K.L. Wombacher

Executive Vice President and General Manager, Hillsboro Hops

K.L. Wombacher graduated from Central Washington University in 2001 with a degree in Fitness and Sports Management. Started professional career in sports as an Intern with the Yakima Bears (single A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks) in the summer of 2001. Was hired on full time with the team in 2002 as Director of Ballpark Operations and responsible for corporate sales, food and beverage operations, ticket sales, and ballpark staffing. After a promotion to assistant general manager in 2003, K.L. was named the general manager prior to the 2005 season. He led the organization to 5 consecutive attendance increases with an emphasis on community involvement and an aggressive outside sales approach. When the Portland territory opened up after the 2010 season, K.L. led the relocation effort to the Portland metro. After successfully negotiating a 20 year partnership with the City of Hillsboro including a new ballpark for the 2013 season, the team moved with an initial staff of 3 others from Yakima. Wombacher was responsible for overseeing the concept design and development of the Hops brand, the design and construction of the ballpark, the PR effort around the launch of the team, community outreach program, corporate partnership sales, and development of the front office team.

After a successful first season, Wombacher was named the Northwest League Executive of the Year for the second time (2008 previously). The major accomplishment in year two was the Naming Rights partnership with Ron Tonkin Family of Dealerships. This 10 year deal renamed Hillsboro Ballpark to Ron Tonkin Field.

Year two led to a 3% increase in attendance and the Hops are on pace for another increase in year 3. K.L. was named to the Portland Business Journal's prestigious 40 under 40 class in 2015. Originally from Tacoma, Washington, Wombacher now resides in Hillsboro with his wife Lauren and their daughter Madison. During off-season free time, they enjoy going to other sporting events like Blazers and Timbers games and traveling to locations with lots of sun!

K.L. has joined the board of PCA because he was a youth athlete himself and understands first hand how important youth sports can be to shaping kids lives and providing them with life lessons. This will only happen with positive experiences including positive coaches as role models which happens to be the mission of PCA.