David Aardsma
THE DA
Media and MLB EXPERIENCE
Along with my more notable experience listed below, over the years I have gained extensive experience with media and marketing. As a Major LeagueBaseball player I have been interacting with media on a regular basis, sitting for television, radio and print interviews in some of the largest media markets in theUS. I have also appeared on a weekly radio show on MLB Radio. I have also served as a keynote speaker on multiple occasions for sponsorship dinners, fan fests, and RBI award ceremonies. In addition, I was the spokesperson for ING Direct’s Saves for Kids charitable effort and appeared in commercials promoting the charitable campaign.
FAIRMONT SCOTTSDALE PRINCESS INTERNSHIP
The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess is an AAA Five-Diamond award winning resortwith over 150,000 square feet of total event space. The Princess is the premiereevent and meetings destination of the Southwest while also being home of the PGA Waste Management Phoenix Open.
One of my jobs at the Princess included managing "Kringle's Korner" duringtheir Christmas at the Princess event, which consists of an ice rink, skateand retail shop, bar, and VIP fire tables. I gained valuable experience inmanaging employees, pricing, sales, customer relations, VIP services and eventmanagement. In addition,I played a vital role as the Princesses’ point man fortwo videos focusing on the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess experience.
I also worked for Adventures and Experiences, an in-house Destination Management Company located inside the Fairmont. I helped plan several events while assisting in the execution of numerous others.
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL AND YANKEES INTERSHIP
Since being drafted in the first round of the 2003 MLB draft I have played for 14 different MLB organizations. Being around so many different players, employees and teams has enabled me to learn from some of the greatest leaders and be part of the best organizations in professional sports.
In 2011 I did an Internship with the New York Yankees working primarily on statistical analysis in the Player Development Department of the organization exploring innovative systems to implement better scouting and player growth. I was able to learn how one of the most successful organizations in sports analyzes and develops players.
MLB PLAYERS ASSOCIATION
During the 2009 season I became a Player Representative for the Major LeagueBaseball Players Association.
I played a vital role in making financial/bargaining decisions involving over $3 billion in compensation on behalf of over 1,200 major league baseball players. I served in a vital role on the Negotiating and Bargaining Committee, negotiating with the MLB Commissioner’s Office for a new Collective Bargaining Agreement.
I was appointed to serve a role on the Licensing Committee making decisions on licensing issues that directly affected the core economics of the Major League Baseball Players Association.