TYLER RUNYON
CONCESSIONS MANAGER AT BB&T BALLPARK
SPECTRA FOOD SERVICES AND HOSPITALITY, CHARLOTTE, N.C.
HOMETOWN: Greensboro, N.C.
UNIVERSITY: Appalachian State and University of North Carolina Greensboro
HOW YOU GOT YOUR JOB: I worked my way up from a summer job stocking concession stands in an 80-year-old stadium to supervisor to manager. When the opportunity to get back to working in baseball arrived, it was a no-brainer for me to make the move.
MENTORS: Patricia Veal, HR coordinator at the Greensboro Coliseum, has been a major influence on me for 12 years and with two different companies. Erik Hassy, general manager at Spectra Food Services and Hospitality at the Charlotte Knights, always puts the guest and staff first. And Gary Runyon, my dad.
BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED: "Just give them the cup." Early in my career an angry guest sent an email to the director of the building about how I wouldn't give them a souvenir cup that was not offered on the first two days of an ACC Basketball Tournament. I learned that sometimes it makes your life easier if you just give them the cup.
FAVORITE LIVE EVENT: It's a tie between Garth Brooks and the 2016 NFC Championship Game.
(704) 274-8217
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GINA ROTOLO
DIRECTOR OF ENTERTAINMENT MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS, MGM RESORTS INTERNATIONAL, LAS VEGAS
HOMETOWN: Dodge City, Kan.
UNIVERSITY: Texas Christian University, Ft. Worth
FAVORITE PART OF YOUR JOB: I am fortunate to work with some of the best in the entertainment business, from booking, production and operations to sponsorship, hospitality and, of course, marketing, PR and social media. We work as a team in a dynamic environment so each day brings new challenges and new rewards. Never a dull moment!
MENTORS: My father, who taught me the value of working hard, paying your dues and listening. My mother, who encouraged me to think outside the box and consider all points of view. My professional mentors include Louis Messina, Rome and Kate McMahon, Doug Hall, Wayne Hodes and Jason Price. They all helped provide the foundation of what I do today in some way, shape or form and I am grateful for all the lessons learned, especially the tough ones.
BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED: Make a difference every day and do something selfless. There’s nothing quite like seeing somebody genuinely smile or laugh. It’s the little things that you can do that can have a big impact on somebody else so make sure that impact is positive.
FAVORITE LIVE EVENT: My first Grateful Dead show was unreal; Coachella, ACL, Pemberton Music Festival and SXSW are all top of the list in terms of festival experiences; and most recently opening T-Mobile Arena with back-to-back nights of Guns N’ Roses will be a tough one to ever top.
(702) 692-1313
BRIAN MONAHAN
NATIONAL SALES MANAGER, PRESTIGE AV & CREATIVE SERVICES
HOMETOWN: Cincinnati
UNIVERSITY: Park University, Kansas City (attended at Marine Corps Air Station, Beaufort, S.C., Satellite Location)
HOW YOU GOT THE JOB YOU HAVE NOW: I first learned of Prestige while working for a competitor in 1997. Prestige was such a great resource, and while being a sub-rental partner for a competitor I thought that is the type of company I want to work for: a company that serves not just its own customers but also its competitors.
MENTORS: Michel Sheer, former general manager of the Hilton Netherland Plaza; Jeffrey Gitomer, sales author; Terry Ramstetter, deceased owner of Prestige AV & Creative Services; and Mike Monahan, my father.
WHAT YOU THOUGHT YOUR CAREER WOULD BE AS A CHILD: I had a lot of ideas, but the one I considered the most was cabinet maker. I spent my early 20’s as a cabinet maker before starting my career in audio visual, via the United States Marine Corps.
MOST EMBARRASSING TRACK ON YOUR ITUNES: “Ants in my Pants,” A Tippy Toes Dancing Track, for my daughter.
BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED: “Value first,” from Jeffrey Gitomer. His mantra for sales is also a mantra for life: always strive to provide value first.
IF YOU COULD HAVE AN ENDLESS SUPPLY OF ONE THING: Time, of course.
(513) 641-1600