NU Advisory Partners Recruits COO and CFO for Legends
April 10, 2025 – NU Advisory Partners has placed Brett Parker has been appointed chief financial officer and chief operating officer of the combined Legends and ASM Global business. “Brett brings exceptional experience in finance and operations, further enhancing our leadership team to deliver the best for our partners and their fans and guests,” said Dan Levy, CEO. “His track record in scaling businesses and driving strategic growth will be invaluable as we bring together Legends and ASM Global and expand our global impact.”
A seasoned executive with extensive experience in strategic finance and business operations, Mr. Parker joins Legends after more than two decades as an executive leader at Lucky Strike Entertainment, where he transformed the business from a single entertainment center location into a public company with hundreds of locations across North America. Before joining Legends, he held several senior positions, including executive vice chairman, president, and CFO at Lucky Strike Entertainment, previously known as Bowlero Corp.
Over the past 24 years, Mr. Parker contributed to the company’s growth from one location to more than 360 venues across the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, establishing it as one of the world’s premier location-based entertainment companies. He guided the business through significant acquisitions, such as AMF, Brunswick Bowling, Bowl America, and Lucky Strike Entertainment, and oversaw high-value financial transactions, including the sale of Bowlero in 2017 and its public offering in 2021. Mr. Parker served as CFO from 2002 to 2023 and added the role of president from 2020 to 2023 before transitioning to executive vice chairman of the board. A Cornell University graduate from the Dyson School of Management, Mr. Parker also acted as chairman of the Professional Bowlers Association and was a board member of Qubica AMF.
Mr. Parker arrives at Legends during a period of significant growth and opportunity following the August 2024 acquisition of ASM Global. As the companies integrate into a single entity, he will oversee all financial operations and planning while playing a vital role in developing and driving company strategy to ensure long-term success.
“I’m thrilled to join Legends at such a pivotal time in the company’s evolution,” said Mr. Parker. “The combination of Legends and ASM Global present an unparalleled opportunity to redefine the live experience industry, and I look forward to working with Dan and the entire team to build on the company’s momentum.”
Legends is the world’s preeminent premium live events company dedicated to delivering exceptional fan and guest experiences globally. They provide a data-driven, customizable solution across all areas of venue operations and revenue generation for many of the world’s most iconic brands and venues in the sports, entertainment, attractions, conventions, and leisure industries.
In 2023, NU Advisory Partners was launched by former Russell Reynolds Associates recruiters Mar Hernandez, Libby Naumes, Meredith Rosenberg, and Nada Usina. The firm is focused on senior executive, operating, and board positions.
Veteran Search Consultants
Ms. Hernandez is a trusted advisor to top executives and a global expert in corporate officer placements (CHRO, CFO, GC) across financial services, fintech, telecom, and hospitality. Prior to co-founding NU, she was a senior leader in the corporate officers, DE&I, and financial services practice at Russell Reynolds Associates, where she co-led the Hispanic Board Initiative. With over a decade in search and prior leadership roles in global firms, she has partnered with private equity firms and Fortune 500 companies to build high-performing leadership teams.
Related: NU Advisory Partners Retained by USA Swimming for CEO Search
Ms. Naumes specializes in placing go-to-market and commercial leaders across sports, media, entertainment, technology, consumer, retail, and marketplace industries. Prior to co-founding NU, she spent 11 years at Russell Reynolds Associates, where she built the consumer digital practice and co-led the global sports practice, working with major brands and leagues worldwide. Previously, she was director of marketing and communications for NASDAQ’s Global Corporate Solutions Group.
NU Advisory Partners Recruits Men’s Head Basketball Coach for Florida State
NU Advisory Partners has assisted in the recruitment of Luke Loucks as its men’s basketball head coach for Florida State University (FSU). “I’m excited to announce that Luke Loucks has accepted our offer to become the next head men’s basketball coach at Florida State,” said Michael Alford vice president and director of athletics. “Luke will bring a unique combination of qualities to our program, and I’m excited to begin the next chapter of our basketball history under his leadership. Throughout basketball at both the professional and collegiate levels, Luke has earned a reputation as one of the rising stars in coaching. Having been a key part of some of the best of what FSU basketball has been as a player, he also brings proven ability to develop players at the highest level of the sport.”
Ms. Rosenberg is a market-leading voice in edTech, where she leverages over 25 years of experience in the education sector. A recognized leader, she is known for her innovative approach and commitment to accessibility and inclusivity. At NU, Ms. Rosenberg guides public and private companies, investors, universities, and nonprofits in navigating the evolving education landscape.
Before co-founding NU, Ms. Rosenberg led the global edTech practice at Russell Reynolds Associates. Her career is marked by her ability to challenge conventional thinking. She has held key roles at a number of tech and edTech-focused companies and she holds several board roles including The Perkins School, Cornell University Brooks School of Public Policy, and The Fletcher School at Tufts. She is also a former trustee of Cornell University. Her thought leadership and advocacy are informative as well as transformative, driving meaningful conversations about the future of work and education at industry events.
Ms. Usina is a recognized industry leader in board, CEO, and C-suite placements across technology, sports, media, entertainment, and industrial sectors. Prior to co-founding NU, she was on the executive committee at Russell Reynolds Associates, where she led the global technology, media, entertainment, and sports practices, shaping leadership across these industries.
With over 15 years in executive search, Ms. Usina is a trusted advisor to leading PE and VC firms, Fortune 500 companies, CEOs, and boards on leadership, succession planning, and board composition. She’s held executive roles at Nokia, broadcast.com—which IPO’d and was acquired by Yahoo!, where she later held an executive role—and Comcast Ventures-backed XOS Technologies, which she successfully sold and merged with NeuLion. Ms. Usina also played key leadership roles with the Florida Sports Foundation, the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games, and Florida State University Athletics.
Related: NU Advisory Partners Recruits CEO for 2U
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
