The Long Island Business News has announced that Ducks general manager Michael Pfaff has been named a member of the 40 Under 40 Awards Class of 2009. The annual list is comprised of 40 men and women on Long Island under the age of 40 who exemplify leadership in business and commitment to the community. “It is a great honor to be selected for this prestigious award,” says Pfaff. “It is a credit to the entire Long Island Ducks staff and organization, and I thank them for their continued hard work and dedication, and for helping make this honor possible.” Pfaff will be honored at an awards gala on Thursday, January 29. Past awardees represent entrepreneurs, government, education, law, banking, not-for-profits and the high-tech industry, and include people like Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi and Senator Charles Fuschillo, and span Long Island representing companies large and small like the law office of Rivkin Radler, South Nassau Communities Hospital, Cold Spring Harbor Lab, the US Postal Service, Hofstra University, the Tilles Companies, ALS Construction and the New York Ravioli & Pasta Company. Pfaff was named General Manager of the Long Island Ducks in 2006 after serving for two seasons as the team’s Assistant General Manager. He was elevated to AGM after overseeing the club’s communications and marketing efforts for two seasons.
In 2007, the Ducks saw growth in all areas of their day-to-day business operation including attendance, concessions and merchandise, while setting a record in sponsorship sales. The team’s average of 6,108 fans per game was 106 over Citibank Park’s 6,002-seat capacity and marked an improvement of 120 seats per game over the previous season. On the field, the Ducks became the first team in league history to win a division title in four consecutive seasons. Baseball America recognized the tremendous campaign by naming Long Island the 2007 Independent Organization of the Year at the Winter Meetings in South Carolina. Following a 2008 season that saw the Ducks once again lead all of independent baseball in attendance, Pfaff was awarded with Atlantic League Executive of the Year honors. Prior to joining the Ducks in 2002, Pfaff worked for the National Football League Commissioner’s Office in New York City for seven years. During his time at the NFL, he was assigned to work two AFC Championship games, three Super Bowls and six NFL Drafts.