Features
LASED Hires 10, Including New VPs In Legal, Security, Operations, Business Development
HKS Architects, Inc. –
A rendering of the stadium being constructed in Inglewood, Calif.
Los Angeles Stadium & Entertainment at Hollywood Park, the body transforming Hollywood Park Racetrack into a 70,240-capacity stadium with a surrounding district in Inglewood, Calif., for NFL anchor tenants the Rams and Chargers – announced a wave of new hires May 8, including several new vice presidents.
Marlene Nations has been hired as senior vice president and general counsel, leading the company’s legal affairs group. She comes on from a previous position as partner at Dentons. Rosa Shen will also be working on the legal affairs team as associate general counsel.
Michael Beamer will be the company’s new VP of security, coming from a position with the NBA. Blake Paris will also be joining as senior director of security.
Otto Benedict is the new VP of facility and campus operations, coming over from his previous position as SVP and GM of Facilities at LAFC, where he managed Banc of California Stadium and Los Angeles Football Club Performance Center.
Chan Onechanh has been named the vice president of engineering and transportation, coming over from Venue Solutions Group, where he previously worked with LASED. Juan Carrero will support Onechanh as director of parking operations.
Mitch Bornstein is now the vice president of business development, with an emphasis on VIP outreach and influencer engagement. He was already working with the LA Rams.
Adolfo Romero joins as the new senior director of programming and events, coming over from Major League Soccer. He will report to VP of programming Christy Castillo Butcher.
And Kristi Mexia will work as the new Corporate Communications Director for Hollywood Park, coming over from Beck Media & Marketing.
“We are thrilled to welcome this incredible group of leaders to help us deliver Mr. Kroenke’s vision for Hollywood Park,” LASED Managing Director Jason Gannon said in a statement.
“Bringing together a team of individuals who have diverse experience within sports, entertainment and business is a key component to building a global destination that will transform Southern California.”
LASED hired four new execs, including Castillo Butcher, Kameron Durham as VP of guest experience; Skarpi Hedinsson as CTO; and Joe Sesi as VP of finance and accounting, in October.
LASED is being financed by E. Stanley Kroenke, the owner of Kroenke Sports & Entertainment and owner of the Los Angeles Rams among other teams. The stadium is scheduled to open in 2020.
The stadium will host Super Bowl LVI in 2022, the College Football National Championship in 2023, and the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2028 Olympic Games. More than 1.5 million square feet of retail and office space, 2,500 residences and 20 acres of parks are all being anticipated to be installed next to the stadium.