The interim titles are gone.
The Colorado Rapids on Thursday officially promoted Pádraig Smith to executive vice president and general manager, and Wayne Brant was elevated to senior vice president of business operations.
Smith previously served as the Rapids’ sporting director and interim general manager, while Brant was the club’s interim chief business officer.
The club said Smith now has the Rapids’ top executive post and will continue to oversee all soccer operations. Brant will be in charge of all day-to-day business areas of the club.
“For both Pádraig and Wayne, these are well-deserved promotions,” Matt Hutchings, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, said in a news release. “They have managed this transition period very well, and given their combined knowledge and experience, we look forward to watching them guide this club to success both on and off the field.”
Rapids bolster front office staff
Shortly after Smith’s promotion was announced, the Rapids bolstered their front office support staff with the addition of Fran Taylor as assistant general manager.
Taylor will assist Smith with the club’s soccer operations, and will oversee the Rapids’ data and analytics program.
Taylor spent the past eight years as VP of analytics application at StatDNA, a software and analytics company acquired by Arsenal Football Group in 2013.
“In an off-season in which we’re entirely overhauling the way we conduct ourselves on the soccer side, we’re absolutely delighted to welcome Fran to the front office,” Smith said in a news release. “He’s a sharp mind, and his experience at Arsenal – both with the scouting and coaching staffs – will play a crucial role in bringing our vision for the future of this club to life.”
