ECHL Charlotte Checkers

Checkers Front Office Announces Promotions

Published on June 16, 2009 under ECHL (ECHL)
Charlotte Checkers News Release


Charlotte, NC-Charlotte Checkers COO, Tera Black announced today promotions within the club's front office staff.

Thomas Smith, formerly the director of corporate partnerships has been named vice president of corporate partnerships, a role that had been formerly held by the team's senior vice president, Aaron Osborne. Since joining the Checkers in 2008, Smith has been vital in the solicitation of new corporate partnership revenue and negotiating trade contracts with local and national vendors. Smith joined the Checkers after a two and a half year stint with GMR Marketing. While with GMR, Smith serviced multiple partnership accounts in the NFL, NBA, MLB, NCAA, NHL and NASCAR. In addition to his current responsibilities, Smith will now have more influence on the overall direction of the corporate sales department including hiring new employees, developing sales strategies to encompass all of the products within the Checkers sales umbrella and providing new, creative ideas to implement in the team's on-ice and promotional schedules.

Mark Makowski, the team's director of luxury seating has been promoted to director of ticket sales. Makowski joined the Checkers as an account executive in the ticket sales department in 2005. For the past two season's he has excelled in helping companies, groups and non-profits come together to enjoy one of Charlotte's best entertainment options as the director of luxury seating for the team. Not only does he bring great experience but also great knowledge of the hockey product and he will pass those skills along to the rest of the sales staff. Makowski's main focus will be in helping the Checkers become the best sales and services department in the ECHL.

Danielle Adkins, will now assume the role of director of community relations and merchandise/marketing manager. In May 2008 she took on the role of director of community relations/marketing manager after joining the Checkers in January of 2007 with a master of arts in mass communication. Adkins has been instrumental in coordinating and facilitating event planning of on and off ice events, creating programs to increase revenue for CheckMate Charities and maintaining the team's merchandise. Adkins will assume all responsibilities associated with the club's merchandise operations including, but not limited to, purchasing, budgeting and staffing of the department.

Anna Skidmore has been promoted to director of corporate services for the team. Skidmore joined the Checkers as corporate services manager in December of 2006. She will now direct the implementation of corporate contracted partnership inventory, proof of performance packages, and corporate invoicing while also continuing to aide with workers compensation and implementing all team travel. Skidmore began working with the Checkers in 2005 as an intern in the public relations/marketing department. Her new role also includes the development of all scripted in-game inventory and she will take a more proactive role in the team's presentation of game day inventory.

Lindsay Hofferberth has been promoted to director of entertainment and game operations. Hofferberth joined the Checkers as the game operations manager/marketing specialist in May of 2008 after spending three seasons as an intern in the marketing and game operations departments. She currently manages game day operations, while assisting in website development, aiding with promotional events and community appearances as well as coordinating the internship program. Hofferberth will continue to oversee the game day operations and will be responsible for coordinating game day entertainment and talent.

The Checkers would also like to announce the hiring of two new employees, Patrick Stack and Jon Cook.

Stack joins the Checkers as director of corporate partnerships. He will be responsible for promoting value, both monetary and non monetary, that in affiliation with the Checkers can bring to local and national corporate partners. Prior to joining the Checkers, Patrick worked for Coyle Media, an agency that consults sports teams and properties on the most effective, efficient way to monetize their digital assets. His work included marketing, business development and event management. Prior to his affiliation with Coyle Media, he completed a 9-month internship with GMR Marketing in Charlotte. While at GMR, he worked in the agency's "sports group", providing value to GMR clients through research, data analysis, event management and information management.

Cook joins the Checkers as account executive. He will be responsible for ensuring a quality hockey experience for individuals, business and groups. He will also be servicing season ticket accounts and addressing their needs throughout the course of the season. Cook joins the team after spending two years with the Phoenix Coyotes of the NHL. He graduated from Wingate University with a bachelor of science in sport management.

Checkers COO, Tera Black said, "It is with great pleasure that we announce these promotions today. As a whole the Checkers staff spends countless hours in the pursuit of excellence. When the off-season approaches, it is at that time that we work on means by which to properly recognize their efforts. These promotions do just that. Additionally, by adding Jon Cook and Patrick Stack to our front office roster, the organization is poised to deliver measurable results to Checkers fans and the Charlotte community in 2009-10 and beyond."

The Checkers are getting ready for their 17th season of play as a member of the ECHL. In the team's 16-year history, the Checkers have made the playoffs 12 times including five consecutive playoff appearances to date. The Checkers are entering their fifth season of play at Time Warner Cable Arena. Season tickets are on sale now. For season ticket information, please call

704-342-4-ICE or visit www.gocheckers.com.

For more information, please contact

Lindsay Hofferberth

704-444-1870

lhofferberth@gocheckers.com

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