Gardner Resigns as Astros President

Updated: Thursday, 19 Jan 2012, 3:56 PM CST
Published : Thursday, 19 Jan 2012, 3:56 PM CST

HOUSTON - Pam Gardner, who had been the longest-tenured female chief executive officer in Major League Baseball, is no longer the Houston Astros president of business operations.

Gardner has resigned her position, but will stay on with the Astros as a special adverser to owner Jim Crane.

Gardner had been the Astros president of business operations since 2001.

"I've been with the club almost 24 years," Gardner said in an interview with FOX 26 Sports. "When Jim bought the club he brought in a dynamic team and a great ownership group to run it. We have a great management group in place and I felt it was time for me to take on a different role.

"I approached (Jim) about taking on a different role. We created a role as a special adviser to him as he winds his way through baseball. So this is win-win for both of us. It worked great for me long term and great for him long term."

Crane said in a statement issued by the team that Gardner's leadership has been instrumental to the Astros success and reputation for many years.

"She is an invaluable resource and we look forward to her continued service to the Astros in her new role," Crane said in the statement.

According to the Astros website Gardner was in charge of all business and financial aspects for the club, including all revenue areas, customer service, building and financial operations, sponsorship and ticket sales, as well as community marketing, public relations and special events.

Gardner played a key role in facilitating the sale of the Astros franchise from Drayton McLane to Crane.

She also was instrumental in helping set up the new regional television network with the Houston Rockets that will operate under the Comcast banner and hit the air in the fall.

Gardner became the first female executive inducted into the Texas Baseball Hall of Fame in 2006, and the year before that Street and Smith's Sports Business Journal labeled her as one of the 20 most influential women in sports.

Gardner joined the Astros in 1989 as director of communications.

12 years later she was named the club's top executive in the franchise's business operations.