Todd Smith, president and general manager of the A-League’s Hershey Wildcats since the team’s inception in 1997, is the new General Manager of Major League Soccer’s New England Revolution, replacing Brian O’Donovan. Smith is the fourth team executive from the A-League to move on to MLS in the capacity of general manager. Former Minnesota Thunder General Manager Bill Manning was hired by the Tampa Bay Mutiny after leading the Thunder to its first championship in 1999. Peter Wilt, who led the Thunder to a championship appearance during his three-year tenure as president and general manager with Minnesota, became the general manager of the Chicago Fire as it entered the league in ’98. Curt Johnson, formerly of the Richmond Kickers, was named the general manager of the Kansas City Wizards in November of 1999. He joined the Kickers in ’97 as the vice president of business operations and was promoted the following year. Smith built the Wildcats into one of the A-League’s premier franchises on and off the field in his four years with the club. During his tenure, the Wildcats accumulated a 70-39-3 regular season record and have reached the playoffs every year, only to be eliminated by the Rochester Raging Rhinos the past three years. Hershey’s success in its inaugural season garnered A-League Executive of the Year honors for Smith, who also helped Hershey land several world-class international soccer events at Hersheypark such as the Men’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament, Women’s Gold Cup and a U.S. Women’s National Team match versus China. “We are very pleased to welcome Todd into the New England Revolution family,” said Revolution Investor/Operator Jonathan Kraft. “He has a proven record of success in the sport both on and off the field and in running many attractive international soccer events. We feel confident that he can help us continue to carry the Revolution forward.”