Springfield Lasers appoints new GM

The Queen City's Myland World TeamTennis franchise, the Springfield Lasers, have named a permanent general manager.

Paul Nahon Jr., 53, started in the position March 31, after serving since April 2013 as director of sales and marketing for the team. Nahon succeeds interim General Manager Larry Haughness, who stepped in to pick up the slack after the 2013 retirement of founding and 17-year General Manager Tom Adams, according to a news release.

“Working with the whole Lasers team, Paul’s efforts in 2013 helped lead to over 40 percent increases in both Lasers sponsorship sales and nightly match attendance," said Parks Director Bob Belote, who acts as CEO of the team, in the release.

This summer, the Springfield Lasers will play their 19th season as defending Western Conference champions. The home season is scheduled July 6-23, with Lasers marquee player James Blake slated to face Andy Roddick on July 13 at the Mediacom Tennis Stadium at Cooper Tennis Complex.

Nahon brings to the team a career in the telecommunications industry and involvement in the Missouri Valley Tennis Association and Springfield Tennis Association. A Springfield native, Nahon played tennis in college at Missouri State University.

“I plan to examine the organization as a whole, continue to enhance the fan experience and build on the success we’ve had in the past, including the Lasers’ 2013 Western Conference Championship title," Nahon said in the release.