August 15, 2024 – International League (IL)
Press release from the Omaha Storm Chasers

About the Omaha Press Club

When Martie Cordaro and his wife Sara first came to Omaha in March 2006, they had no idea what the city was all about.

Growing up in the South, they knew one thing: They weren’t crazy about cold weather. Of course, when they flew into Omaha, they were greeted by a foot of snow on the ground.

But once they left the snow behind, they were impressed by what they saw. “The airport was the cleanest airport we had ever seen,” Cordaro said. “We had our first meal at M’s Pub and stayed at the Omaha Hilton. It was great.”

The Cordaros were at a crossroads in their lives. They had to make a major career decision: Should Martie become assistant general manager of the minor league baseball team in Omaha or the one in Lexington, Kentucky? They chose the Big O.

Today, 18 years later, Cordaro is an iconic figure in the Omaha sports scene. In addition to being president of the Omaha Storm Chasers, the Triple-A affiliate team of the Kansas City Royals, he is also president of Union Omaha, a soccer franchise in USL League One.

On Thursday, Sept. 19, the Omaha Press Club will honor Cordaro for his tireless efforts to bring family sports entertainment to Omaha by recognizing him as the “179th Face on the Barroom Floor.”

A native of Ruston, Louisiana, Cordaro’s love of baseball began during his days as a “light-hitting second baseman” at Ruston High School. Cordaro stayed in his hometown to earn his bachelor’s degree in marketing from Louisiana Tech University in 1998. He served as the director of marketing for his alma mater’s baseball program for three seasons while also serving as a color analyst for the team’s radio broadcasts.

Cordaro’s path to Omaha took him to Jackson, Tennessee (1999-2002), Birmingham, Alabama (2003-2004) and Battle Creek, Michigan (2005-2006). In Battle Creek, he landed his first management position as general manager of the Southwest Michigan Devil Rays, Tampa Bay’s Single-A affiliate team.

“Nobody wanted to go to Battle Creek,” Cordaro said. “The field wasn’t drained.” Plus, his office was in the master bedroom of a double-wide trailer.

When Cordaro came to Omaha, he worked for Alan Stein, former president of the Omaha Storm Chasers who was honored by the Omaha Press Club in 2011 as the 129th face on the barroom floor. Stein is now retired and lives in Lexington, Kentucky. He will return to Omaha to become one of Cordaro’s coffee roasters.

At the end of the 2007 season, Cordaro was named general manager. He was closely involved in the research, negotiations and project management to build a new ballpark for the franchise in Sarpy County. He also led the process of successfully rebranding and redesigning the Omaha franchise and arranged the naming rights partnership with Sarpy County-based Werner Enterprises for Werner Park.

Cordaro has served as president of the Storm Chasers since 2011. In 2021, Cordaro expanded his involvement in soccer when Union Omaha was formed. He has enjoyed success in both sports, being named Baseball America Minor League Baseball Executive of the Year in 2013 and USL League One President of the Year in 2021.

Under Cordaro, Werner Park hosted the First National Bank Triple-A All-Star Game in 2015 and won back-to-back Triple-A national championships in 2013 and 2014. Since Werner Park opened in 2011, more than five million fans have enjoyed games and events at the stadium.

In 2009, Cordaro was one of the recipients of the Midlands Business Journal’s 40 under 40 Award. In 2012, he was named Young Alumnus of the Year by Ruston High School.

With community at the forefront of Cordaro’s daily efforts, the team was named Ballpark Digest’s 2016 Charity Team of the Year. In 2013 and 2017, the team was the Pacific Coast League’s nominee for Minor League Baseball’s John Henry Moss Community Service Award, given to a club “that demonstrates an outstanding, sustained commitment to charitable service, support and leadership within its local community and baseball industry.”

In 2009 and 2015, the Sarpy County Chamber of Commerce honored the Storm Chasers as “Business of the Year.” For three consecutive years (2008-2010), ESPN Magazine honored the Omaha baseball franchise for its promotional work with the prestigious “Veeckie Award,” named in honor of legendary baseball promoter Bill Veeck.

In 2009, the Kansas City Royals honored Cordaro with the Matt Minker Award as the organization’s most outstanding minor league employee. In 2020, Cordaro received the George Brett Award for his commitment to ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis).

In addition to being an active member in regional chambers and business associations, Cordaro is a member of the Regional Advisory Council for the Mid-American Chapter of the ALS Association, a trustee and past president of the Omaha West Rotary Club, a member of the Boys Town Boosters, a member of the CHI Health Midlands Hospital Charitable Council, and a member of the Omaha Sports Commission Board of Directors. He also serves on industry committees for Minor League Baseball and the United Soccer League.

Cordaro is a huge Star Wars fan and also a music lover. He played drums professionally with Stonybridge in the 1990s and now plays in local band Strange Pleasures.

The Cordaros have three sons, Gavin (28), Collin (20) and Cass (16).

Face on the bar floor – Martie Cordaro

WHEN: Thursday, September 19th: 5:30pm – Reception; 6:30pm – Dinner; 8pm – Roast

COST: $90 for OPC members; $100 for non-members

RSVP: The event is open to the public. Call the OPC at 402-345-8008. Members may charge their OPC account. Non-members must provide their credit card information.

Cordaro roasting pan set

Here is the list of critics that will skewer Martie Cordaro, president of the Omaha Storm Chasers and Union Omaha:

Gary Sharp, host, Mornings with Sharp & Handley, 1620 the Zone;

Alan Stein, former president, Omaha Storm Chasers, Face No. 129 (May 2011);

Lee Polikov, Sarpy County District Attorney;

Derek Leathers, Chairman and CEO of Werner Enterprises; and

Gary Green, CEO and principal owner, Union Omaha & Omaha Storm Chasers.

For further information please contact:

Roger Humphries, Chairman of the Omaha Press Club Face on the Barroom Floor Committee

(402) 880-0294, [email protected]

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