MICHAEL JORDAN
Chairman
An NBA legend, Michael Jordan was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in September 2009. As a player, Jordan virtually rewrote the record book. He played 13 seasons for the Chicago Bulls, leading the league in scoring a record 10 times. His 30.1 points per game average is the highest in NBA history and, with 32,292 points, he ranks fourth on the all-time scoring list. Jordan led the Chicago Bulls to six NBA Championship titles and was named NBA Finals MVP during each of those series. A five-time regular season MVP, in 1991 and 1992, he became the only player to win back-to-back regular season and Finals MVP awards.
In March 2010, Jordan became the majority owner of the Charlotte Bobcats, after four years as part of the team’s ownership group and its Managing Member of Basketball Operations. Jordan is the first former player to become the majority owner of an NBA franchise. Under his direction, the team changed its name to the Charlotte Hornets prior to the 2014-15 season, bringing the historic moniker back to its fans and the city.
Jordan burst onto the national stage as a freshman at the University of North Carolina, leading his team to the NCAA Championship with a dramatic game-winning shot. Following a stellar college career during which he was a two-time College Player of the Year and first team All-America, Jordan was chosen with the third pick of the 1984 NBA Draft. Jordan is a two-time Olympic Gold Medal winner, most famously as a member of the 1992’s “Dream Team.”
After a brief stint as an owner and executive with the Washington Wizards in 2000-01, Jordan returned to the court as a player for the team for the 2001-02 and 2002-03 seasons before retiring.
Off the court, Michael Jordan has also proven to be a successful businessman. Since its creation, his Jordan Brand (a division of NIKE) has been an innovator of athletic shoes and apparel. The Jordan Brand has grown to become a market leader under Jordan’s creative design input. As one of the world’s most popular and recognizable figures, Jordan’s endorsement portfolio includes Gatorade, Upper Deck and Hanes, among others. Jordan’s other business ventures include several thriving restaurants.
Jordan serves as the Make-A-Wish Foundation’s Chief Wish Ambassador and supports many other charitable causes including the James R. Jordan Boys and Girls Club in Chicago and the Jordan Institute for Families at the University of North Carolina, among others. During its 13 years, the Michael Jordan Celebrity Invitational golf tournament raised more than $7 million for many worthy charities.
Jordan and his wife, Yvette, have two daughters, Victoria and Ysabel. He also has three children, Jeffrey, Marcus and Jasmine, from a previous marriage.
CURTIS POLK
Vice Chairman, Alternate Governor & Minority Owner
Curtis Polk is the Vice Chairman of Hornets Sports & Entertainment. In addition, he manages the financial and business affairs of Michael Jordan and his related companies. Prior to working exclusively for Jordan in 2001, he was an Executive Vice President of SFX Sports and was President of its related financial services affiliate SFX Financial Advisory Management Enterprises. He founded Falk Associates Management Enterprises (FAME) with David Falk in 1992.
In May 1998, FAME merged with SFX Entertainment, the country’s leading producer, promoter and presenter of live entertainment events. Polk was involved in the integration and consolidation of all the sports properties under the SFX Entertainment umbrella into a single business entity.
During the summer of 1996, Polk negotiated four of the five highest contracts in NBA history. He negotiated Alonzo Mourning’s $105 million contract with the Miami Heat and Dikembe Mutombo’s $56 million contract with the Atlanta Hawks. Polk was the key player in asserting Juwan Howard’s rights during the contract dispute between the NBA and the Miami Heat; he subsequently negotiated Howard’s $105 million deal with the Washington Bullets. He assisted David Falk in negotiating Jordan’s record-setting contracts in 1996 and 1997.
Polk served as Co-Producer of Space Jam, starring Jordan and the Looney Tunes. Space Jam, Warner Bros. first full-length film featuring the Looney Tunes, grossed a record-setting $29.3 million during its opening weekend. Polk also was an Executive Producer of Michael Jordan to the Max, an IMAX format movie released in May 2000.
A 1981 graduate of the University of Maryland, Polk earned his law degree at the National Law Center at George Washington University in 1988 and served on the Center’s Law Review. Polk was named to the Sporting News’ “100 Most Powerful People in Sports” list in 1997 and 1998. He was also selected to the Sports Business Journal’s “40 Under 40” in 1999.
The 55-year-old Polk began his career as a Certified Public Accountant for Touche Ross and Co. in Washington, DC in 1983.
Polk and his wife, Amanda, are involved in many Washington charities including Johns Hopkins affiliate, Suburban Hospital, Kids Enjoy Exercise Now (KEEN) and DC Humane Society.
FRED WHITFIELDPresident, COO, Alternate Governor & Minority Owner
A talented sports executive with experience as a player, coach, agent, sports marketer and basketball operations administrator, Fred Whitfield joined Hornets Sports & Entertainment (formerly Bobcats Sports & Entertainment) as President & Chief Operating Officer in July 2006. In this role, Whitfield oversees all business operations for the Charlotte Hornets and Time Warner Cable Arena, including the team’s name change from Charlotte Bobcats in the summer of 2014.
Since coming to Charlotte, Whitfield has overseen the dramatic growth of both the franchise and arena. Along with overseeing the team’s rebranding, Whitfield over the last year has led efforts that resulted in landing the 2017 NBA All-Star Game and securing $40 million in renovations for Time Warner Cable Arena. Additional accomplishments during his tenure with the organization include securing the 2019 ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament, reaching long-term agreements with Ticketmaster to serve as Time Warner Cable Arena’s ticketing provider and Live Nation to book the arena’s entertainment, hosting the 2012 Democratic National Convention, simultaneously signing an arena naming rights deal with Time Warner Cable and a television broadcast rights deal with Fox Sports, and making the largest donation ever given to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools by a professional sports franchise.
A native of Greensboro, North Carolina, Whitfield brings a portfolio that includes the Jordan Brand, a division of Nike, Inc.; the Washington Wizards; Nike Basketball; Falk Associates Management Enterprises (F.A.M.E.); and a private law practice.
Before joining the organization, Whitfield most recently served as Director of Business and Legal Affairs for Jordan Brand, where he managed endorsements and sports marketing strategy. Jordan Brand’s clients include and included some of the top athletes in professional sports, including Ray Allen, Carmelo Anthony, Derek Jeter, Joe Johnson and Chris Paul. From 2000-03, Whitfield served as Director of Player Personnel and Assistant Legal Counsel for the Washington Wizards. While there, he was responsible for the team’s salary cap administration, contract negotiations and overseeing player scouting. He is widely credited with facilitating the methods to correct the team’s troubled salary cap situation, enabling that franchise to rebuild through trades and free agency.
Whitfield served as Director of Player Development for Nike Basketball prior to joining the Wizards. At Nike Basketball, he was responsible for scouting new potential endorsers, negotiating endorsement contracts and overseeing business and marketing strategies for more than 150 NBA players. His career in sports began as a player agent representing professional athletes with F.A.M.E. as Director of the Carolinas Region, based in Greensboro. Before joining F.A.M.E., Whitfield established and managed a successful law practice in Greensboro.
A graduate of Campbell University, Whitfield was an All-South, team MVP and basketball team captain player and was inducted into the school’s Sports Hall of Fame in 1995. He earned a BBA degree in Economics and then completed his MBA at Campbell in Marketing while serving as Assistant Basketball Coach for the Camels. From there, he earned a Juris Doctorate Degree from North Carolina Central University School of Law where he served as Student Bar Association President.
Whitfield also founded HoopTee Charities, Inc, a North Carolina based non-profit corporation whose mission is to provide scholarships for disadvantaged youngsters to attend camps and educational youth based programs across the country. In addition, for the past 31 years he has run, which he founded, the Achievements Unlimited Basketball School in Greensboro and Charlotte serving more than 10,000 kids, including many who attend on need-based scholarships. In recent years, Whitfield has received the prestigious Thurgood Marshall Award of Excellence (2011) and YMCA George Williams Award (Volunteer of the Year 2012), as well as the Key to the City of Greensboro (2013). He currently serves on the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce Board, Charlotte Sports Foundation Board of Directors, Campbell University Board of Trustees and Charlotte Executive Leadership Council.
Whitfield and his wife Mary reside in Charlotte.
RICH CHO
Executive Vice President and General Manager
Rich Cho is in his fifth season as General Manager after joining the franchise on June 14, 2011. The organization’s lead basketball operations executive, Cho manages and oversees all player personnel matters, including professional and collegiate scouting, draft preparations, player acquisitions, salary cap management, training camp, preseason scheduling and the team’s athletic training, equipment and conditioning programs.
A native of Burma who immigrated to the United States with his family in 1968 when he was three years old, Cho became the first Asian-American general manager in American major league sports when he served as General Manager of the Portland Trail Blazers in 2010-11.
Prior to his stint in Portland, Cho spent the previous 10 seasons as Assistant General Manager of the Seattle SuperSonics/Oklahoma City Thunder. Cho entered the NBA as an intern with the SuperSonics in 1995 while earning a law degree from Pepperdine University School of Law. After serving as a part-time consultant for the SuperSonics in 1997, Cho was hired as the team’s Director of Basketball Affairs in 1998 before being promoted to Assistant General Manager in 2000. A member of the Washington State Bar, Cho also served as Vice President of Legal for the SuperSonics from 2005-07 in addition to his duties as Assistant GM. In that role, he was responsible for all legal work involved with sponsorship agreements, licensing issues, employment contracts and immigration issues. Following the team’s move to Oklahoma City, Cho also oversaw the Thunder’s D-League affiliate, the Tulsa 66ers, and their run to the championship game in 2009-10.
Cho earned an engineering degree from Washington State University and worked as an engineer at Boeing in Seattle from 1989-94 before leaving to enroll at Pepperdine University School of Law in order to pursue his passion in professional sports. His law degree from Pepperdine includes an emphasis in sports law, contract negotiations and dispute resolution.
During his internship with the SuperSonics, Cho, along with two Microsoft programmers, helped design and implement one of the NBA’s most advanced and comprehensive college and professional player-evaluation systems that integrates player statistics, scouting information and contract details.
An avid explorer of restaurants and cuisine, Cho enjoys staying active by playing basketball, tennis, ping-pong and softball in his spare time. During the 2013 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, he was the champion of the NBA Summer League Table Tennis Challenge Benefiting Hoops for St. Jude. Cho and his wife, Julie, have two daughters, Miranda and Annika.
CHAD BUCHANAN
Assistant General Manager
Chad Buchanan is in his second season with the Hornets as Assistant General Manager after joining the franchise in July 2014. In this role, he collaborates with General Manager Rich Cho on aspects of the team’s basketball operations including professional and collegiate scouting, draft preparations, player acquisitions and salary cap management.
Buchanan came to Charlotte after spending the previous 10 seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers, including the last seven as Director of College Scouting. He also served as the team’s Acting General Manager during the 2011-12 season, overseeing the 2011 NBA Draft, player transactions and free agency. During his time in Portland, Buchanan focused on all college and international scouting, while also managing the development of the scouting database, organizing pre-draft workouts and assisting with NBA player evaluation.
Prior to joining the Trail Blazers, Buchanan spent eight seasons in college basketball, serving as a graduate assistant at the University of Iowa for from 1995-97 before becoming an assistant coach at Simpson College from 1997-2002. In 2002, he was an assistant coach and assistant director of player personnel for the Kansas City Knights (ABA), before returning to the college ranks as an assistant coach at Drake University from 2003-04.
A native of West Des Moines, Iowa, Buchanan played both baseball and basketball for four years at Simpson College, where he earned a degree in business management in 1995. He went on to receive his master’s in athletic administration from the University of Iowa.
Buchanan and his wife, Melanie, have two children, Treyson and Addilane.
PETE GUELLI
Executive Vice President and Chief Sales & Marketing Officer
Pete Guelli is in his seventh season as the organization’s Executive Vice President and Chief Sales & Marketing Officer, having joined the franchise in April 2009. Guelli, who is responsible for all marketing, communications and revenue generation for the organization, oversees the marketing, ticket sales and services, business analytics, box office operations, corporate partnerships, retail, broadcasting, communications and corporate social responsibility departments. He also serves as the president of the team’s charitable arm, the Charlotte Hornets Foundation.
In his time with the organization, Guelli has spearheaded the team’s ownership transition in 2010, managed the return of the Hornets brand, led the team’s participation in NBA Global Games China 2015 and is currently working on the 2017 NBA All-Star Game.
Guelli has more than 25 years of sales and marketing experience, including 11 years with the NFL’s Buffalo Bills. He initially joined the Bills in July 1999 and rose to the position of Senior Vice President of Business Ventures, where he oversaw all of the organization’s revenue generating properties and the regionalization of the team’s business efforts.
A native of Rochester and a graduate of the State University of New York at Brockport, Guelli and his wife, Patty, reside in South Charlotte and have two sons, Gunner and Grayson.
JAMES R. JORDANExecutive Vice President of Operations
James R. Jordan serves as Executive Vice President of Operations for Hornets Sports & Entertainment, joining the organization in November 2013 after serving as an advisor to the Chairman’s support team since March 2010. Prior to coming to the organization, Jordan was Director of Operations and Administration for the EPS Corporation, Field Service Company located in Fayetteville, North Carolina, since 2006.
Jordan retired from the United States Army in September 2006 after 31 years of service as an outstanding soldier, leader and manager with documented success. He served as the 35th Signal Brigade Airborne Command Sergeant Major from February 2002-April 2006 as a part of 18th Airborne Corps Task Force supporting Combat Operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. While deployed, he was the Senior Signal Enlisted Manager of a Signal Task Force that, at times, reached over 3,600 soldiers and contractors spanning throughout both countries.
Jordan also served at Fort Bragg from August 1993-February 2002 as the 327th Airborne Signal Battalion Command Sergeant Major and as Bravo Company 327th First Sergeant within the 35th Signal Brigade Airborne, where he was responsible for planning, coordinating and directing the activities of all personnel assigned while in both positions. He was selected to lead an Airborne Signal Task Force that supported a 1,500-person Task Force of soldiers and contractors during Operation Restore Hope in Haiti.
As a member of the United States Army, he received numerous awards, including the Legion of Merit Award; The Bronze Star Medal; Meritorious Service Medal (4th Oak Leaf Cluster); Army Commendation Medal (10th award); Army Achievement Medal (5th award); Humanitarian Service Medal; Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Korean Service Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal; Afghanistan Campaign Medal; Iraqi Campaign Medal; Good Conduct Medal (10th award); and The Signal Corps’ Silver and Bronze Order of Mercury Medals.
Jordan and his wife, Blanca, have three kids and they presently reside in Fayetteville, North Carolina, where he is actively engaged in supporting the community.
SETH BENNETT
Senior Vice President of Marketing, Entertainment & Interactive Media
In his 10th season with the organization, Seth Bennett is Senior Vice President of Marketing, Entertainment & Interactive Media for Hornets Sports & Entertainment. In this role, he is responsible for departments including marketing and advertising, event and game presentation, interactive media, creative services, communications, radio and television broadcast, technical operations, the Hornets Fan Shop and team ambassadors. Bennett is also responsible for overseeing the launch of the organization’s NBA D-League franchise that is scheduled to begin play in 2016-17 and will supervise the business operations of the D-League team.
Over the last two years, Bennett has served as one of the franchise’s primary leaders in the rebranding to the Charlotte Hornets, managing all aspects of the process on a day-to-day basis.
Bennett initially joined the franchise in September 2006, overseeing corporate partnerships and grassroots marketing. Since then, his responsibilities have included managing the team’s broadcast relationships with TV partner Fox Sports Southeast and flagship radio network WFNZ, the selection and scheduling of regional preseason games across North and South Carolina and the revamping of the team’s game presentation, as well as the redesign of the team store and the introduction of exclusive co-branded Jordan Brand apparel into the store’s inventory
Bennett has more than 25 years of experience in a variety of areas across sports and entertainment. As owner and founding principal of The Event Authority, he produced over 400 live events for various college and high school athletic programs and entertainment entities. That list includes nine HBCU Football Classics, the Jordan Brand Classic high school basketball all-star game and the HoopTee Celebrity Golf Classic, as well as the corporate entertainment for the PGA Tour FBR Open in Phoenix. He also spent eight years working in intercollegiate athletics.
Bennett earned his bachelor’s degree in public relations in 1993 from North Carolina A&T State University, where he played football for the Aggies. He and his wife, Michelle, have one son, Seth Michael.
DONNA JULIANSenior Vice President of Arena & Event Operations/General Manager
Donna P. Julian is the organization’s Senior Vice President of Arena & Event Operations and the General Manager of Time Warner Cable Arena. Julian, who joined the franchise on February 1, 2005, serves as the lead executive for all aspects of the day-to-day operations of the arena, including oversight of the arena’s master calendar, booking, budgeting and administration. She directs and oversees the preparation, production and execution of all arena events, as well as the booking of ancillary spaces within the arena. Julian also manages staff in departments including event administration, guest services and event staffing, public safety, arena operations and arena administration.
Julian has played key roles over the last year in the efforts that resulted in landing the 2017 NBA All-Star Game and securing $40 million in renovations for Time Warner Cable Arena. She also oversaw the arena’s operations and execution while preparing for and hosting the 2012 Democratic National Convention.
Prior to coming to Charlotte, Julian spent 15 years as General Manager of 1st Mariner Arena in Baltimore. She assumed management of 1st Mariner Arena after serving in a number of roles in sales, marketing and event administration for Centre Management, the operating company for the Capital Centre (later USAir Arena), home of the Washington Bullets and Washington Capitals. In 2002, she was named to the Baltimore Business Journal’s Top 40 Under 40 list, honoring her achievements as a leading Baltimore executive.
Julian currently serves on the board of directors of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Charlotte and has previously served on the board of directors of the Children’s Theatre of Charlotte.
Julian received her bachelor’s degree in athletics administration from Ohio University, where she was a four-year letter winner and co-captain of the tennis team as a senior. She and her husband, David, have two sons, Griffin and Donovan.
MIKE CRISTALDI
Vice President of Communications
Mike Cristaldi is in his first season as Vice President of Communications for Hornets Sports & Entertainment. He comes to Charlotte after 13 years with the Minnesota Timberwolves, including the last six as director of public relations and community relations. Cristaldi oversees the organization’s basketball and business media and public relations efforts, serving as the primary liaison between the team and the local, national and international media. He is also responsible for strategic planning, as well as day-to-day media operations, including coordinating press conferences and interviews for the team’s executives, coaches and players.
Cristaldi initially joined the Timberwolves organization in 2000 as public relations manager for the WNBA’s Minnesota Lynx, before transitioning to public relations manager for the Timberwolves in 2003. He was promoted to director of public relations in 2005 and added leadership of the organization’s community relations and publications departments in 2006.
Before going to Minnesota, Cristaldi served as director of public relations and radio announcer for the Continental Basketball Association’s Rockford Lightning from 1998-2000. He also spent the summer of 1998 working in the public relations and marketing departments for the Las Vegas Stars of the Triple-A Pacific Coast League.
A native of Dedham, Massachusetts, Cristaldi earned a bachelor's degree in journalism and English from Marquette University. He and his wife, Heidi, have two daughters, Bella and Mia.
RHONDA CURRY
Vice President of Human Resources
Rhonda Curry is in her first season with Hornets Sports & Entertainment after joining the organization as Vice President of Human Resources in October 2013. In this role, she oversees the department responsible for employee relations, recruiting, compensation, benefits, payroll and the internship program, as well as helping to define the company’s human resources policies and procedures and company culture.
Curry brings over 16 years of experience in consumer product and service organizations to the organization. She most recently served as Director of Human Relations with Bimbo Bakeries USA, joining that company in November 2011 when it acquired Sara Lee. Curry, who had been with Sara Lee as Director of Human Resources since November 2007, played an integral role in the transition of Sara Lee’s employees following the acquisition.
Prior to joining Sara Lee, Curry spent eight years with Pepsi Bottling Group. After starting with the company as Manager of Human Resources in 2000, she was promoted to Senior Manager of Diversity & Staffing in 2002 and later to Senior Manager of Human Resources in 2005.
Curry is a 1996 graduate of Ohio University with bachelor’s degrees in management and organizational communication. She earned a master’s in human resource management from Widener University in 2003.
MARLENE HENDRICKS
Vice President of Guest Services & Event Staffing
Marlene Hendricks is in her ninth year as the Vice President of Guest Services & Event Staffing for Hornets Sports & Entertainment and Time Warner Cable Arena. Hendricks, who has over 16 years of management experience in various cross-functional areas of facility operations, human resources and training skills, is responsible for managing over 300 part-time employees, as well as overseeing all event staff operations and employee relations issues.
Hendricks used her formal training with the Ritz-Carlton Leadership Center to create and develop a guest services philosophy called the “WOW Experience,” which is designed to provide every guest with a memorable experience by greeting them with a smile, offering assistance and delivering exceptional customer service during all events at Time Warner Cable Arena.
Prior to joining Hornets Sports & Entertainment, Hendricks spent six years at The Heat Group, the parent company of the Miami Heat and AmericanAirlines Arena, as a Director of Training & Development and Director of Guest Services. Her work experience also included stints with Kemper National Services, Pro Player Stadium and Norwegian Cruise Lines in various human resources roles.
Hendricks received her bachelor’s degree in hospitality management and human resources certification from Florida International University. She has a daughter, Brittany, who is a senior at the University of North Carolina majoring in journalism and communications.
JOE PIERCE
Vice President & General Counsel
Joe Pierce is in his first season as Hornets Sports & Entertainment’s Vice President & General Counsel after joining the organization in October 2013. As the company’s lead attorney, he is responsible for providing legal counsel and advice to its various departments, in addition to handling the organization’s risk management functions, including insurance and litigation matters. He also oversees the negotiating, drafting and reviewing of many of the company’s legal agreements in areas throughout the scope of its business.
Pierce joins the Hornets from Bank of America, where he spent the last five years as Senior Vice President & Associate General Counsel for Global Marketing & Corporate Affairs. In this role, his responsibilities included acting as lead counsel in negotiating and drafting sponsorship and licensing agreements related to the company’s sponsorship of sports properties such as the NFL, Major League Baseball, the PGA Tour and NASCAR. Prior to that, Pierce spent four years as Vice President of Business & Legal Affairs for Comcast Sports Group, where he negotiated and drafted television rights agreements, affiliate distribution agreements and on-air talent contracts.
Pierce began his career in sports with the Jacksonville Jaguars, where he served as Associate General Counsel from 2002-05, after spending four years as a corporate lawyer at Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati in Palo Alto, California.
Pierce is a 1991 graduate of Georgetown University, where he received a bachelor’s in business administration and was captain of the track & field team. He earned dual Juris Doctor and MBA degrees in 1998 from the University of Pennsylvania Law School and Wharton School of Business. Pierce and his wife, Kama, have three children, Marco, Julian and Jasmine.
ANDREW SHURE
Vice President of Ticket Operations
Andrew Shure is in his ninth season with Hornets Sports & Entertainment and his second as Vice President of Ticket Operations. Shure, who initially joined the organization in August 2005 as Ticketing Systems Manager, supervises and manages ticket operations for the Charlotte Hornets, as well as overseeing box office operations for all events at Time Warner Cable Arena including the Hornets, Charlotte Checkers (AHL) and approximately 150 additional shows, concerts, and sporting events each year. Shure also coordinates all parts of the Ticketmaster Architics software program that enhances the ticketing and customer service relationship.
In October 2010, Shure was promoted to Senior Director of Ticket Operations after serving the three previous years as a Director in the department. In his current role, he is responsible for all inventory management and ticket production for Hornets season tickets and for overseeing the relationship with Ticketmaster to develop marketing strategies for current and future events.
Shure got his start in professional sports in the New York Mets ticket office in August 1999, serving as Computer Operations Coordinator from 1999-2004 and then Manager of Ticket Operations from 2004-05.
A 1992 graduate of Boston University, Shure earned his bachelor’s degree in mathematics before earning his Juris Doctor degree in 1996 from Northeastern University School of Law. He and his wife, Susan, have two children, Alexa and Ian.