Don Smiley
Donald Smiley | |
|---|---|
| Born | December 11, 1955 Racine, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Education | St. Catherine High School |
| Alma mater | University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh |
| Occupation(s) | Former President and CEO, Milwaukee World Festival Inc. (2004-2023) |
Donald A. Smiley (born December 11, 1955) is the former President and Chief Executive Officer of Summerfest and a former Major League Baseball executive. He served as president of the Florida Marlins from 1994 to 1998, taking over after the death of Carl Barger. He is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh.[1]
Career
[edit]After graduating from college, Smiley worked at WFRV-TV in Green Bay first as a cameraman and then as an assignment reporter.[2] He went on to work as district sales manager for Hoffmaster Paper Company in Oshkosh from 1979 until 1982 when he left to become the director of marketing for the Honda Classic PGA Tournament in Florida in 1982.
Florida Marlins
[edit]In 1991, Smiley became the vice president and chief spokesman for South Florida Big League Baseball during which he helped secure the expansion of Florida Marlins. He served as president of the Marlins from 1994 to 2000. The owner of the Florida Marlins at the time, Wayne Huizenga, tried to arrange a sale of the Marlins to Smiley for $169 million in 1997.[3]
Summerfest
[edit]Smiley was hired in 2004 as the CEO of Summerfest,[4] an annual music festival held at the Henry Maier Festival Park along the lakefront in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In 2012, Smiley's compensation as Summerfest CEO was $886,185[5] according to Milwaukee World Festival.
In December 2023, he retired from his position as President and CEO[6]
References
[edit]- ^ Wis Business
- ^ "Smiley's resume very distinguished". Racine Journal Times. Retrieved 5 July 2015.
- ^ "The Capitalist; A Miami Fish Story". New York Times. Retrieved 5 July 2015.
- ^ "Conversation with Summerfest CEO Don Smiley". Radio Milwaukee. Retrieved 5 July 2015.
- ^ "Summerfest CEO Don Smiley's compensation rises $114,000". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved 5 July 2015.
- ^ "Two decades of the Big Gig: Don Smiley reflects on Summerfest career". Milwaukee Business Journal. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
External links
[edit]- "Baseball America Executive Database: Don Smiley". Baseball America Inc. Retrieved April 2, 2012.