When new Portland Fire general manager Vanja Černivec officially joins the organization on September 15th, she’ll have company. A press release today announced several new additions to the Fire’s front office.

Making the move from Golden State to Portland, alongside Černivec, is new Fire Senior Vice President of Marketing & Communications, Kimberly Veale. 

Veale carries fifteen years of experience in professional basketball. She most recently held an identical Senior Vice President of Marketing & Communications role for the WNBA expansion Golden State Valkyries. With Golden State, Veale oversaw the expansion franchise’s marketing, social media, community relations, and media relations. 

Before her stint with the Valkyries, Veale spent five and a half years working in the NBA Golden State Warriors’ Corporate Communications department, first as a manager and then eventually as a Vice President of Corporate Communications. She also spent five and a half years in a media relations role with the WNBA’s Seattle Storm.

Working under Veale, Marlena Rodriguez will join the franchise as Social Media Manager. Rodriguez held the same role for the NBA G-League’s Salt Lake City Stars.