Buffalo-based Delaware North Cos. named JOHN WENTZELL president of its Sportservice concessionaire division, one of several
leadership changes announced Thursday. Wentzell, a veteran arena
manager, was most recently DNC Boston and DNC Int’l President. For the
past six years, Wentzell had been the TD Garden CEO, the arena owned by
DNC whose food operation is run by Sportservice. Sportservice President RICK ABRAMSON,
who has been in the role since Sept. ‘04, has been named DNC Parks
& Resorts President, as well as executive chairman of the company’s
Australia and Asia operations, a new role created by DNC. In that
position, Abramson will maintain a presence in sports internationally,
managing DNC food operations at three sports facilities in Australia,
including Melbourne Park, home of the Australian Open tennis tournament,
Etihad Stadium, a soccer and rugby facility in Melbourne, and the Sydney
Cricket Ground.
OVERSEAS GROWTH: Abramson sees a big opportunity to
expand DNC food business overseas in Australia, where he said there is a
need to improve sports concessions to satisfy a growing middle class.
He will also pursue opportunities in Asia, India and Singapore tied to
sports facility developments.
MORE MOVES: Current DNC Parks & Resorts President KEVIN KELLY
will move into the newly-created role of VP/Shared Services for Global
Operations, where he will oversee the firm’s GreenPath environmental
management program, among other services. Also, DNC VP/Administration JIM HOUSER
will take on a new leadership role as DNC Parks & Resorts COO,
reporting to Abramson. All DNC exec changes take effect Jan. 1.
