OAK VIEW - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Vice President of Finance
- Member of Several Organizations Including a Board
Chris Asouzu is responsible for all financial reporting and reconciliation for the OVG Facilities' venues. Asouzu works with administration staff and department heads to ensure full contract compliance. Chris is a 30 plus year account, finance, and management professional, with 12 years of direct industry experience. He is a former Regional Director of Finance for Global Spectrum (now Spectra) and former Accounting Manager and Treasury Services Manager for Knight-Ridder, Inc. in Columbia SC.
Asouzu is also a member of several organizations including a Board Member for Congaree Vista Guild Business District in Columbia, SC; Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity incorporated; Knight of Peter Clavier Court #380; Columbia Urban League Guild Committee, and a Board Member and Chairman of Budget and Finance Committee, South Carolina Midlands Authority for Conventions, Sports and Tourism Board.
Doug Higgons is a 25 plus year veteran of public assembly facility management with experience in administration, operations, marketing, booking, pre-opening services, and event operations for arenas, theaters, stadiums and conference centers throughout the United States. He has provided invaluable assistance in the design, construction, grand opening, renovation, operations, and transition phases of over 20 different arenas, stadiums, theaters, and conference centers. He has experience in numerous international events such as Olympic Games, Super Bowls, FIFA Cups, NCAA Championships, and stadium concerts.
In 2014, he founded Pinnacle Venue Services with Tom Paquette. Pinnacle provided customized solutions for venue owners and operators including full-service venue management and consulting services to maximize each venue's success. In less than three years, Pinnacle experienced exceptional growth in securing full-service management contracts for eleven venues of various types including arenas, theaters, conference and convention centers, and an amphitheater. Pinnacle also created and developed an event and venue security management and consulting division quickly becoming the industry leader in venue security assessments and audits in addition to managing security operations for several of the sports industry's premier leagues including the NBA, NHL, and MLB. Pinnacle provided security management services for marquis events including the NBA All-Star weekend and the NBA Finals.
Higgons also served as the Deputy General Manager for the Utah Olympic Oval during the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City. In this role, Doug was responsible for the daily operations of the Olympic Oval. He was responsible for the transition of this venue to an Olympic venue and oversaw the venue operations for speed skating during the 2002 Olympic Games. He had daily interaction with members of the US Secret Service, FBI, US Military, and local law enforcement and co-authored the Emergency and Incident Response Plan for the venue, combining the needs of the athletes, guests, and staff; while keeping security as the primary concern. Doug was also involved in event services for the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympics.
Doug is a 1992 graduate of the Sports Management program at the University of Massachusetts. He has served as an Adjunct Instructor at Old Dominion University and the University of New Hampshire co-teaching graduate and undergraduate level courses focusing on facility management.
Job Titles:
- Comcast - Spectacor Chairman
Hank Abate has over 30 years of experience covering all aspects of arena, theater, and stadium management. Prior to his role with OVG Facilities, Hank was the Executive Vice President of Venue Management for The Madison Square Garden Company having oversight of Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall, The Beacon Theater, The Chicago Theater, and The Los Angeles Forum. He is the former Senior Vice President of Global Spectrum (now Spectra Venue Management) and for MSG.
While with Global Spectrum, Abate played a key role in merging the operations of Ovations Food Services and Global Spectrum Facilities Management, while overseeing more than 40 facilities with a focus on increasing event activity and driving bottom-line growth. Prior to that, he spent 20 years working for SMG Facility Management, where he held many key positions and had principal responsibility for SMG-managed arenas, stadiums and several convention centers.
Job Titles:
- Senior Director of Marketing
Marissa Dionne is a 20-year veteran in the entertainment and venue management industry specializing in Marketing and Public Relations. As Senior Director of Marketing for OVG Facilities & Arena Alliance, Dionne supports and coaches the onsite staff at all their venues. She focuses on cultivating marketing ideas, best practices and working with her team to ensure they have the resources and tools to be successful. Additionally, Dionne leads all branding and marketing efforts for OVG Facilities.
Prior to joining OVG, Dionne spent eight years working at a hybrid venue overseeing the marketing efforts for an arena and convention center. In addition, Marissa was the Regional Director of Marketing for Global Spectrum (now Spectra) supporting marketing and sales professionals in arenas and convention centers throughout the U.S. and Canada.
Throughout her career, she has worked alongside arena event promoters including Live Nation, AEG Live, Feld Entertainment, Harlem Globetrotters, and WWE among many others, while promoting and ensuring successful events at arenas throughout the country. Dionne has assisted with local sports franchises from the American Hockey League (AHL) and NBA Development League (D-League). Dionne started her career with Madison Square Garden, CT at the Hartford Civic Center.
Job Titles:
- Director of Facilities Development
- Facilities' Director of Business Development
Matt Lashoff is OVG Facilities' Director of Business Development and brings with him more than 15 years of experience in the sports and entertainment industry. Prior to his role with OVG Facilities, Lashoff led a 12-year professional hockey career which began in 2005 when he was drafted 22nd overall for the Boston Bruin's 2006-07 season. Lashoff's tenure with the National Hockey League ("NHL") also included positions with the Toronto Maple Leafs and Tampa Bay Lightning. While playing professional ice hockey, Lashoff also was responsible for running a music production company in charge of booking and music publishing for artists and songwriters. In addition to Lashoff's current role with OVG Facilities, he volunteers time with the St. Louis Blues Alumni Association and local St. Louis (MO) Youth Hockey Associations.
Job Titles:
- Senior Director of Facilities Development
Monique Brycki is Senior Director of Facilities Development for OVG Facilities and brings nearly 15 years of experience in the sports and entertainment industry. Monique is responsible for the development of OVGFacilities' new business initiatives with an emphasis on prospecting potential new venue management clients. She does this by taking a strategic approach in finding and developing new business opportunities.
Monique also has oversight in the development of the organization's Request for Proposals process by analyzing and responding to RFPs and is responsible for all research associated with potential new accounts.
Prior to her role with Oak View Group, Monique worked for Spectra Venue Management, Food Services & Hospitality, and Ticketing & Fan Engagement as Director of Strategic Business Development. In this position, she was responsible for vetting and developing new business opportunities for each respective service. Monique also served as Director of Business Development and Client Relations during her tenure with Spectra (formerly Global Spectrum), where she collaborated with regional and corporate staff to develop and write technical and management content for responses that were compliant with the RFP request. Monique also has a diverse political background, having previously worked for Comcast's Government Affairs department; as a Legislative Correspondent and Staff Assistant to a United States Member of Congress; and involved in numerous political campaigns.
Job Titles:
- Director of Venue Support & General Manager
Monty Jones, Jr. joined OVG Facilities in 2018. He brings 20 years of venue management experience to his current role. In addition to his role within OVG Facilities, Monty has spent his previous two years pre-opening and opening the Hoover Met Complex, a 250-acre amateur sports complex. The Hoover Met Complex encompasses an 11,000-seat baseball stadium, 155,000 sqft Indoor complex, 170 RV Park, 5 baseball fields, 5 soccer fields and 16 tennis courts. Prior to opening the Hoover Met Complex, Monty spent 12 years with Global Spectrum with stops at the Macon Centreplex and Macon Auditorium, Gila River Arena, home of the Arizona Coyotes, Augusta Entertainment Complex: James Brown Arena and Bell Auditorium and Colonial Life Arena home of the USC Gamecocks. Furthermore, he opened the Emil Jones Convocation Center on the campus of Chicago State University. Monty has spent most of his career at the Augusta Entertainment Complex where he took over management for the James Brown Arena and Bell Auditorium. His five years in Augusta was spent with exceeding fiscal expectations, transforming the market for touring acts and theatrical performances along with being community stewards throughout the region. He was instrumental in partnering with IAE to stay in Augusta and bolster the Augusta Broadway Series performances. He has worked with the Arizona Coyotes of the NHL, Phoenix Cardinals of the NFL, SEC Baseball Tournament, Copa America Centenario USA 2016, Super Bowl XLIX, NCAA College Football National Championship 2015, Chicago State University Athletics, University of South Carolina Gamecock Athletics, Arena Football League's Carolina Cobras and Cape Fear Wildcats and North Carolina State University Athletics. In recent years, Monty has been awarded Venues Today Generation Next Award Winner for Top 5 Industry Leaders under 35, the only General Manager of a venue on the Harlem Globetrotter Tour to exceed venue historical gross revenue 6 consecutive years, 2017 NC State University Alumnus of the Year for the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism and SportsEvent Magazine Readers' Choice for Park and Recreation Leader to Watch in 2018. Monty obtained his B.S. in Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management with a concentration in Sports Management from North Carolina State University.
Prior to joining Oak View Group, Zingoni spent eight years leading business development for Spectra in venue management, food service and hospitality, and sponsorships. Zingoni, a former draft pick of the Columbus Blue Jackets, played eight seasons of professional hockey for AHL affiliates of the Blue Jackets, the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Minnesota Wild, and the Philadelphia Flyers. He was awarded the AHL's "Man of the Year" for contributions to the community of Norfolk, VA while playing with the Admirals in 2008-09.
Zingoni also spent two years as Vice President of the Jacobs Realty Group, a real estate development company in Wayne, PA. Raised in Newtown, CT, Zingoni attended Providence College, majoring in Business Administration while participating as a student-athlete on the men's hockey team. He and his wife, Bernadette, and daughters, Scarlette and Blakely, reside in South Jersey, just outside of Philadelphia, PA.
Peter Luukko is Chairman of OVG Facilities, and also serves as Co-Chairman of OVG's Arena Alliance. Luukko is instrumental in overseeing growth for the company by acquiring new facilities, managing relationships with promoters, artists, and managers, and consulting with developers, city officials and team owners.
Additionally, he is Executive Chairman of the Florida Panthers Hockey Club and Sunrise Sports and Entertainment. Under Luukko's leadership, the franchise experienced several accomplishments including hosting the 2015 National Hockey League Draft and a significant increase in ticket and corporate partnership revenue. Luukko's management also resulted in an increase in bookings of a variety of prominent shows at the team's home venue, the BB&T Center.
Luukko previously served as President and Chief Operating Officer of Comcast-Spectacor, L.P. for more than 25 years, overseeing the Philadelphia Flyers of the NHL, while serving as a member of the National Hockey League Board of Governors. He oversaw Comcast-Spectacor's facility-management business, Global Spectrum (now Spectra) which ran more than 125 sports arenas, stadiums, and convention centers. He was also responsible for the expansion of Comcast-Spectacor's broad range of businesses including its food and beverage, ticketing, and sponsorship sales divisions.
Job Titles:
- Senior Vice President of Convention Centers for Oak View Group Facilities
- Senior Vice President, Convention Centers
Shura Garnett is Senior Vice President of Convention Centers for Oak View Group Facilities. Prior to her role with OVG, Garnett served as Senior Vice President of Convention Centers for Spectra Venue Management and Food Services & Hospitality. Her responsibilities included oversight of all Spectra Convention Centers and for the development and implementation of Spectra's national sales initiatives for all convention centers.
With almost 30 years of industry experience, Garnett has held positions as Regional Vice President for Spectra, General Manager of the St. Charles Convention Center, Director, and CEO of the Midland Convention Center, and the Vice President of Visitor Development for the Midland Chamber of Commerce.
She has held Board positions for both Trade Show Executives Exposition Forecasting Board and the Center for Exhibition Industry Research Foundation. Formerly, Garnett was on the Board of Directors for the St. Charles Chamber of Commerce and elected to the Texas Department of Economic Development's Tourism Advisory Committee. As part of her IAVM activities, she served as Chairman of the IAVM Convention Center Committee, member of the Industry Affairs Committee, member of the Board of Governors, Chair of the Board of Education, and Chair of the Diversification Committee. She was then elected 1st Vice President of IAVM and worked her way through the chairs to become the Chairman of the Board of the IAVM.
She is a current member of ASAE, IAEE, IAVM, MPI, and PCMA. She is the recipient of the 2008 St. Charles Zonta Yellow Rose Award, the 2008 recipient of Venue's Today's "Women of Influence" Award, the recipient of the 2005 IAVM Presidential Citation and most recently the 2014 recipient of the prestigious Charles A, McElravy Award, the 27th recipient since 1963. Facilities and Destinations has named her as an Elite Convention Center Executive for two years in a row.
Job Titles:
- Senior Vice President of Development
Sims Hinds is Senior Vice President of Development for OVG Facilities. Prior to his time with OVG, Hinds spent his career working with organizations such as The Walt Disney Company, the PGA Tour, the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), Live Nation, and several others. He's held senior positions at some of the industry's most recognized companies, including Concerts West, SMG, AEG, the Carolina Hurricanes, and HKS World Events.
Recently, Hinds has worked with the development of downtown High Point, NC, on a mixed-use district anchored by a multi-purpose stadium; a new arena in Virginia Beach, VA.; expansion and renovation of Rupp Arena Sports, Entertainment, and Arts District in Lexington, KY; and more.
Tom Paquette's 25 plus years of expertise in managing sports and entertainment venues includes serving at a variety of venue types and sizes and hosting a myriad of events including NBA, NHL, NCAA basketball and hockey, arena and stadium concerts, national political conventions, ESPN X-Games, and music festivals. He has led arenas through construction, pre-opening, and opening phases as well as major renovation projects.
Paquette held the position of Vice President and General Manager of the AT&T Center for Spurs Sports & Entertainment, managing the arena during the 2013 NBA Finals, 2014 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament, and the annual San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo. Additionally, he spent 10 years as General Manager of Colonial Life Arena at the University of South Carolina, guiding the arena through construction, opening, and the first nine years of operation. After opening in 2002, it quickly became one of the premier university arenas in the United States and one of the most successful arenas in the Southeast. Prior to moving to South Carolina, he served as the Director of Event Production at the Wells Fargo Center and Spectrum in Philadelphia, PA.
Paquette has also served as General Manager at the Tsongas Arena in Lowell, MA, seeing it through construction, opening, and its first years of operation. Before his years in Massachusetts, he served as General Manager of the American Royal Center and Kemper Arena in Kansas City, MO. He began his venue management career as Assistant Arena Manager at the University of Tennessee's Thompson-Boling Arena. While at the University of South Carolina, he served as an Adjunct Instructor in the College of Hospitality, Retail, and Sports Management, teaching graduate and undergraduate level courses focusing on facility and event management.
Paquette earned his Bachelor's Degree in Business Management from St. Joseph's University in Philadelphia, PA and is a graduate of the International Association of Venue Management's (IAVM) School of Venue Management. He is an active member of the IAVM, serving on its initial Safety and Security Task Force, organized after the events of 9/11.