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January 16, 2008 - Steve Hyman Named Executive Director of Alerus Center
For Immediate Release: January 16, 2008
Contact: Tammy Koolbeck 319-929-5755
Steve Hyman has been named Executive Director of the Alerus Center in Grand Forks, N.D., VenuWorks President/CEO Steve Peters announced. The Alerus Center is managed by VenuWorks.
Hyman was chosen from a field of 30 candidates. He assumes his duties at the Alerus Center on February 18.
Peters cited Hyman's experience as an arena manager as his chief attribute for the position. Hyman was Executive Director of The MARK of the Quad Cities (now the iwireless Center) in Moline, Ill., for 14 years and the Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates, Ill., for two years. He oversaw the design and construction of both buildings, each of which seats 12,000 people. At both buildings he also was responsible for developing budgets, fundraising and negotiating contracts.
"Steve has proven to be an exceptional executive director in the past and we look forward to his continued success with the City of Grand Forks and VenuWorks at the Alerus Center," Peters said. "We feel he brings a unique skills set that will allow the Alerus Center to maximize its potential."
Hyman's biggest challenge at the Alerus Center will be to generate a profit, something he consistently did at his other buildings. If the Alerus Center fails to break even, VenuWorks will make up the difference by subtracting that amount from its management fee, according to a November agreement Peters struck with Alerus Center commissioners.
"It is a challenge, but one that I eagerly await. This is a community and venue on the rise." Hyman said. "I want Alerus Center to become more involved with the community, further develop its economic development potential and become recognized as a leader in the entertainment industry."
Hyman served as Economic Development Coordinator for the city of Moline, Ill., for six years before moving to The MARK. He received an undergraduate degree from Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minn., and a master's degree from the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee.
"The Commission is pleased with VenuWorks' choice of Steve Hyman for the Executive Director position," said Randy Newman, Chairman of the Alerus Center Commission. "It was a national search process and we believe we found the best fit for the Alerus Center."
The Alerus Center opened on Feb. 10, 2001. It has a full arena seating capacity of 21,000 and a half-set of 11,000. It seats 13,500 for University of North Dakota football games and 9,500 for basketball games. It also has a theater set of 4,600. Its Grand Ballroom is 26,000 square feet and can be separated into five individual rooms. It also has 12 meeting rooms ranging in size from 620 to 1,330 square feet. There are 18 suites.
BACKGROUND
VenuWorks (formerly Compass Facility Management) is well known for its success in providing full management services for arenas, theaters, and convention centers, which are primarily under the governance of municipalities, counties, colleges, and universities. VenuWorks, headquartered in Ames, Iowa, is the third largest facilities management company in the United States, serving 26 facilities in 15 communities throughout the US. It also manages food and beverage operations and provides event booking and promotion services. VenuWorks also performs feasibility studies and consulting work for clients with existing and prospective public assembly facilities.
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