operations & Maintenance PHOTO | CONTRIBUTED Yard Goats GM Mike Abramson at Dunkin' Donuts Park.