By IQ
Bob Newman, the president and CEO of ASM Global, has unveiled the executive leadership team tasked with steering the world’s largest venue management company.
ASM – formed earlier this month upon the merger of SMG and AEG Facilities – operates more than 300 arenas, stadia and other large venues on five continents, and employs 61,000 staff. Its portfolio includes the likes of the O2 and Manchester Arena in the UK, the Stockholm Globe arenas in Sweden, Mercedes-Benz Arena and Barclaycard Arena in Germany, Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai, Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney and Staples Center in Los Angeles, with venues under construction in Buenos Aires, Seoul, Moscow and Bangkok.
“Since closing the merger two weeks ago, our top priority has been to ensure that we have the right leadership in
place to advance our priorities and growth strategies focused on creating the best experience for our clients, guests and staff across all venues,” says Newman, formerly president of AEG Facilities.
“We are honored that the executives we are announcing today represent the very top industry professionals, who will collectively lead our new company and global teams as we reinforce and expand our venue management services and capabilities.”
Said executives include John Sharkey, formerly executive vice-president (EVP) of European operations for SMG, who will hold the same role at ASM; Harvey Lister, the former CEO of AEG Ogden, who will continue to oversee venues in Asia and Australasia as CEO of ASM Asia Pacific; and newly appointed CFO Mark Rozells, who will oversee financial planning, accounting and M&A.
Effective immediately, the full ASM Global executive team is as follows:
Mark Rozells, chief financial officer
Rozells brings “strong financial and operational management experience to the position”, says ASM. Previous career experience includes spells as EVP and CEO for Fairmont Raffles Hotels International, and in senior finance and strategy roles at Liberty Media, Starwood Hotels and the Walt Disney Company
Chuck Steedman, EVP of strategy and business development, arenas and stadia
Steedman previously served as chief operating and development officer for AEG Facilities. He’s responsible for “identifying, evaluating and implementing global account acquisition growth strategies for ASM’s arena and stadium accounts”
Gregg Caren, EVP of sales and business development, convention centers
The former EVP of convention centers for SMG, Caren is tasked with acquiring new convention and exhibition center accounts, as well as developing sales initiatives to drive events to the company’s existing portfolio
Doug Thornton, EVP of arenas, stadia and theatres
Thornton, lately EVP of stadia and arenas for SMG, expands his role to include ASM’s entire portfolio of arenas, stadia and theatres, directing the operations and financial performance of the division
Richard Krezwick, chief commercial officer
Krezwick, ex-senior vice-president (SVP) for AEG Facilities, will oversee the company’s “commercialization strategy and the cross-functional adoption of new services, products and technologies”
Shauna Elvin, EVP of global talent
Previously SVP of human resources for SMG, Elvin been promoted to EVP of global talent, overseeing HR, staffing and employee retention, benefits, compensation, training and diversity strategy
Bob McClintock, EVP of convention centers
McClintock, the former senior vice-president of convention centers for SMG, has been promoted to EVP of the same division at ASM, leading the global operations of the company’s convention and exhibition venues business
John Sharkey, EVP of European operations
Sharkey will continue in the same role as at SMG, with focus on “maximizing positive results” across all ASM’s European venue and F&B operations, as well as supporting and implementing the company’s business development initiatives across the continent
Harvey Lister, chairman and CEO of ASM Asia Pacific
“Utilizing his unmatched industry experience”, Lister, formerly of AEG Ogden, will continue to oversee ASM’s portfolio of business activities in Australia, New Zealand, Asia Pacific and the Middle East
Shaun Beard, SVP of food and beverage
Beard will oversee ASM’s North American and European F&B operations, including Savor, Premier and CGC Event Caterers
“We are confident that this impressive team will accelerate our momentum as we look to invest in innovations that bring new ASM Global services, solutions and technologies to our clients,” says Newman. “The team’s depth of leadership will also enable us to advance our mission to realize the potential of the world’s greatest places, spaces and events by driving revenue generation and operational excellence that will allow us to take our industry to the next level.”
Pictured from left: Harvey Lister, CEO Asia Pacific, John Sharkey, EVP European operations, Mark Rozells, CFO
