Storm Products President, Dave Symes, announced late Monday that Dave Kost has been promoted to a new role within the company as Public Relations Manager, effective immediately. Kost previously served as the company’s Digital Interactive Media Specialist.

A native of Pittsburgh, Pa., Kost joined Team Storm in April 2014 after having worked in minor league baseball for eight of the last nine years. In 2012, he was the General Manager of Z STRIKE KC, a 12-lane boutique entertainment center located in downtown Kansas City, Mo.

Kost broke into the bowling industry at the age of 16, working for a 16-lane center in Safford, Ariz., where his love for the game was born. Later, after attending college and a stint as a collegiate assistant baseball coach and head coach, he jumped back into the bowling world, accepting a position with AMF Bowling Worldwide. He served as a General Manager and Assistant General Manager at centers in California, Oregon and Washington, before being promoted to District Manager.

Dave Kost (second from left) is flanked by Storm Products Inc. executives Hank Boomershine, Bill Chrisman and Dave Symes after being named Public Relations Manager of Storm.

After successful years with AMF, Kost decided to accept a new challenge, becoming the General Manager of Hollywood Bowl in Northeast Portland, Ore.

He left Portland to accept a position with Brunswick Bowling & Billiards, and after four months of training at BRC Gwinnett Lanes, he was promoted to General Manager of BRC Lakeside Lanes in the Greater St. Louis region. He also served as the General Manager at Concord Lanes and Arizona Family Fun Center, in the South County of St. Louis.

As the Public Relations Manager for Storm, Kost will be responsible for building the company’s corporate narrative and driving all public relations strategy related to Storm’s purpose, values and vision.

“While the public relations role is a fairly new department within Storm Products, it provides a necessary oversight and focus on sustaining and delivering our initiatives as they pertain to our position in the industry,” Symes said. “We pride ourselves on being more than just a bowling equipment manufacturer, and our commitment to being an active, loyal partner in our community is a message that we are confident Dave will assist in bringing to the forefront.”

Kost also will be charged with ensuring that the proper programs and voice are delivered accordingly and appropriately, while generating visibility to Storm Products’ strong management team and culture of innovation. He also will provide strategic direction and oversight for public relations, editorial and digital media, social media and communications.

In addition, Kost will work closely with Storm's 230-plus bowling staff members, ranging from national to international, along with spearheading growth of the Storm-sponsored collegiate bowling programs.