Youngstown native Joe Gregory named GM

By JOHN BASSETTI
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- Joe Gregory just started his new job and already he's on thin ice.
But that shouldn't be a problem for Gregory, who will turn 27 on Monday, because Herb Washington thinks he's the man for the Youngstown SteelHounds' new general manager's position.
"I'm looking for someone with business acumen," Washington said Friday afternoon at the Chevrolet Centre, home of the local American Hockey League franchise.
"They don't have to have hockey experience to sell hockey," Washington said, "but business acumen, certainly in a sports arena, does help."
With background in the Giant Eagle-LPGA Classic and as director of business development with the Mahoning Valley Scrappers, Gregory seems to have what the owner wants.
"Those experiences will pay a lot of dividends once he gets rolling here," Washington said of the Youngstown-born and raised Gregory.
Brother is with Blue Jackets
The new GM, a 2001 YSU graduate, also has a brother, Marc, who is executive director of marketing for the NHL's Columbus Blue Jackets.
The SteelHounds have been using sundry personnel in the five weeks since the previous GM, George Manias resigned.
Washington said it was imperative to get a replacement now.
"We wanted to get someone on board before the end of the season," Washington said of the year-round job. "We had somebody right here in our backyard -- a quality individual -- that made it convenient for us."
The owner said he chose his man based on work history.
"How they interface in the community is important," he said. "Do they have the ability to interface in the community? That's a big, big thing here. Do they pay attention to detail and can they sell?
As with Washington's first year with the SteelHounds, Gregory's position will be a learning process.
"I want to get as much experience and knowledge as I can," he said. "It's a great situation where we have five games left [before Friday] where I can go meet season ticket holders and sponsors and work with the current staff. I'm not here to disrupt anything at this point with quick changes. I'm here to gain some knowledge so that, in the offseason, we can go ahead and see what we need to improve an already great product."
Cardinal Mooney grad
The Cardinal Mooney High graduate said his personality fits the GM role.
"You definitely have to be an open and very approachable person and work well with others -- things that make you work well within any office," he said. "Working in sports is not a 9 to 5 job. It's starting early, leaving late. I think I have the personality that welcomes different challenges.
"Today [Friday], the ice is green for St. Patrick's Day, tomorrow it could be a completely different promotion. That's what I thrive upon and that's what I really look forward to."
Gregory doesn't foresee a problem being in charge of people older than himself.
"There are people here who have been in the industry longer, but then, I've been doing this since I was 15 when I got my first taste of it with the LPGA," he said. "I know I'm young, but I think there are very few people my age who have the experience I have. I think that's the greatest asset that I bring."
Owner satisified
Washington said he's satisfied with the SteelHounds as the completion of one season approaches.
"We've had a lot of fun with it," he said. "I'm happy because when you talk to people who come down and visited the building, they've had a great time. You talk to people who have seen hockey, whether we won or lost, they end up leaving here saying that they had a good time. So to me, that's a real positive. Our attendance has continued to grow. We will probably have definitely one more and possibly two more sellouts the way tickets sales are going."
That should help Gregory get his feet wet.
"At this point, I'm comfortable and not worried at all about failure or success. I think there's going to be bright days ahead, not just for me personally, but for the SteelHounds," he said.