Wes Westley, president and CEO of SMG, announced that Claude Molinari will be the general manager of Cobo Center, Detriot. Since SMG assumed operations management of Cobo Center in 2010, Molinari has been the assistant general manager under Thom Connors. Connors will continue his corporate role with SMG, including oversight of the Cobo Center account
Molinari has been with SMG for 18 years and during his tenure in Detroit, he was promoted to regional director of operations for SMG Mideast, where he oversaw the operations departments of 15 regional facilities. Prior to his Cobo assignment, he was assistant general manager of Pittsburgh’s David Lawrence Convention Center, Pittsburgh.
Additionally, Cedric Turnbore has been promoted to director of operations for Cobo Center, and his responsibilities will expand to include the oversight of production, sustainability, and janitorial services. Turnbore came to Cobo with more than 20 years of experience with top brand properties including the Westin Book Cadillac and Marriott Hotels. Working for Cobo Center for over six years, he has moved up the ranks from production services manager to senior operations manager prior to this promotion.