Penguins Hire Nationals CFO Ted Towne
The veteran executive leaves the Washington Nationals to take the top financial role for the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Baseball
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Ted Towne is moving from the Washington Nationals to the Pittsburgh Penguins to serve as the team's new CFO. He takes over the position after Chad Bern served as the interim lead since May 2026.
Why it matters
The hire marks a significant administrative shift for the Pittsburgh organization as it fills a key vacancy within its senior leadership team. The move follows a period of transition in the front office that also saw the departure of other high-level staff from the Washington franchise.
Ted Towne joins the Penguins after the Nationals concluded their 2026 campaign with a 77-85 record. The NHL club had relied on Chad Bern as the interim CFO since May 2026 prior to this permanent appointment.
The players
Ted Towne
He is a veteran sports executive who previously served as the CFO for the Washington Nationals.
Chad Bern
He is a financial professional who operated as the interim CFO for the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Jonathan Stahl
He is a former member of the Nationals front office who departed to become the COO of Lehrhaus.
Chris Zaber
He is a front-office administrator who was hired by the Washington Nationals organization in 2025.
The details
Towne brings extensive experience to Pittsburgh, having been with the Nationals organization since 2008 and serving as their CFO starting in 2022. His move coincides with broader personnel changes in Washington, including the departure of Jonathan Stahl and the recent hire of Chris Zaber in 2025.
Timeline
Ted Towne joined the Nationals organization in 2008.
Ted Towne served as the Nationals CFO beginning in 2022.
Chris Zaber was hired by the Nationals in 2025.
Chad Bern became the Penguins interim CFO in May 2026.
The MLB collective-bargaining agreement is set to expire on December 1, 2026.
Season Trajectory
This executive move highlights the movement of talent across professional leagues as organizations adjust their internal structures during the offseason. The broader industry remains in a period of change, notably facing the upcoming expiration of the MLB collective-bargaining agreement.
The transition of Ted Towne to the Penguins impacts the internal management of the club's financial operations heading into future seasons. Fans should note that this executive change follows a 77-85 record for the Nationals, reflecting the team's shift in leadership priorities.
The takeaway
Front office stability remains a critical factor for teams as they look to build consistent winning organizations. Readers should monitor executive movements as indicators of how teams prioritize their financial and operational goals.
What happens next
The MLB collective-bargaining agreement is scheduled to expire on December 1, 2026, which may influence future league-wide personnel and operational policies.
Further reading
For more on the latest trends in the sport, explore the Baseball section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Sportsbusinessjournal.
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