Tim Gortsema, the president of the Grand Rapids Griffins, was named the AHL's outstanding executive in an announcement Thursday evening.
Gortsema was presented the James C. Hendy Memorial Award by AHL president David Andrews during the Board of Governors' annual meeting at Hilton Head Island, S.C.
Gortsema, a member of the Griffins' original 1995 staff, began directing the team's business operations in February 2007 and was promoted from senior vice president to president in June 2015.
The Griffins drew more than 300,000 fans to Van Andel Arena for the fifth consecutive season in 2017-18 (302,471; 7,960 avg.