THE TEAM BEHIND THE TEAM
- BEHIND THE SCENES
JOLIET SLAMMERS STAFF
MIKE VEECK
OWNER
About Mike Veeck:
Mike Veeck is a nationally renowned speaker, entrepreneur, college professor, philanthropist, marketing, promotions and customer care expert.
The Veeck family started in baseball nearly a century ago when Veeck’s grandfather was president of the Chicago Cubs. Veeck’s father, Bill, is a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame in recognition of his time as the owner of the St. Louis Browns, Cleveland Indians, Chicago White Sox, and the then-minor league Milwaukee Brewers. Famous for so many occurrences at the ballpark, Bill Veeck will always be remembered for signing Larry Doby, the first black man to play in the American League and for sending 3 foot, 6 inch Eddie Gaedel to the plate for the Browns in a 1951 game against Detroit.
BILL MURRAY
OWNER
About Bill Murray:
Bill Murray has earned numerous accolades including a BAFTA Award, two Emmy Awards, a Golden Globe Award, and two Independent Spirit Awards, as well as a nomination for an Academy Award. In 2016, Murray was awarded the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. Murray rose to fame on The National Lampoon Radio Hour (1973–1974) before becoming a national presence on Saturday Night Live from 1977 to 1980, where he received a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series. He then established his stardom acting in a string of successful comedy films such as Meatballs (1979), Caddyshack (1980), Stripes (1981), Ghostbusters (1984), Ghostbusters II (1989), What About Bob? (1991), and Groundhog Day (1993). He also took on supporting roles in Tootsie (1982), Little Shop of Horrors (1986), Ed Wood (1994), Kingpin (1996), and Osmosis Jones (2001).
Murray has been involved in minority ownership of the Minor League Baseball Charleston RiverDogs and St. Paul Saints alongside Mike Veeck. Prior to being invited to join the affiliated ranks for the 2021 season, the Saints were considered the premier independent baseball team in the country.
NIGHT TRAIN VEECK
OWNER | EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, SALES & MARKETING
About Night Train Veeck:
Night Train Veeck is the fourth generation of Veecks to work in baseball. He is a seasoned sports marketing executive with a diverse domestic and international background. With 15 seasons between Independent and Minor League Baseball, followed by seven seasons in Major League Baseball with the Chicago White Sox, he has hands-on experience successfully implementing numerous fan-centric marketing, sales, and partnership campaigns. Most recently, he has returned to the U.S. after almost two years leading fan engagement for Cricket Australia’s Big Bash League in Melbourne, Australia and shortly thereafter co-founding a Division III pro soccer team in Chicago. Additionally, he serves as an active owner and board member for Larne FC, a Northern Irish first division Soccer Club.
When not living in a stadium, he resides in Chicago’s South Loop neighborhood with his partner Loz, and dog Wicket, where he is mastering the art of bread and pizza baking while patiently awaiting the reunification of OutKast. Night Train will be in leadership with the day to day operations of the Slammers.
HEATHER MILLS
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
About Heather Mills:
The 2024 season will be Heather’s 16th year in professional baseball and 12th with the Joliet Slammers. She joined the Slammers in 2013 as Box Office Manager, in 2015 was promoted to Assistant General Manager, in 2016 was named the General Manager, and became CFO in 2021. Heather previously worked for the Kane County Cougars and the Memphis Redbirds, where she won a PCL Championship.
In the few spare moments Heather isn’t at the stadium, she enjoys reading (140 books in 2023!), baking, taking photographs, visiting Chicago’s museums, watching Muppets productions, and planning vacations. She also serves as a board member for the Pitch & Hit Club of Chicago and is a member of the Sport Management Advisory Board at her alma mater, Southeast Missouri State University.
Despite not being the Heather Mills that was married to Paul McCartney, she is also a Beatles fan. Heather enjoys sharing random useless trivia and farm facts with the office. Her goal in life is to appear on Jeopardy!
KEN MILLER
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY RELATIONS
About Ken Miller:
Ken is a lifelong Coal City resident and has been a part of the Slammers team for 13 seasons! Ken is no stranger to the sports world – having coached high school sports for 47 years.
In 2016, Ken was inducted into the Illinois Football Coaches Associations Hall of Fame. Congratulations Ken! In addition, Ken has worked in the education field for 34 years. He currently serves as an Officer and Board member of the Pitch and Hit Club of Chicago, Chicago’s Professional Baseball Organization. He has been a member for the past 20 years. Outside of work, Ken enjoys charity work and visiting with his five grandchildren.
RICK WOLF
CORPORATE SALES ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
About Rick Wolf:
Rick joins the Slammers after a career in the business world as both a Vice President of Business Operations and as a national consultant for Business Development and Sales Management. A graduate of Indiana University and avid hockey fan, Rick also spent over 12 years working as a hockey scout and official in both the National Hockey League and the Ontario Hockey League.
JOEL SIGEL
DIRECTOR OF FOOD AND BEVERAGE
About Joel Sigel:
Joel is a 2007 graduate of Le Cordon Bleu. He did his internship with Disney World and then worked for a 5 star steak house in Snowmass Village Co. As a Chef he has cooked for many celebrities like Joe Walsh, Gabriel Iglesias and many more. He was a Chef of a country club, casino, and the Peoria Civic Center. He then ran a pizza chain as the Director of Operations. Joel believes strongly in supporting the local community and only using the best and freshest ingredients. He is married with 4 kids and volunteers around the community and at his local church in Joliet.
GINA MENDEZ
GROUP SALES ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
About Gina Mendez:
Gina is a graduate of Olivet Nazarene University with a Bachelor’s degree in Sports Management with a focus in marketing. She began her career as an Assistant Recreation Manager with the Kanakee Valey Park District before joining the Slammers team. Outside of the office, she volunteers within her community for local music and sporting events. She enjoys traveling, exploring new restaurants, and being home with her two fur babies.
TORI ZALEWSKI
STADIUM RENTAL AND GROUP SALES COORDINATOR
About Tori Zalewski:
Tori is a graduate of Eastern Illinois University with a Bachelor’s in Athletic Training and a Master’s in Sports Administration. This will be her third season with the Slammers, she started off as a Stadium Operations Intern and Special Events Staff in 2021. During the off season Tori works part time for the Chicago Blackhawks on the Fan Events & Experience Team.
TIM CZUBA
BOX OFFICE MANAGER
About Tim Czuba: