Venue veteran Wasson helm State Farm Stadium

Article posted by Coliseum, August 15^th, 2024

Image: ASM Global

ASM Global – the world’s No.1 development and full-service venue company – has promoted 19-year State Farm Stadium veteran Melissa Wasson as the General Manager of the storied Glendale, Arizona (US) facility.

‘ASM Global’ stated that Wasson has served the past 13 years as the Assistant General Manager (AGM) at the State Farm Stadium where she led the ASM Global stadium management team in overseeing the day-to-day and event operations for the 63,400 seat, 1.7 million square-foot home of the National Football League (NFL) team Arizona Cardinals.

The award-winning Los Angeles (US)-based ASM Global is the world’s No. 1 development and full-service venue company focused on client-first approaches for driving significant financial success. The company’s elite network spans five continents featuring a portfolio of more than 400 of the world’s most prestigious arenas, stadiums, convention/exhibition centers, and performing arts venues.

ASM Global translates its unique visionary ownership experience into innovative project development, planning and execution, content programing, curated guest-immersive experiences, locally tailored solutions, and optimized revenue streams for its client’s properties and the surrounding communities. Focused on value creation and economic growth, ASM Global realizes venue business potential to elevate the profitability and profile of its clients and partners. They cultivate strong, inclusive relationships with the communities they work and live in while championing the welfare and development of their employees and small-business partners resulting in a more cohesive, resilient and vibrant community.

The 63,400-capacity State Farm Stadium is a multipurpose retractable roof stadium in Glendale, Arizona, United States, West of Phoenix. It is the home of the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL).

The Arizona Cardinals are a professional American football team based in the Phoenix Metropolitan area. The Cardinals compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference West division and play their home games at the State Farm Stadium in Glendale, a suburb Northwest of Phoenix (US).

‘ASM Global’ further stated that since joining the stadium staff before its official opening in 2006, Wasson has been an integral part in the planning and successful execution of over 2,100 events that have taken place at the stadium and attended by over 20 million fans. Her track record includes three Super Bowls (2008, 2015 and 2023), the NFL Pro Bowl, two National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Men’s Final Fours (2017 and 2024), the College Football Playoff (CFP) College Football Championship Game, the annual Fiesta Bowl, dozens of major concerts, international soccer events, motorsports, and many other events and activities of all types and sizes.

New York (US)-based the National Football League (NFL) is a professional American football league that consists of 32 teams divided equally between the American Football Conference and the National Football Conference.

The Super Bowl is the annual league championship game of the National Football League of the United States. It has served as the final game of every NFL season since 1966 replacing the NFL Championship Game. Since 2022, the game has been played on the second Sunday in February.

The National Football League All-Star Game, Pro Bowl, or Pro Bowl Games is an annual event held by the National Football League featuring the league’s star players. The format has changed throughout the years.

Indianapolis (US)-based the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is a nonprofit organization that regulates student athletics among about 1,100 schools in the United States and one in Canada. It also organizes the athletic programs of the colleges and helps over 500,000 college student-athletes who compete annually in college sports.

The College Football Playoff is an annual postseason knockout invitational tournament to determine a national champion for the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, the highest level of college football competition in the United States.

The Fiesta Bowl is an American college football bowl game played annually in the Phoenix Metropolitan area.

Commented Kim Grace Sabow, Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority Board Chair, “Melissa Wasson is a wonderful selection and we look forward to continuing our close collaboration with her. Melissa has played an essential role in the long-running success of the State Farm Stadium and will work to uphold the stadium’s reputation as a world-class facility.”

Added Doug Thornton, Executive Vice-President, ASM Global, “We are fortunate to have someone of Melissa’s talent to lead our team at the State Farm Stadium. Her decades of in-depth experience will prove invaluable as she continues creating unparalleled memorable experiences that thrill the locals and the visitors. We are confident there is no one more qualified or better positioned to take the helm at this Arizona treasure.”

Wasson’s knowledge and expertise are recognized throughout the industry where she assisted the NFL during nine Super Bowls and is an active member of the Stadium Managers Association sitting on their Women in Leadership Deliver and Guest Services Committees and she represents the State Farm Stadium on the NFL Employee Experience Committee.

Des Moines (US)-based the Stadium Managers Association (SMA) is an organization that provides educational information and industry resources to assist the Stadium Managers in the day-to-day management and operation of their facilities. The association is committed to supporting operational excellence and personal development by facilitating networking and best practices sharing between the sports facility managers and the industry partners.

Maintained Wasson, “I grew up in Glendale and was privileged to be part of the construction and opening of the State Farm Stadium in 2006. It has been a thrill to experience every event in the building’s history and being selected to lead our incredible facility team is the honor of a lifetime. As a native of the St. Louis area, I am a lifelong Cardinals fan and look forward to continuing to work with our valued partner.”

Wasson is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and is a San Diego State University alumnus. Prior to joining the State Farm Stadium, she worked as a Director of Finance in Manufacturing, a Senior Financial Analyst at American Express (American bank holding company and multinational financial services corporation) and as a Senior Associate at Coopers and Lybrand (accounting firm).

Continue to follow Coliseum for latest updates on venues business news. Coliseum is dedicated towards building the best global community of sports and entertainment venue executives and professionals creating better and more profitable venues.

Become a member of the only Global Sports Venue Alliance and connect with stadiums, arenas and experts from around the world. Apply for membership at coliseum-online.com/alliance and make use of the 365Coliseum Business.

Watch 380 member-exclusive videos with valuable tips for your venue