Atlanta Dream general manager Dan Padover is in a class by himself, winning the WNBA Executive of the Year for a record third time Tuesday.

Padover broke a tie with Minnesota’s Cheryl Reeve, who has won the award twice. Padover, 37, also won in 2020 and 2021 when he was with the Las Vegas Aces.

He has been a builder wherever he has gone in the WNBA, starting in New York while learning under Kristin Bernert and Bill Laimbeer. Then Padover headed to Las Vegas before landing in Atlanta for the past four years.

“I’ve been very fortunate to be around a lot of great players, staffs and coaches,” Padover said in a phone interview. “Essentially what this award means is you were the best basketball organization of the year. It’s not one person, it’s a group of people. It’s a game, you got to have fun. I think I’m a light person and I got to create an environment where people can be themselves and be authentic. Show up to work every day and have fun.”

Padover brought in a new coach in Karl Smesko this season and added All-Stars Brionna Jones and Brittney Griner to complement Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray. The Dream doubled their win total from last season, earning the No. 3 seed in the playoffs. They lost in a decisive Game 3 to Indiana in the opening round of the postseason.

“You try not to skip any steps along the way, that’s what I feel franchise building is all about,” Padover said. “The job’s not done yet, but we feel really good about the direction we’re headed and appreciate the acknowledgment from the league.”

The award is voted on by the 13 GMs around the league plus the general manager of the Toronto Tempo, who begin play next season. Padover appeared on 12 of the ballots, receiving eight first-place votes.