The Foundation – Your Story Starts Here

LEADERSHIP

Meet our Cavs Ticket Sales Leadership Team

Bill Fagan

President, Business Operations

First Job

Sales Consultant – Phoenix Suns

Allison Howard

Chief Commercial Officer

First Job

Engineer – Shell Oil Company

Josh Lins

Vice President, Ticket Sales & Service

First Job

Account Executive, Organizational Business Development – Cleveland Cavaliers

What is the best advice you’ve received in your sports career?

Anyone can work hard for a day, but consistency is what will separate you. If you strive to “win the day” every single day, you will be great

Aj Bondi

Vice President, Premium Development

First Job

Corporate Partnership Seasonal Assistant – Cleveland Cavaliers

Why is The Foundation important to you and/or the ticket sales team?

When you look at who has come through the Foundation, what they have done and where they have gone (whether it be here or to other organizations) it’s incredible. If you were to take that away, finding success would be extremely difficult, if not impossible.

DOUG WISLINSKI

SENIOR DIRECTOR, GROUP & MEMBERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

First Job

Inside Sales Representative – New York Knicks/Rangers

What is the best advice you've received in your sports career?

In your career there will be things you can and cannot control. You can always control your attitude and effort.

KYLE KAMINSKI

MANAGER, THE FOUNDATION

First Job

Account Executive, Organizational Business Development – Cleveland Cavaliers

What is the best part about working for the Cavs?

Hands down the people. We have the best team members that are all working together for a common goal. We want to be the best in the business and make each other better every single day.

ANGELO HRONIS

Director, Business Development

First Job

Account Executive, Organizational Business Development – Cleveland Cavaliers

What is the best part about working for the Cavs?

The people. Everybody in the organization are genuinely good people. They push you to be the best version of yourself while bringing positive energy every day!

MELA SCHLESINGER

DIRECTOR, REVENUE OPERATIONS & SPECIAL PROJECTS

First Job

Inside Sales Account Executive – Cleveland Cavaliers

What is the best part about working for the Cavs?

I love how open and supportive this organization is. If you have a question, want to pick someone’s brain, or just simply learn more about what they do – everyone is willing to lend a hand. I’ve learned so much about other parts of our business simply by asking to tell me more.

Sharon Smith

Director, Premium Membership Development

First Job

Corporate Sales Executive – Wichita Thunder

Jordyn Kovolyan

Senior Manager, Membership Development

First Job

Account Executive, Organizational Business Development – Cleveland Cavaliers

What is your advice for incoming industry professionals?

Start early! Connect with as many people as possible and ask as many questions as you can think of. The more you know coming into the industry, the more prepared you will be. Everyone in the industry has been through it themselves, and are willing to lend a helping hand to those who reach out!

SAM BERMAN

MANAGER, PREMIUM DEVELOPMENT

First Job

Account Executive, Organizational Business Development – Cleveland Cavaliers

What is the best part about working for the Cavs?

Working in the sports & entertainment industry allows you to be present for some pretty unique events, that most people don’t get access to on a regular basis. Being able to attend events like the NBA All-Star Weekend, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, & NCAA Championships are things I will be able to tell people about for years to come!

KIERSTEN GREEN

MANAGER, GROUP SALES

First Job

Game Night Staff, Membership Service at Washington Capitals

Why is The Foundation important to you and/or the ticket sales team?

The Foundation is important to me because it equipped me with the tools to be a successful sales rep and now a new leader. The amount of leaders who are “home grown” is a testament to the quality of the program we have here, and also to the leaders who are at the forefront of leading this program.

Cavs Front Office Hall of Fame

The group of individuals below are amongst the finest in the sports industry. Below are a few examples of leaders who’ve come through our Foundation program:

Matthew Kalister

SVP, Sales & Service & Strategy –Franchise Properties

Previous Position: Sales Consultant

Dan Rosenthal

SVP, Sales – Elevate Sports Ventures

Previous Position: Account Executive

Mela Schlesinger

Director, Revenue Operations & Special Projects – Cleveland Cavaliers

Previous Position: Account Executive

Ashley Galbraith

Senior Director, Membership Services – Los Angeles Dodgers

Previous Position: Account Executive

David Aitken

VP of Ticket Sales & Corporate Partnerships – Rochester Americans

Previous Position: Account Executive

Grant Hesselbart

Senior Director, Ticket Sales & Service – Cleveland Charge

Previous Position: Account Executive

Madison Curl

Manager, Corporate Partnership Strategy– Illitch Sports

Previous Position: Account Executive

Michael Drobnick

VP, Ticket Sales & Service – Philadelphia 76ers

Previous Position: Account Executive

Jessica Fisher

Senior Director, Group & Membership Development – Cleveland Monsters

Previous Position: Account Executive

Dan Purdy

Senior Manager, Business Development – Gamecock Sports Properties

Previous Position: Account Executive

Brett Wallace

VP, Ticket Sales, Premium Sales & Fundraising – Georgia Tech

Previous Position: Account Executive

Dan Maret

Director, Premium Services – Crypto.com Arena

Previous Position: Account Executive

Dave Leutwyler

Director, Regional Sales – Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Previous Position: Account Executive

Erin Simmons

Senior Manager, Group Sales – Milwaukee Bucks

Previous Position: Account Executive

Kathleen Coyle (Waddell)

VP, Premium Sales – Minnesota Vikings

Previous Position: Account Executive

Scott Gordon

Sales Director – PGA Tour

Previous Position: Account Executive

Austin Cook

Director, Premium Hospitality Development – Cleveland Cavaliers

Previous Position: Account Executive

David Koné

Agent, Basketball – William Morris Endeavor

Previous Position: Account Executive

Chris Schons

Senior Manager, Premium Club Hospitality – Cleveland Cavaliers

Previous Position: Account Executive

Angelo Hronis

Director, Business Development – Cleveland Cavaliers

Previous Position: Account Executive

Jordyn Kovolyan

Sr. Manager of Membership Development – Cleveland Cavaliers

Previous Position: Account Executive

Zach Harvey

Senior Manager, Global Partnerships – AEG

Previous Position: BDS

Meka White Morris

EVP, Chief of Business Officer – Minnesota Twins

Previous Position: Account Executive

Ken Meredith

Vice President, Premium & East Coast Sales – ???

Previous Position: Account Executive

AJ Gioglio

Senior Manager, New Business – ???

Previous Position: Account Executive

Erica Gallardo

Director, Membership Services – ???

Previous Position: Account Executive

Erica Slye

Manager, New Business – Arizona Diamondbacks

Previous Position: Account Executive

AJ Bondi

Vice President, Premium Development – Cleveland Cavaliers

Previous Position: Account Executive

Kiersten Green

Manager, Group Sales – Cleveland Cavaliers

Previous Position: Account Executive

Ken Meredith

VP of Premium & East Coast Sales – Professional Bull Riders

Previous Position: Account Executive

Josh Chua

Sr. Manager of Ticket & Premium Sales – REG

Previous Position: Account Executive

Mike Ostrowski

President – Franchise Properties

Previous Position: Sales Executive

Josh Lins

Vice President, Ticket Sales & Service – Cleveland Cavaliers

Previous Position: Account Executive

Joseph Perez

Senior Manager, Premium Sales – Brooklyn Nets

Previous Position: Manager, the Foundation

Leaders who’ve had their pathway’s cross with the Cavs Front Office in the past or are currently with the Cavs Front office:

Nic Barlage

CEO – Rock Entertainment Group

Previous Position: Manager of Premium Sales

Chad Estis

EVP – Legends

Previous Position: President – Legends

Brad Sims

President & CEO – New York City Football Club

Previous Position: Chief Revenue Officer

Dionna Widder

Chief Revenue Officer – Nashville Predators

Previous Position: Vice President of Ticket Sales and Service

Pam Frasco

Vice President of Marketing and Communications – Cleveland Monsters

Previous Position: Sales Intern

Paul Bee

SVP of Ticket Sales and Service – Milwaukee Bucks

Previous Position: Account Executive

Todd Fleming

Vice President & GM – Legends

Previous Position: Sales Executive

Troy Tutt

SVP of Ticketing & Hospitality – LIV Golf

Previous Position: Account Executive

Doug Dawson

Vice President of Ticket Sales & Service – Dallas Cowboys

Previous Position: Director of Sales

Carl Manteau

VP of Ticket Sales – Minnesota Timberwolves

Previous Position: Group Sales Specialist

Doug Roberts

Senior Director of Premium Sales & Events – Benz Stadium & Atlanta Falcons

Previous Position: Account Executive

Jordan Cannon

Senior Director of Ticket Sales – New York City Football Club

Previous Position: Manager

Matt Fahr

Director of Engagement Center at Legends & The Ohio State University – Legends

Previous Position: Night Sales Manager

Ryan Caler

Director of Organizational Business Development and Client Retention

Previous Position: Account Executive

Alyssa Keen

Manager Premium Hospitality Development – Cleveland Cavaliers

Previous Position: Account Executive

Jaclyn Urda

Senior Marketing Manager – 76ers

Previous Position: Night Sales

Joe Hamlin

Director of Partnership Strategy – Cleveland Browns

Previous Position: BDS

Nick Batista

Manager of Premium Sales – New Orlean Saints & Pelicans

Previous Position: Night Sales

Spencer Ambrosius

Vice President of Ticket Sales and Service – Detroit Red Wings

Previous Position: Manager of Inside Sales

Robert Minter

Vice President of Business Ops for Pegula Sports & Entertainment– Rochester Americans

Previous Position: Account Executive

Joel Adams

VP of Ticket Sales & Service – Arizona Cardinals

Previous Position: Manager of Inside Sales

Taylor Laurer

Vice President of Ticket Sales and Service – Washington Football Team

Previous Position: Account Executive

Michael Tomon

Co-President & COO – Legends

Previous Position: Sales Consultant

John Fisher

Senior Vice President of Ticket Sales and Marketing – Arizona Diamondbacks

Previous Position: Director of Group Sales

Mark Schoppe

Manager of Corporate Partnerships – The Superlative Group

Previous Position: Account Executive

Nicholas Long

Director of Retail Ops – Orlando Magic

Previous Position: Account Executive

Eric Clouse

Commercial Consultant – Legends

Previous Position: Chief Commercial Officer – Haslam Sports Group

Mike Ostrowski

President – Franchise Properties

Previous Position: Sales Executive

Regis Bane

Executive Director of Ticketing Technology and Ticket Operations – Detroit Lions

Previous Position: Account Executive

Steve Korey

Director of Sales – Top Golf Cleveland

Previous Position: Account Executive

Wes Warne

Director of Ticket Sales and Career Advancement – Milwaukee Bucks

Previous Position: Account Executive

Bob Wunderlich

Director of Membership Sales – Denver Nuggets

Previous Position: Account Executive

Bryan Ralston

Manager Group Sales – Miami Heat

Previous Position: Telesales Representative

Ade Ayodele

Manager of Partnership Development – Charlotte Hornets

Previous Position: Inside Sales Consultant

Sezin Aksoy

SVP of Global Data Strategy and Analytics – AXS

Scott Bailey

Director of Corporate Partnerships – Columbus Blue Jackets

Josh Baker

CRO, SVP of Global Partnerships – Professional Bull Riders

Tamzin Barroilhet

Global Sports Marketing – Under Armor

Brian Basloe

CEO – Concierge Live

Mike Behan

President – Legends College

Jeff Bowler

VP of Business Ops – Monumental Sports

Kerry Bubolz

President, CEO – Vegas Golden Knights

Tad Carper

SVP of Communications – Dallas Cowboys

Abbey Mathis

VP of Ticket Memberships Services & Ops – Houston Texans

Scott Gordon

Sales Director – PGA Tour

Johnny Greco

CEO – Shine Entertainment

Steve Kessen

CEO – Fathom

David Livingston

VP Partnerships – Oak View Group

Mike Maleski

EVP – Babcox Media

Ken Meredith

VP of Premium & East Coast Sales – Professional Bull Riders

Previous Position: Account Executive

Jentry Mullins

VP of Ticket Sales & Service – BSE Global

Garin Narain

EVP & CCO – Atlanta Hawks

Mike Ondrejko

President of Global Sales – Legends

Matt Papatheodorou

Director of Marketing – Cleveland Browns

Amanda Petrek

Sr. Enterprise Client Relations Manager – Key Bank

Dan Purdy

Sr. Manager of Business Development – Gamecock Sports Properties

Previous Position: Account Executive

Wendy Ross

Founder – Level-Up Strategic Marketing

Jeff Ryznar

Owner – 898 Marketing

Meredith Scerba

Senior Associate Athletic Director – University of South Florida

Olivier Sedra

Voice of the Brooklyn Nets

Bob Sivik

VP of Sales – Linder Health

Kerri Stephen

Chief Development Officer – United Way

Bruce Wimbish

Director of Professional Sports Partnerships – Advance

Scott Woodruff

Sr Director of Corporate Partnerships – Detroit Lions

Hallie Yavitch

Sr VP of Booking & Marketing – Crypto.com Arena

Matt Korte

Senior Vice President, Corporate Partnerships & Development

Kyle Walker

Manager, Corporate Partnership

FAMILY OF COMPANIES

Obsessed with Finding a Better Way, For Our Clients, for Our Communities, and for Our Team Members

DAN GILBERT

Founder and Chairman, Quicken Loans and Rock Ventures

Chairman, 2016 NBA Champion Cleveland Cavalier

Dan Gilbert is Founder and Chairman of Quicken Loans, the nation’s largest mortgage lender. He is also Founder and Chairman of Rock Ventures, the umbrella entity for his portfolio of business and real estate investments, and Chairman of the Cleveland Cavaliers. For the past four consecutive years, the Cleveland Cavaliers have made appearances in the NBA Finals, and in 2016 won the NBA championship. Rock Ventures and its more than 100 affiliated companies across the country employ more than 30,000 team members, including more than 17,000 in Detroit’s urban core.

Dan is also an active investor in tech, sports-related and consumer direct companies. Dan is a Founder and Principal of Detroit Venture Partners (DVP), a venture capital firm that funds startup and early-stage technology companies and a Founding Partner of Detroit-based private equity group Rockbridge Growth Equity.

Dan began moving his Family of Companies to Detroit’s central business district in 2010 in an effort to help lead the transformation of a great American city. In 2011, Dan co-founded Detroit-based Bedrock, a full-service real estate firm specializing in acquiring, leasing, financing, and managing commercial and residential space. Since its founding, Bedrock and its affiliates have invested and committed more than $5.6 billion to acquiring and developing more than 100 properties, including new construction of ground up developments in downtown Detroit and Cleveland, totaling more than 18 million square feet.

Dan serves on the boards of the Cleveland Clinic and the Children’s Tumor Foundation. In 2015, Dan and Jennifer Gilbert established the Gilbert Family Foundation and in 2017, formed ‘NF Forward’ to fund cutting-edge research dedicated to finding a cure for neurofibromatosis (NF). Dan earned his bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University and his law degree from Wayne State University.

NIC BARLAGE

CEO, ROCK ENTERTAINMENT GROUP

Nic Barlage is Chief Executive Officer of Rock Entertainment Group (REG), the entity behind Cavaliers Chairman Dan Gilbert’s Rock Family of Companies. The group encompasses the NBA Cleveland Cavaliers, the AHL Cleveland Monsters, the NBA G League Cleveland Charge, the Cavs Legion in the NBA 2K League, and the newly formed Rock Entertainment Sports Network (RESN). REG also manages operations of key venues such as the Cleveland Clinic Courts and Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse (RMFH), the epicenter of sports and entertainment in Cleveland.

Barlage joined the Cavaliers in 2017 as President of Business Operations, overseeing the 2019-2020 transformation of RMFH, solidifying its status the epicenter of sports and entertainment in downtown Cleveland and the largest driver of economic impact in Cuyahoga County. In 2021, he was named CEO of the Cavaliers and REG.

Before joining the Cavaliers, Barlage served as the Senior Vice President and Chief Sales Officer for the Phoenix Suns during the 2013-14 season, leading their premium and ticket sales and marketing endeavors. Earlier, Barlage spent five seasons with the Cavaliers, culminating in his role as Vice President of Sales and Service before his move to Phoenix. Prior to his time in Cleveland, he honed his expertise in suite and premium seating during stints with the Suns and the Charlotte Bobcats, totaling three seasons.

Fulfilling the vision of REG Chairman Dan Gilbert, under Barlage’s leadership REG has transformed from a regional force into a global catalyst for change. The Cavaliers have forged partnerships across all levels, from local neighborhoods to international communities, amplifying their impact far beyond Northeast Ohio. This expansive reach has translated into tangible results: over $48 million invested in community initiatives and more than 52,000 volunteer hours contributed by team members. REG’s support extends to organizations tackling critical issues such as education, food security, violence prevention and youth development. By creating safe spaces and enriching programs, REG isn’t just improving communities – it’s reshaping futures.

Barlage is member of Cosm’s board, a global technology company that creates immersive “shared reality” entertainment. He also serves on advisory boards for esteemed institutions such as the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission, American Red Cross, Cleveland Leadership Center, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Cleveland Clinic Pediatrics Leadership Council, Greater Cleveland Partnership, Boys & Girls Club of Northeast Ohio and Hathaway Brown School.

A proud graduate of Saint John’s University (Minn.), Barlage earned a degree in Psychology in May 2006. He and his wife, Traci, have two daughters, Brooklyn and Kennedy.

Bill Fagan

PRESIDENT, BUSINESS OPERATIONS

Bill Fagan is the President of Business Operations for Rock Entertainment Group (REG), the parent company encompassing the NBA Cleveland Cavaliers, the NBA G League Cleveland Charge, the AHL Cleveland Monsters, the NBA 2K Cavs Legion Gaming Club, Rock Entertainment Sports Network and Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. In this role, Bill oversees all business operation departments for REG including communications, marketing, franchise and commercial.

Prior to joining REG, Bill served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Playfly Aspire for Playfly Sports. His tenure at The Aspire Group was marked by extraordinary achievements, including generating over $1.5 Billion in revenue and maintaining 15 consecutive years of profitability. Bill’s leadership guided the company from its inception to serving over 300 sports organizations across 11 countries, hiring more than 1,300 employees, and developing over 100 sports business leaders from entry-level positions to leadership and executive roles. Bill is recognized for developing peak-performing organizations on the business side of sports, taking people and teams to unprecedented success.

Bill’s prior roles additionally include senior positions at the Phoenix Suns, Charlotte Bobcats and Moncton Wildcats Hockey Club, where he drove substantial revenue growth and significantly enhanced operational effectiveness.

Bill holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Miami and an MBA from the Goizueta School of Business at Emory University. He was recognized as one of Sports Business Journal’s 40-Under-40 in the 2017 class and led The Aspire Group to be named one of the Best Places to Work in Sports by Forbes and Front Office Sports.

YOUR STORY STARTS HERE

THE LAND

Welcome to Cleveland

CULTURE

Strong Work Ethic | Passion for your Craft | Openness to Learning | Leadership | Positive Attitude

THE 5 CHARACTERISTICS OF OUR CULTURE

PASSION FOR YOUR CRAFT

Obsessed with getting better everyday at what you do.

POSITIVE ATTITUDE

The biggest controllable, we can’t always control the outcome but we can control how we react to it.

STRONG WORK ETHIC

Continuously giving maximum effort while always holding yourself to the highest standard.

OPENNESS TO LEARNING

Positively responds to training while continually seeking out constructive feedback to get better.

LEADERSHIP

It doesn’t take a title to be a leader, lead by example by always doing the right thing.

MISSION, VISION, VALUE

LEADERSHIP

Meet our Cavs Ticket Sales Leadership Team

Bill Fagan

President, Business Operations

First Job

Allison Howard

Chief Commercial Officer

First Job

Josh Lins

Vice President, Ticket Sales & Service

First Job

What is the best advice you’ve received in your sports career?

Aj Bondi

Vice President, Premium Development

First Job

Why is The Foundation important to you and/or the ticket sales team?

DOUG WISLINSKI

SENIOR DIRECTOR, GROUP & MEMBERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

First Job

What is the best advice you've received in your sports career?

KYLE KAMINSKI

MANAGER, THE FOUNDATION

First Job

What is the best part about working for the Cavs?

ANGELO HRONIS

Director, Business Development

First Job

What is the best part about working for the Cavs?

MELA SCHLESINGER

DIRECTOR, REVENUE OPERATIONS & SPECIAL PROJECTS

First Job

What is the best part about working for the Cavs?

Sharon Smith

Director, Premium Membership Development

First Job

Jordyn Kovolyan

Senior Manager, Membership Development

First Job

What is your advice for incoming industry professionals?

SAM BERMAN

MANAGER, PREMIUM DEVELOPMENT

First Job

What is the best part about working for the Cavs?

KIERSTEN GREEN

MANAGER, GROUP SALES

First Job

Why is The Foundation important to you and/or the ticket sales team?

CAREER PATH

Learn how others have moved through the ranks of the organization.

MELA SCHLESINGER

DIRECTOR, REVENUE OPERATIONS & SPECIAL PROJECTS

VIEW MELA'S CAREER PATH

GRANT HESSELBART

SENIOR DIRECTOR, Ticket Sales & Service, Cleveland Charge

VIEW GRANT'S CAREER PATH

Jordyn Kovolyan

SENIOR MANAGER, MEMBERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

VIEW JORDYN'S CAREER PATH

Cavs Front Office Hall of Fame

The group of individuals below are amongst the finest in the sports industry. Below are a few examples of leaders who’ve come through our Foundation program:

Matthew Kalister

Dan Rosenthal

Mela Schlesinger