Stars announce front office changes

FRISCO, Texas -- Dallas Stars Owner and GovernorTom Gaglardi today announced that Jim Lites will transition to Chairman of the Dallas Stars and Managing Director of Northland Properties Corporation, US Division, while Brad Alberts has been promoted to President and Chief Executive Officer. Previously, Lites served as the organization's Chief Executive Officer and Alberts served as team President.

"The Dallas Stars are known as a model franchise around the League, and that is due to the tireless work of Jim Lites," stated Gaglardi. "When we purchased the franchise in 2011, there were numerous issues that needed to be addressed. It was evident to me early on that Jim possessed the experience, dedication, guidance and vison required to lead the franchise out of that period. Over the last nine years, he has not only lived up to those expectations, but he has in many ways surpassed them. We're thrilled that he will remain a part of both the Stars and Northland Properties going forward. The development of the land that we purchased around American Airlines Center will be a massive undertaking and we are confident that his work on this project will be a point of pride for the city of Dallas for a long time to come. My family would like to thank him for his daily relentlessness over the years and are excited to continue the relationship moving forward."

As Chairman of the Dallas Stars, Lites will serve as an advisor and provide counsel to Alberts. He will also continue to chair the Dallas Stars Ownership Advisory Group, represent Stars management, led by Alberts, on the board of Center Operating Company (American Airlines Center), and maintain his role as the organization's Alternate Governor. Additionally, Lites will continue his role as a top advisor to Gaglardi as Managing Director of Northland Properties Corporation, US Division as they expand their hospitality, hotel and restaurant business in Texas.

Under Lites' three stints with the Stars (1993-02; 2003-07; 2011-present), the team has won seven division championships, two Western Conference championships, two Presidents' Trophies, and the 1999 Stanley Cup. He played an active role in the conception, design, construction and on-going business operations of American Airlines Center, Comerica Center and Children's Health StarCenter ice facilities. Most recently, Lites played a significant role in hiring General ManagerJim Nill, purchasing the Texas Stars of the American Hockey League (AHL), establishing the operating lease of H-E-B Center at Cedar Park in Cedar Park, Texas, and purchasing the land contiguous to American Airlines Center.

"I have spent the majority of my career here in Dallas," said Lites. "This organization means the world to me and my family. I'm thrilled to remain active in advising the leaders of the Stars, as well as expanding the various business initiatives that the Gaglardi family has outside of the hockey world. I've had the pleasure to both mentor Brad, as well as partner with him, for over two decades. I know he is ready for this challenge. Jim Nill and I have known each other for long time and have worked well together here in Dallas. I will be there to support them at every turn and I can't wait to see where they lead this franchise."

"Jim and I have had a great working relationship over the years and I look forward to continuing this relationship as we move ahead," said Nill. "We look forward to Brad moving into this expanded role, and I'm excited to work side-by-side with him in our pursuit to win the Stanley Cup."

Alberts will oversee the entire operations of the Stars, including being the driving force behind the club's strategic planning, government affairs and facility management. He now serves as the lead Stars official on the board of Center Operating Company (American Airlines Center). Additionally, he will continue to serve as President of the Texas Stars. Since rejoining the team in 2011, Alberts has played an integral role in the resurgence of the Stars in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, helping lead the organization to tremendous growth in brand visibility, attendance and sponsorship sales. Alberts and his leadership team have been instrumental in the sweeping rebrand of the team, retiring the numbers of Mike Modano and Jere Lehtinen, and creating tremendous sponsorship value for the team and its partners. Under his guidance, the team has landed marquee NHL events such as the 2018 NHL Draft and the 2020 Bridgestone Winter Classic, which attracted the second-largest crowd to ever attend an NHL game with a crowd of 85,630.

"Learning from Jim has been invaluable and I will continue to lean on his expertise and knowledge through this transition," said Alberts. "We have a great leadership team intact, and it is our goal to compete for the Stanley Cup each year while building a truly forward-thinking organization as a whole. The Gaglardi family has been amazing to work with, and I am excited to help bring their vision to reality."

Alberts' career includes nearly two decades of professional sports experience selling tickets, suites, premium seating, and sponsorships. From 1996-09, Alberts worked for the Dallas Stars and Texas Rangers in various sales management roles in tickets, suites and corporate sponsorships. From 2006-09, Alberts served as the Executive Vice President of the Hicks Sports Marketing Group, the in-house sponsorship sales group for the Stars, Texas Rangers, and Liverpool Football Club. In 2009, Alberts took over as the Vice President of Sponsorship and Sales at Legends/CSL, overseeing a number of events at numerous venues around the country.

"Brad has grown so much during his tenure with the Stars and he has proven time and again that he is ready to assume this responsibility," said Gaglardi. "His ability to attract the League's premier events has elevated the organization's status throughout the hockey community, and the execution of those events were unquestionably first-class. He and his staff have shown consistent excellence, and we trust his ability to lead the Stars now and in the future."