Trent Gray’s evolution from an emerging leader to a transformational figure in venue management is a story of perseverance, authenticity, and heart. Since being named to IAVM’s 30|UNDER|30 list in 2019, he has redefined success—not only through his rising career trajectory but also through his profound personal journey.

Trent’s professional ascent began as an Assistant Box Office Manager. Through commitment and innovation, he steadily rose to his current role as Director of Ticketing. Leading a high-performing team at a top-ranked venue, he is responsible for executing seamless ticketing strategies that enhance the guest experience while driving revenue. He has also earned his ADA Coordinator Certification and championed accessibility initiatives at his venue, ensuring inclusivity is embedded in every guest interaction.

He is now preparing to sit for his Certified Venue Professional (CVP) exam—a testament to his unwavering commitment to learning and industry excellence. But Trent’s accomplishments extend beyond the professional realm. Over the past few years, he has undergone a life-changing transformation, losing more than 230 pounds. This health journey has significantly impacted his mental resilience and outlook, giving him renewed energy and balance in both his work and life.

In addition to his work, Trent is a proud pet parent. He adopted a playful kitten named Raz, who joins his older cat, Dave, as a source of constant joy and companionship. For Trent, caring for his pets has brought grounding and perspective, reminding him of the value of small moments amid high-stakes responsibilities.

He credits IAVM with being an integral part of his professional development, especially the 30|UNDER|30 program, which introduced him to mentors and colleagues who continue to influence his approach. Today, he gives back to the community through peer mentorship and actively engages with IAVM’s educational offerings.

Whether improving ticketing operations, leading on accessibility, or embracing transformative change in his personal life, Trent Gray exemplifies what it means to evolve with intention. His story continues to inspire others to lead with authenticity, pursue balance, and strive for excellence on every front.

Personal Quote:
“Through my journey, I’ve realized that growth happens when you step outside your comfort zone. Life is about being true to yourself and using those experiences to build a better future.” — Trent Gray

The unexpected death of Kevin Bruder, CVE, Sunday, May 11, left a hole in the hearts of hockey and venue execs around the nation.

Kevin Bruder, CVE

Bruder, 56, died while enjoying the great Utah outdoors. He was at the peak of his career, serving as general manager of Maverik Center, West Valley City, Utah, for Centennial Management Group; president and CEO of the Utah Grizzlies, and chairman of the ECHL board of governors. His work associates posted fond memories on social media, lauding the culture of professionalism, inclusion and loyalty he fostered.

His greatest joy was his family. Survivors include his wife, Susan and four children: Allison, Emily, Joel and Christopher. His wife Susan posted that “on Sunday I lost my best friend, my heart, my person, while he was doing one of the things he loved—trail running/hiking by our home. We met at Iowa State University our sophomore year. Married on May 25, 1991, and went on to have four beautiful children.”

In the beginning, Bruder was a finance guy, joining Ogden Entertainment Services in 1992. Brad Mayne, CVE, recalls Bruder’s years at Ogden, where he set up the accounting machinations to operate Ogden’s vast venue management portfolio during this nearly five-year stint there.

“Kevin was always a quality guy,” Mayne said. “Even if you were having an argument with him, he kept his cool.” A memory that stands out when he recalls his years with Bruder at Ogden involved a legal action brought by the local hockey team against the financial manager and city at a Washington state arena. In Mayne’s opinion, the hockey team was already in breach of contract, but he did get some pushback from Ogden corporate about working with your customers. Bruder was sent in to do an audit and declared everything perfectly legitimate and above board on the venue’s part. The legal action was dropped, but the memory of Bruder’s great value system, truthfulness and objectivity lingered on,

Kevin Bruder, CVE, and Utah Grizzlies mascot Grizzbee present a fan with a jersey on Military Appreciation Night.

Mayne continued working with Bruder at IAVM, where Mayne became CEO and Bruder was a very active volunteer. Bruder joined IAVM in 1995 and served on several committees and the board of directors. One of his passions was his work with IAVM on the TEAM (Techniques of Effective Alcohol Management) Coalition. Bruder’s volunteerism included serving on the board of directors (2002-2003 and 2009-2011), and working with the Arena Sector Committee, Mentoring Committee, Industry Affairs Committee, Life Safety Council, and Certification Committee, among other jobs. He earned his Certified Venue Executive designation in 2018.

Meanwhile he was managing venues and sports teams. In 1997, he moved his family to Utah to become general manager of Maverik Center, then known as The E-Center. That venue

hosted hockey during the 2002 Winter Olympic Games, a highlight of Bruder’s career. In 2005, he was named president and CEO of the Utah Grizzlies, and in 2021, he was elected Chairman of the ECHL Board of Governors.

Randy Mayne, assistant GM at Maverik Center (and Brad Mayne’s nephew), noted Bruder was a driving force for all things IAVM in the Utah chapter, which recently had a successful conference, and for all things TEAM Coalition-related. He was in Portland for the last VenueConnect. Bruder’s volunteerism also extended to Make-A-Wish Utah, Visit Salt Lake and more.

The staff at the 10,500-seat Maverik Center and related businesses, which numbers about 60 fulltime, met Monday to regroup and remember after Bruder’s passing and the overwhelming consensus was that he was more than a boss, he was a friend; he was humble, “and the culture we have inside the building is a testament to Kevin’s behavior. We opened the building in 1997. Our director of operations, our VP over on the Grizzlies side and I have all been here for 28 years. We just had a controller retire after 26 years. A lot of people have stuck around working for such a great individual,” Randy Mayne said. “It’s kind of unique in venue management. We have had other opportunities, but it has always come back to what Kevin has done for all of us personally, the foundation he built and the culture that we have inside the walls of the Maverik Center.”

Going forward, “we have some big shoes to fill, but we can do this collectively,” Randy Mayne told the staff. Mayne started as suite manager for the building when it first opened and has enjoyed rapid growth in the venue. Maverik Center is privately owned but is a public facility. Centennial Management Group ran the day-to-day operations and expanded to provide

Kevin and Susan Bruder

staffing for numerous buildings, including the University of Utah, Utah State, BYU, Salt Palace, and the Sundance Film Festival. “Kevin was an integral part of that and he gave us the opportunity and we ran with it.”

In the Grizzlies official statement, Bruder was said to be “deeply admired by his employees, many of whom worked alongside him for decades. He fostered a culture of professionalism, inclusion, and loyalty—marked by a strong sense of family. He led with integrity, humility, and consistency, always quick to celebrate the accomplishments of others and committed to promoting from within. He believed in people, and he created opportunities for countless careers to flourish under his mentorship.”

Kevin Bruder, who was born in Bloomington, Ill., in 1968, will be laid to rest at Larkin Sunset Gardens in Sandy, Utah Tuesday, May 20.

With a steady trajectory and clear vision, Anna Rosburg, CVE, CVP, has grown from a rising professional into one of the most respected leaders in the venue management field. Named to IAVM’s 30|UNDER|30 list in 2017, Anna has since carved out a career defined by performance, mentorship, and an unwavering drive for excellence.

She currently serves as District General Manager for Oak View Group, where she oversees the Alerus Center in Grand Forks, ND, along with additional venues throughout the Midwest. After relocating from Casper, WY, Anna became General Manager at Alerus nearly eight years ago. Two years ago, she was promoted to District GM, reflecting her ability to lead across diverse markets and teams.

Over the years, Anna has compiled a portfolio of accolades that speak to her influence in the industry. She earned her Certified Venue Professional (CVP) designation in 2017 and her Certified Venue Executive (CVE) designation in 2022. In 2021, she was named to both Pollstar’s and VenuesNow’s Next Gen lists, and in 2024, she was recognized as one of VenuesNow’s “All-Stars.” That same year, she was honored as the Grand Forks Herald’s Person of the Year—a testament to her leadership not just within her organization, but in the broader community.

What truly sets Anna apart is her role as a mentor and advocate. She has actively guided several 30|UNDER|30 recipients and has supported many others through IAVM conferences, Venue Management School, and the CVP process. Her leadership style is characterized by empowerment, empathy, and the belief that success is best when it’s shared.

She is an active participant in professional development efforts and regularly contributes to IAVM initiatives. Her strategic insight, paired with a generous spirit, continues to shape the next generation of venue professionals.

Anna’s story is not just one of career advancement, but of meaningful, values-driven leadership. Whether managing multi-venue operations or mentoring peers, she remains committed to excellence, innovation, and integrity in everything she does.

Personal Quote:
“True leadership is about guiding others to their highest potential. I’ve always believed that our impact is greatest when we lift others as we rise.” — Anna Rosburg

Please welcome our newest members who joined IAVM in April 2025. Thank you for being a part of the association! Also, let us get to know you better by participating in the I Am Venue Management series. Please visit here to share your story and photo.

Thomas Alonzo, Trail Drive Management Corp./Dickies Arena, Fort Worth, TX
Kevin Anderson, Mohegan Arena at Casey Plaza, Wilkes Barre, PA
Teddy Barnes, Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, CA
Rick Bell, Kardinia Park Stadium Trust, Geelong, VIC, Australia
Chris Bird, North Charleston Coliseum, North Charleston, SC
Mary Beth Bowman, The City of NLR Future Conference/Event Center, North Little Rock, AR
Caelan Briere, Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA
Andrew Burge, Momentus Technologies, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Dominic Cattero, Batavia Fine Arts Centre, Batavia, IL
Fai Cheung, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (Management) Limited, Hong Kong, China
Daniel Clarke, Auckland Live, Auckland, New Zealand
Damien Collins, Transportation Management Services, Brisbane, QLC, Australia
Christopher Comstock, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, Las Vegas, NV
Brigitte Cunningham, MyState Bank Arena, Glenorchy, TAS, Australia
JoAnna Curtis, Branson Convention Center – ASM Global, Branson, MO
Carley Davis, Grand River Center, Dubuque, IA
Franklin deCelle, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL
Tyler Diel, Inter&Co Stadium, Orlando, FL
Julie Doyle Reyes, City of McAllen: Convention Center/Performing Arts Center, McAllen, TX
Chris Dudeck, ASM Richmond, Richmond, VA
Laura Dufresne, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA
Jessica Featherstone, MyState Bank Arena, Glenorchy, TAS, Australia
Nelson Ferreira, Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, CA
Luke Fisher, Dolby Theatre, Hollywood, CA
Katy Freeman, Bay Venues, Mount Maunganui,
Solomon Fuemana, Auckland Live, Auckland, New Zealand
Tom Gilbert, Irving Convention Center, Irving, TX
Stefanie Gilchrist, Momentus Technologies, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
Olivia Gren, Blumenthal Arts, Charlotte, NC
John Gromos, Turner Construction Company, Dallas, TX
Gary Groves, Alamodome, San Antonio, TX
Lisa Hale, Rhino Staging, LLC, Henderson, NV
Camila Hammer, Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, CA
Wesley Harris, HWL Team LLC, Meridian, ID
Matt Hawes, AudienceView, Toronto, ON, Canada
Morgan Hixon, Trail Drive Management Corp./Dickies Arena, Fort Worth, TX
Katherine Hsu, Mashgin, Palo Alto, CA
Jenny Huffman, New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, New Orleans, LA
Francine Hughes, Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, CA
Tyler Johnson, Henderson Engineers, Lenexa, KS
Gustavo Katz, Broward Center for the Performing Arts, Fort Lauderdale, FL
Danny Knaub, Blumenthal Arts, Charlotte, NC
Natalie Kowalski, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO
Michael Kraft, At Your Service, LLC, Chicago, IL
Jiri Krasny, Auckland Live, Auckland, New Zealand
Cameron Lacson, Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, CA
Jenny Lloyd, Cadence Bank Arena, Tupelo, MS
Lindsay LoPicolo, Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, CA
Sahel Manochehry, AudienceView, Toronto, ON, Canada
Sindri Mar Hannesson, Tixly, Reykjavik, Iceland
Shane Marble, Floreano Convention Center, Rochester, NY
Bill McAteer, Everbridge, Vienna, VA
Ross McMillan, Exhibition Park in Canberra, Jamison, ACT, Australia
Debbie Mendenhall, Landers Center, Southaven, MS
Sam Miles, Momentus Technologies, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
Cameron Miller, Orlando Pride, Winter Garden, FL
Charlotte Minards-Black, Auckland Live, Auckland, New Zealand
Chris Molony, Popejoy Hall, Albuquerque, NM
Jason Montgomery, Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, CA
Roger Morse, Alamodome, San Antonio, TX
John Ngo, Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, CA
Josh Nicol, Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA
Brady O’Brien, Iowa Central Community College, Fort Dodge, IA
Jenna Oubre, CAJUNDOME & Convention Center, Lafayette, LA
Kevin Owen, Mt. San Antonio College, Walnut, CA
Evyn Parker, Popejoy Hall, Albuquerque, NM
Brad Parsell, Blumenthal Arts, Charlotte, NC
Joshua Peacock, Auckland Stadiums, Auckland, New Zealand
Liz Pesnel, Credit Union 1 Arena, Chicago, IL
Sarah Petschel-Middleton, Kardinia Park Stadium Trust, Geelong, VIC, Australia
Matt Rados, Grand River Center, Dubuque, IA
Jessica Rivera, Popejoy Hall, Albuquerque, NM
Natalie Rizzo, Rhino Staging, LLC, Henderson, NV
Mackenzie Roque, Chase Field, Phoenix, AZ
Chris Roulier, North Charleston Coliseum, North Charleston, SC
Codi Runyan, CAJUNDOME & Convention Center, Lafayette, LA
Raye Ryu, NZICC – New Zealand International Convention Centre, Auckland, New Zealand
Wilhelmina Santana, Visalia Fox Theatre, Visalia, CA
Rozanna Santos, Alamodome, San Antonio, TX
Jacinda Sayles, Palmerston North City Council, Palmerston North, New Zealand
Elle Schiano, L-Acoustics, Westlake Village, CA
Josephine Searles, Auckland Live, Auckland,
Bo Sorensen, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (Management) Limited, Hong Kong, China
Kimberley Spence, Momentus Technologies, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
Melissa Steedman, Palmy Venues, Palmerston North, New Zealand
Rick Stuart, Rhino Staging, LLC, Henderson, NV
Luke Terry, Boston University, Boston, MA
Greg Testa, First National Bank Arena, State University, AR
Noell Tran, AudienceView, Toronto, ON, Canada
Miranda Vasko, Dow Event Center, Saginaw, MI
Katrina Weber, SDSU Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center, Brookings, SD
Amanda West, Bay Venues, Mount Maunganui, New Zealand
Zoe Willis, Harvard Business School, Boston, MA
Steve Wojcikowski, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA
Kam Wan Wong, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (Management) Limited, Hong Kong, China
Molly Wright, TITAN Global Enterprises Inc, Atlanta, GA
Megan Yuchasz, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA
Celeste Zaragoza, Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA
Kai Zhao, NZICC – New Zealand International Convention Centre, Auckland, New Zealand

With a reputation built on strategic foresight and operational excellence, Corey Margolis has become a standout leader in the venue management space. Since earning his place on IAVM’s 30|UNDER|30 list in 2016, Corey has consistently demonstrated a results-driven approach that balances growth, guest experience, and team development.

As General Manager of Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, WA, Corey has overseen the venue’s performance through a period of consistent profitability and transformation. Excluding the pandemic years of 2020 and 2021, the arena has recorded operating profits annually under his leadership. He also helped increase event operating income by an impressive 198%, securing the venue’s long-term success. In 2020, he successfully negotiated an 11-year extension to the arena’s management agreement, reinforcing his reputation as a strategic thinker and consensus builder.

Recognition has followed: in 2019, Corey was named Spectra’s General Manager of the Year and was honored with the VenuesToday Generation Next award. His accomplishments, however, go beyond numbers. Corey is a devoted mentor and advocate for professional development, especially within the IAVM community. He earned his CVP in 2024 and has actively served on the Arenas Committee for seven years, in addition to one year on the Young Professionals Committee.

He has long been a champion of the 30|UNDER|30 program and encourages his staff to take part in IAVM’s wide range of educational and developmental opportunities. His investment in people is one of his leadership hallmarks. Corey’s most recent achievement is being promoted to District General Manager for Oak View Group.

Away from the arena, Corey leads a vibrant and full life. He is married and the proud father of two young children—a three-year-old daughter and a nearly one-year-old son. Family life keeps him grounded and offers a joyful counterbalance to his busy professional world.

Corey Margolis’s career reflects a unique blend of strategic rigor and heartfelt leadership. He continues to leave an indelible mark on the venues he manages, the people he mentors, and the industry he passionately serves.

Personal Quote:
“The most rewarding part of my journey has been seeing the growth and success of the people I’ve mentored. Leadership isn’t just about what you achieve—it’s about empowering others to achieve their potential.” — Corey Margolis