Dr. Lou Marciani is the Director and Co-Founder of the Innovation Institute for Fan Experience. The Innovation Institute’s purpose is to build a global alliance that leads the next great leap in fan experience, grounded in safety, security, and service. The Institute is united by passion and the incomparable skills of visionary thought leaders from the international community, who, along with our technical and subject matter experts, are innovating new ways to address critical safety and security challenges and improve the world’s sports and entertainment fan experience.

Dr. Marciani has led the development of the FANCENTRIC concept, which focuses on innovating an immersive, memory-making fan experience at each step of the fan journey. The Innovation Institute has created the FANCENTRIC International Conference & Expo, the FANCENTRIC TECH Expo, the COVID TECH Playbook and other podcast series, town halls, the Xperience Consortium, and other FANCENTRIC forums for the sports and entertainment industry.

Dr. Marciani co-chaired the national Return to Work, Play, and Spectate Task Force, comprising 98 thought leaders, experts, and advanced practitioners, to explore ways to help the sports and entertainment industry reopen during the COVID-19 pandemic.  He oversaw the publication of the Principles to Guide the Return to Work, Play, and Spectate. The IIFX Xperience Consortium has also published Enhancing the Fan Experience: Optimizing Operations with Technology Solutions for Sports & Entertainment Venues.

Before co-founding the Institute, Marciani served as the first director of the National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security (NCS4) at the University of Southern Mississippi since 2006.

Under Dr. Marciani’s dedicated leadership, NCS4 evolved into a highly respected national and international academic leader in the sports, entertainment, and school safety and security industry. His vision, passion, and keen insight have created a global center that serves academic research and scholarship, education, training, industry best practices, and innovative advancement in technology and professional development.

Dr. Marciani had the world stage in his sights when he expanded USM and NCS4’s global reach by establishing a formal relationship with INTERPOL and its Project STADIA program.

Before his academic role, Dr. Marciani had extensive experience in managing several intercollegiate athletic programs and serving the United States Olympic Committee. His sports management experience offered real insight into addressing issues posed by potential and actual threats and risks to security.

Dr. Marciani has dedicated his life to improving and evolving sports management education, safety, and security. His groundbreaking efforts reached across the globe and will help shape the future of the security industry.

Jeff drives operational effectiveness at Wicket, spanning product strategy and definition through go-to-market strategy and execution to customer deployment and success. Jeff brings more than 25 years of experience guiding marketing, product, and operational excellence for technology pioneers and industry leaders. His experience spans all stages of growth – from seed funding through initial public offering and acquisitions.

Jeff previously served as CMO at Formlabs, a 3D printing leader, where he helped scale the company to its double unicorn valuation by launching dozens of new products, expanding into new industries and applications, and growing and leading the global marketing organization across the US, Europe, and the Asia Pacific. to Formlabs, Jeff served in marketing and product leadership roles at market leaders such as Qlik, Endeca (acquired by Oracle), and Business Objects (acquired by SAP).

Jeff graduated from Tufts University with a degree in computer science and holds an MBA from the Questrom School of Business at Boston University.

Donald Paisant is Vice President of Security and Guest Services for the Texas Rangers Baseball Club.

Donald has been involved with IIFX since 2022 and has participated in several IIFX initiatives. He has been a member of NCS4 since 2011 and obtained his CSSP designation in 2014. He is currently a member of NCS4’s Professional Sports Committee, Co-Chair of The Technology Alliance Committee, and a member of the National Advisory Board.

Donald is very active in his current position, working closely with Major League Baseball, where he plans and executes the overall security plan for the 2024 All-Star Game, held in Arlington, TX. His previous experience in overseeing major security events includes Super Bowls, NBA All-Star games, NCAA Men’s and Women’s Final Four events, as well as indoor and outdoor concert venues, among many other high-profile events.

Donald’s career includes previous law enforcement command and investigations, as well as hospitality security and security consulting services. Donald earned a master’s degree in criminal justice from Loyola University of New Orleans.

Mario Coutinho was named to his current role in October 2005. He oversees event staff, medical, and security operations, including investigations, threat/risk assessments, BCP, and emergency response planning for Blue Jays home games, concerts, and special events. Mario is one of the club’s longest-tenured employees, having been full-time at the club since 1989 as Manager of Game Operations. In addition to his responsibilities at the Blue Jays, Mario has served on the planning committee for the annual Toronto Police Emergency Management Symposium since 2008; is a founding member of SAFE (South Area Facilities and Entertainment Group); participates in several key industry associations, including ASIS, NCS4 (National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security - Advisory Board member), BOMA Toronto - SRMAC (Security Risk Management Advisory Council), IIFX (Innovation Institute for Fan Experience - Distinguished Fellow), and SMA (Stadium Managers Association – Past President); and serves on the Education Committee, CSLA (Canadian Security Lifesaver Association - Board of Directors). Mario graduated from the University of Toronto with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1985, following his secondary education at Toronto’s De La Salle College.

Michael Bekolay, CEO and Founder of Venue Hospitality Solutions, is a respected and sought-after industry veteran with a unique skill set in hospitality, focusing on curating exceptional guest experiences. With 35 years of experience in the food and beverage industry, including 10 years with Legends Hospitality, Michael founded Venue Hospitality Solutions (VHS) to offer an alternative option for the many sports and entertainment venues seeking to enhance their hospitality programs. 

His approach to providing insightful, strategic, and actionable feedback to his clients is one of the many reasons why he is respected globally in the sports and entertainment industry. Michael’s unique hands-on approach is celebrated by his partners in the US and abroad.

Vice President/CSO, Corporate Security & Safety | Ilitch Holdings, Inc. Rick has demonstrated his passion for safety, security, and service with his 27 years in law enforcement, retiring as the Executive Commander.

Wayne County Sheriff’s Department, and as the former Police Chief, Detroit/Wayne County Metropolitan Airport. Rick has spent the last 23 years leading various components of Ilitch Holdings, including the Detroit Tigers (Comerica Park), Red Wings (Little Caesars Arena), Fox Theater, and Olympia Entertainment. Rick and his team are the leaders in the security industry and esteemed advocates of the Safety Act. His peers praise Rick for being the leading voice on the best

safety and security practices in the sports and entertainment industry, including the NBA, MLB, and NHL. 

several, including the Wayne County Organized Crime Task Force, the DEA Airport Task Force, and the  has been a guest instructor at the Northwestern University Traffic Institute and the School of Police Staff and Command, AAll-Star Game, the NFL Super Bowl All-Star Game, the NFL Super Bowl to enhance

Pete Dalton is a Chartered Security Professional with over 30 years of leadership experience in international law enforcement, protective security, and event safety planning for significant events. His career spans senior policing, counter-terrorism coordination, and strategic consultancy for some of the world’s most high-profile events, including the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, UEFA Champions League Final 2024, and KSA Diriyah Season 2024–25, where he led the Event Operations Centre.

As Director of PAD Command Consultancy Ltd, Pete specializes in integrating safety, security, and service across complex, high-threat, and high-profile environments. He delivers protective security architecture, incident command systems, and event safety frameworks aligned with international standards, technical authority guidance, and international ICS principles.

He is the developer of PADSecureAI™, a market-leading CPD-certified program and suite of GPT-based decision-support tools that operationalize AI for event management, incident response, and protective security. Built around Human-in-the-Loop workflows, PADSecureAI™ supports C3 decision-making, threat planning, and strategic assurance across stadiums, fan zones, festivals, and critical national infrastructure.

Pete served as a Senior Lecturer with INTERPOL Project Stadia, delivering capacity-building programs to senior commanders from over 65 countries. His approach emphasizes proportionate, intelligence-led risk management and the “People, Process, Technology” philosophy to create safer, more resilient public spaces.

Darren F. Johnson is currently in his 11th year as Senior Director of Safety & Security for the Detroit Lions / Ford Field. Darren retired from law enforcement after twenty-seven years of dedicated service with the Detroit Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Since joining the Lions organization in 2014, Darren has spearheaded the restructuring of the organization’s safety & security practices. The stadium’s physical, technological, dignitary protection and security upgrades include but are not limited to: creating the Ford Field Executive Protection Unit, deploying full CEIA OPENGATE/PMD2 walkthrough metal detection technology for all events, Avigilon CCTV technology, LowCam Technology (Vehicle Undercarriage Imaging System), Voti & RapiScan X-Ray technology, unscalable fencing, social media monitoring, remodeling/upgrading the stadium’s security Command Center, designing a new Integrated Operations Center (IOC) as required by NFL Best Practices for Stadium Security, the implementation of RAD Detection (biochemical-radiological) and creating the Ford Field First Responder Coalition (Detroit Police Department, Detroit Fire Department, Michigan State Police, FBI, DHS, Wayne County Sheriffs, Wayne State University Police, Bank of Chicago Federal Reserve Police, the 51st Civil Support Team and S.A.F.E. Management Security). 

Darren earned a B.S. in Criminal Justice Administration from Wayne State University (1989) and an M.S. in Criminal Justice Leadership & Intelligence from Madonna University (1995). Darren is also a member of the NFL & National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security (NCS4) Advisory Committees, Detroit Crime Commission’s Board of Commissioners, Diversified Members Credit Union Board of Directors, and a sworn Wayne County Sheriff Special Deputy.

Russ Simons is the Chief Listening Officer and Managing Partner of Venue Solutions Group. His work focuses on operational consulting for all types of public assembly facilities worldwide. He has contributed to nearly every aspect of the sports and entertainment facility industry, including facility management, security, safety, risk, guest experience, revenue generation, engineering, operations, and management.

Russ works on Security, Safety, and Risk issues worldwide, having led industry responses to SARS in 2003, Ebola in 2011, Zika in 2014, and the International Association of Venue Managers COVID-19 Working Group, which managed the industry's response to the crisis, including recovery, reopening, and alternative facility usage. He has also led working groups on Civil Disobedience, Protests, Demonstrations, and ADA-related issues.

Russ serves as Vice Chair of the CISA/DHS Public Assembly Facility Sub-Sector Council. He also serves on the Sector Coordinating Council. He is on the Board of Advisors of the National Center for Spectator Sport Safety & Security (NCS4). He is a distinguished Fellow at the International Institute for Fan Experience. He is on the editorial Board of Sports Facilities and the Law.

In 2017, Russ received the prestigious NCS4 “Distinguished Leadership in Security Award”. He is a recipient of the IAVM Joseph Anzivino Award for extraordinary service. Russ was on Venues Now’s inaugural All-Stars list and is honored in the IIFX Hall of Honor.

Russ is a former Pollstar “Facility Manager of the Year.”

A former rock promoter, venue manager, university Pro Vice Chancellor, and Professor, Chris Kemp, CEO of Mind over Matter Consultancy, is recognized worldwide as an expert on crowded spaces and the development of risk analysis processes for venues globally. He addressed the House of Commons Select Committee on Olympic Security for the London 2012 Olympic Games and advised the Royal Society of Medicine on the topic of crush injuries. Chris has worked on the London, Tokyo, and Rio Olympics, as well as on major events including the Pope’s visit to Romania, the European Football Championships, the Champions League Final, and the Commonwealth Games. He has provided consultancy services for crowded space management at six major London Stations, as well as supporting the delivery of music and sports globally. 

Chris is a well-published author who has written several books on music, education, and event management. His latest projects include work for AEG Europe on risk mitigation and Roskilde Festival on the development of a new integrated security and service hub. Co-op Live, Manchester, on the development of the venue and the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, where he has worked for many years, providing crowd dynamics information to improve crowd flow.

Andy is in his 18th season with the Buffalo Bills and 31st year in the NFL. His responsibilities include stadium operations, guest experience, event staffing, security, event services, food and beverage (F&B) operations, merchandise operations, parking and access, and training camp operations. In addition to overseeing the daily campus operations, Major implements the team’s fan experience initiatives in concert with the NFL’s Best Practices policies for security and fan conduct, and directs a collaborative effort with law enforcement, private security, local/county/state agencies, and event partners to manage the game production and improve fan behavior and the fan experience…resulting in an all-time team record low number of fan incidents in 2024.

Major began his career with the Pittsburgh Pirates and has worked for the Orange Bowl Committee, Miami (Florida) Marlins, and Miami Dolphins/Dolphin Stadium (Hard Rock Stadium). Major has a wealth of experience working on significant events, having handled hundreds of NFL football games, including three Super Bowls, multiple college football national championships and bowl games, numerous concerts & special events, and over 1,000 MLB baseball games, including two Marlins World Series Championships. He previously served as an assistant. AD for Slippery Rock University, where he was responsible for athletic facilities/event management, athletic fundraising, and marketing partnerships. During his tenure with SRU, the athletic department won its school’s first-ever Dixon Cup, awarded to the conference’s top athletic program.

Some of the more recent training programs Major has participated in are New York State Dept. of Homeland Security - Drone Emergency Response, Active Shooter, Skywarn Weather Forecasting/National Weather Service, Cybersecurity, responding to & Investigating Bomb Threats & Swatting Hoaxes, Disaster Preparedness, Emerging Trends in Stadium Security, and Covid-19 Safety. In 2023, Major and the Bills were presented with a Certificate of Achievement for maintaining a StormReady facility through the National Weather Service. Major is a 2022 graduate of the FBI Citizens Academy and, in 2022, was also honored as a Reserve Deputy Sheriff by the Erie County Sheriff’s Department. 

In January 2021, the Bills became the first NFL team to implement COVID-19 testing and negative test verification for all game-day staff and fans at their two home playoff games. In 2018, Major led a presentation at the NFL Security Meetings on the topic of Balancing Safety, Security, and the Fan Experience. Also, in 2018, Highmark Stadium was recognized by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security with a Safety Act Designation in recognition of the Buffalo Bills’ operations and security practices. In 2015, the Bills became the first NFL team to implement an official team policy prohibiting drones from stadium property. Additionally, in collaboration with the Orchard Park Police Department, the Bills were the first NFL team to help implement a local drone ordinance. Major is formerly an adjunct professor at the University of Miami, a graduate of the Leadership Buffalo Class of 2011, and received the Distinguished Service Award in 2015 by Visit Buffalo-Niagara. He is the former Chairperson of the NFL’s Facility Operations & Guest Services Committee, former Chairperson of the NFL’s Ticketing Committee, and former President of the Association of Luxury Suite Directors. He has held various roles in NFL football/stadium operations, including guest services, security/safety, and ticketing committees. Major is a member of the Stadium Managers Association, Vice President of the Stadium Managers Foundation, a member of the International Association of Venue Managers, and a board member for the Orchard Park Police Foundation.

Angie Nix is the Vice President of Guest Services at MetLife Stadium, where she leads Premium Services, Fan Experience, Team Member Experience, and Facility Cleaning Operations. With nearly 30 years in the event industry, she began her career in Denver, co-founded Event Security Management, and then moved into leadership roles with the Jacksonville Jaguars and San Francisco 49ers.

Nix serves as Past President of the Stadium Managers Association and recently chaired the NFL Guest Services and Facility Operations Committee. She is also a Distinguished Fellow at the Innovation Institute for Fan Experience and on the Professional Sport Advisory Council through the University of Southern Mississippi’s National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security.

Greg Overstreet is the Senior Director of Security for Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, bringing over 25 years of experience in public law enforcement, private security, and crowd management for sports and entertainment.

Before joining Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Greg spent 12 years as a Branch Manager for Contemporary Services Corporation (CSC) in Atlanta, overseeing event security and crowd management operations for major venues, including the Georgia Dome, Georgia Tech, Georgia State University, the University of Georgia, and Gas South Arena.

Greg’s extensive event portfolio includes 8 Super Bowls, 3 NCAA Men’s Final Fours, the MLS Cup and All-Star Games, the World Series, the 1996 Olympic Games, and the upcoming 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. He has also contributed his expertise at world-class venues such as the RCA Dome and Indiana Convention Center, Mile High Stadium, Coors Field, and Soldier Field. Internationally, Greg has consulted for high-profile events, including the Aruba Music Festival and Harley-Davidson’s 100th Anniversary Tour, forging strong relationships with law enforcement and crowd management leaders worldwide.

A highly sought-after speaker, Greg regularly presents on topics such as large-scale event security, active shooter preparedness, customer service excellence, and IAVM crowd management. His leadership focuses on building and training professional event security teams that deliver world-class service with signature Southern hospitality.

Greg holds the industry’s top certifications, including ASIS International’s Certified Professional (CPP) and Physical Security Professional (PSP) credentials, as well as the National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security (NCS4) Certified Sports Security Professional (CSSP) designation. He is also a Master Trainer for Techniques for Effective Alcohol Management, a graduate of The Disney Institute, and has completed numerous courses in National Incident Management and NFL Security.

Sam organizes and directs all Public Safety, Medical, and Security staffing operations for all events, including Arizona Cardinals NFL football games, Fiesta Bowl, international soccer matches, annual Monster Jam and Supercross events, and world-touring concert stadium shows. Member of the NFL Security Committee. Implements NFL Best Practices for State Farm Stadium Events. Leading the Safety Act renewal process and maintains Designation Award status. Regional Security support for ASM Global.

Don Jordan is a senior executive with deep experience leading operational transformation at the intersection of technology, mobility, and events. He currently serves as Senior Vice President of Transportation, Venues, and Consulting at Metropolis, where he helps shape the future of mobility services through data-driven strategies, advanced technology integrations, and service models designed for complex environments such as airports, stadiums, and municipalities.

With 17 years of experience in the industry, Don has led transportation and operational planning for high-profile events, including the Super Bowl and the Olympic Games, as well as over 160 venue and transportation clients across North America. His work spans rideshare logistics, traffic and pedestrian flow management, parking operations, signage and communication, and mobility strategy. He began his academic career at the United States Air Force Academy and holds a degree in Demographic Analysis from Millersville University of Pennsylvania. Don is an active member of the Stadium Managers Association, IPMI, IAVM, NACDA, and the Sports Business Journal, as well as the Soccer Operations Seminar.

LJ Nassivera is a transportation planner based in NYC. His work encompasses all aspects of transportation planning, with a focus on transit, stations, pedestrian safety, and travel demand management. After nearly 20 years working on and leading transportation projects for Arup, a multi-disciplinary engineering and consulting firm, LJ joined the New York Mets to combine his two favorite passions: transportation and baseball. He now serves as the Vice President of Transportation Strategies for the team, which brings his transportation planning and project management skills to a stadium in need of new and improved transportation options for fans and the local community.

Graeme is the Transit Planning Leader and Lead of Venue and Major Events Mobility Planning for Stantec Consulting. He has been focused on event-based mobility planning since 2008 and has over 35 years of experience in the transit industry. He has worked at two Olympic Games, created mobility operations plans for professional and collegiate venues, mega church events, tourist locations, and resorts, and led the process to achieve SAFETY Act Designation for mobility planning services. 

Multimodal Transportation planning for venues, parks, or significant events is a combination of human psychology, the science of movement, and the details underlying both transit planning and transportation engineering. By understanding the desire to move and the reasons behind different modes of transportation, a plan can be created to meet and encourage specific movements through operations and wayfinding. This type of logistics planning, by its nature, must respect the natural environment, urban form, pedestrian flows, and traffic to ensure a reliable system that meets the needs of fans and event attendees. The entire fan experience should not detract from the main reason for attending.

Hassan is Momentum’s Director in the United States. He believes that the journey should be as enjoyable as the destination and is passionate about improving the travel experience to airports, stadia, and mixed-use districts. His portfolio of work includes leading various mobility projects in the aviation, stadium, transit, and mixed-use development sectors. He has delivered transportation solutions for George Bush Intercontinental Airport, the Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group, the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup, the 105th CFL Grey Cup, the NHL 100 Classic, and the North American debut of La Machine, a world-renowned large-scale French production.

Tim has integrated sustainability and ESG efforts into some of the most iconic and recognizable sports teams, venues, events, and brands worldwide, including Mercedes-Benz Stadium, SoFi Stadium, and Hollywood Park, as well as the Super Bowl, College Football Playoff, and the NCAA Men's Final Four. For over ten years, he led sustainability and corporate social responsibility (CSR) for the 225-acre, five-venue Georgia World Congress Center Authority campus, including facilitating LEED certifications. As Vice President of Honeycomb Strategies, he leads teams focused on sustainability at event venues, with sports teams, and at destinations, as well as in marketing/communication, and data analytics. Tim is a past adjunct faculty member at Georgia State University and Arizona State University.

Mr. Hartnett currently serves as Vice President of Venue Security for Ilitch Sports and Entertainment. In this position, he is responsible for leading the daily security operations and event-based security for the Detroit Red Wings, the Detroit Tigers, Little Caesars Arena, Comerica Park, the Fox Theatre and three outdoor music amphitheaters. Mr. Hartnett is focused on creating a safe and secure environment across all venues in the Ilitch Sports and Entertainment family.

Prior to joining Ilitch Sports and Entertainment, Mr. Hartnett served as a Special Agent in the FBI for over 21 years. He retired as the Unit Chief of the FBI’s Crisis Management Unit. In this capacity, he planned and supervised the FBI’s response to critical incidents, major investigations, and terrorism events. In addition, SSA Hartnett managed the FBI Special Events program, developing security plans for major events such as the Super Bowl, Summer and Winter Olympics and Presidential Inaugurations.

Dan is an accomplished senior management professional with over 48 years of experience directing all aspects of multi-regional food service and merchandise operations, including maintaining key client relationships. His background also includes five years in facilities management, providing daily oversight of activities and ensuring contract compliance. He holds an MBA in Corporate Strategic Planning from Pace University, New York City, and an MS in Accounting from St Francis College. His areas of expertise include operations management, start-up operations, business development, budgeting preparation, and P&L/financial responsibility.

Over his long tenure in the Sports and Entertainment industry, Dan has held various senior level management positions at Canteen Corporation, Volume Services America, and Ledgestone Associates. He was a founding member of Legends Hospitality and retired from his position as President in March, 2024. He continues to provide Advisory Services to Legends Hospitality as well as other regional real estate development firms looking to develop spectator venues and provides research and development services to technology firms looking to develop RFID technologies.

Dan has also been a member of the Board of Directors for Hershey Resorts and Entertainment since 2019.

Joe Coomer serves as the vice president of security for AMB Sports and Entertainment (AMBSE) and oversees security for the Atlanta Falcons, Atlanta United, and Mercedes-Benz Stadium. He is responsible for the security and public safety elements of guests attending events at the stadium, day-to-day security operations, the strategic planning of mega-events hosted at the stadium, managing medical services, and overseeing law enforcement and implementation of the NFL Best Practices and the NFL Code of Fan Conduct.

Before joining AMB Sports & Entertainment as director of MBS security in 2015, Coomer was the director of security & services at the University of Phoenix Stadium from 2008 to 2015. He also served seven years as director of security for the Indiana Convention Center and RCA Dome/Lucas Oil Stadium. In 2013, 2015, 2018, and 2021. Coomer was recognized as a recipient of the National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security (NCS4) Facility of Merit award and was honored with the 2015 Industry Leader Under 40 award. The NCS4 merit award is given to the NFL or MLS Stadium with the highest level of fan security. In 2021, he was the Co-Incident Commander at Mercedes-Benz Stadium for the FEMA Community Vaccination Center at Mercedes-Benz Stadium that administered 300k shots to the Atlanta community in the spring of 2021. He has also accomplished spearheading the DHS Safety Act protection for both the University of Phoenix Stadium and Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Joe holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Safety and Emergency Management from Grand Canyon University, where he graduated summa cum laude in 2015. In 2017, he achieved Certified Sports Security Professional (CSSP) accreditation from the University of Southern Mississippi and NCS4, which demonstrates his expert knowledge of crowd management and security in the professional sports industry. Currently, he is serving on the NFL Stadium Security Committee, MLS Security Advisory Committee, and is active within the industry as a presenter to numerous conferences and tradeshows. Highlights include Congressional Sub-committee presentations and being sponsored by Interpol as a subject matter expert for stadium security for working groups in Doha, Qatar, as they prepare for the 2022 World Cup.

With over 29 years of hands-on experience in the event services industry, Thushan Rajapaksa serves as Vice President of Business Development for Allied Universal Event Services, leading strategy, guest experience, and client partnerships across the Western U.S. and beyond. Starting his career at 18, Thushan rose through every operational and leadership role—giving him a unique, ground-up understanding of what it takes to deliver at the highest level.

Today, he is regarded as one of the industry’s leading experts in large-scale event security & staffing deployments, venue operations, red team audits, risk mitigation, consulting, technology integration, and a tactical strategist. His leadership has helped secure, build, and deliver premier services for major stadiums, arenas, convention centers, festivals, and national events.

Highlights of his portfolio include crowd management for the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, NASCAR, UFC, WWE, NCAA, F1, major award shows, Coachella, Stagecoach, and thousands of concerts and conventions nationwide.

Thushan is recognized for his client-first approach, disciplined execution, and ability to establish trusted, long-term partnerships with both public agencies and private venue operators. He collaborates closely with venue executives, municipalities, and corporate leadership teams to ensure every engagement exceeds expectations—from strategy and staffing to safety and fan experience.

In addition to his leadership at AUES, Thushan remains actively engaged in the industry ecosystem, participating in key associations like IAVM, IAEE, NCS4, Pollstar Live, VenuesNow, NACDA/CEFMA, SMA, IIFX, and WFA—helping shape, influence, and elevate best practices across the venue and live event landscape.

Thushan stays hands-on with branch offices, client portfolios, and new business development. His passion lies in building tailored, scalable solutions that not only protect people and solve complex problems but also elevate experiences.

Errin Kava is the General Manager of Fiddlers Green Amphitheatre in Denver, Colorado, with over 25 years of experience in the entertainment industry. His career began while working as a security guard at a local music venue and has since evolved into overseeing one of Colorado’s premier venues. Alongside his role as GM, Errin has managed multiple high-profile venues and events, demonstrating an extensive understanding of venue security, operations, and guest experience.

With expertise in crisis management and operational safety, Errin is a trusted leader in security protocols, crowd management, and emergency preparedness. His approach focuses on maintaining safer and more efficient venues by improving guest flow, reducing wait times at security checkpoints, and enhancing concession experiences. Errin has received several accolades for creating secure environments while maximizing operational effectiveness.

His experience extends to festival and event management as well, having served as a Festival Director for five years and Security Director for two. With over 5,000 events under his belt, Errin brings a wealth of practical knowledge to any discussion on venue safety, crowd control, and staff coordination.

Errin is certified in Incident Command Training and is dedicated to ongoing professional development in operational safety, security regulations, and building strong relationships with the communities his venues serve.

He holds a BA in Music Business from the University of Colorado Denver and enjoys the outdoors with his family in his spare time.

Gary is a highly accomplished security expert with over 40 years of experience in investigative security, intelligence, crisis management, and event risk mitigation. He spent more than three decades with the FBI, where he played a pivotal role in significant investigations and crisis management operations. Transitioning to the sports industry, he served as NASCAR’s Director of Security, where he collaborated with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to develop the first-ever large-event evacuation guide.

Currently, he serves as CEO of TotaleAccess and Vice President of North America for InControl, where he leverages his expertise in security modeling and crowd management. He has planned and managed over 100 major political, sports, and entertainment events and contributed to key industry safety guidelines, including NCS4 Best Practice Guides. A decorated U.S. Army Ranger Vietnam veteran, he is a founding and advisory board member of NCS4.

With 29 years of experience at Ilitch Sports + Entertainment, I have built a career dedicated to delivering world-class guest experiences at some of Michigan's most iconic venues. I began as a Marketing Intern and quickly advanced through roles in the Season Ticket and Operations departments before transitioning into Guest Relations, a function that was in its early stages at the time.

I played a key role in developing and expanding the Guest Relations department at Joe Louis Arena. I was later promoted to Director of Guest Experience with the opening of Little Caesars Arena. In this capacity, I lead a diverse team including Guest Experience Supervisors, Ushers, Guest Relations Representatives, Concierge staff, and Restroom Attendants. Together, we ensure a seamless and exceptional experience for guests at Little Caesars Arena, Pine Knob Amphitheatre, Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre at Freedom Hill, and Meadow Brook Amphitheatre.

My focus is on operational excellence, team leadership, and creating memorable guest interactions that uphold the highest standards of service in the sports and entertainment industry.

Toyya Lassere is a seasoned sports and entertainment executive with over 30+ years of work experience.

In August 2022, Toyya joined AMB Sports and Entertainment (AMBSE) as the Senior Director of Guest & Team Member Experience for Mercedes-Benz Stadium. In this role, she oversees programs and Services that ensure fun, safe, and exceptional experiences for all visitors, guests, and event-day staff. With a passion for continuous innovation, she strives to inspire creativity and imaginative engagement for all.

Before relocating from Los Angeles to Atlanta, Toyya worked to open two of the newest NFL stadiums in the country. SoFi Stadium in Southern California and US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. At these groundbreaking venues, she provided leadership to successfully host large-scale events, including the Super Bowl, the NBA All-Star Game, the NCAA Men’s Final Four, WrestleMania, and numerous concerts and family shows.

Toyya is a graduate of the University of New Orleans, where she studied both Communications and Film Production. Before working in Venue Management, she worked at three top global entertainment conglomerates: The Walt Disney Company, 20th Century Fox, and Warner Bros. While working in both corporate entertainment and venue management, Toyya has gained a wide range of expertise in sports, customer experience, and hospitality.

Hendrik “Harry” Hynekamp is a seasoned executive with a passion for elevating team member, customer, and fan experiences across industries. He currently serves as Vice President of Global Human Resources at Wahoo Fitness headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, where he helps advance the company’s mission to build the better athlete in all of us.

Before joining Wahoo, Harry was Vice President of Guest Experiences at AMB Sports & Entertainment, where he led innovative strategies to enhance both team member engagement and event-day fan experiences for the Atlanta Falcons, Atlanta United FC, and major events at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Under his leadership, the Falcons consistently ranked among the top NFL teams for gameday staff in the league’s annual fan survey.

Harry previously spent 18 years with Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA), holding leadership roles across finance, project management, training and development, CASE (Connected, Autonomous, Shared & Electric), and customer experience. As General Manager of Training & Development, he launched MBUSA’s largest-ever customer experience initiative, Driven to LEAD. He later became MBUSA’s first General Manager of Customer Experience, leading a company-wide transformation that contributed to Mercedes-Benz being ranked the #1 luxury brand in J.D. Power’s Sales Satisfaction Index. His work is featured in Joseph Michelli’s best-selling book, Driven to Delight.

Originally from the Netherlands, Harry holds a bachelor’s degree from William Paterson University and an MBA from Montclair State University. He resides in Canton, Georgia with his wife Flo and their children.

JT Sherrer is currently the Regional Employee Experience Manager for Legends Global at AT&T Stadium. His experience has been shaped through working for incredible companies, including The Walt Disney Company, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, and the Chicago Cubs.  Employees are an organization's most valuable asset, making sure they are engaged and appreciated is the most efficient way to ensure success in a venue.

There are few events that take place in arenas, theatres, or other venues that Lee Zeidman has not been involved with during his career. As President of Crypto.com Arena, Peacock Theater, and L.A. LIVE, the sports, residential, and entertainment district, Lee oversees the venues' event operations, production, including guest services, booking, box office, event security, event staffing, guest relations, facility presentation, marketing, communications, hospitality, and food and beverage services. Along with his hard-working team of employees Lee also supervises Crypto.com Arena’s overall day-to-day support for its tenants, sponsors, clients, and partners including the Los Angeles Kings, Los Angeles Lakers, and Los Angeles Sparks franchises hosting seven NBA Finals, two Stanley Cup Finals and five WNBA Finals in which the home teams won seven NBA Championships, two Stanley Cup Championships and three WNBA Championships. 

In June 2018, Lee was awarded the “Outstanding Achievement Award” by the Stadium Business Awards in Manchester, England, which recognizes an individual who has shown exceptional commitment to service and leadership to the stadium industry over a sustained period of time. In October 2020, Lee was selected by the Association of Luxury Suite Directors (ALSD) to receive their prestigious ALSD Bill Dorsey Visionary Award, an annual venue industry award presented to a respected executive for his innovation, vision, character, and loyalty, and whose lifetime of leadership and achievement merits the sports and entertainment industry Association’s highest individual honor. 

In May 2022, Lee was recognized by the Innovation Institute for Fan Experience (IIFX) for his distinguished and meritorious service to the sports and entertainment industry and was inducted into the IIFX Hall of Fame’s inaugural class. In June 2022, Lee was presented with the Eli Sherman Pillar of Achievement Award and inducted into the Southern California Jewish Sports Hall of Fame at their 30th year induction ceremony in Los Angeles. Most recently, in June 2024, Lee received the Environmental Leadership Award from the Green Sports Alliance during the 14th annual Green Sports Alliance Summit. Before joining AEG and Crypto.com Arena, Lee served as the Vice President of Operations at the Great Western Forum, overseeing all areas of the facility’s management.  

During his 10-year tenure, he coordinated operations for all Los Angeles Kings and Los Angeles Lakers games, concerts, and special events.  Previously, he directed operations for the 6,000-seat special events center at the University of California, Santa Barbara. A native of Detroit, Michigan, and graduate of California State University Northridge, Lee currently resides in Venice, California. After 45 years in the industry, opening various venues and overseeing approximately 6,500 events, Lee will retire in October 2025.

Kasia Hanson is the Vice President of Strategic Partnerships @Alcatraz.  Kasia is a dynamic security leader with over two decades of experience in Silicon Valley, specializing in technology and security modernization across physical and cybersecurity, IoT, OT, and Artificial Intelligence. 

As CEO and Founder of KFactor Global Security Advisory, she advises organizations on security modernization, advanced technology, and business impact. During her tenure at Intel, she led global security ecosystems and partnerships, shaping technology solutions, partnerships, and go-to-market for the physical and cybersecurity market while advising customers on advanced security technology and strategies leveraging AI.

Her industry impact is recognized through multiple awards, including Top 40 Security Influencer by LifeSafety Alliance, Two-time Top 30 Influencer Security Journal Americas, and three-time SIA Women in Security Forum Power 100 honoree. Hanson actively advances industry standards and diversity through leadership roles in professional organizations, focusing on security convergence, risk management, and technological innovation that bridges physical and digital security domains across multiple industries. She is currently the President of the USA Global Council for Responsible AI, leading the GCRAI mission to ensure that ethics, transparency, accountability, and a steadfast commitment to human dignity drive the development, implementation, and use of artificial intelligence.

Dan Donovan is the founder and managing partner of Stratoscope, a security and event consulting firm specializing in large-scale events and venues. With over 30 years of experience, he has managed security operations for prestigious events such as 13 Super Bowls, seven Olympic Games, 10 of Salesforce’s Dreamforce conference, and F1 Las Vegas.

In November 2024, Donovan expanded Stratoscope’s offerings to address modern event management challenges, integrating advanced technologies and strategic expertise to enhance operations and guest experiences.

He also founded Ingressotek, a company specializing in innovative event security solutions that balance safety with guest convenience.

Donovan’s extensive experience includes roles such as Vice President of Sport & Entertainment at T&M as well as Guidepost Solutions, and Founder of The Inocon Group.

His leadership in the industry is marked by a commitment to proactive planning and rigorous preparation, ensuring seamless execution of complex events.

Lauren Langenstein is the CEO and Co-Founder of F.E.P.O. Services.   She is a seasoned professional with more than 17 years of experience in guest experience, event technology, and sponsorship sales across multiple industries. 

Lauren began her career in premium sales with the Charlotte Bobcats in 2007, where she developed a strong foundation in customer service and revenue generation. She then transitioned into sponsorship sales, leveraging her expertise in brand activation and partnership development to create impactful marketing opportunities for Fortune 500 companies. Throughout her career, she has been dedicated to enhancing live events through innovative technology, strategic partnerships, and a deep understanding of fan engagement. With over a decade of expertise in fan engagement, partnerships, and real-time data strategy, Lauren has shaped how venues, leagues, and organizations deliver world-class experiences. 

Lauren’s background includes leading global fan engagement and partnership initiatives, building and scaling feedback systems that capture the voice of the fan in real time, and guiding technology vendors to achieve product-market fit with go-to-market strategies that transform solutions from “nice-to-have” into must-have innovations.

Joshua Sierra is the Senior Manager of Sustainability for the Barclays Center live events venue. He also oversees sustainable initiatives for the BK Nets and NY Liberty. He comes from a background in event and large organization sustainability, having previously held positions at the University of Southern California and the LA Memorial Coliseum, where he supported green initiatives throughout the university, collegiate basketball and football, as well as for the NFL's LA Rams. He has his MS in Environmental Science and Technology from California State University, Fullerton.

Ryan leads Kantar Sports MONITOR, a syndicated service designed to help brands navigate the intersection of sports, culture, and consumer behavior. He also helps lead strategy and marketing for MONITOR products across North America,

A Kantar veteran of 17 years, Ryan has delivered keynote presentations at events like the IIFX Fan Journey Conference at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. He has also led consulting projects with iconic brands such as Under Armour, Adidas, Nike, Altria, NASCAR, WWE, and more. His expertise in fandom, culture, and consumption has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg Businessweek, Sports Business Journal, and other leading publications. With a focus on the evolving media landscape, generational research, and consumer psychology, Ryan helps brands adapt and thrive in a rapidly changing world.

Coverage areas include: Sports marketing, consumer trends, media trends, macro trends, brand marketing, generations

Joe Slomski is a food, beverage, and retail professional with more than 20 years of experience in the industry. He has held management positions at several prominent sports facilities including Comerica Park, Little Caesars Arena, Yankee Stadium, and Soldier Field.

He currently holds the position of General Manager for Delaware North Sportservice operations at Comerica Park. His responsibilities include overseeing the planning, implementation, and tracking of specific facility projects including defining deliverables, establishing budgets, and monitoring progress.

Before his current position, Joe was the Assistant General Manager for Delaware North at Little Caesars Arena. There, he directed all day-to-day aspects of the food and beverage operation, including purchasing, facility distribution, inventory control, menu development, and pricing, with a direct focus on profit and loss.

Joe graduated from Western Michigan University, Haworth College of Business, with a Bachelor of Business Administration, Human Resource Management.

Mark Sandzik is a hospitality professional with more than 15 years’ experience.

Mark currently holds the position of Assistant General Manager for Delaware North Sportservice operations at Comerica Park. His responsibilities include overseeing the operations of the food, beverage, and retail at all locations of the building. Mark is also responsible for budgeting, long term planning, and client relations for Delaware North at Comerica Park.

Prior to his current position, Mar was the Food and Beverage Director for Delaware North at Little Caesars Arena. There he directed all day-to-day aspects of the premium food and beverage operation including purchasing, supplier relations, inventory control, menu development, and pricing with a direct focus on profit and loss.

Mark graduated from Michigan State University, Eli Broad College of Business, with a Bachelor of Hospitality Business.

Michael is proud to serve as the Director of Guest Experience within Operations for the Columbus Crew of the Haslam Sports Group. Michael oversees all elements of the Guest Experience for events and daily operations at all Columbus Crew venues, hosting Soccer matches from youth to International competition, concerts, and music festivals. Michael has served all areas of Operations for the Columbus Crew, coupled with prior professional stops at The University of Oklahoma and Miami University in Event Management & Operations, to accompany service on CEFMA's Board of Directors and as an Adjunct instructor at the University of Oklahoma.

Michael has hosted events of all scales, including multiple NCAA National Championships, Conference Championships, US Soccer Men's & Women's National Team events, MLS All-Star Competitions, and MLS Championships. Michael has a passion for people and operations, ensuring that both internal and external stakeholders have a world-class experience.

Billy is currently the Director of Security Services and Investigation at the National Football League, specifically responsible for the West Region of the country. Working with extremely highly talented team, he supports with oversight of the Fan Conduct program by analyzing gameday metrics, trends, and best practices in addition to evaluating innovative technology and working on best practices for special events and stadium operations. Working closely across all departments, clubs, and stadiums, his goal is to deliver a safe and secure environment for all NFL events.

Spending 3.5 years with SMG as the Director of Event Services, Billy opened U.S. Bank Stadium, home to the Minnesota Vikings, and, in the process, planned, implemented, and executed processes and procedures. Earning the SAFETY Act award for the venue, he was specifically responsible for security, public safety, and emergency preparedness, medical services, transportation, guest experience, and event oversight.

He spent five seasons with the Washington Nationals, beginning as the Coordinator of Guest Services and rising to be the Director of Event Operations. He was specifically responsible for the day-to-day Guest Experience, Parking and Transportation, Housekeeping, and overall event set-up and break-down operations.

A native of Philadelphia, Pa, Billy graduated from the University of Maryland with a Bachelor’s degree in Communication and Master’s degree in Sports Management from Georgetown University. He is currently pursuing his Master of Business Administration (MBA) at the University of Maryland's Smith School of Business. Billy is an NCS4 Industry Leader Under 40 award winner for both MLB and the NFL and has achieved the Certified Sport Security Professional (CSSP) certification. He was awarded the 2018 30 under 30 award by the International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM), and he is also a 2017 20 under 40 winner by Security Systems News. His commitment to the profession is vast, as he serves as Vice Chair of the IAVM’s Academy of Venue Safety and Security, is a member of the NCS4 Professional Sport Facilities Advisory Committee, and is a Master Trainer for Team Coalition. His true passion is in the realm of professional development and leadership by taking continuing educational classes and sharing the knowledge with his colleagues and continuing to be a student in the industry.

Guy has 40 years of experience in the security field, including more than 30 years as Director of Security and Emergency Planning for Littleton Public Schools in Colorado. He retired in August 2020 and was named the 2020 Campus Safety Director of the Year for his pioneering work in school safety and emergency preparedness.

Guy has received numerous national awards, including the ASBO International Pinnacle Award, Security Leader of the Year, Most Influential People in Security, American Red Cross Century of Heroes, SIA Insightful Practitioner Award, and NCS4 Professional of the Year.

A sought-after speaker and media contributor, Guy specializes in integrating life safety technologies into K-12 environments, focusing on human roles and processes. He serves on advisory boards for PASS K-12, the National Sheriffs' Association, Security Magazine, IIFX, and the NCSSD.

Since transitioning from being a school security director, Guy has led projects involving duress systems, video analytics, and access control. He has assessed and contributed to the development of school safety technology, training, and certifications.  He also contributed to a nationwide school safety initiative addressing student vaping as part of a federal case involving over 2,000 secondary schools  vs. the vape industry. Guy now works for ASSA ABLOY as the K-12 National Security Program Manager.

David Allison is a seasoned security and operations executive with over 21 years of distinguished service in federal law enforcement, executive protection, and event security. From 1994 to 2015, he served in the United States Secret Service, rising to the rank of Assistant Special Agent in Charge (ASAIC).

During his tenure, David led protective operations for numerous world leaders, including Presidents, Prime Ministers, Kings, Queens, and two popes, during their official visits to the United States and the United Nations General Assembly. He played key roles in four Presidential Inaugurations, helped develop the security framework for the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City, and collaborated with security teams from the NFL and NBA during National Special Security Events (NSSEs). While assigned to the Vice-Presidential Protection Division (VPPD), he oversaw advance operations for major venues, airports, hotels, and private residences, ensuring seamless security for both public and off-the-record engagements.

Currently, David serves as the Director of Facilities and Event Operations, Safety, and Security for Athletics at the University of Texas at Austin. He also serves on the Advisory Committee for the National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security (NCS4) and is a Distinguished Fellow with the Innovation Institute for Fan Experience (IIFX).

In addition, he is the Founder and CEO of Be Ready Consulting LLC, based in Round Rock, Texas, providing strategic guidance and security expertise to organizations nationwide.

David is a veteran Army officer and served during combat operations in support of Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm.

John Morello is an experienced leader with extensive skills in multiple disciplines. John spent nearly 8 years building scalable technology solutions at Madison Square Garden. Focused on both the customer and employee journey he led the successful Venue Systems implementation at the MSG Sphere in Las Vegas including; incident management, computer aided facility management systems, facial recognition, business process modeling, digital playbook, financial systems, workforce management and point of sale systems. John has been able to help identify and drive improvements learned from both guest and employee insights, instilling a culture with greater focus on metrics and accountability.

John is a certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt and has led multiple global initiatives over the course of his career at GE Capital, MasterCard, and Cablevision where he served as the Vice President of Quality. At Cablevision, John’s mission was to “define good” leveraging best in class signal capture solutions to operationalize change and improve NPS. He also led the Closed Loop Feedback team that exceled in customer recovery efforts.

Along with his Six Sigma certification, John spent several years in public accounting with PWC and holds an MBA in Finance and Information Systems. In his spare time, John serves on the board of the NYS Amateur Hockey Association as the Director of Discipline and enjoys riding his motorcycle.

Abraham Madkour is Publisher & Executive Editor of Street & Smith’s Sports Business Journal.

Mr. Madkour is responsible for the overall business of the recognized leader in sports business news and events. He oversees the editorial direction, business strategy and the various conferences produced by SBJ, including the prestigious World Congress of Sports, the Forty Under 40 awards and the Sports Business Awards gala. Mr. Madkour is an oft-requested speaker and moderator on all issues related to sports business.

Mr. Madkour joined Sports Business Daily as a Staff Writer when the publication launched in August 1994. He was named Editor-in-Chief in September 1996 and became Executive Editor of Sports Business Journal and Sports Business Daily in 2003. He was named Publisher & Executive Editor and tabbed to oversee the entire business in 2019.

Prior to joining Sports Business Daily, Mr. Madkour worked for U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy of Vermont. He also had stints working for the Washington Bullets and the Baltimore Orioles in 1993 and 1994.

He lives in Charlotte, N.C., and is a graduate of the University of Vermont.

Kaela Waters is currently the Guest Experience and Tours Manager with Legends Global at U.S. Bank Stadium. Kaela has been in the Guest Experience department at U.S. Bank Stadium for seven years and in her current role overseeing a department of 500+ event day team members for the past six. In her current position Kaela oversees the Guest Experience department as well as the SKOL Service Committee which is a collaborative effort between all stadium partners to increase the overall Fan Experience at U.S. Bank Stadium. During the 2025 Minnesota Vikings season, the Vikings and U.S. Bank Stadium were ranked #1 overall in the Voice of the Fan.

Kaela began her career in sports and events working for the Milwaukee Brewers Baseball Club in 2014 and worked in a variety of different roles. In her time with the Milwaukee Brewers Kaela was a part of a team that overhauled the Guest Experience training program and rolled out to all part-time stadium employees cross departmentally.

Aaron Liepins is the Director of Security & Guest Services for U.S. Bank Stadium, a Legends Global managed facility in Minneapolis, MN.  He is also the Mid Central Regional Security Director responsible for 22 venues within the Legends Global portfolio. In his role at U.S. Bank Stadium, Aaron is responsible for oversight of all day to day and event related security, guest experience, and tours operations of the 66,000-seat home of the MN Vikings. The stadium hosts more than 200 events annually with a full-time staff of over 60 and part-time event staff of more than 3,000.  The Minnesota Sports Facility Authority chose SMG (now Legends Global) to manage U.S. Bank Stadium in 2015 under a long-term agreement. Aaron holds a B.A. in Emergency Management with a homeland security focus.

With more than 20 years in sports and entertainment hospitality, Jenifer Freeman has built a career spanning finance, operations, and large-scale venue leadership. Beginning as a bartender for the Tampa Bay Lightning, she then advanced through finance roles before moving into front-of-house leadership as a concessions and operations manager.

Since joining Aramark at U.S. Bank Stadium eight years ago, Jenifer Freeman has progressed from Assistant General Manager to District Manager, now overseeing food and beverage programs for U.S. Bank Stadium, University of Minnesota Athletics, University of Iowa Athletics, and Xtreme Arena.

Jason Bryan brings 20+ years of experience in the Physical Security industry with a passion for bringing new, innovative technology forward. After graduating from the School of Technology at Purdue University, Jason started his career as a Project Engineer as well as a Project Engineering Manager bringing highly secure and fully integrated solutions into the Corrections industry. As a Director of Sales for Alcatraz, Jason has extensive experience working with professional sports and higher ed organizations to help them elevate their physical security with touchless authentication that prevents tailgating and piggybacking. Prior to his work at Alcatraz, he served as Director of Sales for 3xLOGIC and PACOM North America. There he led a sales team with focus on VMS, Access Control, and Intrusion integration with both traditional on prem offerings as well as Cloud hosted solutions. Previously, Jason held a GM role with STANLEY Security with focus on strategic product launches in key markets including biometrics and Sonitrol audio and video alarm verification.  

Tom is an entrepreneur with more than 25 years of analytic and risk management experience as a co-founder and CEO of ClearForce, a cyber and employee risk management company based in Vienna, VA. Prior to ClearForce, Tom was the CEO of ALI Solutions (aka, Austin Logistics). During his tenure at ALI, Tom served as the CFO and headed the Marketing, Product and Business Development functions at ALI, where he established global distribution channels and co-invented several patented systems including priority queuing algorithms. Prior to ALI Solutions, Tom was a Vice President at JP Morgan Chase’s card risk management division where he developed and managed the credit risk policy for the card and unsecured credit portfolios. Tom also served as the Vice President of Analytics for Noble Systems Corporation. Tom co-founded and served as a board member of Advanced Call Center Technologies, a contact center service business started in 1997 and sold in 2003. As an entrepreneur, Tom has raised over $35M in seed and venture capital. He has consulted for many of the top U.S. banks, published numerous articles and presented topics at industry events and conferences related to risk management, insider threats and the application of analytic technology and policy. In 2018, he won the AFCEA Small Business Innovation Shark Tank competition. Tom has an MBA in Finance from New York University and a BS in Commerce from the University of Virginia.

With nearly three decades of experience and a portfolio of projects exceeding $7 billion in total value, Paula Portz has helped shape the venues where millions gather to witness unforgettable moments. From high-tech stadiums to legacy renovations, her work stands at the intersection of project management excellence, innovation, and a deep understanding of what makes a space come alive for fans.

Early Career and Foundation

Paula Portz’s career is built on a strong foundation in construction management and leadership. Before taking her role at Legends, she was President and co-owner of PC Sports, where she played a pivotal role in delivering major venue projects across the U.S. and Canada.  Her earlier career established her as a go-to expert in owner’s representation, overseeing everything from budgeting and scheduling to contractor coordination and stakeholder communication. This holistic view of project development positioned her perfectly for the next phase of her career.

Leadership at Legends Project Development

In 2017, Portz joined Legends, a global leader in premium experiences across sports, entertainment, and attractions. As Chief Operating Officer of Legends Project Development, she took charge of a team responsible for planning, designing, and delivering world-class venues. Her responsibilities include engaging with architects, general contractors, engineers, and stakeholders to ensure projects meet the high standards expected by clients like the NFL, NBA, MLB, and major universities.

Among the notable projects under her watch are SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, renovations to the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, and many other stadiums, arenas, and mixed-use developments. These aren’t just construction projects—they are cultural and economic landmarks that affect entire communities.

Breaking Barriers and Leading Change

Paula Portz is not only a leader in her field; she is a pioneer. In an industry where female leadership has been scarce, Portz has paved the way for more women to enter and succeed in construction and development roles. Her visibility and success provide a powerful example of what inclusive leadership looks like in practice.

Her certifications—including PMP (Project Management Professional) and LEED AP (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional)—underscore her commitment to both technical excellence and sustainable building practices. These qualifications reflect her forward-thinking approach, combining environmental responsibility with long-term operational efficiency.

Recognition and Legacy

In recognition of her contributions, Portz has been named one of the VenuesNow All-Stars, a prestigious industry honor that celebrates individuals making significant impacts in sports and live entertainment infrastructure, and an SBJ Game Changer, celebrating women in sports.  But perhaps her greatest legacy is the trust she has built with clients, colleagues, and communities. Her work doesn’t just produce buildings—it produces experiences, memories, and economic vitality.

A technology leader with 10+ years of experience in venues, sports entertainment, and theme parks, Morgan specializes in delivering innovative solutions that solve the industry's most pressing challenges. She is passionate about leveraging cutting-edge technology to enhance the fan experience, improve operational excellence, and build future-ready infrastructure.

Isabel Freedman is the product marketing manager for emerging technologies at Wasabi Technologies. Since joining the company in 2019, she has expanded from supporting Wasabi’s IT partners to leading Wasabi’s GTM strategy for its latest innovations in AI, sports technology, and beyond. In her role, Freedman helped bring Wasabi's AI-powered intelligent media storage, Wasabi AiR, to market and continues to champion how AI and cloud storage are transforming media workflows through industry partnerships and education.

Josh Carley is the Vice President, Technology for TD Garden and the Boston Bruins.  In this role, Josh ensures operational and broadcast technologies match guest experience, business growth, and service expectations while identifying and implementing emerging opportunities that showcase the crown jewels of the Delaware North Enterprise.  His singular focus is bringing another Stanley Cup to Boston.  

Jay Cooper is a veteran sports and entertainment executive with over 40 years of experience managing some of the world’s most successful indoor and outdoor venues. His leadership has guided more than 2,500 events across eight countries, shaping premier fan experiences and delivering measurable business growth. Jay currently serves as General Manager of T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri—a 19,246-seat landmark that has hosted over 15 million guests and driven more than $14 billion in regional economic impact. 

Previously, Jay was Senior Vice President and Managing Director of Global Solutions at AEG, leading major projects on four continents, including Allegiant Stadium, Fiserv Forum, and Movistar Arena. A recognized expert in venue operations, construction, and global strategy, he has also held senior roles at Nationwide Arena, Toyota Park, and Joe Louis Arena. Jay earned his B.B.A. from the University of Iowa and M.A. in Sports Administration from Wayne State University.

Cathy Lanier serves as the Chief Security Officer (CSO) for the National Football League. As the league’s CSO, Ms. Lanier supervises all operations and activities of the NFL Security Department. She oversees coordination with the league office and all 32 clubs, in addition to working with federal, state, and local law entities to ensure the security of the NFL’s venues, fans, players, staff and infrastructure. She acts as the primary supervisor of investigative programs, event security (including the Super Bowl) and international games, game integrity programs, cyber and information security and department administration.

Prior to serving in her current role as Senior Vice President and Chief of Security at the National Football League, Lanier held the position of Chief of Police with the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) from 2007 to 2016. Lanier rose through the ranks of the MPD to earn various commendable honors including becoming the first female police chief of the nation’s capital, the first commanding officer of Homeland Security and Counter-Terrorism for D.C. Police, one of a small number of female chiefs in the nation at the time, and the longest serving chief on the D.C. force. When serving as Chief of Police, Ms. Lanier’s innovative strategies were credited with reducing violent crime in Washington, D.C. by 21 percent from 2007 to 2015 while the city’s population grew by 15 percent. Ms. Lanier is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and the United States Drug Enforcement Administration’s Drug Unit Commanders Academy. She holds Bachelor's and Master’s Degrees in Management from Johns Hopkins University, and a Master's Degree in National Security Studies from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California.

Ron VanDeVeen, President and Chief Executive Officer of MetLife Stadium, brings more than two and a half decades of experience within the Meadowlands sports and entertainment complex to his leadership role. He began his career at the venue and steadily rose through the ranks, most recently serving as Senior Vice President of Events and Guest Experience before being appointed President & CEO in April 2016. 

Under his leadership, MetLife Stadium has hosted some of the world’s most prestigious events—including Super Bowl XLVIII, major international concerts, and the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026, for which the stadium will serve as one of the U.S. host venues and host the final. VanDeVeen is recognized for his strategic partnerships with global promoters and leagues, his focus on operational excellence, and his commitment to providing world-class fan experiences that keep MetLife Stadium among the highest-grossing and most awarded venues in the world.

Doug Thornton is President of North American Venues for Legends Global, overseeing the company’s portfolio of more than 250 stadiums, arenas, theaters, and attractions in North America. He leads venue operations, event programming, and strategic development, bringing unmatched expertise in managing public assembly facilities in markets of all sizes.

Doug is a veteran of the industry with more than 30 years of experience in stadium and arena development, management, and programming. He has built strong relationships with event organizers, live entertainment producers, and national governing bodies, helping Legends Global venues attract and host marquee events including Super Bowls and NCAA Final Four’s.

Doug has served as the head of new construction and development projects, providing expert consulting on design, facility improvements, FF&E services, cost efficiencies, and revenue enhancements, ensuring venues meet the highest standards of performance and guest experience.

Doug holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from McNeese State University and a bachelor’s degree in Petroleum Land Management from the University of Houston.

Eileen Williams, MBE, is a seasoned expert in event safety and security, currently serving as Head of Event Safety at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium since July 2023. Awarded an MBE in 2014 for her contributions to UK Trade in the events industry and community work in Cheshire, Eileen brings decades of strategic and operational expertise to her role.

Through her consultancy, Blue Integrity, she provided safety and security solutions for global events, including the FIFA World Cup 2010, London 2012, and Glasgow 2014. Eileen has trained police, military, and private contractors, working with clients such as Premier League football clubs, international cricket venues, and The Jockey Club.

A qualified Executive Business and Leadership Coach, Eileen combines technical proficiency with innovative leadership strategies, fostering excellence in safety management. Eileen is passionate about elevating standards across the industry and developing future talent through training and mentorship.

Lisa Furfine is a results-driven global sports business executive and entrepreneur with more than 17 years of experience leading revenue growth, strategic partnerships, and large-scale event production across the sports, travel, and hospitality industries. Recognized for her ability 

to transform business models into scalable growth strategies, she has consistently delivered multi-million-dollar results through innovative go-to-market planning, relationship-building, and client-focused solutions.

As Co-Founder and CEO of Linkroom, Lisa spearheaded the development and successful sale of a SaaS platform that merged 3-D virtual spaces with web conferencing, pioneering new frontiers in fan engagement, recruiting, NIL, and venue sales. She guided the company from beta launch through customer acquisition with The Ohio State University’s 1870 Society and the Innovative Institute for Fan Experience, while also orchestrating high-profile activations featuring Bruce Arians, Patrick McEnroe, and Ivan Lendl.

Previously, through Furfine Network, Lisa secured marquee partnerships for the Bermuda Tourism Authority with the PGA TOUR, US Open, and Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, delivering millions of impressions and driving sports tourism growth. She also created integrated marketing and broadcast campaigns for Carnival.

Corporation with NBC’s The New Celebrity Apprentice, generating over 3 billion media impressions and nearly $2M for charity. Her career foundation was built at Schneider Publishing, where she served as Associate Publisher of SportsTravel and Show Manager of the TEAMS Conference & Expo. Under her leadership, exhibitor participation grew by 36%, sponsorship sales rose by 51%, and the TEAMS Expo achieved six consecutive years as one of Tradeshow Week’s “Fastest 50” shows.

Lisa’s early career included athlete representation, brand integrations, and fundraising with the Alex Beale Group, where she negotiated endorsements, raised over $1M for the Head First Foundation, and delivered high-impact campaigns for clients including Anheuser-Busch, the San Diego Padres, and Walt Disney Pictures.

An accomplished board leader, Lisa has served on the Executive Committee of Sherwood Cares, supporting PGA TOUR, PGA TOUR Champions, and Legends Tennis charitable events, 

as well as on committees for Destination Marketing Association International (DI). She is frequently invited as a moderator and panelist at leading conferences, including the U.S. Travel Association’s ESTO, MPI’s WEC, and the IIFX Fancentric Conference.

Lisa earned her Master’s in Marketing and dual Bachelor’s degrees in Management and Media Communications from Webster University. She has been nominated for Sports Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 and is a six-time recipient of Tradeshow Week’s Fastest 50 Award for the 

TEAMS Expo.

With a career that blends entrepreneurial vision, data-driven strategy, and a passion for building authentic partnerships, Lisa continues to shape the future of sports, events, and experiential 

marketing.

Shawn Eid is the Senior Account Manager at U.S. Bank Stadium with BEST Crowd Management. Shawn has been working in event security since U.S. Bank Stadium opened its doors and quickly worked his way up from event staff member to his current leadership position. In his current position, Shawn manages the event security for 500+ events ranging from small corporate events to full stadium concerts and Minnesota Vikings games. Shawn builds and maintains relationships with his 800+ team members, connecting with each on personal level to increase each employee’s skill set and the overall growth of the company.

In his time with BEST Shawn has overseen event security for many significant events including numerous Super Bowls, NCAA Men’s Final Four, Formula 1 Las Vegas, and FIFA World Cup.

When he isn’t working, Shawn loves spending time with his family, watching Minnesota sport teams, collecting Nike sneakers, and eating anything spicy!

Alex Rodriguez is an entrepreneur and business executive who has raised millions of dollars for innovative technology companies. He is currently President & Chief Executive Officer of FreeFall 5G, Inc, an early-stage disruptive 5G antenna technology company.

Alex earned degrees from Harvard University, the University of Arizona and New Mexico Military Institute. Alex served as an Army Captain in war-torn Bosnia and was an International Policy Advisor and Presidential Management Fellow at the Pentagon. 

Alex served as Vice President of the Arizona Technology Council where he turned around and expanded Southern Arizona operations providing strategic value to hundreds of technology businesses and organizations including founding Optics Valley Arizona.  He was Facilitator of the Arizona Aerospace, Aviation and Defense CEO Network where he remains active.  

Alex held leadership roles in business and strategy for Fortune 500 companies. At Raytheon, Alex led a half-billion dollar spend portfolio in supply chain management.  He led the national team that won a new multi-million dollar cooperative contract at W. W. Grainger, Inc.  Alex served on the Board of a regional privately held company. Locally, Alex was elected to serve on the Governing Board of the Tucson Unified School District (TUSD) where he served as President.