Rich DeVos,
Chairman
Rich DeVos |
Rich DeVos enters his 17th season as chairman of the ownership group of the Orlando Magic. The 81-year-old DeVos is a co-founder of Amway Corp., today a member of the Alticor Inc. family of companies.
Born March 4, 1926, in Grand Rapids, Mich., he is one of the greatest business success stories of all time. DeVos and former high school classmate, Jay Van Andel, embarked on a partnership that resulted in several business endeavors between 1945 and 1958. In 1959, they founded Amway.
In October 2000, Amway became a subsidiary under a new parent company called Alticor, along with two sister companies: Quixtar Inc., a web-based business in North America, and Access Business Group LLC, a business service provider. Alticor reported 2006 worldwide sales of $6.3 billion, assisted by more than 3 million individual business owners operating in 80 countries and territories.
DeVos has been the recipient of numerous achievement awards, as well as 12 honorary doctorate degrees. He has written three books: BELIEVE!, Compassionate Capitalism, and most recently Hope From My Heart: Ten Lessons for Life.
Because of their dedication to supporting those organizations in which they believe, DeVos and his wife, Helen, created the Richard and Helen DeVos Foundation. The DeVoses are dedicated to the entrepreneurial spirit and helping people live better lives.
Rich and Helen reside in southern Florida and have four children—Dick and his wife, Betsy; Dan and his wife, Pam; Cheri and her husband, Bob Vander Weide; and Doug and his wife, Maria. They have 16 grandchildren.
Bob Vander Weide,
President/Chief Executive Officer
Bob Vander Weide |
Bob Vander Weide is president of the Orlando Magic, a position he has held since January of 1994. He also serves as chief executive officer of RDV Sports, named for Rich DeVos and the general partner of the Magic. Other RDV Sports entities include the RDV Sportsplex and Magic Carpet Aviation.
The 49-year-old Grand Rapids, Mich., native began his career with the Magic in 1992 as vice president of basketball operations. His current responsibilities include player planning and procurement, long-term strategic planning, and new business initiatives. Vander Weide is also very involved in all league issues and is a member of the NBA Board of Governors and the NBA Planning Committee. He has also been appointed to the Florida Olympics and Pan American Games Task Force.
Vander Weide also was instrumental in bringing professional hockey and professional women’s basketball to Orlando. From 1995-2001, the Orlando Solar Bears of the International Hockey League captured one division title (Central Division, 1995-96), three Eastern Conference crowns (1996, 1999, 2001) and the IHL’s Turner Cup championship in 2000-01. In April of 1998, Orlando was granted a WNBA franchise. The Miracle finished its inaugural season in 1999.
Additionally, Vander Weide has guided the organization, in partnership with Florida Hospital, to create the RDV Sportsplex, a state-of-the-art health and wellness facility, which includes a world-class health club, medical offices, restaurant, retail shops, and practice and training facilities for the Magic. The RDV Sportsplex opened in February of 1998, and has become the business and social hub for all RDV Sports activities.
With the goal of a future NBA Championship for the city of Orlando, Vander Weide works closely with the leadership in basketball operations to ensure that team and player objectives are consistently met. He places a premium on the club’s commitment to integrity, service, quality and consumer value, while also emphasizing the partnership among the community, fans, coaching staff, players, front office staff, and ownership family.
Besides handling his current duties with RDV Sports, he also maintains several business responsibilities in his hometown of Grand Rapids. Vander Weide serves as chairman of the RDV Corporation Investment Committee and is a member of the Board of Directors of RDV Corporation. Vander Weide stays involved in a variety of Orlando civic and community organizations and is chairman of the Orlando Magic Youth Foundation, a fund of the McCormick Tribune Foundation. He was named Orlando Magazine’s “Orlandoan of the Year” in 1997, chaired the 2000 Heart of Florida United Way Campaign in Central Florida, and was co-president of the American Cancer Society’s 2002 Cattle Barons’ Ball.
Bob and his wife, Cheri, reside in Grand Rapids, Mich., with their five children.
Pat Williams, Senior Vice
President
Pat Williams |
Pat Williams has more than 45 years of professional sports experience to his credit. The 67-year-old protégé of the late Bill Veeck is probably most known for his promotional and marketing wizardry.
That same type of creativity and ingenuity has turned a Central Florida pro sports dream into the reality of Orlando Magic basketball, reaching into the homes of NBA fans throughout the country.
Williams was promoted to his current post from the general manager position in April of 1996. As the senior vice president, Williams serves in strategic planning activities relating to RDV Sports, named for Rich DeVos and the parent company of the Magic. He also spearheads research of future RDV Sports properties. Additionally, he serves as the promotional leader and strategic marketer for memberships at the $50 million state-of-the-art RDV Sportsplex. He is involved in training and mentoring of RDV Sports employees, while making public appearances on behalf of RDV Sports and the Orlando Magic.
Williams is also considered one of the country’s top motivational and inspirational public speakers. His wife, Ruth, teaches time management seminars for the FranklinCovey Company.
Prior to joining the Central Florida pro basketball effort in June of 1986, Williams spent 12 seasons as general manager of the Philadelphia 76ers. During that time, he took a Sixers team that posted a 34-48 record in 1974-75 to a World Championship in 1983. Through several personnel moves during that time, Williams played a major factor in bringing the NBA title to Philadelphia.
Williams joined the Sixers in 1968 as the club's business manager. The next season, at the tender age of 29 he became the general manager of the Chicago Bulls, and remained in that post until 1973. While in Chicago, he raised average game attendance figures at Chicago Stadium from 3,700 to more than 10,000 per game.
In 1973, he left the Bulls organization to become general manager of the Atlanta Hawks, where he served one season before returning to take over the reins in Philadelphia.
Though Williams has spent well over four decades in the NBA, his first love is baseball, the sport that earned him a scholarship to Wake Forest University. While at Wake Forest, Williams earned a bachelor's degree in physical education. He was a three-year letterman as a catcher on the Demon Deacons baseball team and is a member of the Wake Forest Sports Hall of Fame. He later went on to earn a master’s of science degree in physical education from Indiana University in 1964.
Williams’ baseball career began when he signed with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1962 and spent two seasons catching for the Miami Marlins, a Class A club in the Florida State League. He quickly moved from the playing field to the front office, when he was appointed business manager of Miami in 1964. He took the general manager job with the Spartanburg (S.C.) Phillies in 1965 and was later elevated to the position of president of the organization in 1967.
In 1967, he was chosen the Minor League Executive of the Year by The Sporting News. Williams remains active in baseball as a catcher in Dream Week games in Florida during the winter. He was also the president of Orlando's Double-A Southern League team from 1990-1993. Pat’s son, Bobby, is the Washington Nationals’ Farm Director and his son, Thomas, is the senior accountant for the Boston Red Sox.
Pat was born in Philadelphia on May 3, 1940, and was raised in nearby Wilmington, Del., where he attended Tower Hill School. He was voted into the Delaware Sports Hall of Fame in 2001.
Pat and Ruth are the parents of 19 children, 14 of whom are adopted from four foreign countries. The Williams family roster reads as follows: Stephanie (35), Jim (33), Bobby (30), David (30), Peter (29), Brian (28), Karyn (28), Thomas (27), Stephen (27), Sarah (27), Daniella (26), Andrea (26), Richie (26), Sammy (25), Caroline (24), Michael (23), Gabriella (23), Katarina (22) and Alan (21). Four of the children are from Korea, four from the Philippines, two from Romania, and four from Brazil. Pat and Ruth also have four grandchildren, Laila, Brianna, Ava and Austin.
Pat has written 47 books, including his version of the birth of the Orlando Magic, entitled Making Magic. His two most recent books are Tales from the 76ers Lockerroom and How to Be Like Women Athletes of Impact. An avid runner, Williams completed the 100th Boston Marathon in April of 1996 and completed the race the following 10 years. He has completed 42 marathons in the last 11 years.
Jim Fritz,
Chief Financial Officer
Jim Fritz |
Jim Fritz, who has 20 years experience in financial management, including the last 13 years with the Magic, was promoted to Chief Financial Officer in May, 2006.
Fritz oversees the team’s finance, legal, business strategy, insurance, human resources, administration, information technology, and aviation functions. His business strategy duties include business planning and analysis and player salary cap and luxury tax projections. He has previously served as the Magic's controller, director and vice president of finance and the executive vice president of business operations during the previous 11 years.
Prior to joining the Magic, Fritz worked for five years in the audit practice at PricewaterhouseCoopers and for two years at Hotel Management Associates where he served as Corporate Controller. Fritz received his master’s and undergraduate degrees in accounting from Florida State University and he is a Certified Public Accountant. Fritz has served as the Treasurer of the Board of Trustees at United Arts for five years.
A native of Central Florida, Fritz resides in Orlando, Fla., with his wife, Donna, their son, Zachary (8) and their daughter, Nicole (6).
Alex Martins,
Chief Operating Officer
Alex Martins |
Alex Martins, who has spent 20 years in professional sports management and re-joined the Magic in June of 2005, was named chief operating officer on May 3, 2006.
Martins, who served in various senior-level management capacities with the Magic between 1989-98 and the organization’s executive vice president of marketing and franchise relations in 2005-06, oversees the day-to-day business operations of the club, including marketing, ticket sales, season ticket services and operations, community relations, broadcasting, corporate partnerships, communications, government relations, arena development, and business strategy and development.
Over the past two years, Martins led the Magic in its “Commitment” community and marketing efforts, while overseeing a ticket sales effort which saw the largest increase in attendance in the NBA, the most new season tickets sold in the league, the largest group sales effort in team history and the highest season ticket renewal rate over the last seven years.
At the 2007 NBA Sales and Marketing Meetings, the Magic organization was awarded the “New Full Season Ticket Award” for being No. 1 in the NBA in new full season tickets sold, a “90 Percent Renewal Award” for being just one of five teams to achieve a 90 percent or higher season ticket renewal rate, a “Sponsorship Account Performance Award” for the extraordinary number of accounts secured by the Corporate Partnerships Department and the “Most Improved Retail Award” for the team’s retail sales performance. Throughout the meetings, the organization was used in best practice examples in several areas of the team’s operation ranging from public relations/community relations synergy to game presentation. Martins was also selected to deliver a speech to all 500-plus attendees on “Creating a Winning Culture.”
Martins was instrumental in helping to secure a new state-of-the-art Events Center in Orlando. The Events Center is part of a public community venues program that also includes a new Performing Arts Center and a renovation of the Citrus Bowl Stadium. The new Events Center is scheduled to open in September 2010. In addition, the Magic also contributed $12.5 million toward construction of five community recreation centers throughout Orange County, Florida, as part of its commitment to build the new Events Center.
Martins originally joined the Magic as director of publicity/media relations in April 1989. In September of 1996, he was promoted to senior director of communications, overseeing all internal and external communications for the organization. He also previously served as the Chairman of the Board of the Magic Action Team Community Fund. The Magic Action Team Fund developed into the Orlando Magic Youth Foundation, which has distributed more than $12 million to local non-profit organizations during the last 16 years. Additionally, Martins served on the developmental board which formulated the DeVos Sport Business Management Program at the University of Central Florida. The program has been funded through a $9 million endowment by Rich and Helen DeVos and awards dual Masters degrees in Sport Management and Business Administration.
Since leaving the Magic in 1998, he also has served as the senior vice president of marketing and branding for the NBA’s New Orleans Hornets, and vice president of communications and public affairs with the NFL’s Cleveland Browns. In 2003, he returned to Orlando to serve as vice president of sports ventures with the Tavistock Group. In his role with Tavistock, Martins served as tournament director of The Tavistock Cup, a PGA Tour-sanctioned event.
Martins started his career as a student assistant in the Villanova sports information department. He assisted in the Philadelphia 76ers public relations department from 1986-1988, and was also the assistant sports information director at Georgetown University (1988-89). While at Georgetown, Martins also assisted with the 1988 USA Basketball Team Trials held at the Washington D.C.-based campus. Martins added to his USA Basketball experience in 1994 by assisting with the publicity/media relations efforts of Dream Team II at the World Championships of Basketball in Toronto.
Martins currently serves on the Executive Committee and board of the Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission, the Board of Governors of the Regional Orlando Chamber of Commerce and the Board of Directors for Florida Children’s Hospital. He also serves on the Dean’s Executive Council for the College of Business Administration at UCF
A native of Kearny, New Jersey, Martins holds a MBA from the University of Central Florida, while earning a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from Villanova, where he graduated from in 1986. He resides in Orlando, Fla., with his wife, Juliet, and daughters, Sophia (3) and Gabrielle (born December 2006).
Otis Smith, General Manager
Otis Smith |
Otis Smith was promoted to general manager on May 3, 2006. He is responsible for overseeing basketball operations, including player acquisitions via the draft, free agency and trades, player development, scouting and salary cap management. Smith was assistant general manager during the 2005-06 campaign, after serving as director of player development for two seasons.
Under Smith’s leadership, the Magic earned a berth in NBA Playoffs 2007, helping the franchise get back to the postseason for the first time in four years. This past off-season, Smith was instrumental in acquiring All-Star forward Rashard Lewis and signing All-NBA center Dwight Howard to a contract extension.
During the 2005-06 campaign, Smith played a key role in helping the Magic gain future significant salary cap flexibility by obtaining the expiring contract of Anfernee Hardaway from New York, along with Trevor Ariza, for Steve Francis. He also extended the contracts of Howard, Jameer Nelson and Tony Battie. Orlando won 16 of its last 22 games of the season, including 12 of its last 13 at home.
Smith spent the 2002-03 season as executive director of basketball operations for the Golden State Warriors. In that role, he oversaw the day-to-day operations of the basketball operations department and worked in conjunction with the players and basketball staff. During the previous two-plus seasons, Smith was director of community relations/Warriors Foundation.
Smith is no stranger to “The City Beautiful.” He was a member of the inaugural 1989-90 Magic squad and spent three seasons playing in Orlando (1989-92). Smith averaged 11.4 ppg., 4.1 rpg., 1.9 apg. and 1.01 stlpg. in 195 games with the Magic. He played in 375 career NBA regular season games with Denver, Golden State and Orlando, averaging 10.5 ppg., 3.8 rpg., 1.8 apg. and 1.01 stlpg. in 20.6 minpg.
Folllowing his retirement as a player, Smith served as community relations manager for the Magic for two years. During that time, the organization was presented the Pro Team Community Award, given by the World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame. He was also vice president of marketing and community relations of the Boys and Girls Club of Central Florida.
Born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida, and a 1986 graduate of Jacksonville University, he founded the Otis Smith Kids Foundation on October 30, 1989 as a means to improve the quality of life and outlook for the future of deserving Northeast Florida elementary school children. The Foundation provided programs and services to hundreds of disadvantaged children each year in the areas of education, life skills development and personal growth. For nearly 17 years, the not-for-profit organization touched the lives of thousands of Jacksonville-area children, providing opportunities for children to learn, grow and achieve.
Dave Twardzik, Assistant General Manager
Dave Twardzik |
Dave Twardzik was promoted to assistant general manager of the Magic on June 27, 2005. He had served as director of player personnel for two seasons. He brings more than 32 years of professional basketball experience as a player, coach and front office executive.
Twardzik has worked in a variety of areas with several NBA team’s basketball operations departments. He served as general manager of Golden State from 1995-97. Prior to joining the Warriors, he spent five seasons with the Charlotte Hornets, beginning as director of scouting in 1990. He was promoted to director of player personnel in 1991, a position he held until joining Golden State in 1995.
Twardzik has been on the bench as an assistant coach with Indiana (1986-89), the Los Angeles Clippers (1989-90) and Detroit (2000-01). He was a member of Portland’s front office from 1981-85 and has also served as a scout for Sacramento (regional/advance scout in 1999-2000; college scout in 2001-02) and Denver (college scout in 1997-99).
Despite being selected with the 26th overall pick of the 1972 NBA Draft by Portland, Twardzik began his professional playing career with the ABA’s Virginia Squires. During his four ABA seasons, he averaged 9.0 ppg. and 3.2 apg. and was named an ABA All-Star in 1975.
Following the ABA-NBA merger in 1976, Twardzik joined Portland and helped the Trail Blazers capture the NBA title in 1976-77. During the championship season, Twardzik set a franchise record by hitting 61.2 percent of his field goals. He appeared in 280 career NBA regular season outings with the Trail Blazers, averaging 9.5 ppg., 3.4 apg. and 2.5 rpg., and had his jersey number 13 retired by Portland on October 11, 1981.
A native of Middletown, Penn., Twardzik attended Old Dominion University and was twice named an All-American (1970-71, 1971-72). He and his wife, Kathe, have two children: Monika (31) and Matthew (25).
Charles Freeman, Vice President Business Strategy
Charles Freeman |
Charles Freeman is entering his 12th year with the Orlando Magic and was promoted to senior vice president of business development in August of 2007. Freeman is responsible for the development of the new Orlando events center as well as other strategic and business initiatives for the team.
Freeman started with the Magic in 1996 as market research analyst for corporate sponsorship and broadcast sales. He was responsible for all research and strategic planning for the department. In 1997, Freeman was promoted to business manager of sales and was in charge of developing, implementing, managing and analyzing new business strategies for the sales division. As business manager, Freeman worked with corporate sponsorship and broadcast sales, retail sales, ticket sales and box office operations for the Orlando Magic, Orlando Solar Bears and Orlando Miracle.
In the spring of 1999, as business development manger, Freeman began working with ownership on a variety of strategic projects. In the summer of 2001, Freeman was promoted to director of business development and focused on the growth and expansion of RDV Sports as well as new business ventures for the DeVos family. In July 2005, Freeman was promoted to Vice President of Business Development and Strategy to help oversee the team’s efforts to obtain the necessary approval for the new events center project. Currently, Freeman is responsible for the design, construction, and development of the new events center in downtown Orlando. In addition, Freeman oversees the organization’s business development efforts as well as short and long-term business planning.
Freeman graduated from Rollins College with a major in economics and minor in business administration. He resides in Lake Mary with his wife, Pam, and two children, Charlie (3) and Addison (1).
Jack Swope, Sr. Vice President of Corporate Relationships
Jack Swope |
In September of 2007, Jack Swope was named senior vice president of corporate relationships. He originally joined the Orlando Magic organization as the assistant general manager/director of marketing in June of 1987, following 10 years with the Philadelphia 76ers organization.
Many of the Magic start-up operations attributed to Swope include hiring of many of the Magic front office personnel; overseeing all business operations; conceptualizing all Magic marketing strategies.
Swope, 52, has been associated with professional basketball since 1977 when he joined the 76ers group sales department. He was promoted to the position of director of group sales in 1979.
A perfect example of working through the ranks, the 30-year veteran of the NBA was named director of promotions for Philadelphia in 1982, and later elevated to the position of director of marketing in 1984. Swope was awarded the position of assistant general manager with the Sixers in 1986.
A native of Philadelphia, Swope received his bachelor’s degree in business at Edinboro University in Pennsylvania.
Swope currently serves on the Board of the Boys and Girls Club of Central Florida, the Every Kid Outreach Board, the Florida Sports Foundation and Play for a Cure.
Scott Bowman, Vice President Season Ticket Services & Operations
Scott Bowman |
Scott Bowman, who has more than 18 years of experience in the areas of public relations and community relations, enters his ninth year with the Orlando Magic and fifth as vice president of season ticket services & operations.
Bowman is responsible for retaining and growing the season ticket holder base and fan attendance through enhancing the overall season ticket holder experience, which includes the game day experience and customer service. He is also responsible for all aspects of the daily ticket and box office operations.
He previously served as Director of Community and Government Relations for the Orlando Magic and as President of the Orlando Magic Youth Foundation. Prior to joining the Orlando Magic, Bowman served as the director of marketing for Magic Pencil Studios and as the senior vice president of corporate communications and community relations for Barnett Bank of Central Florida.
Bowman is a member of the Board of Directors for A Gift For Teaching and a board member with the Orlando Repertory Theatre.
A native of Ohio, Bowman holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Ohio State University.
He resides in Maitland, Fla., and has three children, Danielle (15), Hannah (13) and Grant (11).
Chris D'Orso, Vice President of Marketing
Chris D'Orso |
Chris D’Orso enters his 19th season with the Orlando Magic and his sixth as the club’s vice president of marketing and ticket sales. His responsibilities include overseeing the day-to-day operations of the marketing, branding, advertising, interactive marketing, creative services, talent, game presentation, ticket sales, tourism, Junior Magic, camps and retail aspects of the team.
A mainstay in the organization since the team’s inception, D’Orso joined the Magic in 1989 as the promotions/publicity coordinator. After two seasons in that capacity, he moved into the sponsorship sales department as a corporate account manager for the next three years. In 1994, D’Orso was promoted to the assistant director of marketing position, and in 1998 was promoted to director of marketing. He served as director of ticket sales and marketing from 1999, until being named to his current position in 2002.
D’Orso graduated in 1988 from Fairfield University with a bachelor’s degree in communications. In the community he sits on the board of directors of the Autism Society of Greater Orlando. In addition he reads to elementary school children through Teach In and coachs local sports youth leagues.
D’Orso and his wife, Christine, reside in Windermere, Fla., with their two sons, Harrison (14) and Alex (10).
Joel Glass, Vice President of Communications
Joel Glass |
Joel Glass, who joined the Orlando Magic in October of 1995, was promoted to vice president of communications in July of 2006. He served as director of communications for more than seven years.
Glass is responsible for directing communication and media/public relations efforts related to the Magic. He is responsible for media operations, strategic communications, media releases, publications and statistical material, while also coordinating media interviews with players, coaching staff members and front office personnel. Glass also helps oversee Orlando Magic broadcasting.
Glass arrived in Orlando from the University of Florida sports information department, where he worked for more than nine years. While at UF, Glass spearheaded media/public relations for basketball, while also assisting with football and the men’s spring sports program. While with the Gators, Glass was the winner of 23 national publication and writing honors, as awarded by the College Sports Information Directors of America.
A 1986 graduate of the University of Iowa and a native of Wilmette, Ill. (north of Chicago), Glass spent three summers working in the Chicago White Sox public/media relations department while in college. At Iowa, he served as a writer for The Daily Iowan, covering football, basketball, baseball, golf and wrestling.
In the community, Glass has been involved with Teach-In, a community-based program where professionals share their experiences at area schools, and serves as a youth basketball and baseball coach.
Glass and his wife, Dolly, reside in Orlando, Fla., with their son, Max (10) and daughter, Madeline (7).
Linda Landman-Gonzalez, Vice President of Community Relations and Government Affairs
Linda Landman-Gonzalez |
Linda Landman-Gonzalez was named vice president of community relations and government affairs for the Orlando Magic in September 2007. Landman-Gonzalez serves in a senior leadership role overseeing community relations, government affairs, Latin affairs and the Orlando Magic Youth Foundation.
Landman-Gonzalez spent nine years as director of diversity, community and government relations for Darden Restaurants, Orlando’s only Fortune 500 corporation. While at Darden, she focused on creating community partnerships, employee volunteer opportunities and leadership development in ten top markets nationwide, including Orlando. Landman-Gonzalez also managed corporate giving, while developing a second language translation team for the corporation.
Her efforts resulted in many corporate awards for Darden, Inc., including Fortune’s Top Ten Diversity Elite, Black Enterprise’s list for Best Companies of Diversity and Hispanic Business magazine’s Best Place For Hispanics to Work.
Prior to joining Darden, Inc., Landman-Gonzalez served as vice president of Hispanic sales and marketing for Barnett Bank in Orlando.
Landman-Gonzalez is currently involved in several local volunteer and leadership activities, including Work Force Florida, Orlando Ballet, Valencia Community College Foundation, Metropolitan YMCA, Hispanic Business Initiative Fund, Florida State Conference NAACP Corporate Advisory Board, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and Compact Program of Orange County.
Landman-Gonzalez earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico in Mexico City, Mexico in 1972. She resides in Orlando with her husband, Roberto.
Audra Hollifield, Vice President of Human Resources and Administrative Services
Audra Hollifield |
Audra Hollifield, SPHR is entering her ninth season with the Orlando Magic and was promoted to vice president of human resources and administrative services in May 2007. She oversees recruiting, compensation and benefits, employee relations, training and development, and administrative support for the “team behind the team.”
Hollifield started with the Magic as the assistant director of human resources in May 1999. She was promoted to director of human resources in October 2005.
Prior to 1999, Hollifield worked as an HR Generalist for Gambro Healthcare, an international medical manufacturing company with offices in Central Florida. Hollifield began her HR career in 1994 when she spearheaded the start up of a human resources department for First Atlantic Federal Credit Union in Long Branch, N.J.
Hollifield earned a BS degree in human resources management in 1993 from Cabrini College, a liberal arts college in Radnor, Pa. In 2000, Hollifield received her MA degree in human resources management from Rollins College in Winter Park, Fla. In 2005, Hollifield obtained a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) designation which is the highest level of professional certification bestowed by the Society for Human Resource Management.
Hollifield has been affiliated with the Central Florida Human Resources Association (CFHRA) for over eight years and currently serves on its Executive Board as Immediate Past President. She has also served in the following Board positions: President (2006), President Elect (2005), Director of Membership (2003 & 2004), and Secretary (2002).
Hollifield is also involved in community activities having served as an committee member for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation for several years as well as supporting the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. In May 2007, Hollifield accepted a position on the Board of Directors for Harbor House which provides shelter and support for victims of domestic violence.
Hollifield and her husband, Travis, reside in Orlando, Fla. with their two beloved English Bulldogs, Beeman and Burlington.
Jeff Bissey, Controller
Jeff Bissey |
Jeff Bissey begins his 13th season with the Orlando Magic and fifth as the team’s controller. He oversees the daily accounting and financial operations of the Magic, including financial analysis and reporting, audit and tax return preparation, budgeting, and cash management.
Bissey joined the Magic in October of 1994 as an intern in the basketball operations department. He was hired as a staff accountant in the finance department in July of 1995 and was promoted to his current position in July 2003.
Bissey received his bachelor’s of science degree in finance from Kansas State University in 1991. He later graduated from Wichita State University with a master’s of education in sports administration in 1995.
Bissey has served on the board of directors for The Foundation for Seminole County Public Schools since 2005. He and his wife, Julie, reside in Altamonte Springs, Fla., with their son, Brett (11) and daughter, Leah (8).
Bobby Bridges, Director of Premium Sales
Bobby Bridges |
Bobby Bridges is currently in his tenth season with the Orlando Magic and was promoted to director of premium sales in November 2007. He is responsible for the recruiting, hiring, training and day-to-day operations of the premium sales department for the Magic.
Bridges started as a promotions intern in January of 1997 and was hired full-time in September of 1997 as a ticket sales representative. He was subsequently promoted to group sales manager in January of 2000, ticket sales manager in February of 2003 and to assistant director of ticket sales in March of 2004. He was promoted to director of group sales in July of 2007.
Bridges received his bachelor’s degree in sports management from the University of Florida.
Jennifer Carlson, Director of Partnership Activation/Services
Jennifer Carlson |
Jennifer Carlson is in her second season with the Orlando Magic, joining the team as director of partnership activation/services in August of 2006. Her responsibilities include overseeing the partnership account specialists, activation and fulfillment of corporate sponsor contracts, sponsor retention and national account management.
Prior to 2006, Carlson worked as the brand marketing manager for a division of AIG, the world’s largest underwriter of insurance, based out of Atlanta, Georgia. Prior to spearheading the re-branding efforts of the auto insurance division of AIG, she also served as a regional sales manager for the East, overseeing a sales force representing roughly $300 million dollars in annual premium.
Carlson’s work experience includes corporate, athlete and team experience. Before her work at AIG, she worked for Scott Boras, a top agent in Major League Baseball, securing player endorsements and securing rights to represent many Fortune 500 brands’ sports marketing. Prior to athlete representation, Carlson’s credits include managing Progressive Insurance’s sports marketing and ad agency work with numerous food and beverage clients.
A graduate from Colorado State University in technical journalism, with a concentration in public relations, Carlson also earned a master’s of sports administration degree from Ohio University. While attending Colorado State, she played club ice hockey as a goalie and co-hosted ‘Sportsline,’ a daily sports talk show on the University’s flagship radio station, KIIX-AM.
Carlson has received three Congressional Awards for her significant time volunteering and mentors college students interested in sports marketing. She is an ongoing guest lecturer for several universities in the area of sports marketing.
Carlson resides in Orlando, Fla., with her fiancé, Eric, and two dogs, Bo and Chloe.
Kari Conley, Director of Community Relations and Government Affairs
Kari Conley |
Kari Conley has been with the Orlando Magic for eight seasons and was promoted to director of community and government relations in July of 2007. In this role, she oversees the strategic direction for player initiatives and their personal foundations, the Orlando Magic Youth Foundation (OMYF) and all aspects of school, community and league-wide programs, including the Magic Volunteer Program (MVP) and NBA Cares.
Prior to joining the Magic, Conley was responsible for implementing public relations and branding strategies at Carlman Booker Reis public relations agency and The Salvation Army National Headquarters in Washington D.C.
She received her master’s degree in organizational communication from Baylor University and her bachelor of arts degree from Samford University.
Conley serves on the board for the Ronald McDonald House in Orlando, the Orange County Arts Advisory Council as well as the Community Leadership Council for the Howard Phillips Center. She is a past president of the Florida Public Relations Association Orlando Area Chapter and accredited in the field of Public Relations.
Conley and her husband, Chad, have lived in Orlando for 10 years. They have a son, Carson, and a daughter, Camryn.
Kevin Cosgrove, Director of Broadcasting
Kevin Cosgrove |
Kevin Cosgrove has been with the Orlando Magic organization since its inception in 1989 and begins his tenth season as the director of broadcasting. The Magic Broadcasting department is responsible for producing radio game broadcasts for the Magic Radio Network, and provides production support for Magic television broadcasts on Sun Sports and FSN Florida. Cosgrove also oversees the department’s in-house production team, which produces ancillary television and radio programming and provides audio and video production support for the organization.
A part-time employee for the team’s first three seasons, Cosgrove joined the Magic full time in 1992, serving a dual role as feature producer for Magic TV broadcasts and producer/director for the in-arena video board. He became broadcast production manager in 1995, was promoted to assistant director the following year, and assumed his present duties prior to the start of the 1998-99 Magic season.
Before joining the Magic, Cosgrove spent nine years as a computer graphics production manager at Media Design Group, a multi-media production house located in Winter Park, Fla. A resident of Central Florida since 1982, he earned a bachelor’s degree from Wake Forest University in 1981.
Cosgrove currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Crealdé School of Art. He and his wife, Leslie, reside in Oviedo, Fla., with their son, Joseph (8).
George Galante, Director of Communications
George Galante |
George Galante was promoted to director of communications for the Orlando Magic in July of 2007. He spent more than eight seasons as assistant director of communications and has been with the organization since August of 1995.
Galante supports all areas of the communications department, including serving as managing editor of all media guides, compiling game notes, coordinating interview requests with players and front office personnel, writing press releases, maintaining statistical information and traveling on the road with the team.
Following an internship with the Magic during their run to the 1995 NBA Finals, Galante spent four seasons as public relations manager for the Orlando Solar Bears of the International Hockey League (1995-99). While with the Solar Bears, Galante also served as chairman of the IHL’s Public Relations Advisory Board.
Galante earned a bachelor’s degree in sports administration from Stetson University in 1996, where he was a student assistant in the sports information department. He assumed SID duties for women’s soccer and cross country and also spent one summer as assistant director of public relations for Daytona Beach of the United States Basketball League.
A native of Staten Island, N.Y., Galante and his wife, Laura, reside in Altamonte Springs, Fla. with their sons, John (2) and Jim (born September 23, 2007).
Stephanie Mellenberndt, Director of Marketing
Stephanie Mellenberdnt |
Stephanie Mellenberndt is in her first season with the Orlando Magic, joining the team as the director of marketing in August 2007. Her responsibilities include managing the marketing, branding, advertising, marketing promotions, interactive marketing, creative services and individual game ticket sales.
Prior to joining the Magic, Mellenberndt worked as the director of marketing for Hawaiian Tropic Sun Care, a leader in the global Sun Care and consumer packaged goods market, based in Ormond Beach, Fla. She and her team led the brand to an all-time market share high and worked diligently to reposition the brand for longevity in the marketplace. Package innovations won her team several national awards: a DuPont Packaging Award, a Rex Packaging Award and also a NACD Award for Packaging Merit.
Prior to Hawaiian Tropic, Mellenberndt worked for Haarmann & Reimer, a division of Bayer, in Springfield, N.J. as well as NTK, Technical Ceramics in Millburn, N.J.
Mellenberndt is a graduate from the University of Central Florida with a bachelor’s degree in business, with a concentration in marketing. She and her husband, Todd, reside in Ormond Beach, Fla., with their two children, Sarah (9) and Jaxon (7).
Paul Moletteire, Director of Season Ticket Services & Operations
Paul Moletteire |
Paul Moletteire is currently in his 15th season with the Orlando Magic and was promoted to director of season ticket service and operations in July of 2006. He is responsible for the Magic’s customer service initiatives for season ticket holders and individual game buyers in addition to managing the organization’s ticket operations.
Moletteire started as a media relations intern in August of 1991 and was hired full-time in September of 1992 as a box office representative. He was subsequently promoted to ticket services manager in January of 1999 and to assistant director of fan relations in December of 2004.
Moletteire received his bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Central Florida in 1989.
Moletteire and his wife, Vicki, reside in Oviedo, Fla., with their children, Jack (8) and Kara (6).
Rick Chabot, Director of Aviation for Magic Carpet
Rick Chabot |
Rick Chabot was named director of aviation for Magic Carpet in December of 2006. He came to Magic Carpet Aviation after more than 25 years at Delta Air Lines and 20 years with the United States Air Force.
Chabot began his professional flying career in 1967. He joined the Air Force in 1972, finishing flight school number six in his class. He was an aerodynamics instructor, a flight instructor and fight bomber pilot. He retired from the Air Force Reserves after 20 years, serving the last six years as the director of plans and operations for the Air Force Academy in North Texas.
Chabot flew with Delta Air Lines for more than 25 years – 10 years as a check pilot and five years as the pilots’ chairman. He has more than 22,000 hours and holds a license as an ATP – ME/SE (multi/single engine), Commercial – ME/SE, Private – ME/SE, CFI and CFII – ME/SE, plus a flight engineers certificate.
Chabot holds two degrees - one in mathematics and one in biology. He resides in Orlando with his wife, Debbie. They have three children: Rick, Robert and Elizabeth.
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