Microsoft Vice Chair and President Brad Smith and his wife Kathy Surace-Smith have joined the ownership group of the Seattle Mariners. This makes them just the third addition to the partnership group since its formation in 1992. The goal of the group has been to find partners who love baseball and are passionate about public service. Mariners chairman and managing partner John Stanton, who is a wireless industry pioneer and also sits on the Microsoft board of directors, announced the news. He took over as CEO of the Mariners in 2016.
The Smiths are the first new additions to the ownership group since Mariners legend Ken Griffey Jr. joined in 2021. Brad Smith has been with Microsoft since 1993, serving as Vice Chair and President for the past nine years. He is actively involved in various philanthropic activities, including serving as chair of the Board of the Washington State Opportunity Scholarship program and as a member of the Board of Trustees of Princeton University. Kathy Surace-Smith, on the other hand, is the Senior Vice President of Human Resources and Legal Affairs at NanoString Technologies. She has also held executive positions at other companies such as SonoSite and Metawave Communications and serves on the Board of Trustees of the Fred Hutch Cancer Center and of Columbia University.
In 2022, the Smiths pledged $5 million towards the restoration of the 104-year-old ASUW Shell House at the University of Washington in Seattle. Brad Smith has also been involved in fundraising efforts for The Bill & Melinda Gates Center for Computer Science & Engineering at the University of Washington, which opened in 2019. The couple expressed their excitement about joining the Mariners ownership group and their commitment to supporting the team’s success both on the field and in service to the community. Their involvement adds a new dimension to the leadership of the Seattle Mariners and reflects their dedication to making an impact in the community through both sports and philanthropy.
The addition of Brad Smith and Kathy Surace-Smith to the ownership group of the Seattle Mariners demonstrates their shared commitment to baseball and public service. Their background in technology and biotech industries, as well as their extensive experience in philanthropy, will bring new perspectives and resources to the team. John Stanton, the Mariners chairman and managing partner, praised the Smiths for their love of baseball and their dedication to community service. Their involvement in the ownership group reflects a broader trend of tech industry leaders taking an interest in sports ownership and investing in community projects.
Brad Smith’s leadership at Microsoft and his involvement in various philanthropic initiatives make him a valuable addition to the Mariners ownership group. His role as Vice Chair and President of Microsoft gives him valuable experience in corporate governance and strategic planning that can benefit the team. Kathy Surace-Smith’s executive experience in the biotech industry and her involvement in organizations such as the Fred Hutch Cancer Center showcase her commitment to making a difference in healthcare and research. The Smiths’ combined expertise and resources will likely contribute to the continued success of the Seattle Mariners both on and off the field.
The Smiths’ $5 million commitment to support the restoration of the ASUW Shell House at the University of Washington highlights their dedication to preserving historical landmarks and investing in education. Their previous fundraising efforts for the Bill & Melinda Gates Center for Computer Science & Engineering underscore their commitment to advancing technology education and research. The Smiths’ philanthropic activities align with the Mariners’ emphasis on community engagement and service, making them an ideal fit for the ownership group. Their involvement in supporting the Mariners’ success and community initiatives will likely have a positive impact on the team and the broader Seattle community.
