Centerplate Confirms Several Cuts, Including VP Tolleson
By Don Muret, Staff Writer, SportsBusiness Journal
Centerplate has cut the positions of several company execs, including WAYNE TOLLESON, the former MLBer who has been the concessionaire's VP/Marketing since '91. The job cuts affected just under a dozen employees, confirmed Centerplate CEO DES HAGUE. Others losing their jobs include Northeast region VP DENNIS BARBATO, chefs ALFONSO CONTRISCIANI and BRETT LEWIS and Dir of Communications GAEL DOAR, Hague confirmed. Veteran sports concessions operator RANDY COLLINS, who worked for Centerplate at the Indianapolis Convention Center, was also laid off. From '88-'04, Collins managed the in-house food service at Charlotte Coliseum, former home of the NBA Hornets. The job cuts coincide with Centerplate's recent announcement of the new Center of Excellence initiative, part of streamlining its organizational structure and putting greater emphasis on implementing best practices at its 140 accounts, according to Hague. The firm is investing about $2.5M to develop new training programs at five of its primary venues, including AT&T Park in S.F. and Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, Hague said. "There is no need for a massive corporate structure," Hague said. "We have to put more resources in the field, rather than the head office. Those facilities within the Center of Excellence are going to be where we train and launch every single new program." Hague took the reins of Centerplate in February, a few weeks after private equity firm Kohlberg & Co. acquired the company for about $200M. Kohlberg specializes in buying firms and turning them around before selling them at a profit. The layoffs were to be expected, given Kohlberg's business model, said food consultant CHRIS BIGELOW.
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