SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF ADMINISTRATION/GENERAL COUNSEL
John P. Higgins joined the Rays organization as its first employee on April 1, 1995, when he was named the team’s senior vice president and general counsel. In January 2016, he recommenced oversight of the organization’s accounting and finance department after serving as the team’s chief financial officer from 1999–2007. Higgins has practiced law in the Tampa Bay area since 1979, specializing in corporate, commercial and real estate law. He is also a certified public accountant. For three years, he represented Vince Naimoli and the rest of the Tampa Bay ownership group in its efforts to acquire a Major League Baseball franchise. In addition to his responsibilities with the Rays, he is “of counsel” to the Holland & Knight law firm. Higgins currently serves as a member of the board of directors for the Rays Baseball Foundation. He is also past chairman of the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce. He was the recipient of the 2013 Clutch Hitters Award from the Clutch Hitters of Tampa Bay organization. Higgins received his bachelor of business administration degree from the University of Notre Dame in 1975 and his juris doctorate degree from Duke University School of Law in 1979. He currently resides in St. Petersburg, his home since 1960, with his wife, Robin. They have two sons, Sean and Patrick, and two grandchildren, Ryan Matthew and Jordan Riley.