Minnesota Twins announce succession plan for club executive leadership

MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL, MN – The Minnesota Twins today announced an executive leadership succession plan, to be implemented in the first quarter of 2025: club President & CEO Dave St. Peter will transition to the role of Strategic Advisor; and President, Baseball Operations Derek Falvey will be elevated to President, Baseball & Business Operations. Additionally, Vice President, Assistant General Manager Jeremy Zoll has been promoted to Senior Vice President, General Manager, effective immediately. All appointments have been approved by Twins Control Owner Jim Pohlad and club Executive Chair Joe Pohlad.

This consolidation of leadership serves to position the Twins for continuity, growth and success in 2025 and beyond, while providing the Pohlad family with St. Peter’s unique perspective and guidance during the organization’s sale exploration process.

“Twins fans, players, staff and certainly our family are better for the 35 years that Dave St. Peter has brought his truly one-of-a-kind leadership to our team and community,” said Joe Pohlad. “I have had the good fortune to work alongside Dave for the past 18 years and experience firsthand how he leads with integrity, compassion and an unmatched dedication to our organization and fans. I will always admire Dave’s commitment to do right by the Twins.

“Dave’s impact is felt by every fan who has walked through the gates at the Metrodome and Target Field since 1990, and will continue to be shared by everyone who wears a Twins cap. There’s no better example of the Twins Tradition – passion, hustle, heart and fun – than Dave St. Peter, and I am incredibly grateful for what he means to me and my family.”

“Derek Falvey, likewise, has demonstrated exceptional leadership in his first eight years with the Twins,” Pohlad continued. “He has shown a unique ability to identify talent on and off the field, implement processes and enhance organizational strategy. I expect Derek to push our organization forward in new and exciting ways, while building on the core values that so many of us love about the Minnesota Twins.

“Jeremy Zoll, who was brought to Minnesota by Derek seven years ago, has emerged as one of the brightest and most well-rounded player development minds in the game. He is highly deserving of the general manager role, and we are excited for the further impact Jeremy will have on our baseball operations.”

St. Peter is one of the most consequential executives in Twins and recent Minnesota sports history. He joined the organization as an intern in 1990, was named the fourth president in Minnesota Twins history in November 2002 and assumed the Chief Executive Officer title in December 2016. His tenure as president has seen the Twins organization reestablish itself in the hearts and minds of Minnesotans with an on-field resurgence in the early 2000s; ensure its long-term future in the state with the construction, operation and ongoing improvement of the award-winning Target Field; serve as a primary catalyst for the emergence and evolution of Minneapolis’ North Loop area; become a recognized industry leader for community engagement and environmental stewardship; reward fans with innovative, best-in-class experiences; empower its employees to grow and thrive; and reemerge in recent seasons as a perennial Postseason contender.

St. Peter played a central role in the approval, design, construction, opening and ongoing evolution of Target Field, and helped forge the club’s partnership with Hennepin County on the design and programming of Target Field Station. His leadership was instrumental in securing the 2014 Major League Baseball All-Star Game and the 2022 Discover NHL Winter Classic? for Minneapolis. St. Peter has been a passionate advocate behind the effort to make the Twins a more inclusive organization; the significant growth of the Minnesota Twins Community Fund and its focus on growing the games of baseball and softball; development of the team’s “Magic Moments” customer service initiative and the nationally-lauded “Go Twins, Go Green” environmental stewardship platform; the club’s new partnership with MLB Media and the expansion of the Treasure Island Baseball Network; and efforts to celebrate the rich history of the Washington Senators/Twins franchise as underscored by expansive alumni engagement – including the creation of the Twins Hall of Fame.

During St. Peter’s 22 years as president, the Twins organization advanced to Postseason play 10 times, was twice named “Organization of the Year” by Baseball America, was the collective 2006 Star Tribune “Sports Person of the Year” and honored by the publication seven times as one of the “Top 100” workplaces in Minnesota, and was a finalist for Sports Business Journal’s 2019 “Team of the Year” Award, among many other accolades. At the league level, St. Peter serves as a member of the MLB Media Board as well as a Trustee on the MLB Player Pension Committee. Over the years St. Peter has also been active with a variety of civic and nonprofit organizations including the Minneapolis Downtown Council, the Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce, Meet Minneapolis, Athletes Committed to Educating Students (ACES), YMCA of the North, Ronald McDonald House, Pitch In For Baseball & Softball, Park Nicollet Foundation and the Bob Allison Ataxia Research Center. St. Peter currently co-chairs Minnesota Sports & Events, sits on the Steering Committee for the Minneapolis Downtown Council’s Vision 2035, and serves on the Boards for the Minnesota Business Partnership and the University of North Dakota Alumni Association Foundation.

“Dave St. Peter is a very special person, friend and leader,” said Jim Pohlad. “Our family and the Minnesota Twins would not be where we are today without Dave’s skill and lifelong commitment.”

“Since joining the Twins in 1990, I’ve always felt it was a privilege to work for this franchise and serve this fanbase,” said St. Peter. “That sense of responsibility drives me every day and fuels a relentless effort to make Twins baseball better. I am incredibly proud of our organization’s continued growth, enhanced impact on our community and the positive development of our people. Never have we had more collective talent across the Twins organization and that foundation will lead to an even brighter future.”

“I am incredibly grateful to the Pohlad family – especially Carl, Jim and Joe – for their unwavering support and belief in me as a leader,” St. Peter continued. “I look forward to shifting into an advisory role for the family in the months to come, while I am equally excited about partnering with Joe and Derek Falvey to move our business forward and ensure a seamless transition. Derek has universal respect across our organization and industry, he is ready for this additional challenge and can help push the Twins to new heights. He is the right leader at the right time.”

Falvey, who was hired to lead the Twins’ baseball department in October 2016, was named President, Baseball Operations in November 2019. He has engineered the growth and modernization of the club’s baseball operations, resulting in the Twins recording the 10th-most wins in Major League Baseball over the past eight seasons, capturing three division titles and four Postseason berths, and building one of the game’s highest-ranked player development systems.

As a member of the Twins’ executive leadership team, Falvey – who was named to Twin Cities Business’ list of “100 People to Know” in both 2017 and 2018 – has been instrumental in accelerating the club’s organization-wide commitment to employee growth, development and mental health. Falvey, who will become the fifth president in Twins history, has also been an active partner in evolving the club’s strategic planning process, focus on innovation and dedication to community engagement.

Falvey’s career in baseball started with the Cleveland organization in November 2007. During nine seasons in Cleveland, Falvey rose from an intern in baseball operations to Assistant Director of Baseball Operations, Director of Baseball Operations and, finally, Assistant General Manager.

“I am incredibly honored and excited to take on these expanded responsibilities, and I’m deeply grateful to Jim, Joe and the entire Pohlad family for their trust and support as we move forward,” said Falvey. “Working alongside such a thoughtful ownership family and an exceptional leadership team is a privilege I don’t take lightly.”

“My partnership with Dave St. Peter over the past eight years has been one of the most rewarding parts of my time with the Twins,” Falvey continued. “He’s not only an exceptional leader but also a true friend and mentor. Dave’s dedication to this organization and its people has set a remarkable standard and knowing that he will remain closely involved throughout this transition and beyond is a tremendous benefit. This thoughtful handoff reflects a Twins core value – honoring our rich history and considerable knowledge while building towards the future. I cannot thank Dave enough for this.

“I’m also incredibly fortunate to work with an outstanding group of leaders across our organization. Their dedication and expertise are truly inspiring, and I’m eager to help foster their growth and success as we collectively strive to elevate the Minnesota Twins to new heights. Together, I believe we have all the right pieces in place to continue building a bright future for our team and fans.”

Zoll, whose MLB experience dates to 2011, began his Twins tenure as Director of Minor League Operations from 2018-19, has served as one of Falvey’s assistant general managers since 2020 and was promoted to Vice President in November 2021. In partnership with Dr. Christopher Camp, Zoll has evolved the Twins’ performance team to provide players at all levels with advanced resources needed to elevate their overall health and wellness – from biomechanics and nutrition to mental health. He also has maintained oversight of the club’s player development system, which graduated multiple prospects to the Twins in the past seven seasons and is currently ranked as the second best in baseball, per MLB.com. Zoll now becomes the seventh general manager in Minnesota Twins history, following Thad Levine (2016-24), Terry Ryan (2011-16 and 1994-2007), Bill Smith (2007-11), Andy MacPhail (1986-94), Howard Fox (1985-86) and Calvin Griffith (1961-84).

“I am tremendously excited to elevate Jeremy Zoll to the position of Senior Vice President, General Manager to help me lead our baseball operation,” said Falvey. “Jeremy has been an invaluable part of our leadership team, helping shape a player development system that is widely respected across the league. His relationships with our players and staff, from the majors through our minor league clubs, speak to his commitment to the Minnesota Twins organization and our people. I look forward to closely partnering with Jeremy as, together with our baseball operations group, we continue building on the foundation we’ve established.”

Before coming to Minnesota, Zoll was the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Assistant Director of Player Development from 2016-17 and the Los Angeles Angels’ Coordinator of Advance Scouting from 2013-15. He has also held roles with the Toronto Blue Jays (2012) and Cincinnati Reds (2011) organizations.

“My first seven years with the Minnesota Twins have been more personally and professionally fulfilling than I ever could have imagined, and as proud as I am of our shared accomplishments to date, I am even more excited for what lies ahead,” said Zoll. “The role of general manager is not mine alone. It is hard to put into words the immense gratitude I feel towards my family for their unwavering support, my teammates across the organization who contribute to our collective successes each day, and great mentors whom I have been fortunate to have guide me over the course of my career.

“I am unbelievably honored and excited to take this next step, and I am grateful for the trust and support of Derek, Dave, Joe and Jim as we work together to chart a path forward and bring the Minnesota Twins organization success in 2025 and beyond.”