The San Diego Padres have brought in former presidential aide and D.C. insider Sarah Farnsworth as senior VP of public affairs for the Major League Baseball franchise.
Farnsworth joined the team on Sept. 12 overseeing communications, community relations and military affairs.
The California native exits Washington after nearly two decades, most recently as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Community and Public Outreach at the Pentagon, where she was the department’s primary liaison with veterans and military service groups.
The Padres organization is close to the large San Diego military community and was the first professional sports team to create a military affairs unit in 1995.
In a statement, Padres COO Tom Garfinkel noted Farnsworth’s “extensive” experience and in strategic communications and public affairs, adding that her “extensive knowledge of the political and military landscapes will help us elevate our efforts to support and honor those who serve our country.”
Sue Botos was promoted to VP/community affairs in February by the Padres, overseeing corporate and player philanthropy, Latino affairs, fundraising and charity, in addition to military affairs and community outreach.
Farnsworth was chief of staff and senior advisor to President Obama’s National Security Advisor, Gen. Jim Jones, who she worked with previously at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in 2007. She was also senior VP and chief of staff at the USO World Headquarters for six years, overseeing strategic planning and external relations, and was an aide to President Clinton and First Lady Hillary Clinton.