BSE Global and AEG Facilities have identified new leaders for Barclays Center and NYCB LIVE, home of the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. The internal promotions name Matthew Felker as the general manager of Barclays Center and Joe Zino as the general manager of NYCB LIVE. Both promotions take effect October 1.

The announcement comes on the heels of the upcoming departure of Regional General Manager Steve Rosebrook, who will be overseeing the transition for AEG Facilities.

“Steve and his AEG Facilities colleagues have done a tremendous job building world-class arena operations teams at both venues.

We thank Steve for his years of service and wish him all the best in his next chapter,” said Brett Yormark, CEO of BSE Global, which oversees both venues. “We’re excited about the future with Matt and Joe and congratulate them on their well-deserved promotions. They have been integral leaders in the operation of Barclays Center and NYCB LIVE.”

“We were very fortunate to have an experienced executive like Steve operating these two venues for us. His leadership has prepared Matt and Joe for assuming bigger roles,” said Senior Vice President of AEG Facilities, Richard Krezwick, who both general managers will report into.

Felker, who currently serves as general manager of NYCB LIVE, will lead operations for Barclays Center as general manager. Felker was a key member of the operations team that opened Barclays Center in 2012 and was promoted a number of times, eventually to the role of assistant general manager. In 2016, he transitioned to his current role on Long Island. Felker has accumulated more than 25 years of experience in sports and entertainment venues, including at XL Center in Hartford, CT, and Toyota Center in Houston.

In the transition from his current role as assistant general manager to general manager, Zino will become the head of operations for NYCB LIVE. Zino, a Long Island native, has been with the venue since 2008 when he was hired as an operations manager, and during its renovation served as a director of event services at Barclays Center. He played an integral role in the reopening of NYCB LIVE following its $180 million renovation.

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

Executive Chef Matthew Dewalt joins the Owensboro team from another Spectra Venue, Talen Energy Stadium in Chester, PA. A graduate of the Pennsylvania Institute of Culinary Arts in Pittsburgh, PA, he has over 18 years of experience, including country clubs, restaurants and the Ritz Carlton. “His menu planning skills, management style, and teaching abilities will be a great asset,” said Spectra Food and Beverage Director Mark Pruett. “We look forward to his ideas, creativeness, and cooking techniques to help elevate the Convention Center and Sportscenter to a higher level.”

Natalie Russell has been promoted to sales manager. A graduate of the University of Kentucky, she has been with Spectra since 2015. Most recently as the sales and marketing coordinator, she became the event producer for the two largest signature self-promoted expos the convention center produces – Kraftucky in November and the Your Perfect Day Wedding Show in January. Her new role will also include booking consumer and trade shows.

Mallori Betz joined the Spectra team as an event manager in July of 2017 and has been promoted to wedding sales coordinator. A graduate of IUPUI, Betz has five years of event experience, most of which has been driven by the wedding industry. She previously worked as a Day of Wedding Coordinator in Indianapolis, IN. “It is truly an honor to be part of a couple’s wedding day!” she said.

AEG Presents, the live music division of global entertainment company, AEG, announced the appointment of Simon Jones in the newly created position of Senior Vice President Live Music International.

The creation of the role further builds on AEG Presents’ global presence and follows the opening of their Paris office at the start of 2018. Jones will report directly to the CEOs of AEG Presents London, Steve Homer and Toby Leighton-Pope.

Jones will head up the international promoting operations for AEG Presents UK, expanding the companies’ international touring footprint, working closely with the AEG offices in the U.S., Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. With AEG Presents ever-growing network of partners across the world, he will promote a broad range of artists from intimate club gigs through to stadium shows.

Since entering the UK market more than a decade ago, AEG Presents has built a strong presence across concert touring, festivals, and venues. In 2017 alone, AEG promoted over 800 live events in the UK. Through festivals such as Barclaycard Presents British Summer Time Hyde Park and the newly created All Points East, AEG has brought a new level of world-class talent and outstanding customer experiences.

Jones currently has a series of major shows taking place this year and into 2019 including Shawn Mendes European tour, the Ed Sheeran South Africa Stadium tour, Asian tours for Khalid and Calum Scott, Rodriguez across Australia and New Zealand and UK tours for Anne-Marie, Jess Glynne, Tom Odell, and The Vamps.

Jones began his promoting career early. From the age of 20 he was running gigs across his native Kent and while he was a student at Greenwich University he answered an advertisement for interns to work at a brand new arena – The O2 – which was in the process of being built and was part of the small team that launched the venue. Since that time Jones has risen through the ranks as a promoter and senior executive, taking him to his current role.

“I’ve enjoyed building the international touring arm of our UK office in recent years,” Jones said. “It’s a major passion of mine and I’m excited to continue and expand on this even further, with some incredible shows and tours to announce soon. What we have achieved since AEG Presents launched in the UK has been phenomenal and I’m certain we can keep upping the ante both here and around the world. The artists that work with us are always at the core of our thinking when planning tours and shows and that is reflected in the caliber of artists and their teams that we work with.”

The University of Texas at Arlington Special Events Facilities announced that Keith Schobert has been promoted to Director of College Park Center beginning September 1, 2018. He succeeds Jeff Davis, CVE, CVP, CMP, who has been named Executive Director of UT2Arlington Special Events Facilities.

A highly accomplished facilities and event professional with more than 14 years of experience, Schobert has been instrumental in his performance of venue operations for a wide variety of events at College Park Center during the last seven years, along with his support, assistance, and encouragement of his team. He has been influential in planning, scheduling, and directing all event support and operational functions, establishing relationships with vendors, University and athletic personnel and staff members as well as coordinating bids, proposal, planning, and execution for capital improvement projects.

Schobert joined UT-Arlington in 2011 as assistant director of event services and operations during the opening of College Park Center, a $78 million, 7,000-seat multipurpose arena. In January 2013 he was named assistant director of facilities and operations of CPC. His background includes operations manager for SMG—INTRUST Bank Arena in Wichita, KS, director of facilities for Wichita State University, Wichita, KS, event coordinator at University of Mississippi, Oxford, MS, director of facilities and events at University of North Texas, Denton, TX. He also served as event security assistant and technical assistant for several facilities. He holds a bachelor’s degree in physical education from Tabor College and a master’s degree in sports administration from Wichita State University. In 2016 he graduated from IAVM’s Academy of Venue Safety and Security and Venue Management School in 2014.

“Keith has been an integral part of our team since the opening of the arena, covering nearly every aspect of venue operations in his time here,” Davis said. “He has demonstrated his leadership ability and is often the ‘go-to’ person for staff and clients. I am confident in his ability to lead all aspects of CPC operations in this new role.”

In his new position as director of the College Park Center, Schobert is responsible for day-to-day operations of the venue, including contract negotiations, tenant relations, event services, guest services, building operations, and renovation planning and oversight.

Speaking of College Park Center, nearly 5,000 kids were the first to see an amazing WNBA single-game scoring record. It was the Dallas Wings’ Kids Day at College Park Center on Tuesday, July 17 when Liz Cambage smashed the scoring record with 53 points during a Wings’ win over New York Liberty, 104-87. Her previous career high was 37, set earlier in July against Chicago.

“It was an exciting game day,” Davis said. “A big win with an amazing scoring record that enhances College Park Center as a DFW world class sports and active entertainment destination.” Cambage, a 6’8” center, was drafted No. 2 by the franchise as a 19-year-old, but only played for two separate seasons back in 2011 and 2013. She averaged 11.5 and 16.3 points, respectively, in those two seasons but took some time away from the WNBA to work on her game in China and her native Australia.

Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario, California, has five concession stands on the Main Concourse. A whole new look will greet guests this fall when placing an order for food and beverage.

“We wanted to add some fun, color, and new themes to the concession stands,” said Michael K. Krouse, President & CEO. “When we took over management of the arena in July of 2016 we committed to improving the food offerings. Now we have taken the next step, the remodel of 10-year-old concession stands. We want our guests to have the best entertainment experience and part of that is enjoying some great food. By investing in updates, thru capital improvements provided by the City of Ontario, Citizens Business Bank Arena guests will not only appreciate the efforts but take pride in their home for entertainment.

The food and beverage options have continued to change with new menu choices and quality products designed for the palates of our guests. Surveys are sent after each event to ticket holders. These surveys are reviewed by management and taken seriously. We make changes or adjustments where possible to improve the overall guest experience. The new, bright colors, and fun attitude of the concession stands will bring a visual improvement. New menu items are being developed for all locations, but some fan favorites will remain.”

The rendering in this article offers a sneak peek at the new look and feel of the concession stands located on the main concourse of Citizens Business Bank Arena. There may be some slight changes to the final design and many of the concessions have adjoining wall décor to enhance the overall look. Designed by Acrobat Ant, the transformation is scheduled for completion by the end of summer.