Smiley is stepping down as chairman of ballpark district
After nearly 10 years on the Southeast Wisconsin Professional Baseball Park District board, Don Smiley has decided to leave his position as chairman when his term expires July 1, according to a statement from the district.
“I am forever grateful to everyone I have worked with over my close to ten years on the stadium district board, the Brewers, local leaders and really the entire community,” Smiley said. "I felt that now was a good time to leave following the ending of the sales tax, which was an important goal for all of us, and in knowing that American Family Field is in great fiscal and operational shape for the future. I will continue to oversee Summerfest, the world’s largest musical festival, but rest assured I’ll be attending quite a few Milwaukee Brewers games at the ballpark in the future."
Smiley, a Racine native and CEO of
Summerfest, has been on the Stadium District Board since he was appointed by former Gov. Scott Walker in 2012 and reappointed by Gov. Tony Evers.
The district is represented by 13 members from Milwaukee, Racine, Ozaukee, Washington and Waukesha counties. It overseas funding, construction and operations at the ballpark. “Don has just been an amazing leader for the District over the years using his vast business and sports experience coupled with his leadership skills to help guide operations and maintenance of the ballpark and retirement of the five-county district sales tax,” Patrick Goss, stadium district executive director said.
With Smiley stepping down, Evers will appoint a new stadium district chairperson and until that occurs, the district board will be led in the interim by its Vice Chairman, Mark McCune.