2018 40 Under 40 Yearbook: Matt Gifford, 45

Then: Vice president and general manager, Springfield Cardinals
Now: Vice president of stadium operations, St. Louis Cardinals

Matt Gifford has worked for the Cardinals for 23 years, but he feels as if he’s never gone to work a day in his life.

“It’s the tradition and the history, the passion from our fans, win or lose,” he says.

Gifford began as a season ticket sales representative in 1996. Today, he’s about a year in to his position as vice president of stadium operations for the St. Louis Cardinals, after 13 years running the Springfield Cardinals.

“The No. 1 thing that’s changed is my location,” Gifford says. “All of the things I was able to learn in Springfield, and the people who influenced me, were probably the best part of about the last 10 years.”

Gifford says he owes the successes in his career to his many mentors.

“I’m a product of the people around me,” he says.