Richard "Sandy" Alderson was named Chief Executive Officer of the San Diego Padres on April 19, 2005. Alderson, who served previously as Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations for Major League Baseball, is responsible for the club's daily business and its baseball operations.

In Alderson's first two seasons with the Padres, the team reached the postseason in back-to-back years for the first time in franchise history, winning the National League West title in both 2005 and 2006. The Padres also surpassed the 2.6-million mark in attendance for the third straight season in 2006, and continued to make strides in their community and military outreach programs. Alderson was influential in bringing the semi-finals and championship game of the inaugural World Baseball Classic to San Diego in March of 2006.

In his role as one of Major League Baseball's highest-ranking officials, Alderson oversaw baseball operations, umpiring, on-field operations and security, and facility management in the Office of the Commissioner. In addition, Alderson, who joined Major League Baseball in New York in 1998 after spending 17 years with the Oakland Athletics, was in charge of various special projects involving international play, including Major League Baseball's participation in the historic games with the Cuban National Team in the spring of 1999 and the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, where Team USA won the Gold Medal. Alderson was instrumental in the creation of Major League Baseball academies in Australia and Italy, and, domestically, the Urban Youth Academy in Compton, CA.

Alderson left a private law practice in 1981 to become the A's General Counsel. He then served as Oakland's General Manager from 1983-97, and as the club's President from 1993-95 and 1997 through his departure in 1998. The A's won four American League West Championships during his tenure (1988, '89, '90, '92), participated in three consecutive World Series (1988-90) and captured the World Series Championship in 1989. In addition, the A's farm system produced four Rookies of the Year during Alderson's stay in Oakland.

Alderson holds degrees from Dartmouth College (1969) and Harvard Law School (1976), and also served four years as a Marine officer with a tour of duty in Vietnam. He and his wife, Linda, have two children.