Paul Baniel, the Green Bay Packers' vice president of finance and administration who has been with the organization for the past 14 seasons, will retire this fall, Packers President/CEO Mark Murphy announced today.
Baniel recently finished his 14th season heading up the team's financial operations and has spent 11 years serving as vice president of administration for the organization. In his current role, he leads the daily operation of the club's finance, facility and information technology departments.
"On behalf of the Packers, we thank Paul for all he has done during his tenure here," said Murphy. "His strong leadership and financial expertise over the past 14 years have been crucial as the business of the Packers has grown tremendously. We are particularly appreciative of his work to help enhance Lambeau Field and develop Titletown.
"I've loved working with Paul. He's brilliant and extremely ethical. We wish him the best in retirement. He will be missed, but we are happy for him and his wife, Nancy."
During his tenure, Baniel has been integrally involved in Lambeau Field's renovation projects over the last decade, has contributed to the development of Titletown and has represented the Packers at the NFL level on economic issues. Baniel has also overseen the audit process and works closely with the organization's treasurer, the Board of Directors' audit and investment committees and the stadium district.
"As a life-long Wisconsinite and Packers fan, it's been an honor and a privilege to be a steward of the organization and help move it forward," Baniel said. "I'm happy to start the next chapter of my life knowing the Packers are on strong financial ground and able to field many more championship teams."
Baniel joined the Packers in July of 2009 from Milwaukee, where he had spent more than six years (2003-09) as the chief financial officer of Potawatomi Hotel and Casino, where he helped lead the planning and construction of the facility's expansion in 2008. Prior to that, Baniel worked for 16 years for the Milwaukee Brewers from 1986 through 2002. He served as the team's vice president of finance as well as treasurer and secretary for the final seven years of his tenure (1995-2002), coordinating the financing for the construction of then-Miller Park. Prior to joining the Brewers, Baniel also worked for three years (1983-86) at the Milwaukee office of PricewaterhouseCoopers, a worldwide public accounting firm.
A Milwaukee native, Baniel graduated from Hamilton High School in nearby Sussex and earned his accounting degree with honors from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 1983. He earned his CPA certification that same year. Baniel and his wife, Nancy, have four grown children.
