Seattle Mariners chairman & managing partner John Stanton announced Wednesday that Brad Smith and Kathy Surace-Smith have purchased shares in the Seattle Mariners franchise and joined the Mariners Partnership Group.

The Smiths are the first additions to the partnership group since Ken Griffey Jr. joined in 2021, and just the third additions since the partnership group began.

“On behalf of all of the partners, I want to welcome Kathy and Brad,” Stanton said. “Since this group formed in 1992, it has always been a priority to identify partners who both love baseball and are passionate about public service. Adding Kathy and Brad to our partnership strengthens our commitment to the Mariners Mission of winning championships, creating unforgettable experiences and serving our communities.”

Brad Smith has spent the past 30-plus years at Microsoft, including the last (nearly) nine years as Vice Chair and President. Prior to joining Microsoft in November of 1993, he was in private practice as an attorney. Brad is active in a variety of community causes, including chairing the Board of the Washington State Opportunity Scholarship program. He is a member of the Board of Trustees of Princeton University and co-founded and served for 16 years as Chair of the Board of Kids in Need of Defense (KIND) which works to assure that children separated from their parents have pro bono counsel when going before an immigration judge.

Kathy Surace-Smith is Senior Vice President, Human Resources and Legal Affairs at NanoString Technologies, Inc. She was previously VP & General Counsel at SonoSite Inc. and Metawave Communications. Kathy is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Fred Hutch Cancer Center and of Columbia University (where she and Brad both attended law school). Her service to Fred Hutch included serving as Chair of the Board from July 2020-June 2023. She has also served on the boards of the United Way of King County (where she served as chair from 2017-18) and of the YWCA Seattle King Snohomish.

“We’re excited to join the Partnership Group and support the Mariners success, both on the field and in service to the community,” said the Smiths.