Piecuch Returns to Thunder as President
Welcome back Dave Piecuch as he becomes the 3rd President in Team History
The Stockton Thunder, proud member of the Stockton community and ECHL affiliate to the NHL’s New York Islanders and AHL’s Bridgeport Sound Tigers, announce the hiring of Dave Piecuch (pronounced Pee-ah-chu) as Team President.
“We were fortunate to have some excellent candidates apply for the opening but in the end we felt Dave coming back was a fantastic choice for us to make,” Thunder Owner Brad Rowbotham said. “He takes a lot of pride in the team and his work and is an excellent leader who employees, fans and sponsors alike will love. Dave cares about this town and this team. He’s gained valuable experience in Sonoma and will bring back some great new ideas for our organization.”
“It’s very exciting to have the opportunity to come back to the Thunder, especially during the team’s 10th Anniversary,” Piecuch said. “My first seven and a half years in Stockton were fantastic; the market is great and the fans are the best in the league. I sincerely missed Stockton and look forward to reconnecting with the fans, businesses and city.”
The new Thunder President started with Sonoma Raceway in 2013 and managed regional and national corporate partnerships for major motorsports events including NASCAR, NHRA and IndyCar.
“Motorsports is on the cutting edge in terms of sponsorship programs along with client return on investment,” Piecuch said. “I plan to integrate some of these new initiatives and ideas as we move forward in Stockton to ensure that we are providing maximum value to our team partners along with introducing new fans to the game. “
Piecuch is a familiar face to Thunder fans as he directed the sales and service efforts for the Thunder from the inaugural season in 2005 to 2013 as the Vice President of Sales. He was awarded the 2008 and 2011 ECHL Ticket Sales Executive of the Year along with leading the Thunder staff to the ECHL Ticket Sales Department of the Year award in 2006 and 2010.
“Dave is the ideal candidate to return the Thunder to the position that we enjoyed for many years as one of the top franchises in the ECHL,” Thunder CFO Bill Davidson said. “His experience with the organization and the Central Valley is unparalleled. I’m confident that he will lead the Thunder to great things this season and for many seasons to come.”
“Reaching the Kelly Cup Finals was an amazing accomplishment in 2013 and I recognize that programs and promotions like We Paint the Ice Night, the Rough & Ready Islanders and the multi-year season ticket program were some of the great ideas to come out of Stockton during my time away from the team,” Piecuch said. “My goal is to further develop these new ideas and build on our popular and familiar promotions to ensure that Thunder hockey remains the top entertainment destination in the area.”
Prior to starting with the Thunder in 2005, Piecuch served as Vice President of the Adirondack Frostbite in Glens Falls, NY from 2002 to 2005 and a Sales Manager with the Coach USA Center and Elmira Jackals in Elmira, NY from 2000-2002.
Piecuch graduated from Fredonia State University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing in 1998.