To figure out where you want to go next after any major life event, you have to remember where you've been.
Growing up, my big dream was to work on the business side of sports in the front office of the Detroit Red Wings.
As a kid in 1990's Hockeytown, I grew up a massive Red Wings fan. I'm talking like I wore my Steve Yzerman jersey for school pictures kind of fan. My grandpa had season tickets. I was in the same kindergarten class as Vladimir Konstantinov's daughter. My dad even took a side hustle working at a merchandise stand at Wings games so that he could sneak me into the Joe to watch games for free (which he continued to work for 20+ years).
If I had to do something for a career, I knew I wanted to be at Joe Louis Arena. But I had no idea where to start, or any clue what type of work I wanted to do if/when I actually got there.
The last 12+ years have been a whirlwind for me professionally as I chased this dream:
2007: Worked as a telemarketer for a local construction company in Grand Rapids, MI called Kodiak Construction.
It was the only job that I could find that worked with my football schedule, as I was a walk-on running back at Grand Valley State University at the time.
After exceeding my monthly cold-calling goals, I talked my manager into letting me help plan our company's sponsor activations at West Michigan Whitecaps games (the Class A Minor League affiliate with the Detroit Tigers).
It was nothing crazy, but it was my first real taste of sports sponsorship marketing.
2009: After my football career was over, I worked for a startup consultant firm in Grand Rapids, MI called Simplicity Tactics.
The company had nothing to do with sports, but in a lean startup environment I was able to do marketing and business development work that was WAY above my pay grade.
This allowed me the opportunity to develop my working skills in the real world. Try new things and make mistakes.
This job set up the foundation for the rest of my career.
2010: I decided to get my Masters in Sports Management from Western Michigan University.
July 2011: After losing a few clients and a few slow months, I was laid off from the consultant firm.
I was a free agent, but I had a plan and a dream.
This gave me the chance to chase after a job in sports as I worked on my Masters degree.
August 2011: I interviewed for an full-time entry-level job selling tickets for the Grand Rapids Griffins, the AHL affiliate for the Detroit Red Wings.
I didn't get the job... but my passion made a good impression at the interview.
September 2011: I noticed the Griffins posted an unpaid Corporate Sales Internship opening.
I needed an internship as part of my Masters degree, so I reached out to the people I had interviewed with and basically begged for this job - and it worked.
I was working in pro hockey, 50-hours a week, unpaid, living off of student loans, while driving an hour each way from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo four days a week for night school. This was one of the best times of my life.
January 2012: I noticed the Red Wings were hiring a Corporate Partnership Marketing Manager, and my boss at the Griffins knew the person hiring at the Red Wings.
I got my foot in the door, and kicked that door in.
February 2012: I actually did it; I landed my dream job.
I was working at Joe Louis Arena in the front office of the Detroit Red Wings, in a new role as a Corporate Partnership Account Executive.
I worked around the clock to become the best business developer in sports and entertainment. I became obsessed with getting better at my craft, and reached the professional goals I set for myself (see Portfolio page).
Summer 2018: It was time to move on.
After hosting a Winter Classic, closing Joe Louis Arena, and building/opening Little Caesars Arena, I had accomplished everything I wanted to at the Red Wings and was ready for a new challenge. But for me to leave my dream job, I needed to find the right opportunity.
I interviewed with the NHL, Los Angeles Rams, Cleveland Browns, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, San Francisco 49ers, New Jersey Devils/Philadelphia 76ers, Dallas Stars for various roles, looking for the right move... and I found an opportunity to stay in Detroit to launch something new and exciting: the PGA TOUR.
October 2018: I became the Director of Strategic Development for Intersport in Detroit.
I was able to lead development for the team that launched the inaugural Rocket Mortgage Classic in 2019.
Our team enjoyed a successful launch by setting a few records, including winning three PGA TOUR awards.
June 2020: Coronavirus happened.
After enjoying success on the PGA TOUR, and planning other major events for the city of Detroit, I found myself as a free agent again.
September 2, 2020: Snag Business goes live.