By Karen Caro

The Cobb-Marietta Coliseum & Exhibit Hall Authority announced the hiring of Robin Canada to the position of Director of Human Resources. Canada has more than 15 years of experience as a human resources director. She will be responsible for recruitment, employee relations, benefits, compensation, training, development, payroll, and labor relations for Cobb Galleria Centre, Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, and ArtsBridge Foundation.

“Robin’s background and credentials bring a new perspective to our venues that will elevate our employee experience,” said Michele Swann, General Manager & CEO of the Cobb-Marietta Coliseum & Exhibit Hall Authority.

Canada holds a bachelor’s degree in hospitality and tourism management from Purdue University as well as SPHR and SHRM-SCP certifications. She has worked for multiple hotel brands in several states, most recently at the Atlanta Westin Perimeter.

Karen Caro is Marketing Manager for Cobb Galleria Centre and Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre in Atlanta.

Audiovisual systems manufacturer Daktronics has been appointed by North Carolina State University to manufacture and install a new video display at Wayne Day Family Field at Carter-Finley Stadium.

The HDR-capable display will be one of the largest in the Atlantic Coast Conference, spanning more than 7,100 square feet and featuring more than 6.6 million pixels. It will be installed in the spring.

The display will be located in the north end zone of the stadium and will measure around 43 feet high by 166 feet wide. It will be capable of variable content zoning, allowing it to show live video, instant replays, statistics and game information, graphics and animations, and sponsorship messages.

Corey Williams, Daktronics sales representative, said: “This display is going to be significantly larger than the previous display and will require extensive coordination and engineering to make this project become a reality. We’re extremely proud to partner with NC State and their amazing team of people and look forward to being a part of this landmark installation on campus.”

By Sue Oxarart

ASM Global-managed Toyota Arena has announced the position of general manager has been filled by Gus Le Grand, who took on the day-to-day duties on March 20. “We are pleased to welcome Gus to Ontario and look forward to his expertise in managing our entertainment venue,” said Michael Krouse, Regional Vice President of ASM Global. “His experience in the live entertainment industry as well as the food and beverage sector will benefit the guests of Toyota Arena.”

Le Grand has over twenty years of accumulated experience in the Hospitality and Entertainment industry. His passion for the business began when he moved to Maryland from Wisconsin at the age of twenty-one. Through hard work and dedication Le Grand obtained a management role and became the Assistant General Manager at Ram’s Head Live! Within this position he managed an astounding 300 employees while handling all scheduling, inventory, and day to day operations. In this capacity, his passion for the industry and customer service became glaringly evident.

Within six months Le Grand was promoted into the role of General Manager where he played an integral role in Ram’s Head Live!’s $2.8 million-dollar annual revenue. Most recently, he was at Live! Casino Hotel in Hanover, MD. His love for music and people drives him daily to help others to succeed.

Le Grand is active in mentoring others to reach their full potential. he will relocate to Southern California where learning about the region that will be his new home, the arena, and getting to know the guests of Toyota Arena will be his top priorities.

Sue Oxarart is Director of Marketing and Communications for the Greater Ontario Convention & Visitors Bureau / Ontario Convention Center.

Thomas D. Minter, 87, passed away at home on January 23, 2023, in Lexington, KY, where he resided since 1975. Tom was born December 21, 1935, to Colie and Thelma Minter in Beckley, WV. Tom was a 1953 graduate of Greenbrier Military Academy, then Marshall University, before establishing his career in arena management.

His first stop was the Raleigh County Armory (now Beckley-Raleigh County Convention Center), where his premiere gig was “three skinny girls” called “The Supremes” which he booked for $150. He and the family arrived in the Bluegrass in 1964 where Tom was General Manager of the Louisville Convention Center for a decade.

Tom finished out his career as the President and CEO of Lexington Center Corp., opening Rupp Arena (now Central Bank Center) and its various facilities in 1976, until his retirement in 2000.

He served on the boards of the Society of Yeager Scholars of Marshall University, Lexington Chamber of Commerce, Lexington Visitors and Convention Commission, Kentucky Horse Park, International Association of Venue Managers (where he earned his CVE in 1980) and as a founding member, continued to serve on the commission for Picnic with the Pops well into his retirement.

In retirement, Tom continued to fuel his passion for golf at Lexington Country Club, as well as annual winter stays in Vero Beach, FL. Long-time members of Southern Hills United Methodist Church, Tom is survived by his wife of 65 years, Carolyn; daughters, Bambi Hughes of Cypress, TX, and Lisa Stephenson of Farmersville, TX (husband David), and grandson, Harold Hughes of Cypress, TX. Tom is also survived by sister, Colette Meadows (Frank) of Ghent, WV and brother, Mike Minter of Pittsburgh, PA, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Bluegrass Care Navigators at www.bgcarenav.org/give or at habitat.org” target=”_new” rel=”nofollow”>www..org. A private service will be observed by family. To share a remembrance of Tom or to offer condolences to his family, please visit milwardfuneral.com.

From Theater Design

After nearly 25 years working on a variety of projects Theater Design has become a sought-after firm due to our reputation in the industry, the success of our projects, and the acclaim of our clients. As we look to the future, we have decided that our website should reflect that diverse experience and expertise with a new website (expertly designed by DABBOTT Design). We wish to provide architects and performing arts organizations with a website that is easy to navigate and that describes our services, philosophy and approach to projects.

Visitors to the website will find easy access to the services we provide, past and present projects, and solutions to common and unique design issues. Our FAQ page clearly explains the value of our services and that while designing a new theater is similar to designing a show, it is vastly more complex. These issues are discussed in greater detail in Building Better Theaters, by Theater Design founder and president Michael Mell.

Our NEWS section keeps our clients up to date on the activities of the firm and staff. As well, future press releases and items of interest to the theater design industry are presented. We encourage our clients to BE IN TOUCH via the contact page where they may send an email or find our phone number to speak to us directly.

To view the new website, click here.