Front Office Staff

THAD PARSONS

Thad Parsons joins the Sharks going into the 2025 season.

Thad is a native of North Carolina, with a career background in the food and beverage industry. He currently owns a beer and wine store in Arlington, VA, which he bought in 2017. He has over 20 years of food and beverage experience, including five years in the United Kingdom, while he was earning his Doctor of Philosophy in Modern History from Oxford. His goal is to take his knowledge and bring the Sharks’ concessions to the next level.

Thad currently resides outside of Washington, D.C. and plans to be a part of the Wilmington community as he is able.

He is excited to grow his business portfolio through a sports organization and expanding into a new territory.

“I can’t wait to see what the Sharks will accomplish this season and beyond,” Thad said. “One thing for sure: The team, the staff, and the organization you love, is not going anywhere. Sharks’ fans will not notice any structural or operational changes.”

BRETT BLOOMQUIST

Brett Bloomquist leads the Wilmington Sharks as Team President/General Manager, returning to the organization he pitched for in the summer of 2008. Since his time with the Sharks, Brett earned degrees from Appalachian State University and the University of Florida, building a diverse professional background that includes a distinguished 12-year career in the United States Navy, consulting at a Big Four firm and holding leadership positions across multiple industries.

Now back in Wilmington, Brett is dedicated to using the Sharks’ platform to strengthen community connections through engaging experiences and strategic partnerships. Beyond baseball, he is passionate about giving back, serving on the Board of Directors for the Children’s Museum of Wilmington and Honor Flight of the Cape Fear Area – two organizations making a meaningful and lasting impact in the Cape Fear region.

His love for sports is shared with his wife Anne, a former tennis player at the University of Oklahoma and his three children, Kiptyn, Carter, and Cameron. Beyond the realm of sports, the Bloomquists enjoy traveling and exploring new places together.

DAWN FOWLER

Dawn joined the Wilmington Sharks after her relocation to Wilmington to be closer to her family following her retirement. As Yogi Berra once said, “It’s like Deja Vu all over again.” Dawn worked part-time for many years in the box office for the New York Yankees, while holding strong as a diehard Mets fan. Dawn is a retired Deputy Chief U.S. Probation Officer and holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology from Siena College as well as a master’s degree in Police Studies and Management from Seton Hall University.

Dawn jumped right into the Shark Tank on day one to help Shark fans get tickets to games! The response and appreciation from fans increased her dedication and love for this amazing Sharks family! It is a priority for her to see everyone enjoy themselves at Sharks games, just as she has with her family over the years! Dawn and her husband love calling Wilmington their (relatively new) home. Zac, a Wisconsin native, owns and operates a travel agency which lends itself to their passion for experiencing different cultures, exploring different countries and finding different adventures all over the world!

SYD TRIPP

Syd is returning to the Wilmington Sharks after a year-long stint with Charlotte FC, a Major League Soccer team. Syd is a Wilmington native and graduated from Laney High School in 2018. From there, he went on to attend East Carolina University, earning his Bachelor of Science in Sports Studies. As an East Carolina University student, he spent the summer of 2023 as an intern with the Sharks. Syd has extensive experience working within the sports industry. Some notable events and organizations he has been a part of are: The Little League Softball World Series, NCAA Baseball Regionals and Super Regionals, US Tennis Association North Carolina Junior and Senior Championships, American Athletic Conference Championships, East Carolina Athletics (mainly women’s basketball), and CONMEBOL Copa America, as well as working part-time with the UNCW athletic department.

Being from Wilmington, Syd grew up going to Sharks games with his family and friends. He is pumped to be back and ready to pack the Shark Tank this season! He understands what it means to be a Shark and the impact this team has on Wilmington and the surrounding communities. Syd could not be happier to be back in Wilmington. In his free time, Syd enjoys fishing, golfing, and getting out to explore the outdoors with his dog, Orca.

GIDEON SEIP

Gideon returns to the Sharks after graduating from Old Dominion University in December 2024 with a Bachelor of Science in Sports Management. Gideon is a former Sharks intern from the 2024 season, and he joins us as our Community Outreach Manager. Gideon brings an electric, winning atmosphere to the Wilmington area this season. His dedication and love for the game, combined with the goal of bringing entertainment and joy to this community, proves he knows what it means to be a Shark.

Gideon calls the road his home, and he is originally from Hanover, Virginia. He played baseball his entire life and has a vast knowledge of the game, looking to bring that to the front office. Throughout the years, Gideon gained a substantial amount of experience within the sports industry. He was a Scout and Field Manager for Perfect Game Baseball USA, worked for ESPN, the Atlantic-10 Conference, ODU Athletics, and Kinloch Golf Club. Following the 2025 season, Gideon commences his studies to obtain a Master’s in Sports Leadership from Virginia Commonwealth University, where he will be a Graduate Assistant for VCU Athletics Marketing and Promotions.
In his free time, Gideon enjoys going to our local beaches, running, traveling, Yankee games, golfing, and going out with his family in Wilmington.

DR. JOHN S. O'MALLEY

Dr. John O’Malley is an orthopedic surgeon specializing in Sports Medicine and Arthroscopic surgery. Dr. O’Malley has been affiliated with the Sharks for over 25 years. He is also the sports medicine team physician for UNC Wilmington Seahawks Athletics.

Dr. O’Malley is a graduate of Dartmouth College and Upstate Medical School in Syracuse, NY. He completed his residency at State University of New York, Stony Brook. He received his fellowship from Graduate Hospital, Philadelphia in Sports Medicine, during which he worked with the Philadelphia Eagles professional football team, the Philadelphia Flyers professional hockey team and the Virginia Slims Tennis Tournament.

Dr. O’ Malley specializes in sports medicine, arthroscopic surgery of the knee and shoulder, total joint replacement and general orthopedic surgery.