DURHAM, N.C. – The Coastal Plain League (CPL) announced this morning that Holly Springs General Manager Michael Villafana has been named the 2026 CPL Executive of the Year.

“Michael has done an outstanding job leading the Salamanders, and this recognition is incredibly well deserved, said Mike Birling, Vice President of CBC Sports which owns the Salamanders. “What stands out to me is not only the results he’s produced, but the energy, creativity and ownership he brings to the organization every day.  His dedication to the team, our fans and the Holly Springs community is unmatched. We’re fortunate to have him leading the Salamanders, and we couldn’t be prouder to see him recognized as the CPL’s Executive of the Year.”

Taking the helm as General Manager of the Salamanders for the 2025 season, it was important to Villafana to start a strong foundation and build from there. The 2025 season was good, but Villafana and his staff of Sara Killeen, Irie Squire, and Skyler Herman took things to a new level in 2026, setting multiple franchise records, revitalizing the team’s brand, generating significant year-over-year revenue growth, creating opportunities for local students, and strengthening the club’s impact throughout the community.

After celebrating the club’s 10th anniversary in 2025, Villafana helped oversee a comprehensive refresh of the Salamanders brand that introduced a new visual identity, logos, colors, uniforms, merchandise and mascot. The refresh was welcomed by the community and saw merchandise sales increase by 25 percent from the year before. Overall business growth increased as well as the club saw positive gains in everything from sponsorships and camps to mini plans, groups, and overall gross revenue.

Villafana also helped oversee the second year of the club’s Explore Post 15 program, which provided 20 local students ages 14-18 with hands-on experience in broadcast execution, camera operation, social media, and press box operations. Students were responsible for producing the Salamanders game broadcasts (streamed on HomeTeam Network), which were elevated with replay, new batter and pitcher graphics, starting lineups, pitch speed, a strike-zone box, and integrated sponsor elements. Overall, the program provided a direct connection with local high schools while giving students meaningful experience working in sports.

“Being named the Coastal Plain League Executive of the Year is an incredible honor, but it is truly a reflection of the people who made this season so successful,” said Villafana. “I am extremely fortunate to work alongside an outstanding front office staff in Sara, Irie, and Skyler, as well as our interns, Post 15 and gameday staff, as well as the Town of Holly Springs parks & recreation staff, and our host families who put so much time and energy into making the Salamanders what they are.

“I also want to recognize our coaching staff: Brian Rountree, Mike Valder, Alex Burbidge, and Alexia Jorge, for their leadership and the tremendous job they did with our players throughout the summer. Their commitment to creating a great experience for our players and representing the Salamanders the right way was a huge part of our success.”

Under Villafana’s guidance, the Salamanders also stepped up it’s impact in the community. The team partnered with the Town of Holly Springs to host a signature celebration of the Town’s 150th Anniversary, requiring months of planning and featuring Town leadership, local services, community history, and Mollie Sears, widow of former mayor Dick Sears, for whom the field is dedicated. Their 150th Anniversary Game was recently selected as the CPL’s Promotion of the Year. Additionally, the Salamanders helped raise and donate 398.4 pounds of food to the Holly Springs Food Cupboard; raise over $2,000 for the Miracle League of the Triangle through jersey auctions; welcomed five nonprofits for Cancer Awareness Night; and partnered with Bobbitt Construction to host 100+ first responders and their families for First Responders Appreciation Night.

Overall, it was Villafana’s leadership that was a steady constant throughout the year as the club elevated key aspects of its operation, strengthened its branding for the modern era, and contributed to a community that has supported it for 11 seasons now. But they’re not done, and Villafana is already working with his staff to raise the bar once again next year.

“I would also like to thank our corporate partners and ticket plan holders for continuing to believe in and support what we are building here in Holly Springs,” remarked Villafana. “There are so many people behind the scenes who deserve to share in this recognition, and I am incredibly proud of what we accomplished together this season. I’m grateful to represent the Salamanders and the Holly Springs community, and I’m excited to continue building on the momentum we created this year into 2027.”

This was Villafana’s third season in the Coastal Plain League. He started as the first GM of the league’s Greenville Yard Gnomes in 2024 before shifting over to Holly Springs for the 2025 season. A graduate of Seton Hall, he has spent time working with the Minnesota Timberwolves (NBA) and Lynx (WNBA), Minnesota Twins (MLB), St. Paul Saints and most recently before becoming a part of the CPL family, was Director of Corporate Partnerships for the Worcester Red Sox (Boston’s Triple-A affiliate).

About Coastal Plain League:
The Coastal Plain League is the nation’s premier and most innovative summer collegiate baseball league. The CPL is currently comprised of 15 franchises playing in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. To date, the dsCPL has had over 1,800 alumni drafted, and 216 alums make their Major League debut. Most notable alumni include Justin Verlander, Ryan Zimmerman, Mark Reynolds, Kevin Youkilis, Chris Taylor, Jake Cave, Alec Bohm, Chas McCormick and NFL Super Bowl champion Russell Wilson. For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit the league website at www.coastalplain.com, and be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok @CPLBaseball.

About Capitol Broadcasting Company:
Capitol Broadcasting Company, Inc. is a diversified communications company which owns and/or operates WRAL-TV, WRAZ-TV, WRAL-FM, WRAL-HD2, WNGT-CD, WCMC-FM, WCMC-HD1, WDNC-AM, WCMC-HD2, WCMC-HD3, WCMC-HD4, Microspace, and WRAL Digital in Raleigh, NC; WILM-TV and WILT-LD in Wilmington, NC; The Durham Bulls Baseball Club, Bull City Hospitality, and Coastal Plain League in Durham, NC; The Holly Springs Salamanders in Holly Springs, NC; The Zebulon Devil Dogz in Zebulon, NC; the American Underground startup hub in Durham, NC; and real estate interests including the American Tobacco Historic District in Durham, NC; Rocky Mount Mills in Rocky Mount, NC; MoJud Lofts in Greensboro, NC; and The Thread in Rock Hill, SC.