Cleveland’s premier sports and entertainment venue has been renamed Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse as the venue continues its massive renovation and transformation. Quicken Loans is known for the way it reimagined the future of lending by introducing Rocket Mortgage, the first completely digital mortgage experience available to consumers. The company is the nation’s largest home mortgage lender and continues to operate a tech-driven office in the heart of downtown Cleveland.

The newly named Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse is one of the busiest arenas in the world and home to the NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers, AHL’s Cleveland Monsters, additional signature sporting events, concerts, and family entertainment shows. The Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse hosts over 200 events, attracting over two million visitors annually. In addition, the downtown Cleveland sports and entertainment facility has been named the host venue of the 2022 NBA All-Star game weekend, when the NBA will be celebrating its 75th anniversary, and will host the Women’s Final Four in 2024.

The Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse announcement was made by Cavaliers Chairman and Quicken Loans Founder and Chairman Dan Gilbert, Quicken Loans CEO Jay Farner, Cavaliers and Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse CEO Len Komoroski and Cavaliers General Manager Koby Altman. They were joined by Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson and Cuyahoga County Executive Armond Budish.

The new name was revealed in a high-energy video presentation in front of hundreds of guests and media prior to Fan Appreciation Night at the Cavaliers final home game for the 2018-19 season.

“Since 1994, Cleveland has shared countless unforgettable moments at this arena. From hosting world-class music acts to multiple NBA Finals games, the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse has been the epicenter of entertainment in Cleveland for decades,” Gilbert said. “Today marks the beginning of the next chapter in the evolution of this incredible facility, as not just one of the world’s premier sports and entertainment venues, but a hub of technology that is leading the charge in innovation, efficiency and fan experience.”

The arena will be completing a $185 million renovation that will increase the total square footage of the venue from 95,380 sq. ft. to 152, 970 sq. ft. A new glass façade featuring 1,475 glass pieces and atrium will add 42,530 sq. ft. of new public space to create a dramatic exterior presence. Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse will have eight new public destination hospitality spaces and feature the latest in cutting-edge technology that will re-define the fan experience.

“There are many synergies between the transformation of this beautiful venue and the nation’s largest residential home lender,” Farner said. “Cleveland has been a great home to us for many years, not only because of the arena naming, but also because our highly successful 600-team member downtown office. We are thrilled to see our Rocket Mortgage brand take center stage while we join the Cavaliers in this exciting new era of Cleveland sports and entertainment history.”

“Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse will bring a new identity to a building that has been completely transformed and will remain Cleveland’s sports and entertainment epicenter for decades to come,” said Komoroski.

The 25-year-old publicly-owned facility is a joint-venture between the City of Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, the Gateway Economic Development Corporation and the Cavaliers.

Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse signage will be prominently featured on the new glass facade that spans the entire north side of the building, reflecting the downtown Cleveland skyline. The new Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse branding will be installed over the coming months and includes exterior and interior signage, LED roof signage, the Cavs and Monsters playing surfaces, and other assets throughout the arena.

Spectra, the providers of venue management and food services and hospitality to the Owensboro (KY) Convention Center, announced two promotions and welcomes a new member to the Owensboro team.

Michelle Pessia has been promoted to Sous Chef. She graduated in 2011 from the Culinary Program at OCTC, and began working as the Kitchen Supervisor with Spectra in 2017. Michelle has assisted in many sizable events, such as the Owensboro Convention Center’s signature five course Cork and Cuisine dinners, corporate holiday parties, and over two dozen local weddings. Her skills as a saucier and pastry chef help add special touches to each dish prepared. “Michelle is a team player, and her experience and dedication have proven that she is the right fit for Sous Chef,” said Mark Pruett, Director of Food and Beverage.

A graduate of Western Kentucky University, Angie Hanley has been part of the Owensboro team since the building opened in 2014. She began working part-time in guest services and moved to full-time in 2015 when the position of event manager became available. While in that role she worked with couples planning their wedding ceremonies and receptions at the Owensboro Convention Center. Angie is now the wedding sales coordinator and is excited to assist future guests in planning their perfect day.

With Angie’s transition to wedding sales coordinator, Katy Holland joined the Owensboro team in March as an event manager. A graduate from Kentucky Wesleyan College, Katy has lived in Owensboro her entire life and has served as an intern in the events department at the Louisville Country Club for two summers and has worked with two professional sports teams.

Private management industry pioneer Denzil Skinner, 91, of Williamsburg, VA, passed away on April 4 after a battle with cancer.

He was the son of Coy and Iola Skinner of Normantown, West Virginia. His early education was in a one room schoolhouse in depression riddled West Virginia. He graduated high school at the age of 16 and soon thereafter joined the US Army. After military service in the Pacific and supporting occupation forces in Japan, he married Maxine Wilmoth, the love of his life for 71 plus years. To this union, two children, David Olen Skinner of Houston, TX, and Lois Faye Skinner Noah (deceased in 2002), were born, plus seven grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.

Denzil returned to West Virginia and taught school in the one room schoolhouse. After graduation from Glenville State College (where he was later honored as an alumnus of the year), he was a school principal before joining the Boy Scouts of America as a Field Director. He was later honored as a recipient of Scouting’s Silver Beaver Award which is BSA’s highest award for volunteer work.

In 1960 he entered the sports arena/convention center management field and served as the general manager of venues in Charleston, West Virginia; Norfolk, Virginia and Indianapolis, Indiana. In 1977 he joined with A. N. Pritzker of Chicago to negotiate a management agreement with the State of Louisiana for the complete control of the Louisiana Superdome. Skinner and Pritzker later formed Facility Management Group (FMG) which was the first, and became the world’s largest, management firm of public assembly facilities. Skinner served as President and CEO as the company expanded to venues in New York, Maryland, Florida, Missouri, Colorado, California, and numerous international consulting arrangements. While using Superdome influence and financing, he helped established TicketMaster, whose success, along with the Superdome, has become legendary. Today, the beneficial successor of FMG enjoys much continued international success. He retired with founders shares in 1988.

“Denzil was one of the leaders of our industry in his day,” said John Robertson, CVE, executive director, Charleston (WV) Coliseum & Convention Center. “When I came into the industry in 1978, Denzil was recognized as a leader in the industry. He was recognized as an innovator. He served as a mentor for a good many persons that later came to be managers and executives in our industry.”

“Denzil was a legend and working with him was legendary as well,” added Chris Bigelow, FCSI, CFSP, The Bigelow Companies, Inc.

Skinner was featured in Time Magazine as one of the most innovative and successful managers in the public assembly management industry. He retired to his farm in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia where Denzil continued as a consultant to design architects, engineers, and owners of coliseums, convention centers, and stadiums throughout the world. Skinner served many terms on the Board of Directors of the IAVM.

In addition to his love of golf, nothing gave him more pleasure than his family, and he delighted in their success. He was most proud of the fact that so many of his former associates became managers of major sports, entertainment, and convention venues throughout the world.

Denzil and Maxine were life-long Baptists with membership in the First Baptist Church of Indianapolis. In Williamsburg they attended Walnut Hills Baptist Church.

Denzil was preceded in death by his daughter, Faye, a brother, Ken Skinner, of Nashville, TN, and a son-in-law, Mike Noah of Ocean City, MD. In addition to Maxine, he is survived by his son David, a sister, Wave Meeks, of LeGrange, OH, his grand children and great-grandchildren.

Kim Stone’s talents are obvious, and the Golden State Warriors and their new upcoming home Chase Center recognized that as the venue management professional and Executive Vice President of Business Development for the Miami Heat and American Airlines Arena was named General Manager of the new facility in the Bay Area.

Stone, whose profile story was shared in the March/April Facility Manager, brings her wealth of experience to the position in which she has direct oversight for all operations at the venue.

“Kim’s experience crosses most every aspect of the sports and entertainment industry,” said Warriors President and Chief Operating Officer Rick Welts in a release. “Chase Center will be a global destination and Kim’s vision and experience in guiding a world-class venue will add to the fan experience we aspire to deliver every day.”

Before being named EVP of Business Development last October, Stone served for 12 years as General Manager in Miami and led an arena that played host to four consecutive NBA Finals and was a top producer for concerts.

“I view this as an opportunity of a lifetime to join an extremely talented group of individuals who are creating this incredible state-of-the art venue in San Francisco,” Stone said in a statement. “Chase Center will not only serve as home of the NBA Champion Warriors, but also the biggest acts in entertainment as we aim to make this arena an international destination. Thanks to the vision of Joe Lacob, Peter Guber and Rick Welts, we hope to reimagine the event experience and create unparalleled excitement for the Bay Area and, really, the world.”

This will mark her first move to the West Coast. Stone has called Miami home for most of her professional career, save for two years when she served as Sports Publicity Director for the University of Texas women’s athletics department from 1992-94.

Stone’s accolades are varied and numerous. In 2013, Venues Today named her to their “Women of Influence” list and the Sports Business Journal has recognized her talents twice: as a “2016 Game Changer” and in June 2017 as a “Power Player In Venue Management.” In the summer of 2009, the South Florida Business Journal honored Stone as part of its inaugural class of “Influential Business Women.” And in 2014, Stone’s alma mater, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Journalism and Mass Communications, inducted her into their Hall of Fame.

The NBA Cleveland Cavaliers have named Cleveland-native Kevin Clayton as Vice President of Diversity, Inclusion and Engagement, a newly created position for all organizational properties including the NBA Cavaliers, AHL Cleveland Monsters, G-League Canton Charge, AFL Cleveland Gladiators, NBA 2KL Cavs Legion, and Quicken Loans Arena.

In his new role Clayton will lead the strategy, program planning, and execution for diversity and inclusion initiatives to strengthen and expand the organization’s efforts to maintain a robust, welcoming, and inclusive workplace culture. He will also work closely with the organization’s senior leadership group and serve as a mentor, promoting additional educational programs and perspectives on the importance and value of diversity and inclusion throughout the organization. In addition to facilitating a deeper engagement internally, Clayton will also work to further enrich the organization’s community relationships externally.

The Cavaliers have a long-standing respect and appreciation for diversity and inclusion. The team is proud to have one of the highest minority full staff percentages across all major league sports, as well as ranking in the NBA’s top five franchises for women and women of color at the Vice President level and above. Additional efforts were recognized in 2018 when the team was awarded the “Best-in-Class Award” for Senior Management Diversity by the Greater Cleveland Partnership (GCP).

Clayton comes to the Cavs from Bon Secours Mercy Health in Cincinnati, where he served as the Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer. Prior to that, Clayton was the Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer for the United States Tennis Association. He also served as the Corporate Vice President of Global Diversity at Russell Corporation and as the National Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion with the American Cancer Society.

Clayton earned his Bachelor of Arts in business administration and psychology from Wilmington College (Ohio). He has four daughters, a granddaughter and a grandson.

Corey James will also step into a new role as Senior Manager of Community Engagement and Foundation Development. He begins his 12th year with the Cavaliers organization in this new position after spending the last five seasons as the Senior Manager of Partnership Marketing. James originally joined the Cleveland Cavaliers as a Ticket Sales Account Executive in June 2007.

James’ heavy involvement and leadership with the Cavaliers annual Black Heritage Celebration and the Marcus Graham Project, an organization whose mission is to create opportunities for diverse individuals in the fields of media, marketing and advertising, has helped inspire and lead him into this new role, where he will continue to use his passion for engaging underrepresented groups.

James is a graduate of The Ohio State University. He currently serves on the board of ­the Ohio State Alumni Association and Associate Board of the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission. He is also active with Black Sports Professionals (BSP), The Real Black Friday and is a member of Kaleidoscope Magazine’s 40/40 Club.

“The Cavaliers understand that strong and focused diversity and inclusion efforts are critical for success and we are going to take our existing internal and external engagement to an even more dynamic level,” said Cavaliers and Quicken Loans Arena CEO Len Komoroski. “We welcome Kevin and Corey into their new roles as we continue to increase our business-wide support and programming with respect to this very important and impactful area of our organizational culture.”