Dolphins’ (organizational) depth chart

The Dolphins are beefing up the business side of the organization under new CEO Mike Dee. The team has hired two new executives, promoted some current ones and altered a few job descriptions.

The team, which announced the changes Thursday, called the moves “the first step in the eventual integration of the team and Land Shark Stadium businesses.”

Dolphins President and Chief Operating Officer Bryan Wiedmeier moves to the newly created position of senior vice president of NFL affairs & special projects. The team release says “Wiedmeier will work closely with Dee on NFL matters and a variety of special assignments.” Not entirely sure what that means at this point, other than it likely includes working more extensively on preparations for next year’s Super Bowl and Pro Bowl being held at Lank Shark Stadium, which will be known as Dolphin Stadium for the games.

Stadium President Bruce Schulze is to focus on the stadium’s operation and fan experience and Senior Director of Community Relations & Government Affairs Eric Knowles is to expand the team's government relations outreach, the team release said.

Dee, who previously worked at the Boston Red Sox and San Diego Padres, also hired two former colleagues: Adam Grossman, vice president of marketing at the Boston Red Sox, was named Dolphins’ senior vice president of public affairs, and Mark Tilson, who worked for the Padres and most recently as the Kansas City Royals’ vice president of sales & marketing, becomes Dolphins senior vice president of sales & ticket operations.

Other changes: Ilona Wolpin becomes senior director of community relations up from community relations manager; Matt Thomas adds vice president to his General Counsel and Football Administration title; Tery Howard, who oversees the stadium and team’s technology efforts, becomes senior vice president/Chief Technology Officer; and Danielle Sergeant was promoted to director of client services.

"We have made a commitment to build a tier one organization that will be equipped to execute the great vision and high expectations that Steve Ross has set for this franchise," Dee said in a statement. “We believe that these moves were essential to make at this time in order to begin the process of positioning the franchise for future growth and to maximum efficiency."

Comments

Bring back Danny Marino as quarterback of this team.

Posted by: Mike Gentile | August 2, 2009 11:20 PM

cocoa and Chris, You're both morons. Actually take time to think, dumb dumbs.

Posted by: Me13 | August 2, 2009 1:39 AM

Does anyone remember the "conga line" when Joe first got the rights for an NFL team and the celebs that were involved. It's fun, and as a long time fan, and I mean long, it does not bother me. Hey "Land Shark" is better then any former other then JR. I just can't wait for the first tailgate of the season, anyone been to a tailgate party would also find a circus act. Period End, I love the entire experience, and if Ross is going to try to make it better, you go Man. Loved "H. Wayne" as an owner, Ross seems good so far.

Posted by: Alan | August 1, 2009 2:15 PM

Posted by: Alan | August 1, 2009 2:14 PM

i don't get some of your comments. only one guy who will have anything at all to do with football got a new title. everything else is on the business side! why would you begrudge them doing more community outreach, better stadium experience, better ticket selling experience, and better customer service?? who knows, maybe having buffet, marc & jay-lo, and the estefan's wearing some fins colors while out on tour could bring in some new fans to spend money and root for the team. i don't see any of these moves changing or hurting the football side. parcells may stay longer now that he willl have a device in his hands that will allow him to rewatch the plays from any camera while the team huddles up for the next play. something ross is giving to box owners for the season. he can use all that extra money to pay bill to stay longer. though i think the training wheels put on the GM and coach need to come off at some point. we now get the probowl every other year, we get the superbowl more than most teams. making the dolphins, landshark stadium, and miami the place to be for football is a great goal. ross is being very smart. he got headlines for positive things during the most boring stretch of the year. if only he could get the marlins out and into their own stadium things would be near perfection.

Posted by: Jaison Biagini | August 1, 2009 11:11 AM

Get the stickball out of the stadium & return the name to Joe Robbie Stadium!!!

Posted by: Steve | August 1, 2009 10:33 AM

have to agree with chris as a fan of the fins since they lost superbowl 19 (no band wagon jumping for me I went with the team that lost the superbowl) this is all a bit much, just give me a good team on the field all the hoopla smacks of "look at me I own a team" bring back the robbie family (the 1st family of football in florida)

Posted by: ronuk | August 1, 2009 5:04 AM

I'm with you Chris.I read a writer call it a conga line,and it really is.They're running a very important business to a lot of people like a flea market,any one welcome to buy a chunk.All anybody cares about is the product on the field,not these bells and whistles.Question:Does management/ownership/sponsorship/entertainment start ballooning to the point they start squeezing and pinching the football people with all their distractions?

Posted by: Eric | July 31, 2009 4:41 PM

Guys you are forgetting the best part. The more money we bring in, the more money the Dolphins have to spend as a whole. Better bonuses to keep their current and future players under contract, much better practice facilities and a better stadium to play in. While other owners in sports are filing for bankruptcy or selling off their player, the Dolphins are doing the complete opposite. It's time to enjoy football again in Dolphin land.

Posted by: Anthony | July 31, 2009 4:32 PM

Anytime you move someone to a newly created dept. you're on the way out.

And so, we got some baseball types running the operation now? Hey new owner, it's football not baseball.

Posted by: cocoajoe | July 31, 2009 4:06 PM

I'm 35 years old and been a Dolphin fan since I could talk and I'm not sure I like this dog and pony show we're getting from this new owner. J-lo, Gloria Estefan, the new Jimmy Buffett song is absolutely horrible (and I love Jimmy Buffett). The real fans don't need this smoke and mirror crap, the experience for us is the team on the field playing football not the circus going on around it. It's a little embarrassing. maybe it's just me, I don't know.

Posted by: Chris | July 31, 2009 4:06 PM

As long as Bill Parcells remains VP of Football Operations, I could care less what these self-important SOB's call themselves.

Posted by: Stephen | July 31, 2009 3:42 PM