Matt Gifford

Gifford is vice president and general manager of the Springfield Cardinals LLC and was involved in establishing the local team from the beginning.

“My first responsibility is to the fans of Springfield and southwest Missouri, and to ensure that their visit to Hammons Field is enjoyable and fun-filled,” Gifford said.

Gifford said Mark Lamping, president of the St. Louis Cardinals, gave him his best professional advice: “It should always be about the fans.”

Gifford began his career with the Cardinals in St. Louis in 1996 as a season-ticket sales representative. He quickly moved into the community relations department, then was promoted to marketing and corporate sales in 1998.

Gifford was named vice president of the Cardinals’ Springfield operation in 2004, and he relocated to Springfield as general manager of the new franchise.

Under his leadership, the Springfield team drew more than 526,000 fans and ranked 14th in the nation for attendance during the team’s inaugural season.

But that’s not good enough for Gifford. He is working toward a much higher goal of “having everyone in southwest Missouri experience Cardinals baseball at Hammons Field,” he said.

Gifford also is an elected board member of the Greater Springfield Area Sports Commission, and he assists in raising funds for Cardinals Care, the St. Louis Cardinals Community Fund.

And though he is more than happy with his position with the franchise, Gifford said he would change one thing about his career if he could turn back time.

“I wish I could have learned to hit a Big League slider,” said Gifford. “I might have been on the field instead.”

Born: 1973

What person has been most influential to your career? My dad, David Gifford.

What book do you currently have open? Whatever my son, Maxwell, 3, wants me to read to him.

What are some stocks that you watch? Anheuser-Busch, Coca-Cola, Great Southern, O'Reilly, Hardee's, General Motors, Emerson