AKRON, Ohio — MiLB named Jim Pfander, the Akron RubberDucks’ general manager and president, the 2025 Double-A Executive of the Year during its Business Summit on Oct. 13.

What You Need To Know

RubberDucks President wins Double-A Executive of the Year

The team drew over 274,000 fans to their ballpark

Community involvment and an increased digital footprint marked the teams successful year in the front office

The RubberDucks are the Double-A affiliate of the Cleveland Guardians and have produced MLB talent such as Shane Bieber, David Fry and Lonnie Chisenhall.

Pfander rejoiced after winning the award and thanked the entire front office for their efforts last season.

“I am honored and humbled to be named Double-A Executive of the Year,” Pfander said. “This is an incredible recognition of the fantastic work done by our entire front office staff, game day staff and interns. Their tireless efforts to bring Affordable. Family. Fun. to Akron over 69 home games during the regular season as well as 12 months a year to our community are the reason for this honor. I want to thank Ken Babby for bringing me back home to Akron nearly a decade and a half ago and allowing me to be a steward of my hometown club. I also want to congratulate Brad Shank, Rob Zerjav and Chip Maxen for their incredible seasons and well-deserved honors. It was truly humbling to be part of this incredible group of leaders in our industry who make a real difference in the communities they live, work and play in.”

Akron’s minor league team drew an attendance of over 274,000 fans during the year at Canal Park, which was the second largest increase in attendance from the 2024 season for any MiLB team that did not open a new ballpark in 2025.

The team’s participation in community events coupled with a new video board and a 200% increase in their digital footprint were just some reasons Pfander received the award.

The team’s involvment in the community resulted in nearly $30,000 for Habitat for Humanity of Summit County via 50/50 ticket sales, more than $15,000 for the Akron-Canton Regional Food Bank via the Round UP program, and nearly $4,400 for local charities thanks to donation of $1 from the sales of Extreme Foods items via a partnership with Rubber City Radio Group.