Arts | Entertainment | Sports 2023: TODD ‘PARNEY’ PARNELL

In his 30-plus years in Minor League Baseball, Parnell has built a reputation for bringing in the crowds. In 2022, the Squirrels — the Double-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants — led all 30 Double-A teams in total and average attendance. It was the first time in franchise history the team achieved that milestone. Known for his collection of brightly colored “Parney pants,” Parnell was promoted to team CEO in 2020, after serving as vice president and chief operating officer.

After 13 years in Richmond, the Squirrels are now getting a new stadium, after the city’s approval in May of a $90 million, 9,000-capacity ballpark, set to be completed in time for the 2026 season, a year after a Major League Baseball deadline.

The Diamond, the team’s current home, is nearly 40 years old and was required under new MiLB standards to be replaced, or else the team would move to another city. Although Parnell didn’t speak out publicly about the matter, the team’s president and managing partner, Lou DiBella, warned the city earlier this year that it needed to accelerate its design plans.

A Messiah College graduate, Parnell serves on the Richmond Region Tourism board.