Executive Team

 
Paul Andrews
Executive Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer

Paul Andrews was promoted to his position as Executive Vice President of Kroenke Sports Enterprises in April 2005. Andrews works with KSE President Stan Kroenke on overseeing the day-to-day business operations within KSE. These entities include: Pepsi Center, Denver Nuggets, Colorado Avalanche, Colorado Crush, Colorado Mammoth, Colorado Rapids, Dick’s Sporting Goods Park and the historical Paramount Theatre in downtown Denver. As Chief Marketing Officer, Andrews directly oversees the Ticket Sales, Service and Operations departments, as well as the Creative, Marketing and Corporate Sponsorship departments. In 2007, Andrews and the Marketing team launched their newest initiative forming a ticketing company to service the Colorado Rapids, Dick’s Sporting Goods Park and Paramount Theatre known as “TicketHorse”.

Andrews began his career in professional sports with the Denver Nuggets as an account executive in September 1990. Demonstrating his desire to learn other facets of the industry, he was put in charge of directing Game Operations in addition to his sales duties in 1991. Continuing his climb up the Nuggets hierarchy, he was promoted to Ticket Sales Manager in 1994. Due to his efforts, the Nuggets had their most successful sellout streak in franchise history, numbering 56 games during the course of the 1994-95 and 1995-96 seasons.

When it was announced that the Quebec Nordiques would be moving to Denver in 1995-96 to become the Colorado Avalanche, new challenges arose for Andrews. He is credited with designing and instituting the initial seating plans, innovative group sales programs, as well as advanced development of targeted telemarketing for season ticket sales. Under Andrews’s leadership, the Avalanche sold out for more than a decade and has averaged over 97% of capacity since 1995, including a 493 home game sellout streak.

A native of Colorado, Andrews is a 1983 graduate of Alameda High School and went on to earn a bachelors degree in Marketing from the University of Wyoming. He and his wife, Marlie, reside in Arvada with their two sons, Aaron and Trace.

Doug Ackerman
Senior Vice President, Venues

Doug Ackerman joined the Pepsi Center in 1999 following nine years with Ascent Entertainment Group’s corporate accounting department. Ackerman is responsible for all aspects of the Pepsi Center. He oversees financial reporting, financial transactions, budget preparations and all Pepsi Center operations from booking to day to day management of the facility. Prior to his work with Ascent, Ackerman worked for seven years with Ernst & Young. Ackerman graduated from Ohio Northern University and subsequently earned his CPA Certificate. He and his wife, Trish, reside in Parker with their three children, Ashley, Steven and Ian.

Michael Benson
Senior Vice President, Business Affairs & Treasurer

Michael Benson has been with the Kroenke Sports Enterprises organization since 1996, including three years with its prior parent company, Ascent Entertainment Group. While with Ascent Entertainment he was involved in corporate finance, treasury and insurance as the Manager of Finance. Prior to joining the company, Benson worked in the finance and planning departments of Pulte Mortgage Corporation for four years.

In addition to his executive duties, Benson is currently responsible for all treasury, cash management, risk management, 401(k), insurance, retail and human resources for the company and heads work on business acquisition, development and special event projects. Benson led Kroenke Sports / Pepsi Center efforts on the 2001 NHL All-Star and financial aspects of the 2005 NBA All-Star game. He has Executive Management responsibility for the Grand Prix of Denver, The Opera Shop, a Kroenke owned regional Theatrical and Stage Lighting Company, and Altitude Premium Consulting, a premium buying and strategic consulting joint venture.

Born in Eugene, Oregon, Benson holds an undergraduate degree in finance from the University of Arizona (1991) and a graduate degree in finance from the University of Colorado (1996) and is a Certified Treasury Professional (CTP). Benson sits on the Board of The Denver Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau and it’s Finance and Audit Committee. Mike is also a member of the Association of Financial Professional and the Risk and Insurance Management Society.

He and his wife, Laura, reside in Parker, CO with their three daughters, Carolyn, Meredith and Hailey.

Mark Waggoner
Senior Vice President, Finance

Mark Waggoner enters his 11th year of service with the organization, and is responsible for all of the financial reporting aspects of the Colorado Avalanche and Denver Nuggets in conjunction with the National Hockey League and National Basketball Association. Waggoner oversees all financial transactions for both franchises and is responsible for developing and maintaining budgets, working with the teams on matters involving insurance and other benefit programs, in addition to the responsibilities of reporting from human resources, IT, and retail operations.

Mark originally joined the Denver Nuggets in 1986 as the organization’s accountant following five years of service in the public accounting profession in Denver. He was then promoted to his current position in 1992. Waggoner is an active member of both the Colorado Society of Certified Public Accountants and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. He also serves as the Treasurer for the Colorado Avalanche and Denver Nuggets Community Funds as well as the Nuggets Stay In School program.

A native of Ann Arbor, Michigan, Waggoner graduated from Central Michigan University in 1980 with a B.A. in Business Administration. He proceeded to earn his CPA Certificate in 1982. Mark and his wife, Janeen, reside in Littleton with their daughter Rylee.

Deb Dowling-Canino
Vice President, Community Relations

Deb Dowling-Canino returned to Kroenke Sports Enterprises in 2002 as Vice President of Community Relations. Previously she served as Special Events Director for the Denver Nuggets and Colorado Avalanche from 1993-96.

Her responsibilities include community involvement and initiatives for all KSE entities including the Colorado Avalanche, Denver Nuggets, Colorado Mammoth, Colorado Crush, Pepsi Center, Universal Lending Pavilion and Paramount Theatre.

Dowling- Canino’s professional career has included media stints at KHOW and KWBZ Radio as public service, promotion and programming director. She owned and operated Abracadabra Events, an event production company whose clients included The International at Castle Pines, Colorado Department of Local Affairs, Colorado Special Olympics, Metro State College, Downtown Denver Partnership and Colorado Broadcaster’s Association. In the non-profit sector she has worked with the March of Dimes, AMC Cancer Research Center and Colorado Sports Hall of Fame. From 1996-2000 Deb and Master Chef-husband Roland Canino owned and operated the highly acclaimed Canino’s Trattoria.

Her personal involvement with non-profit and civic organizations in Denver has included volunteer leadership roles with Colorado Special Olympics, ALS Association, Junior League of Denver, Central City Opera, Denver Baseball Commission, Colorado Tourism Board, First Plymouth Congregational Church and others. A native of Colorado, Dowling-Canino graduated from Colorado State University with a degree in Technical Journalism.

Dave Jolette
Vice President, Pepsi Center

Dave Jolette has been running the day-to-day operations of the Pepsi Center since the building opened in the fall of 1999 and enters his eight season in that role. He was named Vice President in May of 2003.

Jolette and his staff oversee the roughly 200 annual events that take place at Pepsi Center, Dick’s Sporting Goods Park and Paramount Theatre. All told, his staff helps put on almost 300 events in a given year.

During his tenure at Pepsi Center, Jolette, 42, has helped stage the 2001 NHL All-Star Game, 2005 NBA All-Star Game, NCAA Regional basketball tournaments in addition to a wide range of events that come through KSE facilities. Overall, this marks Jolette’s 13th year with the Avalanche and Nuggets. He was hired as the event manager for McNichols Sports Arena in 1995, the Avalanche’s inaugural season. Prior to joining KSE, Dave also worked in event operations for both the Denver Coliseum and Red Rocks. He joined Kroenke Sports six months before the Pepsi Center opened.

Dave’s current challenge is the successful planning and execution of the Democratic National Convention at Pepsi Center in August of 2008.

Upon the completion of his bachelor’s degree from California State-Chico in 1987, Dave operated his own business in California for several years before pursuing a graduate degree in facilities management at the University of Michigan. He then joined the McNichols Arena staff in 1995.

An avid sports and fitness enthusiast, Dave competes in triathlon races throughout Colorado. He and his wife, Stacy, have a daughter Nicole (16) and a son Ryan (13). They make their home in Denver.

Mike Kurowski
Vice President, Corporate Sales & Partnership Marketing

Mike Kurowski is entering his tenth season with the organization. He began his ascent as an Account Executive selling and servicing partners for the Denver Nuggets. Soon after his arrival, the corporate sales group was challenged to create a solid sponsorship base for the Colorado Avalanche. While Mike and the rest of the sponsorship group exceeded expectations, the next hurdle was to prepare for the opening of the Pepsi Center doors in 1999. During this time, and leading up to Mike’s new role within Kroenke Sports as Director of Corporate Sales in October 2001, his sales skills consistently placed him at the top of the department. During his time spent in the director’s chair he led the charge in promoting the Colorado Crush and Colorado Mammoth in their successful inaugural seasons as well as sponsorship efforts for the newly acquired Colorado Rapids. Early this year, he was promoted to his current role of Vice President. Mike’s team consists of a solid group of sales and service professionals with a tremendous amount of inventory and demanding responsibilities ahead.

Prior to his time spent with Kroenke Sports, Mike’s experience as an Account Executive was fined tuned with a Florida based advertising agency. His abilities helped land several key accounts that ultimately led to his hiring with the Nuggets and his relocation back to Denver.

A native of Colorado, Mike grew up in Littleton and attended Columbine High school. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin in Green Bay and currently resides in Denver with his wife, Christy and their three boys, Cason, Kade, and Camden.

Shawn Stokes
Vice President, Venue Projects

Shawn Stokes joined the Pepsi Center in 1999 as Director of Production. In September, 2003 he was promoted to his current title of Vice President, Venue Projects. In his current capacity, Stokes is overseeing the renovation of the historic Paramount Theater. This undertaking will bring in a variety of concerts as well as the Colorado Ballets production of The Nutcracker. Along with Stokes’ responsibilities at the Paramount he will be taking on various other projects that come through the Pepsi Center.

Prior to joining the Pepsi Center, Stokes was a Promoter Representative for House of Blues as well as Universal. Before becoming a Promoter Representative, Stokes was a Stage Rigger for many big name artists including; Sinead O’Connor, Peter Gabriel, Lenny Kravitz and Stereo MC’s. Stokes currently sits on the Board of Directors for the Historic Paramount Foundation and is an active member of the Pepsi Center Advisory Committee. Born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Stokes currently resides in Downtown Denver.

Charles R. Wright
Vice President, New Business Operations

Mr. Wright has a wealth of financial management and merger and acquisition experience, particularly with respect to sports franchises and arenas. He is currently the CFO of The Kroenke Group, a holding company that includes ownership of several Colorado sports franchises, cultural and entertainment activities and several real estate holdings, including The Pepsi Center. He also serves as a Vice President for Kroenke Sports and has responsibility for analyzing many new investment opportunities for the company. Mr. Wright currently serves on The National Lacrosse League Board of Governors as the Governor for the Mammoth and is Chairman of the NLL Finance Committee. He also has operational responsibility for certain operating units at KSE and oversees the operations of the Blue Sky Grill. Previously, he spent over 20 years as an outside professional financial advisor, including over 14 years as a partner with Ernst & Young, the last 8 of which were based in Philadelphia.

Mr. Wright worked with literally hundreds of clients in his career and specialized in the sports and entertainment business for the past several years. Non-confidential client assignments during that time have included clients that purchased the: Montreal Canadiens, Colorado Avalanche, Washington Capitals, Pittsburgh Penguins, Vancouver (currently Memphis) Grizzlies, Denver Nuggets, Washington Wizards and three of the facilities used by those teams. Mr. Wright is also a shareholder and officer of an indoor soccer franchise playing in the MISL.

He is a frequent speaker on mergers & acquisitions and sports industry subjects. He has written over 20 articles for professional publications on a wide range of topics. Mr. Wright holds several professional certifications (CPA, CMA, CIRA, CMC) and belongs to a number of professional organizations. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree, cum laude, from Duke University and an MBA in Finance and Accounting from the Owen Graduate School of Management at Vanderbilt University, where he received the Faculty Award for Distinguished Achievement. He has also served on the Board of Trustees of several charitable organizations, and is currently on the Board of the Mile High United Way.