The Maverik Center, West Valley City, Utah, has announced the appointment of Jeff Davis, CVE, CVP, CMP, as its new General Manager. Among his responsibilities will be overseeing the major renovation of the 12,000-seat Maverik Center, which will play a key role in the 2034 Winter Olympics.
Davis replaces the late Kevin Bruder, who died unexpectedly in May at the age of 59. Davis will answer to the private management firm, Centennial Management Group.
Prior to this move, Davis was GM of the 7,000-seat College Park Center at the University of Texas, Arlington (UTA), a building he helped debut. It has been the home of the WNBA Dallas Wings since 2016.
Davis has over two decades of high-level experience in hospitality, sports, and entertainment venue management. Not only did he head the opening of College Park Center, where he has been employed since 2011, but he has also worked closely with major sports leagues, including work on the NFL’s Super Bowl in Dallas.
Davis has led the opening and operations of major public assembly venues, managed multi-million-dollar construction and renovation projects, built high-performing teams, and developed new revenue streams.
At UTA, Davis was General Manager and Executive Director of the College Park Center and Texas Hall, so he also managed the operations of a 2,600-seat performing arts center. He played a pivotal role in relocating the Dallas Wings to the Dallas-Fort Worth market, establishing College Park Center as the team’s home court.
Before that, he spent two stints at the Dallas Convention Center and a year at the Curtis Culwell Center in Garland, Texas. He began his career at Texas A&M University-Commerce.
Davis is an active leader in IAVM, having served on its board of directors, chaired the Strategic Leadership and Resources Committee and Certification Board, and acted as director for IAVM’s Region 6. He holds the prestigious Certified Venue Executive (CVE), Certified Venue Professional (CVP), and Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) designations—credentials that underscore his commitment to the advancement of the venue management profession. Coincidentally, he is the featured cover story in the upcoming Venue Professional September/October edition.
“We are thrilled to welcome Jeff to the Maverik Center,” said Erik Hudson, General Manager of the Utah Grizzlies, in the press release. “His depth of experience, industry leadership, and passion for creating exceptional live event experiences will be invaluable as we continue to grow the Maverik Center’s reputation as a premier entertainment destination in the Intermountain West.”
Davis will oversee all facets of the Maverik Center’s operations, including event booking, facility management, guest services, and strategic partnerships.
The native Texan and his wife Teresa, who is IAVM’s Certification Manager, and their two children have already relocated to Utah.
