STATESVILLE, N.C. -- The Appalachian League of Professional Baseball Clubs has announced that Greeneville Astros General Manager David Lane has been named the Executive of the Year for 2009. He has also been named the recipient of the 2009 Appalachian League Promotional Award of Excellence.

The Executive of the Year is based on categories such as marketing, operations, community relations and facility management, and is voted on by fellow league general managers, field managers and umpires.

The Promotional Award of Excellence is also voted on by all of the league general managers. Categories considered for the award include marketing, promotions, public relations and advertising.

"With the Greeneville Astros staff winning the major post-season front office awards as voted on by club presidents, general managers, field managers and umpires, it was only fitting that Astros General Manager David Lane was elected the Appalachian League's Executive of the Year," said Appalachian League President Lee Landers. "Recognition that is long overdue."

Landers added, "Lane's Astros led the league in attendance, won the Appalachian League's Promotional Award of Excellence and their Sports Turf Manager was named Sports Turf Manager of the Year. This is what an Executive of the Year is all about."

In his fourth season with the Greeneville Astros and his third season as General Manager, Lane earns his first league Executive of the Year honor and third consecutive Promotional Award of Excellence.

"Both of these awards are an attribute to our whole staff, the Houston Astros, our corporate sponsors and the fans that have supported us from day one," Lane said. "They are truly the reason for the awards that we have earned. We would like to thank all of our fans for coming out each and every night to help make Pioneer Park such an exciting place to be all summer. I would also like to thank our front-office team which made things run smoothly and put on a fantastic show every night."

The Astros led the league in attendance for the sixth straight season, giving them the third longest streak in Appalachian League history. The fans have supported the team in droves each and every year. This season was a true testament to the Greeneville Astros' status as a leading community asset in East Tennessee as a total of 49,292 fans flowed through the front gates during this past season.

Greeneville was hit very hard during the economical downturn. As a result, Lane and his staff got creative with marketing and promotions.

"We planned more theme nights this year to accompany our giveaways and fireworks," he said. "Our staff is always finding new and innovative ways to give back to the fans and this year was no exception."