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The Official Site of the Tampa Bay Lightning

Upon acquiring the Lightning, Vinik vowed to make the organization "world-class," creating an unrivaled fan experience while putting together a team of which Tampa Bay sports fans would be proud, on and off the ice. Vinik and his franchise became Stanley Cup Champions on September 28, 2020 when the Lightning defeated the Dallas Stars in six games after spending 65 days in the pandemic-induced NHL "Bubble." The Lightning repeated the feat, becoming just the second team since the turn of the century to go back-to-back, after downing the Montreal Canadiens in five games to capture a second-straight Stanley Cup on July 7, 2021.

As Vinik enters his 12th year of ownership, the Lightning are recognized nationally as one of the top organizations in North American sports, having appeared in the National Hockey League's Eastern Conference Final/Stanley Cup Semifinal six times (2011, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2020 & 2021), advancing to the Stanley Cup Final three times (2015, 2020 & 2021), winning hockey's ultimate prize in 2020 and 2021. Off the ice, the Lightning brand has been completely revitalized and transformed, having been lauded by both ESPN as the No. 1 team in professional sports in the media giant's Ultimate Standings (also ranking in the Top 10 in six of seven years), as well as by the Sports Business Journal as one of five finalists for Sports Team of the Year in 2016 and 2020. The Lightning enjoyed 234-consecutive sellout crowds at AMALIE Arena from 2015-2020, a streak that was halted only by the COVID-19 pandemic. Vinik now sits as a member of the Executive Committee of the National Hockey League's Board of Governors.

In executing his plan to bring a world class franchise to life in Tampa Bay, Vinik has invested more than $100 million in private funding into the publicly owned AMALIE Arena to create a guest-first facility recognized as one of the finest in the NHL. Additionally, under the umbrellas of the Vinik Family Foundation and the Lightning Foundation, Jeff and his wife Penny have invested nearly $40 million in Tampa Bay area charities through a variety of programs and donations, the most notable being the Lightning Community Heroes program, in which $50,000 is donated to worthy individuals and their non-profits of choice at each Bolts home game. Through the 2020-21 season, more than $23 million has been donated through the Community Heroes program to more than 750 local non-profits. He pledged another $10-million to continue the Hero program in the summer of 2021.

The Lightning's success under Vinik has coincided with the emergence of a development company, Strategic Property Partners (SPP), LLC and its plan to develop approximately 60 acres in downtown Tampa's south core into a new district entitled 'Water Street Tampa'. SPP, a partnership between Vinik and Cascade Investment, LLC of Kirkland, Washington, is expecting to deliver approximately $3 billion in investment to bring Water Street Tampa to life and reinvent the blocks surrounding AMALIE Arena into a walkable, 24-7 live, work, play and stay wellness district. With construction of phase one already underway, the district includes a School of Medicine for the University of South Florida, corporate office buildings, three Marriott hotel properties, residences, retail, restaurants, entertainment, and improved infrastructure.

Vinik is also the impetus behind Embarc Collective, an innovation hub which opened in downtown Tampa in 2019. Embarc formally brings together startup companies, venture capitalists, academic resources, and startup-focused partners in a central physical hub to help open opportunities, inspire iteration, push progress, and put Tampa Bay on the map as a prime destination for diverse startup talent to make an impact.

Jeff and Penny Vinik continue to personally invest in the community, bringing one-of-a-kind art installations "The Beach," "Art of the Brick," and "Love is Calling" to the city of Tampa. The Beach came to AMALIE Arena in 2016 and featured 1.2 million translucent white balls, creating an indoor beach for nearly 100,000 patrons. Art of the Brick, the first exhibit to focus exclusively on the use of LEGO bricks as an art medium, was brought to downtown Tampa in 2017. Love is Calling, an iconic infinity room, made by Yayoi Kusama, considered the best female artist in the world, was the featured exhibit at the Tampa Museum of Art for six months during 2018-19.

The Vinik family has also directly contributed to several local non-profits, including the Florida Aquarium, Tampa Museum of Art, the United Way of Suncoast, Metropolitan Ministries and Tampa Preparatory School and Jeff served as the Chairman of the American Heart Association's 2018 Tampa Bay Heart Walk.

In August of 2018, the Viniks helped cut the ribbon on the $2.5 million Jeff and Penny Vinik Family Winston Park Boys and Girls Club in east Tampa. In 2017, the Viniks donated $1 million to relief efforts after Hurricane Harvey struck the state of Texas and another $1 million (through the Lightning Foundation) after Hurricane Irma devastated much of the state of Florida. In September 2017, the University of South Florida's Muma College of Business renamed its dual-degree sport-focused graduate program the Vinik Sport and Entertainment Program, a result of Jeff and Penny's support of the University and this field of study.

In September of 2019, through the Vinik Family Foundation, the Viniks donated $5 million to help IDEA Public Schools, a network of nationally acclaimed, tuition-free college preparatory public charter schools, launch four new schools in the Tampa Bay area.

Penny Vinik is the chair of a community arts initiative which is enabling Tampa Bay-based artists to display their works throughout AMALIE Arena. She is a member of the Board of Trustees at Tampa Preparatory School and a board member of Tampa Museum of Art, where she led the search to select its Executive Director.

After growing up in New Jersey and attending high school at Riverdale Country School in New York City, Vinik graduated from Duke University (1981) with a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering and Economics. He went on to earn his Master of Business Administration degree from the Harvard Business School, graduating in 1985.

Vinik was awarded Duke University's Distinguished Young Alumni Award in 1994, and he later served on the Duke University Board of Trustees. In May 2012, the family made a $10-million donation to Duke to establish a faculty challenge fund that is being used to hire and retain professors who focus on complex societal challenges such as engineering and related areas in energy, global health, brain sciences and the environment.

In addition to his primary business interests in Tampa Bay, Vinik maintains interests in several other entities, including aXiomatic, a Los Angeles-based esports and gaming company of which he is co-executive chairman. Founded in September of 2016, aXiomatic is the majority owner of the Team Liquid franchise, a stalwart esports franchise, which won DOTA2's The International 2017 and secured back-to-back North American championships in 2018 for League of Legends' North American League Championship Series.

Jeff and Penny reside in South Tampa and have four children: Danny, Jared, Kyra, and Joshua.

Prior to being tabbed as CEO, he spent one year as team president and four as chief operating officer. Griggs first joined the organization as COO on August 31, 2010. He oversees all of the organization's business operations, including all concerts and events held at AMALIE Arena. In 2021 he became a two-time Stanley Cup Champion after the Lightning captured back-to-back titles. Griggs' name is engraved twice on the Stanley Cup to memorialize those achievements.

In 2020, Griggs spearheaded the creation of the Vinik Sports Group, which serves as the parent company for the Tampa Bay Lightning, the lease holding entity for AMALIE Arena and other sports and entertainment assets, while becoming the umbrella brand for three new business verticals: VSG Commercial Sales, VSG Facilities and VSG Live. He also oversaw the introduction of the Lightning and AMALIE Arena's new Cur(ate) TPA initiative, bringing to life a focus to deliver fans and arena guests the very best in fresh, local food and beverage options, while also concentrating on variety, value, service and sustainability. Under the Cur(ate) TPA umbrella, Griggs oversaw the design and opening of the new Cigar City Brewing Taproom on Ford Thunder Alley. The new Cigar City Brewing Taproom opened during the 2019-20 season and represented new food and beverage options for AMALIE Arena guests for event and select non-event days. Griggs continues to play a significant role in the vast improvements being made each year to AMALIE Arena. Over the past nine years, the team has invested close to $100 million in renovations to the arena with more scheduled, continuing to create a world class experience of fans, season ticket members and corporate partners.

Griggs has helped lead the Lightning through six very successful seasons on and off the ice, including back-to-back Stanley Cup Championships and the Bolts' unprecedented regular season success in 2018-19, the team winning a franchise-best 62 games, tied for the most ever in NHL history. The Bolts' 128 regular season points in 2018-19 were the fourth most all-time in League history and the most in the NHL by 21 points over second-place finishers Calgary and Boston, allowing Tampa Bay to capture its first-ever Presidents' Trophy. The Lightning secured two-straight Atlantic Division crowns (2018 and 2019) and their third and fourth division titles overall with Griggs as CEO. Under Griggs' guidance, the Lightning unveiled a new third jersey and uniform system to much success during the 2018-19 season, an undertaking nearly two years in the making and a collaborative work between the Lightning, adidas and the NHL. On February 7, 2020, Griggs led the charge on the new naming rights of the Lightning's practice facility, TGH Ice Plex.

Off the ice, the Lightning continued to transform the Tampa Bay landscape through its grassroots community efforts. The Lightning's community hockey department, Lightning Made, has opened new outdoor street hockey rinks across the Tampa Bay area, and is committed to opening 10 public outdoor street hockey rinks through their Build the Thunder 2.0 and Connect the Thunder programs. Lightning Made handed out its 100,000th street hockey stick at Colson Elementary School in April 2019 as part of the Equip the Thunder program, which started in 2015 and has been dedicated to introducing the game of hockey to fourth- and eighth-grade students by donating hockey equipment to schools. Griggs also spearheaded the organization's launch of the new Lightning Made Training Center, a focal point for youth to learn the game and for the team to continue teaching and educating more than just on-ice skills. Since 2015, the Lightning, in conjunction with the NHL and the NHL Players Association, have invested more than $6 million to grow the game of hockey and teach life skills to youth throughout the Tampa Bay community.

During Griggs' tenure with the Lightning, the organization has risen to unprecedented heights, as evidenced by the team selling out 234 consecutive games from 2015 through 2020, a streak that was halted only by the COVID-19 pandemic that kept fans from attending games in person at AMALIE Arena. Griggs engineered a 95 percent Season Ticket Member renewal rate for the 2019-20 season. Season ticket sales were capped at 15,000 for the third-consecutive summer, and the Lightning Priority Access Club stands at 4,800 seats and growing. Prior to Griggs' arrival, the Lightning played to 83 percent capacity or less for two consecutive seasons before seeing a major turnaround at the gate and a major brand renaissance. With the significant increase in attendance and overall brand awareness over the past few seasons, the team has in turn seen increases in revenues and profitability. Under Griggs' guidance, the Bolts have also continued to see a significant boost in corporate partnerships driven by key sponsorship renewals, new business growth and in-market brand and retail activations. The Lightning once again saw a high renewal percentage amongst current partners including Tampa General Hospital, Apple, Southwest Airlines and Honda. In addition, the team has added several new best-in-brand local, national and international partners including Cigar City Brewing, Pepsi, Grant Thornton and Ling Long Tires.

Griggs was instrumental in generating the team's "Be the Thunder" campaign that has galvanized the fan base and served as a rallying cry to fans both at the games and in the community. "Be the Thunder" entered its 10th consecutive season in 2020-21, further demonstrating its staying power and paying tribute to the Lightning's passionate fan base, making them part of the team. Under Griggs' guidance, the Lightning were ranked No. 1 in ESPN's "Ultimate Standings" in September 2016. Prior to taking home the top honors, the Lightning were ranked in the Top 10 in 2011, 2012, 2014 and 2015. The accolades didn't end there as Tampa Bay was named a finalist for the Sports Business Journal's Sports Team of the Year in 2016, the only NHL team to do so. The organization has also been recognized for its corporate culture, being named to the Tampa Bay Times' Top 100 Best Places to Work five-consecutive years from 2014-2019.  

Most recently, Griggs played a pivotal role in the formation of Tampa Bay Entertainment Properties, LLC (TBEP) and its groundbreaking agreement with the University of South Florida on a 10-year multimedia rights partnership and facility management of the USF Sun Dome. The agreement grants TBEP the exclusive rights to all commercial multimedia sports marketing, sponsorship, and respective inventory possessed by USF Athletics. On June 10, 2018, TBEP announced a new multi-year agreement to rename the Sun Dome to the Yuengling Center, partnering with D.G. Yuengling & Son, America's Oldest Brewery, who has maintained a facility near the university since 1999. In 2018, TBEP also launched The Identity Tampa Bay, an on-demand digital network that offers local lifestyle, entertainment and sports content in multiple forms, including a newsletter, digital media and streaming services.   

Before coming to Tampa Bay, Griggs spent nearly three years serving as executive vice president of sales and marketing for the Orlando Magic. During his time in Orlando, Griggs oversaw the Magic's corporate partnerships, premium sales and services, season ticket services and operations, brand management, event presentation and ticket sales departments. Griggs also directed strategic sales and marketing efforts for the new Amway Center, which opened in October 2010.

Prior to joining the Magic, Griggs served for seven years as the vice president of sales and service for the Minnesota Wild of the National Hockey League and their parent company, Minnesota Sports & Entertainment (MSE). In Minnesota, Griggs' responsibilities included overseeing all Wild and MSE ticket sales and service, corporate sales and service, suite sales and service, retail operations as well as group and event suite sales. The Aurora, Ontario native also worked for Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE), the NBA's Toronto Raptors (1994-99) and the NHL's Toronto Maple Leafs (1998-99) as the director of ticket sales and service, where he led the sales and relocation efforts from historic Maple Leaf Gardens into Air Canada Centre in Toronto.

Griggs and his wife, Janell, have a daughter, Maddie, and a son, Jack.

Senior Management
POSITION NAME
Chief Operating Officer Mark Pitts
Chief Financial Officer Casey Rodgers
Chief Venue Officer Kevin Preast
Chief Marketing Officer Matt Corey
Executive Vice President, Corporate & Community Development Derrick Brooks
Executive Vice President of Community Development and Social Impact Elizabeth Frazier
Senior Vice President of Technology and Innovation Andrew McIntyre
Senior Vice President of Ticket Sales and Service Travis Pelleymounter
Senior Vice President of Legal and Business Affairs Jay Feaster
Vice President of Corporate and Community Affairs Dave Andreychuk
Vice President of Corporate Relations Phil Esposito
Vice President of Game Presentation John Franzone
Vice President of Premium Seating and Group Sales Matt Hill
Vice President of People Operations Nicole Parente
Vice President of Facility Operations/Assistant General Manager Amalie Arena Rhett Blewett
Vice President of Partnership Development and Activation Sheri Anderson
Vice President of Finance & Accounting Scott Levine
Executive Assistant to CEO Connie C. Van Horn
Executive Assistant Charlene Beverly
Arena Management
POSITION NAME
Senior Director of Planning and Projects Michael O'Donnell
Senior Director of Facility Services, Assistant General Manager Yuengling Center Jason Gibson
Director of Security & Transportation Services Tripp Turbiville
Director of Facilities Steve Butler
Director of Premium and Guest Services Justin Bechtold
Senior Manager of Engineering Tom Dacey
Assistant Manager of Engineering Frank Welland
Executive Producer/USF Digital Network Darek Sharp
Sr. Manager, Facility Services Brandon Miller
Facility Services Shift Manager Tina Such
Facility Services Shift Manager Joel Corley
Facility Services Shift Manager Jay Lynch
Facility Services Shift Manager, Yuengling Center Jesse Heilman
Facility Services Shift Manager, Embarc Jeff Shimmel
Facility Services Shift Supervisor Anthony Flores
Facility Services Shift Supervisor Cody Stange
Facility Services Shift Supervisor Jamaal Black
Facility Services Shift Supervisor Kevin Losier
Facility Services Shift Supervisor Robin Moye
Facility Services Shift Supervisor Walter Jackson
Supervisor of Facility Services, Yuengling Center Gabriel Hance
Manager, Ice Operations Patrick Jesso
Assistant Manager, Ice Operations Alison Murdock
Manager of Security & Transportation Services Kelvin Alexander
Manager of Security & Transportation Services Kevin Eshleman
Manager of Security & Transportation Services Sean Allaster
Safety & Security Supervisor Lincoln Parker
Overnight Safety & Security Supervisor Anthony Caruana
Overnight Safety & Security Supervisor Dustin Hancock
Shipping Coordinator Angelina Evans
Crew Lead Bernice Robinson
Crew Lead Sherrisse McCray
Engineer Jesse Alvarez
Engineer James Carpenter
Building Engineer, Yuengling Center Wayne Letson
Electrician John Schuiteboer
Electrician William Jamrozik
Carpenter John Howley
Carpenter Steven Starbuck
HVAC Technician Justin Phillips
HVAC Technician Marcus Vaughn
HVAC Technician Tyree Boone
Painter Gregg Finelli
Painter Timothy Porter
Plumber Daniel Lynn
Plumber Dale Reneau
Events
POSITION NAME
Senior Director of Event Marketing Kelli Yeloushan
Director of Event Marketing Angela Lanza
Manager of Booking and Venue Scheduling Samantha Diaz
Manager, Premium Service Keisha Ussery
Manager, Guest Experience Christen Robinson
Manager, Event Marketing Kelsey Coary
Manager, Booking Joe Maury
Sr. Manager, Event Services Jordan Fisher
Manager, Event Services Robert Peavy
Event Coordinator Kevin Eastman
Event Coordinator Audrey Minch
Event Coordinator Kamryn Canova
Event Marketing Coordinator Madison Burgner
Lightning Vision
POSITION NAME
Director of Game Presentation Stephen Frey
Director of Video and Media Production Gabriel Marte
Manager, Production Operations Felicia Sablan
Motion Graphics Manager Darlene Sanchez
Senior Video Coordinator Tyler Flood
Video Coordinator Anthony Carusone
Motion Graphics Coordinator Lia Janeiro
Game Presentation Coordinator Lucy Divilio
Display Systems Coordinator Dorian Bural
Video Production Coordinator Michael Calandra
Broadcast
POSITION NAME
TV Play-by-Play Announcer Dave Randorf
TV Analyst Brian Engblom
TV Analyst Bobby Taylor
Radio Play-by-Play Announcer Dave Mishkin
Radio Color Commentator Phil Esposito
Broadcast Manager Steve Versnick
Technology & Innovation
POSITION NAME
Director of Technology Services Jay Young
Audio Engineer Jim Wilson
Audio Engineer Kian Boyd
Network Engineer Bryce Huffman
Systems Engineer Ryan Bamford
Production Systems Engineer Calvin Conaway
Production Systems Engineer Hunter Perkins
Production Systems Engineer Pete Marinake
IT Service Desk Analyst Jim Gray
Lightning Foundation and Community Relations
POSITION NAME
Sr. Manager, Lightning Foundation & Community Events Sarah Costello
Manager, Community Relations & Social Impact Holly Mercier
Foundation, Community Relations & Social Impact Coordinator Samantha Bell
Coordinator, Community Relations & Social Impact Caitlin O'Halloran
Community Relations Representative Brian Bradley
Director, Community Hockey Jassen Cullimore
Director, Community Hockey Josh Dreith
Assistant Hockey Director Mathieu Garon
Manager, Community Hockey Aaron Humphrey
Manager, Community Hockey Jordan McKenzie
Hockey Development Coordinator Alec Zec
Hockey Development Coordinator Kelley Steadman
Hockey Development Coordinator Michael Jacobs
Hockey Development Coordinator Shelby Tavares
Partnership Development and Activation
POSITION NAME
Director, VSG Properties and Engagement Shannon Savoie
Director of Strategic Partnerships Mike Berry
Director, Partnership Marketing and Activation Trent Patterson
Director, Partnership Development Tom Severino
Manager, Partnerships Michael Braunfeld
Account Manager, Partnerships Kelsey Gomes
Account Manager, Partnerships Will Kent
Manager, Partnership Development Joe Rizzo
Sales Executive, Partnership Development Nico Medina
Sr. Account Executive, Partnerships Carmela Wassmer
Account Executive, Partnerships Peyton Finley
Account Executive, USF Partnerships Rachel White
Account Executive, Partnerships Lexi Myers
Account Coordinator, Partnerships Jenna Kidd
Account Coordinator, Partnerships Kevin Alwell
Account Coordinator, Partnerships Nicholas Lehman
Executive Suite Sales
POSITION NAME
Director of Business Development Adam Laws
Senior Manager of Suite and Loge Services Toni Connor
Senior Manager of Suite Services and Corporate Hospitality Erin Wilson
Manager, Loge Services Kelley Lozada
Front Desk Administrator Dave Daley
Finance
POSITION NAME
Director of Corporate Finance Molly Duffey
Director, Accounting Chris Ryba
Accounts Payable Manager Rhonda Carswell
Sr. Financial Analyst Sam Carr
Sr. Financial Analyst CJ Tyler
Senior Staff Accountant A.J. Allemang
Staff Accountant R.J. Campbell
Staff Accountant Ashley Cid
Staff Accountant Tori Stanek
People Operations and Legal
POSITION NAME
Director of Training & Experience Susan Danielik
People Operations Business Partner Roanna Neidig
People Operations Business Partner Miriam King
Payroll Manager Ana Gomez
Talent Acquisition Manager - Arena Operations Erica Gonzalez
People Operations Coordinator - Arena Operations Jaxmin Ramirez
People Operations Coordinator - Business Operations Savanna Unterberg
Senior Associate Counsel Chris Brandon
Corporate Counsel Donald Munson
Marketing
POSITION NAME
Senior Manager of Marketing Justin Savoie
Senior Manager of Fan Engagement Marc Chodosh
Senior Creative Project Manager Jenna Baldwin
Digital Marketing Manager Cheyne Delaney
Digital Media Manager Jacob Lynn
Creative Manager Nick Meader
Marketing Content Manager Kristen Carney
Social Media Coordinator Carlee Calfee
Social Media Coordinator Gina Salvatore
Digital Content Coordinator Jeremiah Woodward
Digital Marketing Coordinator Giana Baez
Mascot Coordinator Nick Farmer
Marketing Coordinator Mark Favia
Fan Engagement Coordinator Chase Thomas
Digital Graphic Designer Francis Scheff
Graphic Designer - Partnership Development Caitlyn Rees
Public Relations
POSITION NAME
Senior Director of Broadcasting, Programming, and Communications Brian Breseman
Director of Corporate Communications Marissa Moschel
Manager of Communications Bryan Burns
Media Relations Manager/Beat Writer Chris Krenn
Hockey Reporter Gabby Shirley
Digital Video Coordinator Michael O'Halloran
Alumni Coordinator Rachel Kilman
Membership Sales and Service
POSITION NAME
Director of Season Ticket Membership Lakisha Sharpe
Director of Ticket Sales Zachary Cunningham
Manager, Membership Sales & Service Caitlyn Patterson
Manager, Membership Sales & Service Lindsay Stewart
Account Executive, Membership Sales & Service Danny Prada
Account Executive, Membership Sales & Service Danny Rowan
Account Executive, Membership Sales & Service Gerardo Scheufler
Account Executive, Membership Sales & Service Haley Cameron
Account Executive, Membership Sales & Service Jackie Morrisette
Account Executive, Membership Sales & Service Jake Buckley
Account Executive, Membership Sales & Service Julia Cook
Account Executive, Membership Sales & Service Kate Henley
Account Executive, Membership Sales & Service Landrie Grace
Account Executive, Membership Sales & Service Lauren Sladoje
Account Executive, Membership Sales & Service Matt Thompson
Account Executive, Membership Sales & Service Wesley Kozil
Business Strategy and Analytics
POSITION NAME
Director of Strategy and Analytics Josh Meek
Senior Market Intelligence Manager Allie MacLeod
Manager, Business Intelligence Laura Mooradian
Digital and Consumer Strategist Tyler DeLucca
Consumer Analyst Lane Fahey
Ticket Office
POSITION NAME
Director of Ticket Operations Tim Burke
Special Events Manager Helen Junker
Manager of Lightning Ticketing Krisjan Mackus
Manager of Lightning Ticketing Jonathan Valdez
Sr. Lightning Ticket Coordinator Sally Yan Rochefort
Event Ticket Coordinator Brielle Dougherty
Event Ticket Coordinator Genie Santarpio
Group Sales
POSITION NAME
Sr. Manager, Business Development Ben Salo
Premium & Group Event Executive Tyler Thompson
Premium & Group Event Executive Nicole Madigan
Premium & Group Event Executive Crystal Ortiz
Retail
POSITION NAME
Sr. Director of Retail Matthew Zalkowitz
Sr. Manager of Retail Andrea Reilly
Retail Buyer Danielle Marone
Retail Operations Manager Scott Williams
Assistant Operations Manager Allyson Kuhnhausen
Store Manager Antonio Cintron
Retail Warehouse Manager Stephen Tyson
The Identity Tampa Bay
POSITION NAME
Sr. Manager of Business Operations Benjamin Shotten
Business Development Manager Tyler Langston
Senior Video Producer Kaylee Glyder
Sr. Staff Writer and Editor Thompson Brandes
Video Production Assistant Rafael Agosto