Joseph Psuik III, CVE, embraced venue management on the recommendation of Carol Wallace, who lured him from the city administration side with the truly prophetic words, “We have much more fun in our industry.”
Psuik came on board as director of operations at the Colorado Convention Center, Denver, at Wallace’s behest. He helped open the building in June of 1990. Wallace, however, was recruited by the San Diego Convention Center. Thereafter, their running joke was “you’re leaving me here?” Two years later, he followed her to California.
Now he’s left us here. Psuik, who joined IAVM in December 1989, passed away at his retirement home in Loveland, Colo., on April 1 at the age of 82.
He came to the venue side of the business from the perspective of a trained actor. After winning several acting awards and learning backstage production, Psuik earned a master’s degree in theatre from BYU and started his career backstage in professional theatres in San Francisco.
Joseph Psuik III, CVE
He then taught theatre at Loretto Heights College in Denver. He affiliated with the International Association of Theatrical Stage Employees Union, Local 7, and worked in the theatres in downtown Denver doing lighting, technical support and direction. He ran concerts and sporting events at McNichols Sports Arena, and concerts at Red Rocks amphitheater. He served as union president twice.
He first got involved with the building of the Denver Convention Center, working for the city, and then moved into venue administration. He moved to San Diego to help oversee the expansion of the San Diego Convention Center. He served as COO of that facility.
Wallace recalled that she recruited Psuik because, “other than being a wonderful person, he was thorough, hardworking, and great to work with. He was very detail oriented.” She noted his skill at negotiating contracts, partially a result of his union days.
He was very active with IAVM, most notably in safety and security. He was a member of the Safety & Security Task Force from 2001-2004 and part of the Academy of Venue Safety and Security faculty from 2005-2007. Psuik chaired IAVM’s Convention Center Sector Committee from 1999-2003, the Leadership Institute Council from 2003-2005, and the Academy Board of Trustees from 2004-2007.
Psuik achieved his Certified Venue Executive designation in 2004 and was recognized with the IAVM Chair’s Citation in 2006. He retired as an honorary member in 2015.
Born in North Carolina July 29, 1942, to Joseph Psuik Jr. and Lilly Psuik, he grew up mostly in Wisconsin, spending summers with family in Georgia. He saw his first Green Bay Packers game at age 6 and loved the Packers forevermore. He was also a great fan of Harley Davidson and with his wife, Sybil, crossed the country multiple times on his bike.
He moved to California in his junior year of high school, and proudly served in the US Navy aboard the ammunition ship, USS Pyro, during the Vietnam conflict. In 1964 he and his sweetheart, Sybil, married and started their 60-year marriage.
Upon retirement, Joe and Sybil moved back to Colorado to the city of love – Loveland. He again worked with the union and then completely retired. He also served in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in several capacities. He and Sybil loved being with the expanding family, attending the temple in Fort Collins, and spending time in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Beloved husband, father of four, grandfather of 10 and great-grandfather of 18, Psuik has taken his last curtain call on the stage of life. He is survived by Sybil, daughters Jennifer, Jessica, and Julianne, all 10 grands and 18 greats, sister Mary, brother Tom, their spouses, and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, son Joshua, and brother Bob.
Memorial service plans are pending.
