Doug Thornton serves as Executive Vice President of Stadiums, Arenas and Theaters for ASM Global, the management group for hundreds of facilities worldwide, including the Caesars Superdome, Smoothie King Center and Champions Square. Thornton got his start in the sports industry in 1988 when he helped create the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation and later played a crucial role in bringing the 1992 Track and Field Olympic Trials to New Orleans. He took over at the Sports Foundation as President/CEO from 1994-1997 before moving on to facility management at SMG, now ASM Global.

In his current role, Thornton oversees the iconic Caesars Superdome, home of the New Orleans Saints, as well as the Smoothie King Center, where the NBA’s New Orleans Pelicans play. He also supervises ASM Global’s portfolio of arenas and stadiums, including several other NFL venues. Thornton has been instrumental in ensuring New Orleans remains a top competitor for major sporting events. Having overseen the extensive renovations of the Superdome following Hurricane Katrina, negotiated the lease deals with the Saints, spearheaded the creation of Champions Square and led the extensive $450 million renovation of the Superdome, Thornton’s leadership and strategic vision have earned him recognition as one of the most influential figures in Louisiana’s sports scene.

Mike Millay is the Managing Partner of Clancy’s Sports Properties, LLC, a company based in Orlando that specializes in strategic planning, facility development, sports event programming, and partnerships, as well as the development of event properties that drive economic value to communities.

Millay helped design the successful business strategy behind Disney’s Wide World of Sports complex in the early 1990’s, including facility design, client negotiations, event programming, event management framework, as well as overseeing complex sponsorship and marketing efforts. During his 19-plus years with Disney, Millay led the business development side of the complex focused on future facility growth, new events and partnership activations. He facilitated significant relocations, including that of the Atlanta Braves Spring Training home, the Amateur Athletic Union headquarters, and the USSSA headquarters. He also spearheaded the runDisney initiative, elevating Disney’s presence in the running community.

Before joining Disney, Millay was a pioneer in the now well-established sports tourism industry, helping create the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation and the National Association of Sports Commissions. He currently is active with several local and national sport organization boards of directors, such as the Greater Orlando Sports Commission, the DeVos Sports Business Management Program and the National Council of Youth Sports.

Ron Maestri served the University of New Orleans as both a baseball coach (1972-85) and athletic director (1979-2000).

In 14 seasons as baseball coach, Ron Maestri developed a fledgling University of New Orleans program into a national power, posting an overall 518-247-1 (.677) record and reaching nine NCAA Tournaments. UNO finished second in the 1975 Division II World Series and tied for fifth in the 1984 Division I CWS. Six of Maestri’s players reached the major leagues and another 40 played professionally. UNO ranked among college baseball’s attendance leaders three times. As Coach of the 1981 USA team that played in the Far East, Maestri was inducted in the American Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame in 1991.

As Athletic Director, Maestri hired the likes of Benny Dees, Tim Floyd, Joey Favaloro, Tic Price, Randy Bush, and Tom Schwaner. In 2002, Privateer Park was officially renamed Ron Maestri Field.

As one of the Founders of the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation, Ron Maestri left an indelible mark on the organization’s inception and development. Serving as the Executive Director of NCAA Events from 2000 to 2004, Maestri played a pivotal role in bringing sporting events to New Orleans, including the 2003 Men’s and the 2004 Women’s Final Fours.