It appears that some of the high-ranking Trail Blazers staffers who survived the layoffs in May have “fled for greener, or at least more stable, pastures,” according to Eve Peyser of the PORTLAND BUSINESS JOURNAL. It is “unclear how all the negative press surrounding the Blazers, and the generally bad vibes surrounding the team, are affecting the organization’s ability to recruit top-tier front office talent.” What is clear is that other teams have “jumped at the opportunity to hire the Blazers’ best and brightest.” Earlier this month, former Blazers CRO Galen Davies jumped ship to the Cavaliers, becoming the team’s EVP & chief commercial officer. Former Blazers Director of Corporate Communications Walt Scher, who worked closely with journalists, announced that he would join the Chiefs as its director of corporate communications and publicity. Former Blazers Guest Experience Snr Manager Rachelle Allison, who was with the organization for about four years, became the Seahawks’ director of guest services in September. Former Blazers Dir/Ticket Sales Heather Harris, who has been with the team since 2013, also “recently announced that she had decided to leave,” but has not made public the company or team she is joining. Former Blazers Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer Christa Stout, who was laid off by the team in June, recently joined RAJ Sports, which owns the Portland Fire and Thorns, as its chief growth officer (PORTLAND BUSINESS JOURNAL, 10/15).
