Faces + Places
PAUL GRIESEMER
HNTB has named Paul Griesemer, AIA, LEED AP, associate vice president, as national technical director for the firm’s architecture practice. Griesemer previously served as a project director for HNTB. He has pioneered the development of sports facilities with a focus on football stadiums and training facilities, as well as convention facilities, Olympic venues and multipurpose facilities including recreation and training. Over his 38-year career, he led facility design efforts for 13 National Football League franchises, universities and stadium efforts in several countries, most recently as architect of record for the $1.4 billion Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
NICK SITAR
Southern California casino operator Agua Caliente Casinos has named Nick Sitar its new director of entertainment, where he will oversee entertainment at the company’s California properties in Rancho Mirage, Palm Springs and Cathedral City. Sitar has more than a decade of experience in the live entertainment industry, including most recently as regional director of entertainment programming at Caesars Entertainment, handling the casino giant’s non-Vegas properties. Agua Caliente venues include the 2,101-seat The Show in Rancho Mirage, the Cascade Lounge in downtown Palm Springs and the Agave Caliente Terraza at Agua Caliente Casino Cathedral City.
DEAN RAISE
Red Light Management has hired artist manager Dean Raise, the founder of Raise Artist Management, who brings with him longtime clients Rebelution, Durand Jones & The Indications and Aaron Frazer. Raise will be joined at Red Light by his team members including manager and creative director Lauryn Kidd, manager and marketing director Kate Schultz, graphic and video designer Michele Dupont and coordinator Gianna Lasita. In addition to being a manager, Raise is an event promoter, record label owner and a Grammy-nominated executive producer. He’s also the co-founder of the nonprofit Last Prisoner Project. The organization, which launched in 2016, is “dedicated to repairing the past and continuing harms of the criminalization of cannabis, granting clemency, expungement and re-entry to nonviolent cannabis prisoners.”
JOEL GRUBB
Joel Grubb, a 13-year-music industry veteran, has been hired as talent buyer and event producer for Charlotte, North Carolina-based Midwood Entertainment. Grubb had been with Rival Entertainment, where he managed Sweetland Amphitheatre in LaGrange, Georgia, and Chandler Park Music Festival in Atlanta. Midwood is focused on venue management, festival curation, talent buying and logistics.
CHRISTINE MELKO ROSS
Concert promoter Outback Presents announced Christine Melko Ross is joining the company as senior vice president of global operations, where she will spearhead the company’s Canadian operations. Melko Ross is based in Montreal, and has over 35 years of experience producing and promoting comedy and music shows. Over the last 23 years, Melko Ross worked with the Just For Laughs Group, where she helped run the Montreal Festival and launched the Toronto Festival. She’s also worked with Jerry Seinfeld, Trevor Noah, Tom Segura, Bill Burr, Sebastian Maniscalco and more. She’s produced and developed international festivals, as well, including in Sydney, Bermuda, Mexico, London and more.
ADAM CROSS
UBS Arena and the New York Islanders have named Adam Cross as senior vice president, corporate partnerships. Cross will oversee all corporate partnerships, partner activation and strategy for UBS Arena and NY Islanders. He joins an OVG global partnership team that oversees six U.S. based owned and operated arenas throughout the U.S. Adam will report to Ryan Brach, Executive Vice President of Global Partnerships at Oak View Group. Cross previously served as the senior vice president of corporate partnerships with Harris Blitzer Sports and Entertainment.
