AEG President & CEO DAN BECKERMAN was promoted to his position two weeks ago after “years crunching numbers and securing financing for AEG's many properties,” according to Helene Elliott of the L.A. TIMES. His predecessor, TIM LEIWEKE, had “recruited Beckerman" away from his job as Clippers VP/Finance and "mentored Beckerman through the thicket of corporate life.” But while Leiweke was “highly visible,” Beckerman has a “quiet style that makes it likely he will stay in the background when he can.” Still, that “won't make Beckerman any less effective than Leiweke -- a softer voice but potentially no less persuasive as he hits stride in his new role.” Beckerman on Saturday in his first public comments since his promotion “declined to discuss the status of the company's pursuit of an NFL team.” However, he “reaffirmed AEG's commitment to the Kings and Galaxy, saying that fans who wonder how the changes will affect the teams they love should know ‘they're the teams I love.’” Beckerman “has gone from a behind-the-scenes supporting role to becoming a principal player on the local sports scene.” Beckerman said, "You say people don't know me. I've always been there." Elliott wrote Beckerman spoke “softly but firmly, which may come to define how he operates as a leader” (L.A. TIMES, 3/24).
