This week saw Mark Jeffers appointed as culinary director at Chase Center, the new arena of the Golden State Warriors NBA basketball franchise, which is due to open in September.
Jeffers (pictured) will lead the food and beverage programme at the 18,000-seat arena, covering concessions and premium event, game-day, suite theatre box and other VIP catering. He will lead a team of six Bon Appétit executive chefs and executive sous chefs and 200 culinary staff members.
The announcement was made by the Warriors in partnership with Bon Appétit Management Company and hospitality company Levy. Jeffers previously worked as executive chef and food and beverage director at The Ritz-Carlton resort in Lake Tahoe.
“We’re trying something revolutionary at Chase Center – serving fresh, from-scratch local favourites and dishes representing the best of the Bay Area that can be successfully served at scale as well as in an intimate premium environment,” Fedele Bauccio, chief executive and co-founder of Bon Appétit Management Company, said. “I’m confident that culinary director Mark Jeffers can uphold our standards while pulling off this monumental task.”
Kate Jhaveri, the current chief marketing officer at streaming platform Twitch, has taken up a similar role at the NBA.
Jhaveri is also a former marketing executive at Twitter, Facebook and Microsoft. She will take up her new role on August 15 and report to NBA deputy commissioner and chief operating officer Mark Tatum.
Jhaveri will lead global marketing operations for the NBA, NBA G League and NBA 2K League, covering the development of marketing campaigns and brand messaging across all platforms. She will also oversee consumer insights and analytics departments to enhance the league’s consumer data strategy.
Karen Chapple has taken up a new role as JAPAC senior director of consumer experience strategy and business development at Oracle.
Chapple previously worked for ticketing and technology company TEG as head of digital. She was replaced by Chris Johnston earlier this month.
AEG Presents has strengthened its new European festival division by appointing Laura Davidson as head of artists bookings.
Davidson previously worked as a promoter based in the AEG/Goldenvoice London office. She will be responsible for all bookings for the All Points East Festival and will also support Jim King, head of the new division, across all existing AEG festivals.
For more info on Davidson’s appointment, head to our sister site TheTicketingBusiness.com.
Biometric identity company Clear has named Rod Allison as its new vice-president of operational security.
Allison formerly served as acting deputy administrator of the Transport Security Administration (TSA). In his new role, he will support Clear’s efforts to enhance key partnerships and improve its customer experience.
Clear is the official biometric identity and ticketing partner of Major League Baseball (MLB). In April, the company built its portfolio of US venue partners by agreeing deals with three MLB clubs.
Sports events agency Match IQ has appointed Erik Stover to run its new agency in New York City.
The new office will be named Match IQ Americas. Stover has previously held senior executive positions at the New York Red Bulls and New York Cosmos.
Match IQ has helped European football clubs organise tours of the US. The new office has also signed a multi-year partnership with German Bundesliga club Schalke 04.
Allison Donnelly will join Sport England in November as the organisation’s new executive director of digital, marketing and communications.
Donnelly currently serves as the Prime Minister’s head of news and deputy official spokesperson. At Sport England, she will bring together the body’s existing digital, marketing, campaigns, communications and external affairs teams, including the staff responsible for the This Girl Can campaign.
Do you have news of an appointment that we should know about? Get in touch by emailing news.editor@thestadiumbusiness.com and we’ll include it in our next round-up.
Image: Chase Center
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