The Int'l Association of Venue Managers has named facility management veteran BRAD MAYNE as its new President & CEO, effective July 19, in a move applauded by members of the industry trade group after the news was announced yesterday. Mayne, who previously served in the same capacity for MetLife Stadium ('12-16) and American Airlines Center ('98-'12), and who ran arenas in Anaheim, Salt Lake City and Cedar Rapids in a career dating to '81, signed a three-year deal to run the organization. The IAVM HQ is in Coppell, Texas, the same Dallas suburb where Mayne lives after he recently relocated after stepping down in April from his position at MetLife. The IAVM BOD had been searching for a new leader since VICKI HAWARDEN left the group in January after a four-year run as President & CEO. IAVM officials hired SearchWide, a national recruiting firm, to help find her successor. Mayne, an active member of IAVM who served on its board of regents and taught continuing education programs at the group’s Venue Management School, was a top contender for the job. SearchWide Senior VP MARK GNATOVIC, who is based in Dallas, finally convinced Mayne to take the job after multiple conversations that first occurred in February, Mayne said. Several colleagues also encouraged Mayne to accept the position. “The first time Mark called me, I said no, and the second time, I was lukewarm,” Mayne said. “He kept calling me. I wasn’t thinking of the association, but thanks to him dogging me, I changed my mind. I made the move to Dallas to be closer to family and I had other opportunities. But wanting to spend more time with my family, I thought ‘Why get back into the venue management side? It will be demanding.’ Then I started thinking, I don’t think I would be where I am now, managing venues in major markets, if it were not for IAVM. It helped shape me, and gave me the professional tools to run buildings and the mentors and peers that have helped me along the way. Maybe it was time for me to give back to the organization.”
POPULAR CHOICE: Mayne’s appointment got a big thumbs-up on social media. RANDY ZIEGLER, Exec VP of Owens Realty Services and an IAVM member as a vendor since '84, posted on Facebook, “The board finally got it right! I am finally thrilled that [Mayne] agreed to do it. Now we have someone who understands all phases of our business and has proven beyond any question his love and dedication to the organization.” IAVM membership has grown a bit over the past few years to 5,000-plus members, but VenueConnect, its annual conference and trade show, has struggled in recent years with dwindling numbers for both vendors and overall attendance. Mayne said one of his goals is to bring new life to the summer conference starting with some strategic sessions addressing its future during this year’s event, July 23-26 in Minneapolis. Mayne also plans to reach out to the five major leagues and individual teams to strengthen ties with IAVM. For whatever reason, the relationship has weakened over the years with fewer officials from leagues and teams attending IAVM events. Mayne wants to re-establish those bonds. “We can be a resource to the leagues,” he said. “We need to bridge that gap and that interaction back on board.”
