CASEY SPARKS
ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER
BOK CENTER, TULSA, OKLA.
CURRENT CITY: Tulsa, Okla.
HOMETOWN: Rock Hill, S.C.
WHERE DID YOU GO TO UNIVERSITY: University of South Carolina, Columbia
FIRST JOB IN THE INDUSTRY: Marketing Coordinator, Colonial Life Arena, Columbia, S.C.
HOW DID YOU GET YOUR CURRENT JOB: I started at BOK Center eight years ago, then left, and when the AGM position was available, I took it.
WHAT WOULD YOU BE DOING IF YOU WEREN'T DOING THIS: Interior designer decorating houses.
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE MENTOR: My Father, Tom Sparks, influenced me most about business.
WHAT DO YOU DO IN YOUR FREE TIME: Do-it-yourself (DYI) on my house.
WHAT IS THE TOP SONG ON YOUR IPOD RIGHT NOW: “Dark Horse” by Katy Perry.
WHAT WOULD PEOPLE BE SURPRISED TO LEARN ABOUT YOU: I am really an introvert at heart.
IF YOU COULD HAVE AN ENDLESS SUPPLY OF ANYTHING, WHAT WOULD IT BE: A1 sauce.
FAVORITE LIVE EVENT YOU'VE ATTENDED: It’s a toss up between Celine Dion and Metallica.
IF YOU COULD HAVE A SUPER POWER, WHAT WOULD IT BE: To see people’s real intentions.
(918) 894-4210
CASSIE ZEBISCH
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS, AEG
Current City: Anaheim Hills, Calif.
WHERE DID YOU GO TO UNIVERSITY: I got a BA from San Diego State and MA from University of San Francisco.
FIRST JOB IN THE INDUSTRY: Intern at AEG and Staples Center for Cara Vanderhook and Michael Roth.
HOW DID YOU GET YOUR CURRENT JOB: I started at AEG as an intern when I first started grad school in 2007 and returned to AEG fulltime after a season working for the Los Angeles Angels.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF THE JOB: With AEG's strong portfolio of assets, I get the opportunity to work with so many talented professionals.
WHAT WOULD YOU BE DOING IF YOU WEREN'T IN THAT JOB: Sports broadcasting.
WHO ARE YOUR FAVORITE MENTORS: Michael Roth and Steve Cohen.
WHAT DO YOU DO WITH YOUR FREE TIME: Lately, it has been spent working out. Proud to say I lost 60 lbs. in 2016.
WHERE WOULD YOU GO IF YOU COULD ESCAPE FOR ONE DAY: Check in at the Montage in Laguna Beach and order room service and watch movies.
WHAT IS THE TOP SONG ON YOUR IPOD RIGHT NOW: “Million Reasons“ by Lady Gaga.
WHAT FAMOUS PERSON IN HISTORY WOULD YOU LIKE TO MEET: Lucille Ball.
WHAT WOULD PEOPLE BE SURPRISED TO LEARN ABOUT YOU: I own a dive bar in North Hollywood with my Dad, Michael. It's called Michael's Pub and we're open 20 hour a day, 6 a.m.-2 a.m.
BEST ADVICE YOU'VE EVER RECEIVED: Work hard, be nice.
FAVORITE LIVE EVENT ATTENDED: Tour de France.
(213) 763-7712
MICHAEL SAWAYA
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CONVENTION AND SPORTS FACILITIES
ALAMODOME, SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS
CURRENT CITY: San Antonio, Texas.
HOMETOWN: Little Rock, Ark.
WHERE DID YOU GO TO UNIVERSITY: University of Arkansas, Little Rock.
HOW DID YOU GET YOUR CURRENT JOB: I was recruited by the San Antonio City manager when the convention center director retired.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF THE JOB: Autonomy and ability to be visionary in determining the long-term strategic direction of our department and its facilities.
WHAT WOULD YOU BE DOING IF YOU WEREN'T DOING THIS: GM of a convention hotel or resort.
WHO ARE YOUR FAVORITE MENTORS: Sheryl Sculley, San Antonio city manager; Jack Swilley, former regional VP for IHG; my Uncle Joe and Aunt Jeanette Chilli, Cape Cod (Mass.) hotel and restaurant owners who got me hooked on hospitality.
WHAT WOULD PEOPLE BE SURPRISED TO LEARN ABOUT YOU: I am an introvert at heart.
BEST ADVICE YOU'VE EVER RECEIVED: Think before you speak and always tell the truth.
FAVORITE LIVE EVENT YOU'VE ATTENDED: George Strait’s farewell concert at the Alamodome, San Antonio and watching the cowboy ride away!
(210) 207-3663