Delaware North Promotions See Abramson Named Exec Chair for Asia/Australian Operations

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.