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As vice president and assistant general manager, Larry Simmons is responsible for assisting the general manager in all facets of the day-to-day operations of the hockey operations department. These duties include player contract research, negotiations and salary arbitrations, strategic planning, budgeting, scheduling, as well as the administration and application of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Simmons, who joined the Thrashers in 1998, also serves as the direct liaison between the Thrashers and the organization's top development partners, the Chicago Wolves of the American Hockey League and the ECHL's Gwinnett Gladiators. During Simmons' first year in Atlanta, he was instrumental in developing a minor-league affiliation agreement between the Thrashers and Solar Bears that continued until the IHL folded after the 2000-01 season and culminated with a 2001 Turner Cup Championship.
The native of Catskill, N.Y., was promoted to assistant general manager in July 2004 after six years with the team's hockey operations department. Prior to joining the Thrashers organization, Simmons worked six years for RDV Sports in Orlando, Fla., the parent company of the NBA's Orlando Magic and the Orlando Solar Bears of the former International Hockey League.
Simmons, who grew up in Titusville, Fla., served as a key member of the start-up efforts of the Solar Bears and worked as the team's finance manager until joining the Thrashers. While at RDV Sports, Simmons worked closely with Thrashers Executive Vice President and General Manager Don Waddell, who served as vice president of RDV Sports from 1995-97.
Simmons holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Central Florida, and a Masters in Business Administration from Georgia State University. He and his wife, Cheryl, and their daughter, Maci, reside in Duluth. | 