The official press release from the team.
PENN NAMED VICE PRESIDENT OF BASKETBALL OPERATIONS
PORTLAND, Ore. - Tom Penn, the Trail Blazers assistant general manager for the past two seasons, has been promoted to Vice President of Basketball Operations, General Manager Kevin Pritchard announced today.
Penn joined the Trail Blazers in 2007 after a seven-year stint with the Vancouver/Memphis Grizzlies, where he served as assistant general manager/legal counsel.
"I am absolutely thrilled and grateful to have the opportunity to continue to work with Mr. Allen, Kevin Pritchard, Larry Miller and the entire Trail Blazers organization," Penn said. "We are blessed with a dynamic, talented team, terrific basketball and coaching staffs and a first-class organization. We will do all that we can to improve our team and build toward our ultimate goal of an NBA championship."
Penn, tapped by the Trail Blazers for his extensive knowledge of the Collective Bargaining Agreement and salary cap, will continue to work with Pritchard on managing day-to-day aspects of the team's basketball operations, including contract negotiations, talent evaluation, personnel acquisition and player/agent relations.
"When we talk about team chemistry, it extends to our staff and the role everyone plays in creating a winning culture here," Pritchard said. "Tom has had a huge hand in our success, and I'm pleased that he will remain and continue to help us build this franchise."
Penn, 41, worked as a criminal defense attorney after completing studies at the University of Notre Dame and University of Illinois law school. He later worked as a player agent, gathering his first NBA experience as a member of the acquisition team during Michael Heisley's pursuit of the Vancouver Grizzlies.
Penn and wife Melissa are the parents of two children.
I know it's semantics but it seems a little weird to have the Vice President of Basketball Operations reporting to the General Manager, right? Can we get KP a new job title, like "Conquistador" or "Vice President - Other Vice President Management" or "Assistant to the Regional Manager" or "Vice President - p0wning"or some such?
-- Ben (benjamin.golliver@gmail.com)